Expert-Tested: The Best Workout Apps 2026

It’s a simple, streamlined app that’s very beginner-friendly, but it’s not the best choice if you prefer to have access to more advanced features. Despite the easy setup, the app offers plenty of great features to help you stay motivated and make sure you’re continuing to make progress over time. Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, says her coach is fantastic about daily check-ins and gathering feedback. “Seeing my fitness rings on my Apple Watch worked really well for me in terms of keeping me on track with my workouts,” says Kate, who gave Future 4 out of 5 stars for interactive features. He also docked a couple of points for progressive overload, giving Fitbod 3 out of 5 stars. Fitbod is great if you need AI-generated workouts for a variety of strength training goals.

She notes there is a supportive online community, challenges you can join, and the ability to add your workout program to your calendar. When you use the calendar option, your workouts come up as appointments with calendar reminders, which is ideal for anyone establishing a routine. JuggernautAI is a powerlifting program generated by artificial intelligence.

So, the appropriate age for a fitness tracker really varies from case to case. If your kid is more on the inactive side and could benefit from a little extra motivation, perhaps getting them a fitness tracker could help. We know there are a lot of reviews and opinions out there, so why take our word on these watches? And to make sure we were getting the true experience, we had our own kids and friends’ and family’s children test out the watches. The Eurans Kids Fitness Tracker ($30) is cute and definitely made for kids.

Biggerfive Fitness Tracker

The app’s premise revolves around performing five sets of five reps of five compound exercises, including squats, bench presses, and deadlifts. The idea is to complete the routine three times a week and gradually increase the weights you lift as you progress. It’s got everything you need to dive further into your health, sleep, and activity, but intentionally avoids data overload.

Nike Training Club Reddit reviews

We chatted with the kids and their parents to learn what they liked and disliked about each watch. As an app connoisseur always analyzing design features, I‘m impressed by Strava‘s integration with other fitness tech like Peloton and Garmin. Down Dog stands out for providing tailored yoga experiences that precisely match users‘ needs and preferences. If you‘re seeking serious strength gains, Fitbod uses intelligent programming algorithms to maximize results better than most apps.

• Compared to the average workout app, Zwift is more affordable, and has a longer trial period.
• Even if you don’t have access to lots of exercise equipment, they say you’ll still have lots of workouts to choose from.
• IPhones have many fan favorite workout apps to pick from, which include many on this list like Peloton, Nike Training Club and Strava.
• Whether you’re looking to spice up your at-home workouts or need some extra guidance to achieve your fitness goals, Aaptiv is worth checking out.
• In addition to personalized training plans, you’ll get access to a library of premade bodyweight workouts and individual exercises that you can try.
• So, if you’re performing an iFIT workout on a NordicTrack treadmill, your machine will react to the coach’s lead, providing an ever-changing cardio session to keep things fresh.

Those who haven’t used a health tracker before may not need as extensive of data capture, and all the charts comparing these biometrics could be more stressful than insightful. ZDNET’s recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing. Value considers how well a tracker performs for its price, factoring in every category above, as well as other factors that arose along the way. A budget-friendly option can score high here if it delivers strong performance for the cost.

Eurans Kids Fitness Tracker

Throughout my time as a wearables expert, I’ve noticed the growing popularity of screenless health trackers like bands and smart rings, but there are still very few viable fitness bands available. Although Fitbit has a lot of solid options to choose from, the Fitbit Ace 3 is going to be the best bet for your child. Offering features such as step counts and sleep monitoring, the Ace 3 also includes animated clock faces, customizable accessories, and a parent and kid view on the app. When it comes to purchasing a watch for your kid, you probably don’t want to spend as much as you might on an adult. Kids have a tendency to lose things easily, so you don’t want to drop a wad of cash on something that could easily wind up in their school’s lost and found.

Freeletics Reddit reviews

You could access these for free (so long as you have a Netflix subscription) and do the 10 or 20-minute sessions wherever you are. If you enjoy the sessions and programs, you’ll find it easier to make them part of your routine and progress towards your targets. For instance, if you like intense, high-energy classes, then the Peloton app might suit you. If you’re not into weights or the fast tempo of BodyPump and Body Attack, there’s plenty of other classes to choose from.

Best Kids’ Fitness Tracker for Young Kids

When you’re loading a barbell, having the app tell you exactly which plates to add saves mental energy. It’s a small feature that makes a real difference during heavy compound lifts. Here’s a breakdown of the categories we tested for, and how we rated them. It’s also an intuitive app to use, as Nicole rates both the setup and ease of use a solid 5 out of 5. While Muscle Booster can be perfect for beginners and provides decent bang for your buck, its lack of a free trial can’t be overlooked. While you can upload photos to send to your trainer, you can only send one at a time, according to Amanda.

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I’ve combed through hundreds of threads across r/Fitness, r/weightroom, r/bodybuilding, and r/naturalbodybuilding to find out which workout tracker apps lifters genuinely recommend. The results might surprise you—the most popular apps aren’t always the ones with the flashiest marketing or the most features. If an app requires you to have access to a full gym or only has a small percentage of workouts that can be performed with minimal equipment, that was cause for a 1- or is madmuscles legit 2-star rating.

The r/FitTunes subreddit often suggests Aaptiv for its curated playlists and expert-led audio workouts. With the right tunes and guidance, Aaptiv can help you power through tough workouts and achieve your fitness goals. One of the most significant benefits of StrongLifts 5×5 is its focus on compound exercises that work multiple muscle groups simultaneously. This means that you will achieve better results in less time, making it a highly efficient workout option. Just check in with the parents first, as they might have tech boundaries or preferences on which tracker they would like for their kid. Garmin’s vívofit jr. 3 is specifically designed for kids ages 4-7, although older kids would enjoy it as well.

Do workout apps really work?

Your choice will ultimately depend on whether you think investing in a paid app will actually help you get closer to your goals and what you’re comfortable spending. Other things to consider are if you prefer live streaming or On demand workouts. The best workout app for you will vary depending on your fitness goals, budget, preferred training method, and the level of coaching you desire. Before choosing an app, you should think about what you expect to get out of it.

App Compatibility & Extra Features

Fortunately, many of these sessions are now available for free in the Nike Training Club app. 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. The Fitbit Air has a one-time cost of $100, and if you want Google’s annual Google Health Premium membership, that would cost you an extra $100 annually. There are other small, premium details packed into Whoop that you may not get from Google’s Fitbit Air.

Best Home Workout App: Ladder

Overall, Fitness Blender is an excellent fitness app for those who prefer working out at home without compromising on quality or results. What makes this app stand out is its detailed exercise illustrations, which help you perfect your form and avoid injuries. Plus, you can create and save your own workout routines and sync them across multiple devices.