The 9 best fitness apps

Of course, it’s important to point out that there are no actual workouts on Strava, so unlike other apps on this list, don’t expect to follow a strength training session — this is an app for tracking your progress. However, with the update, Nike removed some of their training programs, which used to be a popular feature of the app. Instead, you now have the option to filter workouts by muscle group — abs and core, arms and shoulders, or glutes and legs, workout focus — endurance, mobility, strength, and yoga, and by equipment. There is also the option to filter by duration, level, and intensity. For beginner and experienced yogis alike, Alo Moves can be an excellent download offering over 170 flows and sessions across a wide range of yoga categories. Additionally, the app has other programming for pilates, barre, HIIT, and strength training with new modules being added daily.

Progressive Overload

paid vs free fitness apps comparison

PUSH made it intuitive to start a workout and to follow along as the app pushed me through the program it had created for me. That’s great in terms of giving users variety—but when you’re scoping out a new app, it can often feel like you’re comparing apples to oranges. And staying fit is hard enough; your fitness app should make it easier, not more complicated. However, great Fitbit Premium though, it’s only worth investing in the subscription if you plan to use all or most of the features regularly. Yes, subscribing to Fitbit Premium will be well worth it if the subscription is in your budget and you’re looking to make positive changes to your lifestyle in 2025. These alone, I believe, are enough to justify the subscription, considering how much you’d be spending on them if you signed up for apps that offer these individually.

The exercises are designed to ease newcomers into fitness routines without overburdening or intimidating them. Each workout is like a gentle nudge towards better health, perfect for those just starting their fitness journey. Lasta goes beyond a standard workout app to become your cheerleader, supporting you each step and rep along the way. After a quick and easy app setup, Lasta assesses your goals, activity levels, and health background to customize your fitness plan.

Benefits of Workout Apps for Men

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, yoga is a low-impact and safe form of physical activity. It was created for athletes to improve flexibility and is particularly popular among CrossFit enthusiasts. Pliability offers a fresh take on yoga tailored for performance-oriented individuals and athletes. I’m not the most competitive person, but I have run the occasional low-stakes 5K, and I do run regularly. Having tried all the go-to running apps before, I was really excited to test Runna because it’s a relatively new addition to the running app scene. If you’re an avid Apple customer, Apple Fitness might be the first fitness tracker you try.

BUILD SERIOUS MUSCLE & STRENGTH

“This helps your coach understand what equipment you have access to. While you won’t have your coach watching you while you complete each exercise, Logan says that the audio and visual cues in the demonstration videos are super helpful. While the app offers a ton of variety, Amanda notes that it might not work for everyone as you begin to progress. “I think most people would be pleased with Aaptiv for a while, a year or more,” she says. But, regarding progressive overload, Aaptiv earns a 3-out-of-5-star rating.

In testing, we counted over 3,000 individual programs tailored to yoga, pilates, and barre, along with series for HIIT and strength training. Beginning and advanced yogis should have no trouble finding a class suited to their needs. Additionally, according to our tester, “Getting into the app interface is simple and intuitive. I took a quick quiz pertaining to my skill levels, and then was given a set of customized class recommendations.” With this experience, it’s easy to see how Alo Moves earned a 5 out of 5 for app setup. Future is an excellent tool for personalized training, and pairs seamlessly to an Apple Watch (and other fitness trackers), according to Meier.

Calisthenics training, developed by sports scientists and optimized by smart algorithms – for your best workout.

While there are many ways to get paid to work out, the key lies in choosing an app that naturally fits your lifestyle and preferred activities. When the rewards complement activities you already enjoy, you’re more likely to maintain the habit and the benefits — for your health and your wallet. The app’s community challenges help maintain motivation, while its reward options span from fitness gear to electronics. She spends most of her time interviewing expert sources about the latest fitness trends, nutrition tips, and practical advice for living a healthier life. Olivia previously wrote for New York Magazine’s The Cut, PS (formerly POPSUGAR), and Salon, where she also did on-camera interviews with celebrity guests. Ladder also provides a chat and feedback feature, integration with your music, and progress tracking.

Home Workout for Men

Despite its lack of check-ins and motivation, BodyFit can still be a fruitful solution for those wanting to add some structure to their routines. There’s a ton of guidance and resources available to help you nail your new workouts, and there’s even the convenience of discounted supplements and apparel through bodybuilding.com — the app’s parent company. So, in theory, this budget-friendly app download can lead to further cost efficiency when it comes to building out a well-rounded fitness arsenal. The same cannot be said, however, when it comes to some of the exercise names. There have been multiple instances where a certain exercise has been given a convoluted moniker, which can lead to some challenges when trying to follow along to a given routine.

paid vs free fitness apps comparison

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There’s tons of different classes to choose from, and they are extremely motivating. With the DIE RINGE App, it’s easy to make training a habit – thanks to encouraging features and structured workout planning. No matter where you’re starting, NTC’s worldwide community of fun, approachable trainers can help guide you to where you’re headed. After all, an app can help you work out, but it’s the people who help you show up. Sophie Butler uses a wheelchair as a result of a spinal injury, and posts a lot of inventive, challenging content for people without full mobility.

Best for Workout App for Men for Logging Workouts: Strong

  • In testing and using Nike Training Club, we’d be remiss to ignore how simple it is to get into a sweat session with the app.
  • This weight-lifting app has an easy but effective four-day workout plan to boost strength.
  • The full membership, Les Mills+ premium, gives you access to all classes and starts at $9.99 per month.
  • There are free and paid options, but you get plenty of value if you decide to pay, and you can access a free trial if you need more confidence.
  • Instead of trying to piece together your program from scratch, using a fitness app will allow you to make better decisions as you embark on your fitness journey.
  • Beginners will especially appreciate the ‘Intro to Fitness’ series, designed to build a solid foundation in a fun, accessible way.

Lifehacker has been a go-to source of tech help and is madmuscles a scam life advice since 2005. Our mission is to offer reliable tech help and credible, practical, science-based life advice to help you live better. Learn calisthenics skills step by step with structured plans that adapt to your progress. There are plenty of online yoga instructors to try if neither personality quite gels with you.

Home Workout – No Equipments

Using them alongside the paid apps can help you stay on track, achieve your fitness goals and save more money. The social and community aspects of fitness apps can significantly impact your experience. Look for features that align with your personal motivation style — some people thrive on friendly competition with others, while some prefer to quietly track their own progress. After taking a quick intro questionnaire, you’ll be provided with a personalized plan. The app boasts plenty of progressive programs and challenges, unique features like health talks, metric and data tracking beyond what’s on the scale, and even cycle-syncing workouts and perimenopause support.

From fully coached workouts, to audio and self-guided training – you can do at home, in the gym, or on-the-go. That said, this platform will be the most useful for those tracking metrics through an Apple Watch. “I loved that this service tracked and displayed your pulse throughout the whole workout and gave you feedback about how your rate recovered after the workout,” one tester said. The beginner workouts are particularly noteworthy, offering a gentle introduction to fitness without any intimidation. Jump Rope Training has short, intense jump rope workouts that both beginners and professional jump ropers can do. Each workout displays the length in minutes, the number of exercises, the number of calories burned, and a visual demo.

Does Netflix have free workouts?

Lindsay tested the Caliber Pro membership, which gave Lindsay access to group programming and coaching. “It’s not the same as having a personal trainer right there along with you, but overall I knew what I needed to do. Proper form and expectations were explained clearly,” Lindsay adds.