The right paid app is not simply the one with the most workouts; it is the one you will actually open, follow, and keep using long enough to see results. For most people, the best approach is to start with a free trial, complete at least three workouts, and check whether the app removes friction from your routine. Look at how quickly you can find a workout, whether the difficulty feels right, and whether the plan tells you what to do next. A paid app is easier to justify when it replaces a gym class, personal training session, or mulle disconnected tools for tracking, programming, and recovery. Clear coaching can make the difference between safe progress and frustration.
Best for tracking cycling: Strava
It also offers free consults with in-house pelvic floor therapists after both vaginal and cesarean births. Designed by prenatal and postnatal exercise specialist Brooke Cates and taught by other experts, Studio Bloom classes help expecting and new parents perform workouts safely during and after pregnancy. Healthline tester Anne Arntson originally paired the Peloton app with an Echelon Smart Connect bike to get in on the spin classes she was missing during the height of the pandemic. As she began testing some of the app’s other classes, she realized how much she enjoyed the range of class types and lengths available. It’s also a favorite of tester Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, who appreciates that the large selection of 20-minute classes makes it easy (and fun) to squeeze a sweat session into her day. You’ll also want to figure out whether the app’s classes require you to have certain pieces of equipment on hand, like dumbbells or a yoga mat.
Best for General Fitness: Fitbod
Where other weight loss apps help you hit goals through caloric deficits, Noom acts as a coach to help you develop the necessary habits for maintaining your desired body weight. You likely have some Nike gear that you rock at the gym—so it might feel right to work out with the Swoosh, too. The Nike Training Club app features more than 180 routines from trainers in categories like yoga, strength training, and more. For users who want the lowest cost, Nike Training Club and the free tiers of Caliber, Jefit, Strava, and MyFitnessPal offer enough functionality to get started without a subscription. These are best for self-directed users who can follow a plan, track workouts consistently, and make adjustments without direct feedback from a coach.
- Every exercise is paired with a video and description if you’re unsure how to execute specific movements.
- The app’s user-friendly interface and personalized training plans make it a valuable tool to help you achieve your fitness goals efficiently and effectively.
- What I like about the app is that you get personal training and fully customizable nutrition plans tied to your goals.
- If you crave community, tune in to Daily Burn 365, a 30-minute online group workout class that takes place at 9 a.m.
- A good place to start is by searching your App Store and seeing what free workout apps it has to offer.
- With your membership, you get access to different workout classes like yoga, pilates, strength, barre, sculpt and HIIT along with other wellness practices like stretching, nutrition and self-care.
Dr. Muscle Editorial Team
If you’re more interested in classes or holistic workouts, Apple Fitness+ might be for you. While the platform is ideal for advanced athletes, beginners also benefit by learning foundational movements and mastering strength basics. “You pick a coach based on your goals and preferences, and each day’s workout—including rest—is programmed for you.
The 9 best fitness apps
As the creators of the Dr. Muscle AI workout app, we know the ins and outs of this game. We’ve been in the trenches, figuring out how to make these digital coaches really work for your needs. As you progress, Tempo’s AI learns from your performance, adjusting the suggested amount of weight to lift or reps to perform to fit your goals — whether you’re building strength or boosting cardio. The app also offers articles and guides that cover healthy eating, meal planning, sleep, meditation, and more.
Quick look at the best weight loss apps
Assess your budget and compare the value offered by each app, such as workout variety, coaching options, and additional perks like meal planning or community access. Every app we’ve tested offers a free trial, which you can use to help you decide before committing. Start by identifying your fitness goals, as they will guide your app selection.
What makes the best fitness app?
This is one of the best fitness and diet apps for both iOS and Android. To lose weight, set your goals and use the app to monitor the calories in all the food you love. Metric VBT is so unique that it made its way into the WH 2025 Fitness Awards, so naturally, it deserves a shout-out here, too. It also shows the bar path so that you can address any technical issues.
Smartwatch/ smart ring companion apps
The apps on this list represent the ones that fast-tracked strength and performance gains, were user-friendly, and really delivered on the user experience, and kept us returning to our workout plan. Consider these picks the ones we will never delete (even bodyweight fitness app if we are running low on storage!). The workout tracking feature also offers lots of options (including, e.g., Pilates and tennis)—though for many workouts, calorie count defaults to the equivalent of a brisk walk. For runs, it marks both mile splits and lets you mark laps manually, as well as tracking heart rate and pace.
Safety tracking
If you need a good assortment of instructor-led workouts and don’t mind taking your sessions in a “choose your own adventure” aesthetic, this can be an excellent pick. The app also offers a unique skill-based library of series that can be great for developing your abilities. I tried the handstand program for two months and actually nailed the move! There’s no option to work with a personal coach here, so you’re on your own when it comes to consistency. In testing, we appreciated the assortment of available on-demand workouts and programs, but admittedly focused on the 171 available yoga flows. Our tester had no issues navigating through the available sessions, giving this yoga app’s user interface a 5 out of 5.
Vi Trainer
Choose from more than 1,000 classes that range from complete beginner to expert, or take a guided program to master your preferred dance style. Styles are taught by professional dancers and include hip-hop, ballet, contemporary, house, jazz, and more. The digital studio technology allows you to watch instructors demonstrate dance moves from different angles, play moves or sections on loop so you can practice, or adjust the class pace.
