Final Verdict
The right fitness app can help you stick to a regular workout routine while saving you time and money. If you’re looking for a fitness app that has a little bit of everything, consider MyFitnessPal. This fan favorite has stood the test of time and continues to get better with age. Plus, it connects to 50 other apps.
Guide to Choosing the Best Fitness Apps
What Are Some Benefits of Fitness Apps?
Fitness apps let you stream workout classes, find trainers and fitness modalities that work best for you, and log your progress. They can be a great alternative or complement to going to the gym. Here are just a few of the benefits of fitness apps:
- Accessibility: Almost all fitness apps can be downloaded on multiple devices and the videos can often be downloaded offline so you can access them anywhere you go.
- Flexibility: Fitness apps give you the ability to change up your workout routine and try new things with little to no long-term commitment.
- Price: Most fitness apps are affordably priced, and some are entirely free.
- Programs: Instead of winging it by yourself, you can follow along with world-class instructors and coaches for a fraction of the price of a gym membership.
How to Choose the Best Fitness Apps
After the rise of at-home workouts during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are more fitness apps to choose from than ever before. In order to make the process a bit easier, we’ve narrowed down the list of the top factors to consider when choosing the best fitness app for your needs.
- Price: Most fitness app subscriptions cost between $5 and $40 per month. The better ones have more videos, a range of workout types and lengths, highly qualified coaches, and easy-to-follow instructions. However, you can also find some great workouts on the free versions of many fitness apps without having to pay for a premium membership. Consider the quality, quantity, and variety of workouts when deciding whether a fitness app is worth paying for.
- Experience levels: Be sure the app you choose matches your ability, experience level, and circumstances. For instance, if you’re pregnant/postpartum, make sure the app you choose has classes that cater to you.
- Skill of instructors: Some apps are crafted by seasoned fitness instructors, while others may be newer coaches. It’s important to find a teacher with an engaging instructional style.
- Types of classes offered: There are tons of fitness apps out there that offer everything from HIIT and yoga to cycling and barre. See which workout(s) you love, and then find a workout app that caters to those.
- Schedule and availability of live classes: If you’re pretty self-motivated, you should be able to meet your exercise goals with a fitness app’s library of on-demand workout videos. However, you may be better motivated by a fitness app that offers live videos with stats where you can work out with a team, or live classes for a fee and a community that can help you stay on track with your goals.
- Length of classes: Most fitness apps offer both full-length (30 minutes to an hour) and shorter classes. Others, like the 7-Minute Workout app, are simple apps that only have short videos and instructions. It all depends on how much time you want to dedicate to your workouts each day.
- Platforms available: Make sure the fitness app you choose works on your phone, whether that’s an iPhone or Android. Many also work on desktop, and can be streamed to your TV if you want a bigger screen.
- Equipment required: If you travel a lot or don’t have home gym equipment, you may want to look for a fitness app that doesn’t require equipment for workouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Some Pros and Cons of Fitness Apps?
Fitness apps can be a convenient way to try workouts, track your progress, and maintain your motivation for a price that's more affordable than a gym membership.
On the other hand, when you use a fitness app, you may miss out on the shared experiences, interaction, and personalized feedback you get when working out with a personal trainer or taking group fitness classes.
Can a Fitness App Replace Your Gym Membership?
The quality of a fitness app’s information and workouts often rivals what you'd get with a gym membership, but it’s available for a fraction of the price. If you like to work out alone or have a busy schedule, you may want to invest in a robust fitness app instead of a gym membership.
However, some people may find that they’re not as motivated to work out on their own. You’ll also likely get access to far more equipment at a gym.
Do Fitness Apps Help Build a Daily Exercise Routine?
Some apps actually create daily workout programs for you to follow, while others simply provide a library of classes for you to choose from. If you tend to be self-motivated, fitness apps can absolutely help you stick to your goals.
What Is the Best Fitness App for Free?
Some fitness apps are free to download, but the free versions are often limited in terms of access to workouts, advanced tracking tools, communities, and the ability to connect to other devices and apps. The best free fitness app for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
Methodology
There are hundreds of fitness apps available for Android and Apple users. To narrow our search, we gathered information about free versions, monthly costs, one-time in-app purchases, exercise libraries, and a number of workout routines. Based on what we found, we chose the 10 fitness apps you see in this list. These apps all provide users with valuable fitness and wellness tools. Although each app is unique and may focus on one area like meditation or pre-set workout routines, they all serve a purpose in the fitness community.