Some https://madmuscles-review.com/tai-chi/ workouts are “coached,” which means they follow the format of a typical workout video, and others are self-guided, which means you watch a looped video of a certain exercise and do it until the timer runs out. I liked both variations, but the app didn’t let me listen to my own music during the coach-led classes, which could be a turnoff for some people. Many workout apps now offer programs that use only bodyweight exercises, making it easy to work out with no equipment.
The problem with most static plans is that they break the moment life happens. One user says it has “great watch integration,” while others find the free version sufficient. But you may eventually want to upgrade to the paid version, depending on the number of custom workouts you plan to use. You can use the app to track almost any goal, from drinking a specific number of glasses of water daily to taking 10,000 steps. And you can see all of your progress over time, which makes it very fun — and validating! From the inspiring Robin Arzon to the hilarious Cody Rigsby and feel-good Alex Toussaint, there is an instructor to fit nearly every workout vibe.
With its simple interface, detailed logging, progress tracking, and social features, it lets you log workouts in just a few taps, analyze your performance, and stay motivated. For most women, the best workout is the one you can actually stick to. Some training apps feel like a random list of workouts with no progression, others lock you into rigid flows, repeat the same classes or assume you have a huge home gym and hours to spare. Research on mobile training apps shows that, compared with “do it yourself” exercise, guided workout apps can increase physical activity, improve adherence and support healthier lifestyles over several months. That is why choosing the best workout app, rather than just any app, matters for your long term health and fitness.
What is the difference between a “workout app” and an “AI workout planner”?
AI features have gone from novelty to necessity, hybrid training modes are mainstream, and the apps that treat you like an adult are pulling ahead. If you want a side-by-side look at specific apps, check out our Best Workout App in 2026 comparison. The experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition & Fitness Lab have tested more than 40 workout apps, combining hands-on evaluations with real-life feedback from GH staffers and consumer testers. This comprehensive approach gives us a clear picture of which apps deliver results, which are enjoyable to use, and which fall short. We hope our seven recommendations narrow the list and that at least one meets your needs.
Other popular workout apps we recommend
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. We love a workout app because there’s very little downside to giving one a try. 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).
Included in Free Version
Look for apps that include detailed video demos and muscle targeting guides so you’re never guessing if your form is right. Track the number of total workouts you do, how many times per week you train, and the number of consecutive weeks you stay active. You can also browse the library of existing workouts by categories such as gym, micro sessions, Wall Pilates, and at-home exercise.
Best Running App for HIIT Running – GymBoss Timer
The Workout Trainer by Skimble is a very good all-around fitness app. The best part, though, is that it’s completely free—no monthly subscription or hassle to cancel should you decide it’s not for you. We want you to feel excited about opening the app, choosing your workout of choice, and ticking off every workout with pride. You can use body weight for the strength routines (most of those got me pretty sweaty), but the app assumes you have access to a treadmill, stationary bike, rower, or elliptical when you click through to cardio-only exercises.
We also appreciate apps that combine live and on-demand classes, with fresh content added regularly to keep your routine interesting. In the end, the “best” app comes down to what excites you, whether it’s a favorite instructor, a style of class you can’t get enough of, or a program that fits seamlessly into your schedule. That means intuitive navigation and filters that let you quickly find the perfect class based on workout type, duration, or even music. Many apps also include a community component, which can be a helpful way to stay motivated, share progress, and hold yourself accountable.
Log your workouts and track your progress on Hevy app while being part of an amazing community of 12+ million gym athletes. However, if you want a social-driven experience with an active feed, options to follow and interact with others, compete, and compare, Hevy is a fantastic gym option. Strava and Zwift are great options for running and cycling with a community aspect.
Exercises in Your Pocket with our Fitness App
- We consistently review training apps, feedback from our thousands of users and broader research so we understand what women actually use, enjoy and stay consistent with.
- Across 2025, apps for women have become a huge part of how many of us train.
- We combine training with over 700 recipes, full macro breakdowns and personalisation so you can align meals with your fitness goals in a calmer way.
- A training and nutrition app is also available, but we didn’t review the diet aspect.
- Workout apps are a fantastic tool for guidance, structured routines, and cues to help with form.
- Multiple running and cycling plans are available with a paid subscription.
Others focus more on strength training with weights, including dumbbells, kettlebells, or gym machines. Some apps offer cardio sessions that can be done on any equipment, while others, like Peloton, connect with their own machines to provide more detailed metrics and insights. If you prefer workouts that require little to no equipment, make sure the app you choose is designed with that in mind. Beachbody On Demand has a wide variety of proprietary workout programs—such as P90X, PiYo, and 80 Day Obsession—which encompass HIIT, weightlifting, pilates, yoga, barre, and more. The app all but forces you to go through a program rather than doing one-off workouts. The ones I tried were easy to follow, fun to do, and would no doubt be effective when followed long-term.
MyFitnessPal – Best for Nutrition
You can follow your own route or explore Strava’s massive network of roads and trails, built by millions of athletes worldwide. “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. “I like hypertrophy training by body part, so I have Shred suggest daily workouts—upper body, lower body, full body, or abs,” Schlinger explains. “If I did upper body yesterday, I can choose a ‘custom’ workout and pick a different body part, and it creates a new session. Each exercise shows full instructions and videos.” “I find it hard to come up with routines myself, so having coached sessions made it easy and comfortable for me to try new things like boxing that I wouldn’t have sought out on my own,” another tester noted. Gym-goers will also appreciate the self-guided option, which lets you move through exercises at your own pace.
What About ChatGPT for Workout Programs?
Super similar in style and function to MapMyRun, this is a great app as well. One of the fun new features is they have people like Deena Kastor offering guided runs. Get the LoadMuscle app and train anywhere with your personalized workout plan. Whether it’s a leaderboard, a way to share your PRs (Personal Records) on social media, or just a design aesthetic that makes you feel like a serious athlete, the “vibe” matters. Still, if you’re entering the New Year with hope and curiosity about feeling better, there’s an app designed to support that. Since you’ve made it all the way to the end, download Hevy and log your first workout today.
Best Workout Apps for Every Fitness Goal, According to Personal Trainers
If your main exercise goal is to get toned—or, perhaps, shredded—Shred is the app for you. It offers a wide range of customizable workouts for every part of the body, with options to filter based on the type of movements you want to do and the equipment you have available. The instructors explained the exercises and progressions in detail in every workout I tried and were clear enough that I only had to glance at the screen occasionally, though eyeing the physical demonstrations was useful, too. The instructors are also consistent about offering modifications for advancing or decreasing the challenge of the workouts, too, so I could level up or down based on the kind of day I was having. Most workouts in the intermediate program I chose—called “Burn” with the trainer Kirsty Godso—were bodyweight-based, had movements that worked in a small space, and were between 25 and 40 minutes long.
Best Running App for a Watch – Garmin Connect
Centr costs $30 a month, which makes it the most expensive app we tested, though it offers a one-month free trial and steep discounts for paying quarterly ($60, which works out to $20 a month) or annually ($120, or $10 a month). The app offers a one-week free trial, which should be enough for you to decide if you think it’s worth the lower-than-most price. Truly, social media can get a bad rap, but I have made some of my best running friends because of Instagram.
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