If you like to run outdoors, for example, you’d likely want an app that offers location tracking. Similarly, when looking into a specific app, figure out whether its classes require you to have certain equipment on-hand, like dumbbells or a yoga mat. When I tried out this app, I signed up for a kettlebell class called Body & Bell, and what’s great is you get video demonstrations for the different exercises you’ll be doing. The videos also tell you the type of weight you should be using (light, medium, heavy) and the length of time of the exercise. You can also connect with your coach via the chat in the app if you ever have questions about your training or want to chat with other members on your team. Others benefit from social apps like Strava where challenges and « kudos » from friends keep you motivated.
And if you’re feeling overwhelmed (or underwhelmed) by the choices available, I’m here to share personally-tested workout and planning apps to get you started. If you’re looking for hyper-personalized, digital workouts that cater to your age, interest, location, and physical ability, Aaptiv is your go-to. Now, the main limitation with personal training apps compared to in-person sessions is a lack of face-to-face interaction to check-in on your form, says Felton.
a Personal trainer Right in Your Pocket.
In 2025, there are so many fitness apps out there that knowing where to start can be really daunting. That’s why we test fitness apps and collate our picks to help you make the right decision. Challenging, personalized, professionally-written workouts; full-body strength, conditioning, and flexibility training. Personal trainers and fitness studios are increasingly turning to technology to deliver personalized coaching without increasing burnout or administrative workload. If you like ticking off clear workouts, seeing your progress unfold towards race day, and letting the app worry about the numbers, Runna’s coach-in-your-pocket approach can make it much easier to stay on track in 2026. I think almost all of them provide a way to adopt a healthier lifestyle if you’re willing to commit to them, so there’s really no way to go “wrong”—but some have features that make them better suited for most people.
How To Choose The Best Personal Training App For You
- The app leverages machine learning algorithms to continuously adapt these plans based on user feedback and progress, ensuring that workouts remain challenging and effective over time.
- Track your training metrics, review your training log history, gauge your level of intensity, & let the app directly guide your progressions in the gym.
- I have a fondness for group fitness classes, though I’ve also dabbled in heavy-duty at-home workout equipment.
- Programs are built around progressive overload, intelligent volume, and proper intensity management—key factors that drive consistent results when paired with appropriate nutrition.
- When you open the app, if there is currently a live class, it’ll already be playing on the screen, so all you have to do to join it is expand the window.
- You can customize your notifications to turn this feature off, but it seemed odd to me that this was the default.
If you want to build muscle or lose weight, apps like Fitbod or Push can help. If you’re more interested in classes or holistic workouts, Apple Fitness+ might be for you. With increased consumer demands, the pace of development in fitness apps is quickly accelerating. Consumers now look for apps that offer self-explanatory, adaptable, and comprehensive features, including workout, nutrition, and communication functions in a single app. It has a decent amount of free features, with several workouts and single exercise demonstrations, but the bulk of the app’s content is behind the paywall.
Then you have access to a workout plan that might include a mix of tabata, pilates, HIIT, yoga, and more. Daily Burn has a vast catalog of almost every kind of workout you can think of—strength training, HIIT, barre, pilates, yoga, outdoor and treadmill running, and more. Most are available in video formats, but many, like the running workouts and meditation classes, are in audio formats. Whether you’re hitting the weights in the gym or at home, a workout app is a great way to guide you toward your fitness goals.
The 7 Best Workout Apps of 2026 for Exercising From the Comfort of Your Home
Yes, with newer workout apps, such as Future, you can get connected to a personal trainer through an app. It will cost more compared with other apps but will be cheaper than a standard personal training session at the gym. PUSH is an absolutely brilliant app targeted exclusively at strength training and building muscle. It uses AI to generate workout plans and provide progressive overload, all through a slick interface. We’ve compiled the best fitness apps on the market for a range of different needs.
