Best Workout Apps 2026

Whatever your running goals, take ’em to the next is mad muscles legit level with Nike Run Club. This audio-based app is perfect for people looking for a bit more when being coached through their headphones. After a 7-day trial users pay $14.99 per month for access to over 2,500 guided workouts that can be done at home or in the gym.

• You can choose workouts based on factors like type of exercise, how long you want to exercise for and your favorite trainers or music.
• “There are even workouts designed for when you’re in a time crunch but still need to get a workout in, ranging anywhere from five to 25 minutes.”
• The workouts are also equipment-heavy—you can find bodyweight workouts, but the app is best used with a big piece of cardio equipment like a treadmill or elliptical and a set of dumbbells.
• Ladder costs a little bit less than the average workout app, while providing a fantastic workout experience.
• We really like EvolveYou and MWH for home workouts, since both offer at-home programs that require little to no equipment.
• Our product testers were tasked with evaluating multiple fitness apps and rating them on a 1-to-5-star scale across a variety of categories.

Best new running app

“I wish the app integrated with Garmin or other fitness trackers instead of only Apple Watch. I have to manually input my walks and  runs into the app after I’ve already logged them on my watch.” The rest of the app works well enough, so Amanda rated the ease of use a 4 out of 5. Finally, if you want to focus on a great HEALTH habit that increases your energy and helps with your weight goals, then take 30-seconds each morning to prepare this drink to feel energized throughout the day. You can create your custom exercises on the web and then access them through your mobile app.

Frequently asked questions about fitness apps

Another good workout tracker is Hevy, which has a robust community of support where you can share your workouts and view, like and comment on others’ workouts. Different workout apps will provide different levels of tracking for workouts. Most free ones allow you to record loads and times for daily workouts, but you might also be able to track basic metrics, like weight, water, and inches.

selectThis foldable exercise mat doubles as a block or step — here’s how I use it in nearly every workout

Apps can “gamify” workouts, too, through checking in and earning achievements and badges for breaking milestones. A survey study from determined that apps with achievement-oriented motivations were one of the best ways to keep app users accountable and driven toward progress. Ladder scored well in nearly every category, though it’s priced right around the average workout app, earning 3 out of 5 stars for its pricing. The programming on a macro-level may not be adequate for intermediate or advanced exercisers, and it only earns 3 out of 5 stars for the category. It’s a very impressive app, but only meant for a specific style of training, so we give it 3 out of 5 stars for the workout variety.

Best for Garmin Users

Video chatting with a trainer allows them to watch your form, offer adjustments and give you personalized tips for improvement. With an online fitness subscription, you’ll get access to a ton of information and workouts, but it’ll require a lot of discipline to complete the programs on your own. StrongHer was created by Melissa Chalmers when she began a fitness journey for her wedding.

Best workout app for running

PWR focuses on muscle growth and body strength through hypertrophy, which is essentially an increase in muscle size that is achieved through progressive weight lifting. The workouts range from 45 to 60 minutes long and are meant to be performed in a gym. If you’re into strength training but don’t have access to a gym, you can opt for the PWR At Home program. Lately, I’ve been loving the Gut Health Series, a collection that goes beyond workouts to include nutritional videos and pilates classes focused on core strength and digestion.

The Best Workout Apps of 2026: More Than 70 Tested by Personal Trainers

It offers all the key features you need, just with a different interface, gentler pace targets, and slightly less cross-training support, which I cover in more detail in my full review of the Coopah app. If you’re serious about running, then there’s a good chance Runna can help you reach the next PB or distance target you’ve set yourself. While the app itself is pretty basic, it does offer access to a running-centric community and a huge amount of sophisticated coaching technology.

Best fitness app for stress relief

The quality of programming, guidance, and features in paid apps is significantly higher than free alternatives, and most cost far less than a single gym session per month. The majority of apps on this list offer free trials too, so you can test before committing. The app includes programs for all levels and preferences, from high-intensity HIIT to low-impact strength training, barre, yoga, and specialized programs for pregnancy and postnatal recovery. Each program is led by an expert trainer who understands the unique challenges and goals women face. Founded by Kayla Itsines in 2015, Sweat quickly became the leader for online workout plans for women.

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We’ve downloaded and used all of the apps on this list for at least one month to find out more about how they work, and who they are best for. There are also handy features like Strava Beacon, which are designed to keep you safe, by allowing your friends or family members to track your live location on a run. Many of the apps on this list play nicely together, too, with the likes of Fitbod and Fitbit Premium able to pull data from Google and Apple. With that in mind, we’d recommend testing out one that seems to cater to your chosen discipline, even if just for the length of the free trial, in their free iterations to check you’ve got the right app for your device. Workout tracking is all done through its sleek interface with built-in rest timers, and a daily readout will show you which of your muscles are growing, and which might be falling behind.

Best Workout App for Muscle Gain: SHRED

Strength+ costs $10 per month, but it is free for anyone with an existing App+ or All-Access membership. Sure, there are a hundred fancy new devices from which someone can track their fitness. Writing down workouts can help someone better spot patterns and measure progress — and it’s an easy way to cut down on distractions in the gym. This notebook comes in nine different colors and has pages for logging your exercises, number of sets, and workout goals. The app also offers a unique skill-based library of series that can be great for developing your abilities. I tried the handstand program for two months and actually nailed the move!