Best Workout Apps 2026: Fitness Expert Approved

Log your repetitions and weights from each workout, and Juggernaut AI will have you hammering out new PRs in no time. You can challenge yourself by picking routes that athletes near you have curated, then compete head-to-head with them. Fitbod has emerged as a leader in the 2026 market by perfecting the ai workout generator model through its proprietary engine, making daily planning effortless. The price of an app is a strong deciding factor for many, especially since some apps can cost upwards of $200 per month, while others are free for life. We’re huge fans of JuggernautAI’s programming and progressive-overload-focused approach, but there’s one big drawback.

Best Free Workout App for Strength Training: Home Gym Club Training

The basic route-planning features are free, although if you want convenience or extra guidance while you’re out (like wrong turn correction), you’ll need to take out a subscription to AllTrails+. Before switching to home workouts, I never really did exercise classes, preferring to train in my own time, but having tried Fiit, I think that may be because I never found the right one. However, whether you’re just starting to focus on your fitness, have a specific objective in mind, or want to add some structure to your routine, Centr is an excellent option to help you hit your goals. It’s a great feature, but one I didn’t use all that often — if you’re cooking for a household, it’s a bit tricky to find meals that aren’t designed for your specific training plan that everyone will enjoy. I’ve been using Centr for over three years, and it’s still my favorite workout app. I may have been drawn in by the celebrity name (it was founded by mad muscles reviews the actor Chris Hemsworth), but you don’t need to develop superhero-style muscle to get the most from this app.

Smartwatch/ smart ring companion apps

“The mapping tool makes it easier than ever to plan runs and workouts in advance, especially when following a training plan with specific distances and paces,” one runner noted. The app is free, but you can pay for the Abel Runner’s Club version to access all eight seasons and features. In addition to heart-pounding audio storylines and narrated adventures, there are also virtual races, stat tracking, GPS-enabled maps, and the ability to connect with your Apple Watch or Google Pixel Watch. I have no doubt it’s effective—I burned at least 5 to 10 calories just listening in fear to the YouTube trailer.

Best overall workout app

Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, says her coach is fantastic about daily check-ins and gathering feedback. “Seeing my fitness rings on my Apple Watch worked really well for me in terms of keeping me on track with my workouts,” says Kate, who gave Future 4 out of 5 stars for interactive features. The questionnaire that helps program for you asks questions about your experience level, equipment available, and the type of training you are focusing on. The Fitbod App is a high-tech AI-powered fitness platform that personalizes workouts and adapts them over time based on your progress. Although there is not a free version, the subscription is affordable and allows you to workout with whatever equipment you have.

When not talking about treadmills, or testing out cold tubs, she loves lifting weights, trying new foods, and finding new music to share with friends. She loves spending time with her husband and kids and deep cleaning anything she can. Lindsay loves competing with friends and has done multiple half marathons, CrossFit competitions, and more. Different fitness apps can vary in price, depending on the membership you choose and the amount of first-person coaching. Our team selected apps with a variety of prices, so there’s something for everyone. They also noted that the instructors were clear and easy to follow along with, and appreciated how upfront they were with equipment requirements prior to the session.

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You likely have some Nike gear that you rock at the gym—so it might feel right to work out with the Swoosh, too. The Nike Training Club app features more than 180 routines from trainers in categories like yoga, realreviews.io/reviews/madmuscles.com strength training, and more. To get started, browse through dozens of certified trainers to choose one that best fits your goals and need.

Best Workout App for Weight Loss: Reverse Health

• What we like most about this app is that it offers multiple series for you to sign up for and complete, such as the Middle Splits Challenge.
• In addition to our personal experience and expertise, here are the main factors we used to evaluate each workout app.
• I may have been drawn in by the celebrity name (it was founded by the actor Chris Hemsworth), but you don’t need to develop superhero-style muscle to get the most from this app.
• Share routines with friends or download others’ plans, participate in contests, brag about workout stats, and synchronize your data with other platforms and devices.
• If you want to get more out of the app, a Workout Pass ($3.99 per month or $39.99 per year) provides access to the Workout Calendar and all challenges and programs.
• Just keep in mind that smart exercise equipment often costs a lot up front and requires an additional subscription fee for classes, which can also be steep.

If you’re on a family plan, you can share access to Apple Fitness Plus with up to five family members. The best part of this app is that it’s free and provides access to numerous resources, whether you’re a beginner or more advanced. You’ll also want to figure out whether the app’s classes require you to have certain pieces of equipment on hand, like dumbbells or a yoga mat. While the free version is extensive, if you’re going on some deep country trails, it may be worth it to upgrade. At only $35.99 per year, the monthly price works out to only $2.99, so even the paid plan earns a 5 out of 5 for value. The free version does have one major limitation if you’re trying to get off the beaten path, though.

The Best Workout Apps of 2026

But there are beginner, intermediate, and advanced bodyweight exercises, strength sessions, yoga, barre, and Pilates. Future brings the luxury of working out with a personal trainer to your fingertips, literally. This isn’t one of those dime-a-dozen apps that have boring and broad workout programs with zero specialization for your personal needs. Another key differentiator for top apps is offering easy-to-follow workouts, which is especially important for beginners. This ensures that users of all fitness levels can understand and perform routines without confusion, further enhancing engagement and satisfaction.

What our tester says:

Some apps, such as Future, offer virtual personal training so you can receive tailored guidance from the comfort of your home. If you already work with a trainer, it is worth asking whether they use an app to program and track your workouts, allowing you to combine professional expertise with the convenience of digital tools. Most offer a free trial, which lets you explore the workouts, features, and overall vibe before committing. Compared to an in-person gym membership, fitness apps are typically more affordable, far more convenient, and they take the guesswork out of programming our own workouts. Since you can use them anytime, anywhere, they’re also one of our favorite tools for staying consistent (and seeing real results). EvolveYouIf you’re someone who likes to mix up your workouts, alternating between cardio or weights, Pilates or HIIT, the gym, or workouts in your living room, EvolveYou is a workout app worth considering.

Why We Like the Peloton App

If you’re traveling, heading to a location with limited service, or simply want to avoid interruptions, it’s a good idea to download a few favorite workouts in advance. That way, you’ll have options ready to go, whether you have internet access or not, keeping your routine consistent no matter where you are. Muscle Booster is our pick for the best workout app for beginners because it removes much of the guesswork that can make starting a fitness routine intimidating. The fact that you can train effectively at home with bodyweight or simple equipment, then transition into fuller gym routines as confidence grows, makes it ideal for someone progressing from true beginner to intermediate.

Coaching and Community Access

In 2026, the quality of free workout apps has reached an all-time high, making it possible to achieve elite results without a monthly subscription fee. Many free apps now offer a wide variety of free workouts, making them a great alternative to expensive gym memberships or personal training sessions. The most effective free workout apps are those https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1424733/ that provide high-definition video guidance and structured multi-week programs for no cost. These platforms are ideal for beginners who want to explore different training styles from yoga to HIIT without a financial commitment. As an AI-powered workout app, Dr. Muscle takes a personalized approach to fitness and generates workouts using a complex algorithm that incorporates up-to-date bodybuilding principles.