10 Best Workout Apps of 2026, Tested by Personal Trainers

After carefully rating each app we tested, we narrowed down our list to the top eleven options. Fitness apps can be handy tools for supporting your training and nutrition goals, especially if you’re at the starting line of your training, still wondering, “what is cardio? Plus, they can be ideal for athletes struggling to compile a worthwhile regimen on their own. Below are some of the perks that come with adding one of these services to your home screen. Our tester appreciated this approach to weight loss, as they felt it set them up for future success in terms of losing weight and actually keeping it off.

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We looked at cost, whether content can be downloaded for offline use, and how frequently new classes or programs are https://madmuscles.pissedconsumer.com/review.html added. These factors help ensure that apps remain flexible, up to date, and convenient for users with busy schedules. By combining expert analysis with real-world feedback, we identified platforms that are both enjoyable and effective for achieving fitness goals. 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.

• For an app to earn higher, 4- or 5-star ratings, the workout program needed to clearly follow the principles of progressive overload.
• Instead of asking you to piece together advice from generic content, the app connects you directly with registered dietitians who can tailor strategies to travel schedules, stress, medical conditions, and performance goals.
• At $199/month, this is still significantly more affordable than hiring a personal trainer on a monthly basis at your local gym, but it’s going to cost a lot more than most apps on our list.
• Apple’s virtual workout platform is an ideal option for iPhone users and Apple Watch wearers, with real-time stats displayed on the app for you to track your progress.
• We favored apps that make it easy to log food, habits, and other health data, and that turn those entries into clear, easy-to-read insights and nutrition guidance so it feels simpler—not harder—to build healthier routines.
• 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.

What to Look for in Free Workout Apps

“I love that it has detailed charts and stats to track my  lifts over time,” he says. “Plus, there’s analytics, including an anatomy chart that’s heat-mapped based on volume, so you can add any neglected muscle groups to your routine.” He rates the ease of use a 5 out of 5. To be clear, there are no instructors or live workout classes in the Zwift app, but you’ll be able to join virtual races with other users. Our tester and lead reviewer for Garage Gym Reviews Everything, Lindsay Scheele, CPT, CNC, notes there are bodyweight, dumbbell, and barbell progressions for most movements.

Video Editing Software

If there is a workout that you frequent, you can create it as a workout routine to simplify logging it in. In addition, Heavy provides /reviews/madmuscles.com some basic strength training routines of their own, such as 5 x 5 back squats. You can look at Hevy’s and other user’s workouts for inspiration, if you’re not sure what to do that day. With the free version, you can log your own workouts, or let the Caliber algorithm create a custom workout program for you, based on a quick assessment while setting up the app.

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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. All the classes are easy to sort through, but I found myself drawn to Obé’s live classes more than I was with other apps. There’s a lot to like about Obé, the pastel-hued fitness app that you may have seen on your Instagram feed. Obé offers at least 10 live classes each day and more than 10,000 classes in total—most are 28 minutes long, though there are options from 5 to 60 minutes.

Best Running App

If you do have Peloton equipment, you’ll need to pay $49.99 per month to access all of the features. The app features some of the most peppy, motivating, and upbeat instructors you’ll experience, and that’s why Peloton earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for instruction. This coaching algorithm is impressive, and JuggernautAI earns 5 out of 5 stars for progressive overload.

PUSH – turning strength training into numbers

Peloton has shaken off its “just for spin bikes” image – the Peloton App now stands on its own as a full training platform you can use at home, in the gym, or outdoors, with or without any Peloton hardware. Behind the scenes, Apple has been studying how people actually respond to all this, offering us a perspective from an extremely widely used app. Apple’s Activity rings on Apple Watch boil your day down into three simple circles – Move, Exercise, and Stand – that you are nudged to close, one realreviews madmuscles by one, as you go about your life. In this guide, we’ll look at how five popular apps use those ingredients to help you move more in 2026.

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The app’s algorithm only generates a list of generic workouts based on a 1RM calculator and progressive overload. While these are essential components of any good workout program, they are not enough to create a truly personalized and effective routine. At Dr. Muscle, we believe in providing honest and accurate reviews of workout apps.

The thing that set Sworkit apart for me, however, is that you can pick how long you want each workout to be based on how much time you have, from one minute to an hour. Other apps allow some degree of customization by filtering workouts by length, but this one actually allows you to pick the workout you want to do, then set the time. If you decide to upgrade, a quiz asks about workout goals, level, and preferences, eating styles, and how much work you want to put into making your meals. Then you have access to a workout plan that might include a mix of tabata, pilates, HIIT, yoga, and more.

Best Workout App for Beginners: BetterMe

The workouts are easy to follow because there are video demonstrations of each exercise, along with the allotted time you should spend on each one. This prevents you from losing track during your workout and mentally prepares you for the next exercise. The app also connects to your Apple Watch to provide health metrics such as your heart rate and logs your activities.

fitness apps that can help you stick to your workout goals in 2026, according to science

There are plenty of coaches on this app with numerous years of experience in their respective fields. Do you just want to get moving more often, or are there specific fitness milestones you want to hit (like running a certain speed or lifting a certain amount of weight)? Some apps let you personalize your goals or even connect with a personal trainer to help you meet them.