Apple Watch has become the default fitness wearable, and the apps that pair with it range from free video-led workouts to AI-driven coaching platforms. Here’s an honest rundown of the best Apple Watch workout apps in 2026, with real strengths and weaknesses for each. Completed workouts are written to HealthKit as HKWorkout sessions with duration, active energy, and heart rate samples. This means the Fitness app rings, third-party health apps, and Apple Health history all reflect your lifting sessions automatically. As of 2026, Arvo is among the few native watchOS strength training apps shipping Live Activity, Dynamic Island, and AI-driven rest timers end-to-end. Completed workouts land in HealthKit as HKWorkout sessions with duration, active energy, and heart rate samples.
RepCount – Gym Workout Tracker
- There are specific instructions if you haven’t done the lift before.
- Fantastical is perhaps the best-known and most prolific calendar app in the Apple ecosystem.
- In our testing we found the OnePlus Watch 3 is definitely good for its 120 hour battery life claims, and loved its impressive suite of health and communications features.
- Quality is generally high, variety is strong, and it’s basically impossible to beat the price.
- Our experts know that a user-friendly interface is essential for any app that you’ll actually use consistently, and Apple Fitness+ delivers one that is simple.
- Having the right Apple Watch strap can make all the difference during workouts.
It offers a mix of strength, cardio, bodyweight, mobility, and machine exercises for the gym or home gym, making it a versatile tool for overall fitness improvement. There is a premium version, but even at $3 a month, Hevy earns a 5 out of 5 for its affordable pricing. WeGLOW is the top-rated strength training app for perimenopause based on its hormonal phase-aware programming and women-specific exercise selection. Perimenopause — the transitional period before menopause, typically ages — involves hormonal fluctuations that affect energy levels, recovery capacity, and bone density. Stanford research confirms that strength training during this phase specifically outperforms cardio for lean muscle retention and fat regulation.
Exercise Tips
There are no specific differences when it comes to smartwatches for women or men, and choosing the right one usually comes down to personal preference. Every smartwatch will have its own app, whether Garmin, Pixel, Apple, Polar, Amazfit or any others. Unlike smartphones, most smartwatches tend to use a proprietary charger, often a magnetic one. Though they are always included with the watch, this can be frustrating if you lose yours or it breaks. The Apple Watch Series 11 comes highly recommended if you don’t need the Ultra’s rugged features, while the SE 3 is the best option for those on a tighter budget. You can also check out our standalone best Apple Watch guide for a more in-depth look at the different models.
Adequate Recovery Between Sessions
“I like to lift heavy barbells, now I’m doing Pilates and realize how much I needed it,” Sanchez says of her experience. Our experts liked that the app gives you several ways to search for content, with most of the newer content at the top of the app which can help prevent getting bored in your fitness routine. We also appreciated that you can watch a preview of each class to know what to expect and also take a look at the music playlist ahead of time. Whether you’re a beginner or a well-seasoned pro in the gym, we hope you found this article helpful in highlighting some of our favorite weightlifting apps for Apple Watch. If you’re already an Apple Watch user and want a dedicated app to help you build a weightlifting program, you’ve got some good options.
Is Apple Fitness+ worth it?
It’s a must-try for any Apple Watch user passionate about weightlifting. Which is good news considering you’ll be relying on it when you’re tired and need to quickly track weights you’ve lifted and exercises you’ve completed at the gym. Functional strength training is a highly effective form of resistance training that focuses on movements necessary for everyday activities. Whether you’re lifting groceries, climbing stairs, or carrying your child, functional strength training helps you perform these tasks with ease and minimal risk of injury.
FaceTime Keeps Hanging Up on iPhone & iPad
You’ll see the trainers use ASL to welcome users, cue them on what to expect and use motivational words and phrases. “I really liked how inclusive it was, with captioning and a little ASL at the top of the class. There are also different ages and body types represented, which I appreciate,” a tester said. “Many of the instructors use sign language to convey what their class is about, which I found super mindful,” another commented. There is no denying that the production quality is top notch — the content is all in 4K Ultra HD, and is some of the highest quality our experts have seen in this space. Testers preferred streaming onto a larger screen like an iPad or Apple TV when available, but having the option to stream to your phone was convenient when at the gym and while traveling. Our experts know that a user-friendly interface is essential for any app that you’ll actually use consistently, and Apple Fitness+ delivers one that is simple.
ParrotPal: Calorie Tracker
The music and playlists themselves are fantastic, so if you love jamming out during your exercise session this platform will fit the bill for you. Testers loved being able to workout to their favorite singers in the Artist Spotlight section, where you can exercise exclusively to some of the most well-known artists in the industry. Plus, in addition to being able to preview the workout music playlist prior to the class, you can save it directly to your Apple Music account to listen to it at leisure or during other workout sessions on your own. Here’s everything you need to know about the service, including how the workouts are filmed and whether or not it is worth the price. The basic plan is free but still offers a comprehensive list of perks.
Apple Watch’s Built-in Strength Training Workouts
There are many weightlifting apps for Apple Watch right now that can help you reach your fitness goals this year. Despite the sleeker design, you’re still getting Garmin’s full suite of advanced training tools. During testing, it proved to be a seriously capable workout companion, handling everything from runs and gym sessions to a 12K trail race. Metrics like Training Readiness, Morning Report, and detailed recovery insights are all here, alongside full-color maps that look fantastic on the large AMOLED display. It’s the kind of watch that works just as well for structured training as it does for everyday health tracking.
Create a personalized workout plan
It’s not a strength training app though, so if you lift, you need something else. Fitbod generates strength workouts based on your history and muscle recovery state. The experience is minimal and clean – no voice, no nutrition, no cardio. You plan your own workouts (or import one) and Strong provides a clean, fast interface for logging sets, reps, and weight. Nike Training Club is free and includes a huge library of workouts led by Nike trainers.
Can I track workouts without my iPhone?
On the watch screen, you can view a full 3D avatar to get a better idea of how to correctly do the weightlifting exercise. With its powerful GPS tracking, in-depth performance analysis and vibrant social network, Strava makes it easy to track your workouts, set goals, and stay motivated. The Apple Watch app allows you to start activities directly from your wrist, monitor heart rate, pace and elevation, and sync everything to your Strava profile. The premium version adds features like personalised training plans and live performance feedback. None of these sets, weights, and reps stats madmuscles review are easily available by default, but thankfully there are published apps that will help.