Some apps are meant for those who are entirely self-sufficient with no community or coach interaction, some offer fully-customized coaching from a personal trainer, and many fall somewhere in the middle. If you’re going to be training in your garage gym, you’ll want to carefully consider what sort of home gym equipment may be required for the app you’re considering. Many apps have minimal requirements, and are designed to work with only your bodyweight and some light dumbbells.
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Many workout apps are displayed in their app store as free with in-app purchases, but the in-app purchases are actually subscriptions to the app’s features. Still, several workout and lifting apps provide free-forever versions of the app, with the option to upgrade for more features or tools. Although training in your own home gym can be rewarding, there are times when training by yourself isn’t as motivating as having a training partner. Many lifting apps provide an online social community of support to help you stay motivated. Other apps will also notify you on new personal records throughout your training, keeping you feeling motivated and inspired for https://realreviews.io/reviews/madmuscles.com the next workout.
Stay tuned for insightful content that will help you navigate the dynamic world of free fitness apps and understand how Planfit is setting new standards in AI-driven fitness. Users love the ability to customize their total wellness plan to suit their needs, such as plans for post-surgery, arthritis, weight loss, strength gains, and flexibility for any fitness level or age. Mindbodygreen sustainability and health director, Emma Loewe also tested Strava, adding that it’s a great option for tracking exertion rate, progress, and PRs. For the outdoor enthusiast, Strava is an incredible tool to discover, plan, and track routes.
And before committing, check reviews from other women to see if the app is actually worth your time and the right one for your fitness goals. Freeletics is an app run with AI software, much like Runna, meaning you get a digital coach right at your fingertips for significantly less per month than you’d have to pay for a personal trainer. While there are plenty to choose from in 2025, Runna is our favourite of all the running apps. I’ve used this app myself for a year now for a mix of marathon training and regular cardio exercises. I love how it’s completely personalised, despite being mad muscles reviews AI-led, and the interface is so easy to use. If you’re an owner of any Apple device, whether that be an iPhone, iPad, or laptop, you can take advantage of everything Apple Fitness+ has to offer – and there’s so much.
Since having my son, I’ve religiously used Joe’s The Body Coach app to rebuild my core postpartum, and I’ve loved the flexibility and challenge of the Body Coach plan. There’s free and paid options, but you get plenty of value if you do decide to pay, and you can access a free trial if you’re unconvinced. In March 2020, Nike made its Nike Training Club app content completely free for 90 days to help people keep fit while they stayed at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the app has been completely free for users, and unlike others on this list, there’s no paid version anymore. Apple Fitness is an app designed by Apple that comes pre-installed on your iPhone and iPad.
“Many prenatal programs are just easier versions of basic workout programs,” she says. IFIT offers fitness lovers versatility with machine-based classes and classes that do not require anything more than a towel or mat. Anyone looking for a home-exercise program will be hard pressed to find a more technology forward, expansive and inclusive platform than iFIT. 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.
During testing, we found the Garmin Forerunner 265’s beautiful AMOLED display to be bright and easy to read, even in direct sunlight. However, there are plenty of buttons along the side of the case if you prefer physical controls. The battery is long enough to last through a few workouts, even with music playing. However, if those features aren’t deal-breakers for you, the SE 3 is a highly capable option for iPhone users.
Rebecca Ravee Norris, a freelance journalist, has been using this app for three years now and rates it as a surefire 10 out of 10. “It showcases dozens of different workouts organized by muscle groups, as well as various types of resistance training, including push, pull, and HIIT,” she says. “While these one-off workouts (and warm-ups and cool-downs) are great, my favorite aspect of the app is the Challenge section. Over the years, I’ve done the Begin Again, Alive & Thrive, and New Beginnings challenges to keep me on track with easy-to-follow weekly breakdowns. WH editors and our trusted Strength In Diversity (SID) trainers are constantly testing and trying new fitness apps throughout the year, so we polled them about their most-used and most-loved platforms.
The workout routines don’t have any voice-over cues as you’re following along. Regularly review connected apps and revoke access for any that are no longer used. Delete old accounts and remove personal data from unused fitness services. Stay alert for data breaches affecting fitness companies and change passwords if needed. Many apps offer free trials, which can lead to discounted rates if canceled before expiration. Its flexibility in workout creation and comprehensive exercise library make it a solid choice for those aiming to build muscle, whether at home or in the gym.
By contrast, many workout apps connect you with professionals who can help guide you through and program a custom workout plan for your specific preferences. You won’t have to worry about coordinating with a personal trainer or dashing out of work to catch your favorite class. With an app, you can complete your workouts any time of day—first thing in the morning or on your lunch break—it’s totally up to you. Hevy is a straightforward strength training app that allows you to program, record, and track your strength workouts. You can search and learn the form for hundreds of exercises, adding them to a custom plan to see your daily training sessions and instructions in one place. If an app takes more than five taps to even start a workout, it’s not for me.
As far as interactive features go, I rate them a 4.5 out of 5, due to the robust social media experience, as well as notifications for new personal records and little celebrations. The app also features a heat map, which charts the most used muscle groups in each workout to help you make educated choices on what muscle groups to work each day. Additionally, Hevy provides basic metric tracking, although most measurements are only unlocked in the Pro version of the app. For those looking for a bit of guidance or inspiration for their daily workouts, Hevy provides some basic workout routines, such as a five-sets-by-five-reps of squats or bench press.
The app syncs data across devices, maintaining a consistent record of progress. Jefit’s focus on weight training makes it a top choice for strength enthusiasts. The app also offers a training schedule, showing upcoming workouts at a glance. Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or you’re a seasoned pro, there’s a fitness app out there for you.
With pretty much any workout type you can think of– from kickboxing, to strength training, barre, pilates, and cycling, in increments ranging from 5 to https://www.army.mil/article/262313/what_is_physical_fitness_understanding_its_multiple_meanings 60-minutes–”each class is a jolt of joy,” Schwartz says. “The whole little ecosystem feels like a party and makes me dread going to the gym a little bit less. (Shout out to the delightful Spencer–his classes go so quickly and always leave me sore and smiling, and Alex’s boxing classes are great stress relief). With a plethora of options available, it’s essential to choose an app that aligns with your individual needs and preferences.