Fitness applications provide accountability, organization, direction, and social support—benefits that frequently encourage people to move more.

College students who used fitness apps were more active than those who didn’t, according to a study that was published in the September 2019 issue of JMIR Mhealth and Uhealth. This, according to the researchers, was caused by the perception that app users had higher levels of social support and self-efficacy than non-users.

Additionally, a study indicated that people who use fitness apps (and activity trackers) register 1,850 more steps per day than those who do not, according to the British Journal of Sports Medicine, which was published in December 2020. Apps that provide feedback on performance, encouraged users to move, or helped them set personal objectives tended to be the most successful.

There are several fitness apps available, ranging from straightforward activity trackers to in-depth training regimens that help you plan and log each workout. Some apps are geared toward cardio addicts, while others are for weight lifters. Additionally, some combine other aspects of wellness and fitness, including as recovery, sleep, diet, and mindfulness.

Best Fitness Apps for All Types of Home Workouts: Sweat

SWEAT

• Apple rating: 4.6
• Google Play rating: 4.3

$19.99 per month, $54.99 per three months, or $119.94 per year with a 7-day free trial

With the Sweat app, you can pick between workouts at home and at the gym using a range of training modalities, such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT), powerbuilding, strength training, yoga, cardio, pregnancy-friendly workouts, and more. Additionally, mark off any equipment you don’t have access to to get personalized exercise advice.

You may also switch out exercises and alter regimens, which is something that registered dietitian and National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)-certified personal trainer Alix Turoff, RD, from New York City, appreciates. This is fantastic if you have an injury or simply don’t feel like doing a particular activity that day, the expert advises.

The software also offers access to a community online, daily food suggestions based on your dietary preferences, step and hydration tracking, a workout planner to organize your exercises and keep track of your weekly progress, and step tracking.

Best Exercise Apps for Strength Training

Alo Moves

• Apple rating: 4.9
• Google Play rating: 4.3

$20 per month with a 7-day free trial

If building strength is your objective, the Alo Moves app offers a variety of strength sessions and programs. Sort the options according to level of difficulty and intensity before picking the series that best suits your objectives.

Baseline Bootcamp, a six-class series aimed to develop basic strength, is an option for beginners. If you’re more experienced, you might like Harley Pasternak’s four-week Superhero Series exercise regimen. Or, check out the “Alo in the Wild” series to learn more about famous global locations like Machu Picchu and the French Riviera.

For a workout app, MacPherson says, “Alo Moves is my all-around #1 recommendation because it has so many high-quality programs, classes, and trainers from yoga, Pilates, strength, calisthenics, and more.” She adds that fresh trainers and programs are added on a regular basis.

Best Fitness Apps for Cardio Workouts

Daily Burn

• Apple rating: 4.8
• Google Play rating: 3.6

$19.99 per month or $149.99 per year with a 30-day free trial

MacPherson suggests Daily Burn for HIIT and steady-state cardio even though it offers a variety of routines, including yoga, Pilates, pregnancy and postnatal, to mention a few.

There are many workouts to match your hectic schedule, whether you have 10 minutes or an hour. When you initially join up, just answer a few few questions about your objectives and fitness level, and the app will assist you in developing a customized training schedule. As you achieve your goals, it will also help you keep track of your progress.

To satisfy your need for connection, join Daily Burn 365, a daily 9 a.m. EST 30-minute online group exercise class. Even after the session, you can talk to the trainers and other students in the neighborhood.

Best Fitness Apps for Yoga

Glo

• Apple rating: 4.9
• Google Play rating: 4.8

$24 per month or $245 per year with 7-day free trial

One of MacPherson’s top recommendations for yoga is Glo. You can practice yoga of any style and at any experience level, she promises. You can pick from ashtanga, partner yoga, vinyasa, kundalini, yin, Iyengar, pre- and postnatal, restorative, and kundalini yoga. Along with lectures and lessons on various poses, you can also discover classes on mindfulness, breath work, and meditation. You may practice when it suits you by streaming classes to your device. If you prefer more social or broadcast content, Glo also offers live yoga courses, according to MacPherson.

Best Fitness Apps for Activity Tracking

Strava

• Apple rating: 4.8
• Google Play rating: 4.2

Free with in-app purchases

It’s simple to track activities in one place using Strava. It remembers your completed exercises and syncs with thousands of applications and gadgets, like Apple Watch, Fitbit, Garmin, Peloton, and Whoop. Simply open Strava before engaging in any activity to monitor your performance data. Your activity is recorded and published to your feed so that friends and followers can comment and share their own workouts and races.

The “Beacon” safety function, which enables you to communicate your live location with up to three people, is something Turoff appreciates. To access additional services like training programs and route planning, upgrade to a premium subscription for $79.99 annually.

The app is a comprehensive resource for routes and trails because so many users record their road and trail workouts. The app will suggest possibilities close by once you enter your preferences or save your preferred routes. After choosing your route, save it to your phone or GPS for simpler navigation.

Best Free Fitness Apps

Nike Training Club

• Apple rating: 4.8
• Google Play rating: 4.3

Free

Nike Training Club is a terrific option, according to Nelson, if you’re searching for a free fitness program with a large selection of workouts that you can sort by muscle group, difficulty level, and time. Discover live and on-demand yoga, strength and core exercises, at-home workouts, and quick-hit routines that can be completed in under 20 minutes. You won’t get bored because there are new workouts updated each week.

The app does have great features, such as linking to your Apple Watch and Apple Music, Nelson notes, “even though they don’t have periodized strength programs you can follow anymore.”

More Nike Training Club classes will be added to Netflix in 2023, allowing members to stream their workouts directly from their TV, iPad, or computer.

FitOn

• Apple rating: 4.9
• Google Play rating: 4.8

Free with in-app purchases

MacPherson’s top pick for a free fitness app is FitOn. You can select from a variety of routines and plans, including strength training, yoga, HIIT, pregnancy, and more, she claims.

Celebrities like Julianne Hough and Gabrielle Union teach classes that range in intensity and length (from 5 minutes to 35 minutes or more). You can select a specific intensity while still anticipating that there will be changes available for your level, according to MacPherson. “The teachers also provide modifications for people of different fitness levels,” she adds.

The app also provides articles and instructions on topics like meal planning, healthy eating, sleeping, and meditation.

For $29.99 a year, upgrade to FitOn PRO to get individualized food plans, unique recipes, limitless downloads, and premium music options.