Fortunately, there are many workout apps out there with very affordable monthly and yearly subscription plans so you don’t feel like you’re wasting money by committing to an app you don’t like because of high costs. And no matter what kind of workout you’re looking to get into, whether it’s yoga, HIIT circuits, or powerlifting, there’s an app out there to help you get started. To help you decide which is the right fit for you, I’ve created a list of the five best workout apps available. I’ve broken down their features, subscription prices, and connectivity options to help you choose the best option for your goals and budget. Also: The 13 best home gym equipment machines: For all budgets You can also integrate other apps like Apple Health to track steps and heart rate or even connect Under Armour smart shoes to sync jogging distances and times in order to see your progress. If you want access to premium features like audio coaching and live location tracking, you can either pay $5.99 per month or $29.99 per year. A subscription also allows you to create personalized fitness plans to reach your weight and exercise goals and stay motivated. Pros:
Lots of free featuresAffordable subscriptionApple Health and smart shoe integration800+ exercises
Cons:
No nutrition or meal tracking
The cool part of using The Conqueror for running is that for every checkpoint you reach during your “race,” you get virtual postcards that show points of interest along your route. The Conqueror also will plant a tree and prevent plastic bottles from reaching the ocean for every 20 percent of your challenge that you complete, so you can get fit and help the environment at the same time. For location-based challenges, you can set time limits for completing the race in order to suit your level of fitness; which is perfect for folks just starting out with jogging or race training, since it allows you to work up to bigger chunks of the trail. You can even set up teams for each challenge, and each person takes a leg of the journey, making the heftier challenges like the Appalachian Trail or St. Francis Way much easier to complete. Each challenge costs $29.95 for entry and to cover the cost of the fancy medal they send your way when you’ve completed the race; and if you want a shirt as well as a medal, each race will cost $59.95 to enter. You can enter as many challenges as you like at once, and each activity you log will count towards the completion of all of them. Pros:
The Conqueror plants trees and clears ocean-bound plastic for race progressCustom challenges and time limitsVirtual postcardsTeam-based challenges
Cons:
Pricey if you want to do more than one challenge at onceNo nutrition tracking
If you prefer coaching, you can either choose a set program (which is a one-time purchase) that you can add to your in-app calendar whenever you want or an ongoing program (with a matching monthly payment). Each exercise has a video tutorial or text description attached so you can safely follow along with your workout and do movements that you may not be familiar with. And if you don’t want to get super bulky, you can find programs that are more focused on toning and weight maintenance. You can even find specific programs, like Body by Daddy, for creating a more masculine or feminine silhouette if you’re trans masculine/feminine, or non-binary. TrainHeroic automatically calculates your one-rep and working max percentages based on your inputs, eliminating the frustration of trying to do math on-the-fly. If you choose a coaching program, you’ll also get access to that program’s community so you can compare techniques, ask questions, and hype each other up. The subscription price varies by program, but most ongoing coaching sessions are around $30/month while one-time programs are often even cheaper. The app also has a timer function so you can track how long your workouts take as well as ensure that you properly rest between heavy sets. Pros:
Automatic working and one-rep max calculationsVideo and text tutorialsRobust communityBuilt-in timer
Cons:
Free version is somewhat limitedNo meal/nutrition tracking
You can add workouts to your in-app calendar as often as you like, creating a fitness routine that fits your schedule and abilities. And the Nike Training Camp app will give you expert tips on mindfulness, how to de-stress, and even nutrition and meal prep for ways to keep your mind focused and your body healthy. You can connect the app to your Apple Watch, the Apple Health app, and even Apple Music for more ways to track your progress and for listening to your workout playlist while training videos play. You can also screen mirror your workouts to your TV or computer if you need a bigger screen to better follow along with instructions. Pros:
Completely freeMindfulness and nutrition tipsLive and on-demand workoutsLive Q & A sessions with Nike Trainers
Cons:
All workouts are in video formSome exercises/plans were removed in the shift to a free appSubscription may restart in the future
By focusing on bodyweight exercises, beginners and seasoned athletes alike can train almost anywhere. And each workout only takes 7 minutes, so even if you have a packed schedule between work, kids, and errands, you can still squeeze in some exercise. It even has a few “silent” workouts which are tailored to folks who live in apartments where typical exercises could bother neighbors. You can create custom workouts or follow along with one of 12 different training styles to tone muscle, build strength, or manage your weight. The Seven app has a large community of users, so you can find accountability buddies or compete on public leaderboards for the top spot in your particular workout. In addition to Seven, the developers over at Perigee also created Cycles for tracking menstrual cycles and Halo for mindfulness and meditation; you can use any of the three apps in tandem for a full body and mind health overhaul. Pros:
No equipment neededAffordable subscription7-minute workoutsAchievements and leaderboards
Cons:
No meal/nutrition trackingLimited exercise tutorials
An app that also helps track nutrition information and meals can help you stay mindful of your calorie intake so you can balance your activity with what you eat, but be aware that calorie goals will differ depending on your exercise level and your personal bodily needs. Remember that food is fuel for your body and not something you should attach morality to; if you don’t eat enough, exercising becomes very dangerous. Make sure you talk to your doctor before starting any sort of exercise or diet program so any issues can be addressed immediately.