Platform
Whether you’re brand new to strength training or someone who’s been lifting for years but wants better structure and results, The Tailored Trainer meets you where you’re at and helps you progress intelligently over time. Numerous platforms now incorporate workout builder AI that can create programs that change and adjust based on the progress of the user. This also ensures that one does not get stuck in any particular workout routine for several months. PUSH is aimed at people who love the numbers behind their training as much as the feeling of a good lift. In the app, you build or choose workouts, track sets and reps, and see how https://www.forbes.com/health/wellness/best-calorie-counting-apps/ your performance changes over time, rather than just scribbling numbers in a note. Research backs that up; a large 2021 meta-analysis found that people who were given activity trackers or smartphone fitness apps increased their physical activity compared with those who weren’t using the technology.
Best Real Health Coach
But there are a lot of apps to choose from, all of which promise to turn you into your best, most-fit self after a few planks, burpees, and jumping jacks. If you, too, are overstimulated, we’ve rounded up a list of standout apps that cater to all fitness goals. Whether you’re looking for structured workout programs, real-time feedback, or a bit of inspiration for the new year, we’ve done the heavy lifting to bring you the apps worth downloading. Nike Training Club offers a variety of classes, whereas an app like Strava is ideal if you’d like to keep metrics on your outdoor adventures.
Runna – personalised coaching
With so many options, it’s tricky to settle on one fitness app that caters to unimeal reviews complaints all, especially as « fitness app » is such a broad church term. A cyclist, for example, isn’t going to be using the same workout app as a gym-goer. Thankfully, you don’t have to, and many certainly have strengths and weaknesses.
The app’s AI engine draws from its extensive exercise database to create routines that are challenging yet appropriate for each user’s fitness level and goals. The tool strives to deliver a personalized fitness experience that evolves with the user, ensuring continuous progress and helping to avoid plateaus in training. Caliber is a science-based fitness coaching program that helps you build muscle and lose weight. With one-on-one coaching, data-driven workouts, and nutritional insight, your coach will tailor a unique plan based on your goals. All you have to do is complete a fitness assessment and a trainer will customize a plan incorporating strength, cardio, and nutrition guidance to accelerate your progress. The app also prides itself on 24/7 coaching support via video call and messaging.
Better Client Relationships Through Data and Accountability
Fitness Online is a comprehensive fitness training app with meal plans, analytics, and animated tutorials at your fingertips. You’ll find the usual collection of nightly health data, but packaged nicely with straightforward scores. The Zepp Coach can help build workout plans tailored to your abilities, while food logging is more straightforward than on other apps. Or, use a spreadsheet to lay out your long-term workout plans, then a specific running or strength app to put those plans into action.
START YOUR APPLICATION PROCESS BY WATCHING
All the classes are easy to sort through, but I found myself drawn to Obé’s live classes more than I was with other apps. There’s a lot to like about Obé, the pastel-hued fitness app that you may have seen on your Instagram feed. Obé offers at least 10 live classes each day and more than 10,000 classes in total—most are 28 minutes long, though there are options from 5 to 60 minutes. The workouts are also equipment-heavy—you can find bodyweight workouts, but the app is best used with a big piece of cardio equipment like a treadmill or elliptical and a set of dumbbells. I thought there was too much emphasis on the fitness rings, which could encourage users to only go for high-intensity classes and skip out on mind-body ones that are important but don’t burn as many calories. So it makes sense that he founded a fitness and lifestyle app, called Centr, that has workouts, recipes, and meal plans for people who want to get a feel for what it’s like to exercise like Thor.
How we test fitness apps
Another huge perk is most personal training apps offer a more hands-on approach with guidance aside from just workouts, says Felton. Many apps also provide nutrition insight, lifestyle tips, recipes, and weekly check-ins, she adds. Workout apps can be especially appealing for beginners because they provide both convenience and guidance.
Other things to consider are if you prefer live streaming or On demand workouts. More recently, Strava has doubled down on Athlete Intelligence, a tool that utilizes your workout history to assess the quality of a specific workout and provide context for your improvement over time. Essentially, Strava offers personalized, tailored workouts, without committing to a long-term plan. Whether you’re trying to hit New Year’s resolutions or just need a good workout or diet tracker, the best health and fitness apps can help you get there.