The Best Fitness Apps of 2026, Tested & Reviewed NBC Select

While you’ll need to upgrade to the Pro version to unlock many of the platform’s features, advanced weightlifters should get their money’s worth out of this well-designed workout tracker and training program. According to the Michigan Fitness Association4, hiring a personal trainer costs between $300 and $600 a month. Although $199 per month still beats the cost of in-person personal training, it’s still an expensive training app. Luckily, you can get your first month free using our GGR-exclusive discount code, which will give you time to assess the platform and craft your own opinion of the service. This is the only trial option for users, which is why Future earned a 3 out of 5 for the trial period. If you’re brand new to exercising, or if you’re trying a new type of workout, experts recommend using a fitness app as a supplement to in-person sessions with professional trainers, at least for a few weeks.

It recommended some lower-body accessories he could perform without accumulating too much fatigue. Plus, each session will also provide recommended RPE (rate of perceived exertion) and tempo, and you can swap movements based on your skill level or what’s available in your gym. Between these prompts and logging your reps, sets, and weight totals, you’re in the app a lot, but our tester noted that the experience wasn’t overwhelming or annoying. Plus, all that logged data makes it easier for the AI platform to curate your recommended training schedule as it learns and progresses with you in the gym.

While nothing will quite replace a gym workout with a personal trainer or coach, weight training apps can get close, while coming in much less expensive than a personal training session. We also like Fitbod because it’s one of the most equipment-flexible training apps we’ve tested. Being able to choose what you have available—ranging from full gym access to just your bodyweight—makes it accessible for people who train at home, in different gyms, or while traveling. Because JuggernautAI is a powerlifting program, you’ll need a squat rack, weight bench, barbell, and weight plates to complete most of your workouts.

Choosing the right workout app starts with knowing yourself—your goals, schedule, budget, and how much structure you actually enjoy. A good fit will feel realistic to stick with most days of the week, not just exciting for the first few workouts. A good app should encourage you to improve your performance over time, whether that’s adding more weight to the bar, doing a few more reps, or running a little longer. Progressive overload is a key part of making progress, especially when it comes to strength training, according to Chris Mohr, PhD, RD.

Best for Personal Training

To earn 3 out of 5 stars, there may be some repetition and many similar workout formats/types, but it’s tolerable, and our testers could see themselves using this app for quite some time. For this category, we aren’t just looking at the plan itself, but how much instruction the app provides. To earn 3 out of 5 stars, we want to see both visual and audio cues, though there may not be much guidance about how hard to push yourself or when to increase the weight you’re using. Ladder is also heavily focused on progressive overload, which is the key to building strength and continuing to make progress once you’re no longer a beginner.

Hevy Coach

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. I have no doubt it’s effective—I burned at least 5 to 10 calories just listening in fear to the YouTube trailer. As a CPT, these are all things I want for my own program and my client’s programs, too. Using an app helps you take the guesswork out of coming up with your own program or just having general anxiety about not knowing what to do for your workout on any given day.

Best for building muscle

The best workout app isn’t the same for everyone, but the ones we love share a few key qualities. Top apps offer a wide variety of original workouts for all fitness levels, led by knowledgeable, motivating instructors who push you to challenge yourself while keeping things fun. We looked at cost, whether content can be downloaded for offline use, and how frequently new classes or programs are 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.

• Users rave that the instructors keep them motivated and that the variety of workouts prevents boredom.
• If you like to run outdoors, for example, you’d likely want an app that offers location tracking.
• Thanks to this video, it’s totally possible to work your lower half with nothing but your own body weight and a chair.
• A downside is that this can be pricey for some users looking to try the workout at home.
• Runkeeper offers some different guided workouts and meditations, although the main focus is running and cardiovascular exercise.
• While some apps may charge a steep monthly fee, you can also find options that are absolutely free.

Yoga for Beginners

The recipe section is exceptional, with new healthy meal ideas added weekly. Recipes filter by dietary preference (low-carb, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free) and include nutritional breakdowns and step-by-step instructions. We selected Yazio as the best healthy habit tracker because it strikes the perfect balance between comprehensive features and user-friendliness. The app doesn’t overwhelm you with complexity but provides enough depth to make meaningful improvements. The community aspect adds valuable motivation, with members sharing progress, asking questions, and celebrating milestones together. This social element can be crucial for maintaining long-term commitment to calisthenics training.

To earn 3 out of 5 stars for value, we feel that what you get for the price is fair, while high scores are given to apps that provide exceptional value for the cost. If you’re past the beginner stage and want a little more progressive overload in your strength training, we recommend a workout app such as Boostcamp. The level of personalization, modification, versatility, and accountability you get for the price is, quite frankly, insane.

Are online workout programs as effective as in-person classes?

While the platform is ideal for advanced athletes, beginners also benefit by learning foundational movements and mastering strength basics. “You pick a coach based on your goals and preferences, and best free workout apps each day’s workout—including rest—is programmed for you. My sessions are about 45 minutes, and at 45, I feel and look stronger than ever.» Every workout and meditation incorporates American Sign Language, with trainers learning ASL together in weekly classes led by a Deaf-certified instructor, so those who are deaf or hard of hearing feel included. The monthly price is incredibly reasonable for all the content it delivers.

What to Look for in Workout Apps for Women

The instructors are highly polished, the music is front and center, and the leaderboard and community features add an extra layer of motivation for people who thrive on shared energy. Kristin McGee is ideal if your goal is feeling more connected to your body through intentional movement. Most classes focus on controlled, precise movement, with an emphasis on alignment, breath, and deep core engagement. These are programs I’ve either personally tested, spent meaningful time exploring, or consistently seen deliver results for a wide range of people.

Best for women who want to strength training

We love this app for beginner strength training workouts—there are a ton of options, the movements are approachable, and you can easily do them at home if you’re not ready to hit the weight room at your local Y. You likely have some Nike gear that you rock at the gym—so it might feel right to work out with the Swoosh, too. The Nike Training Club app features more than 180 routines from trainers in categories like yoga, strength training, and more. From there we further tested our top contenders during workouts at our Men’s Health gym, our training spaces at home, local performance facilities, and outdoors.

There are a million and one fitness apps out there that hover around the same price point, but most don’t offer anything nearly as comprehensive as JuggernautAI. JuggernautAI is a powerlifting program generated by artificial intelligence. One downside to TR[Ai]NER by Element 26 is that it doesn’t provide a ton of accountability. You also won’t find any nutrition coaching or features like community leaderboards, forums, or push notifications to remind you to work out.

Interactive Features

I do like the included modules for chair yoga and personalized weight loss journeys, but I don’t believe there’s enough content to keep things interesting or engaging for extended periods. Plus, each chosen module has its own questionnaire, which can become annoying when trying to sign up for multiple sessions at once. Reverse Health is a weight-loss program app that’s specifically designed for people during and after menopause. As far as user experience is concerned, we experienced no bugs or lagging when navigating the app features. Our tester also appreciated how Future can be used across their smartwatch for added convenience during training.

Progress Tracking

Although more equipment is needed than in other apps we reviewed, Amanda still gives JuggernautAI a 4-out-of-5-star rating for equipment demands. “You can swap in exercises each day or for an entire block based on what you have handy,” she explains. 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. The Fitbod App is a high-tech AI-powered fitness platform that personalizes workouts and adapts them over time based on your progress. Although there is not a free version, the subscription is affordable and allows you to workout with whatever equipment you have.