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. “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. Next, we’ll dive into our top 5 favorite Apple Watch workout apps in 2026 and why we love them so much. “There are also push notifications that remind you to keep accountable,” she added.
With the recent events of Covid-19, it was reported that 59% of Americans do not plan to renew their gym memberships after a Covid-19 survey. This shift was caused most likely by the repercussions of the pandemic. These days many people, including moms, are trying to find fitness apps, outdoor activities such as runs and walks, and are buying their own home workout equipment during the quarantine. Another staffer said it’s the first platform that’s helped her exercise consistently in years, thanks to a knowledgeable, encouraging trainer. This app offers tons of workouts from yoga and boxing to HIIT and strength training. Workouts range from minutes long and are available at a variety of levels.
- The app is free, but you can pay for the Abel Runner’s Club version to access all eight seasons and features.
- There are plenty of online yoga instructors to try if neither personality quite gels with you.
- Choosing the right workout app starts with knowing yourself—your goals, schedule, budget, and how much structure you actually enjoy.
- We will also include some of the best free fitness apps for iPhone so you take care of your health with no additional expenses.
- But there are also so many apps that offer a variety of workouts to help you stay fit.
- If regular workouts don’t inspire you, there is one fun alternative – Zombies, Run!
What Types of Health & Fitness Data Can the Apple Watch Track?
Shred also offers full-length studio classes in yoga, boxing, HIIT, and more. “It creates running workouts with interval variations based on the time I want to exercise—great for mixing up my routine.” Peloton also offers Strength+, a strength-focused app for home or gym equipment. 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. The Nike Training Club app has great classes and is totally free!
Strong is for everyone.
Based on the collected data, Sleep Cycle recommends the perfect time for you to awake within a 30-minute window. Both Nike Training Club and Run Club (which we will discuss soon) are top-notch solutions offering a wide variety of free features. No wonder so many fitness fans prefer their apps, and we are among them.
Your Training. Any Device.
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.
Workout Habits: Blend Them Into a Crazy Day, No Gym Required!
You can pedal with friends remotely or join paced group rides led by virtual ride leaders. A hunky AI coach can also spit out a workout program after you feed him some basic data. Premade workouts can be as short as five minutes or as long as several hours. Our daily routine as moms can sometimes feel challenging, and we tend to give so much to others that we forget about ourselves. I encourage you to set a time during your day and include exercise as part of your daily self-care routine to help you feel better. Not only will exercise make you feel good, but it will also help you cultivate and create the energy that we need as moms to get through the day.
But premium gives personalized daily suggestions, advanced insights, sleep/cycle tracking, and “Go Gentler” nudges. Beyond basics like distance, calories, steps, elevation, and heart rate, recent Apple Watch models on watchOS 11 pull together a broad set of health and fitness signals that workout apps can tap into. Yes, there are fully free apps and platforms, and many paid apps have free tiers with limited features. You’ll usually trade off personalization, coaching, or advanced tracking at the free level, but free options can still work well. Accountability needs vary a lot depending on lifestyle and personality. If you struggle to stay consistent, you may want coaching, check‑ins, leaderboards, or reminders that nudge you to show up.
The Best Apple Watch Workout App For You: Our Top 6 Favs in 2026
We also prioritized effectiveness, favoring thoughtfully programmed workouts and motivating instructors who provide clear guidance and encourage users to stick with their routines. A seamless, intuitive interface was another key factor, making it easy to navigate classes, track progress, and stay engaged. BetterMe is our pick for the best workout app overall because it has a great variety of workout modalities, including plenty of strength training.
Best App for Boutique Fitness: Peloton App
One thing is true, many of these apps offer variety when it comes to types of workouts, trainers, scenery, and more. 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. Many of the best workout apps include features like adaptive plans, calendar integration, and progress dashboards, so your training can be as data-driven and streamlined as the rest of your work life. If your goal is to manage stress, build strength, or simply close your activity ring, the best workout apps of the year are designed to remove friction, reduce decision fatigue, and help you stay consistent.
Best for iPhone Users
However, you can also build your own workout routine by browsing the exercises in the app and adding them to your custom practice. Stefani (she/her) is a registered dietitian, a NASM-certified personal trainer and the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition and Fitness Lab, where she oversees all nutrition and fitness-related content, testing and evaluation. She holds a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from New York University, as well as advanced certifications as a Women’s Fitness Specialist and a Behavior Change Specialist.
Heart Health
Strong is the simplest, most intuitive workout tracking experience.Trusted by over 5 million users worldwide. The is mad muscles legit 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.
Best Workout Apps for Moms: Quick and Efficient Exercises at Home
If your fitness focus is to build muscle strength, Jefit is the app for you. While it can be useful for various training routines, such as weight loss workouts, the bodybuilding function is why most people love this app. Jefit is mainly designed for avid gym-goers, so many routines presented in the app involve fitness equipment and are all about weight-lifting.