A suggestion I would make is to increase the intensity by requiring more reps or longer durations of exercises as the user improves. There are many workout plans and you can customize them to fit you best. I personally enjoy how HomeWorkout has you set a goal for steps, and drinking water. I was not very healthy with drinking water and so HomeWorkout has me drinking 6 cups a day. Although there is only one thing I have not bought a plan for HomeWorkout and there aren’t to many options for people who don’t but HomeWorkout. Maybe if you added some other plans into the free set that’d be amazing.
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If you were to work with a personal trainer once a week, it would cost you $280 per month, or $3,360 per year. To earn 3 out of 5 stars, an app should have programs you can join that give you a structured workout schedule, but they are not coached programs or group programs (you just follow it on your own terms). Maybe you get push notifications, or there’s a feature where you can integrate the workout app with your online calendar, but no human support or interaction. If Aaptiv has a weakness, it’s the progressive overload, or lack thereof. The programming on a macro-level may not be adequate for intermediate or advanced exercisers, and it only earns 3 out of 5 stars for the category.
Home Workout #10: The PLP Progression
Whether it’s racking up the miles on foot or loading up weight in the gym, Techradar’s experts test on multiple workout types, with different platforms including iOS, Android, Apple Watch, Wear OS, and more. It costs around 20 bucks a month, or there’s a cheaper annual plan if you commit to a full year. 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. The more versatile your gear, the more variety you can add to your workouts without needing to buy new stuff all the time. Upon first using Home Workout- No Equipments, the app gives off a clean and organized impression.
It’s a little different than a strength training app that provides instruction and coaching, but its data gives you fantastic insight into how you’re progressing over time. We guide you through the best beginner-friendly equipment for cardio, strength training, and recovery. Find budget-friendly options and create the perfect home gym setup to reach your fitness goals. Ultimately, the app’s value depends on the individual’s fitness goals and level of experience. The app best value is the couple bodyweight workouts you will find for free but everything else can be found easily online.
Do I need equipment to use workout apps?
- I stuck with it because Apple is really good at making everything work together.
- You can purchase the PunchLab Strap for your smartphone to level up your punching bag, which measures your speed, volume, and power.
- But this does make it the perfect option for yogis looking to practice at home.
- We’re a group of certified personal trainers, gym owners, and Olympic-level athletes with years of experience following, designing, and coaching clients through training programs.
- Caliber’s free membership also lets you design your own programs (you’ll need to upgrade for personal coaching, however).
- Keep in mind that these apps are tools designed to make your fitness journey simpler and more enjoyable.
Our product testers were tasked with evaluating multiple fitness apps and rating them on a 1-to-5-star scale across a variety of categories. Our in-depth methodology covered categories ranging from overall value and ease of use to workout variety and equipment demands. It prioritizes strength training, but caters to a variety of programs and disciplines, including powerlifting, weightlifting, and bodybuilding. Lifters, old and new, may not appreciate BetterMe as the majority of the workouts are bodyweight with several dumbbells-only workouts. Still, it gets a 5 out of 5 for equipment demands, as people can do these workouts almost anywhere, but it’s not the best app for strength training. Lindsay Scheele is a certified personal trainer, ISSA-certified nutrition coach, Level 1 CrossFit coach, and lead reviewer on GGR Everything.
Best for Android users
Beginners will especially appreciate the ‘Intro to Fitness’ series, designed to build a solid foundation in a fun, accessible way. “I liked the approach with this app and having a section for workout, meditation and food recipes,” one tester says. Many specialized programs help you build strength and stay motivated, like the 13-week muscle-building program Centr Power. They sell all the necessary equipment to outfit an incredible home gym setup. Shred also offers full-length studio classes in yoga, boxing, HIIT, and more.

Home Workout #6: The 20-Min Hotel Routine
Our only real callout was the app itself, which had a few technical issues. “Not only are there video demos for every movement in the Caliber app (which are really well-done), but you can even send form videos to your coach,” Amanda explains. To learn more about this AI-powered circuit training app, be sure to check out our full Shred App review. “Downloaded what I thought was Home Workout, turned out to be a fake that requested access to my photos and contacts. Only realized when I compared it to my friend’s version,” reported one user.
Best workout app for runners
When you constantly switch programs, it can be hard to track progress and determine which exercises and routines are working best for you. If you’re looking for an app that can generate endless workouts for a variety of goals tailored to your preferences and equipment, Fitbod is a great choice. It focuses on strength training workouts, allowing users to build muscle and strength or train for specific activities, such as Olympic weightlifting or powerlifting. It earns 5 out of 5 instagram stars for workout variety, and it’s affordably priced compared to other apps. If you’re all in on bodyweight training, BetterMe is one of the best options around. Not only is it one of our best workout apps for beginners, but it’s packed with an array of equipment-free training plans that are geared toward just about anyone.
If you’re looking to start a yoga practice, YogaGlo is the perfect place to start for yoga and meditation. The app has thousands of classes and programs in a variety of styles, levels, and durations. You can follow your favorite yoga teachers and download yoga classes to be viewed offline so you can practice anytime, anywhere. Another staffer said it’s the first platform that’s helped her exercise consistently in years, thanks to a knowledgeable, encouraging trainer. Peloton also offers Strength+, a strength-focused app for home or gym equipment.
Best Weightlifting App Overall: Shred App
It delivers programs tailored to the equipment you have, from barbells and kettlebells to cable machines and medicine balls. Strength+ costs $10 per month, but it is free for anyone with an existing App+ or All-Access membership. Flex AI is the best all-around automated workout app that will generate a workout plan, provide detailed instructions on how to perform each exercise, and track your progress. Centr has various workout programs ranging from strength, HIIT, muscle-building, Pilates, yoga, boxing, and even MMA. The meal plan is also customized based on your preferences, whether vegetarian or carnivore.
Apple Fitness+
The iFIT app can make your indoor cardio workouts more engaging through a few different avenues. You’ll have the opportunity to join instructor-led workouts, participate in challenges and live races, and choose location-based scenic workouts. The app releases a monthly calendar with the races/courses available in the 11 worlds, or you can compete against friends or yourself. It’s not like a Peloton class where you’re pedaling with a group of friends—there are no live classes or instructor-led workshops. This is meant for people who are serious about biking and want to see their name at the top of a leaderboard.
FAQs About Workout Apps for Beginners
Advertisements tend to pop up at inopportune moments, disrupting your flow during workouts. The quality of your workouts may be compromised due to these frequent, unexpected interruptions. It’s clear that they use this discomfort as a means to pressure users into considering the paid version.
Chris Hemsworth, Hollywood’s Thor, helped develop the Centr app along with a team of experts. While you can work out like an ancient god, the app acts like a 24/7 virtual fitness coach tailored to your goals and experience, including meal planning and daily workout programs. We recommend JEFIT if you’re new to bodybuilding and aesthetic workouts. JEFIT has workout programs with over 1400 weight training exercises and helpful video demonstrations of proper form for newbies. MyFitnessPal’s food log makes it easy to track what you’re eating while providing nutritional and caloric information.
Workout apps can be especially appealing for beginners because they provide both convenience and guidance. Many offer beginner-friendly routines with clear, step-by-step instructions, making it easier to get started or ease back into exercise after a break. When starting, look for videos labeled specifically for beginners and make sure your doctor clears any new exercise routine. Most apps also include video demonstrations for each movement, along with progress tracking and structured plans to help you stay consistent and accountable. Although we rate it as the best workout app for most people, it is primarily focused on strength training, with some cardio and yoga on the side. If you want more mobility or yoga workouts, you might be better off with an app like Fiit, which offers access to all group classes for free.