To start a regular running routine, you might first want to focus on walking and step counting. Pacer works in the background, logging your steps as you move around during the day to give you a picture of your activity level. You’ll also have access to video demonstrations, form support, in-ear coaching, and built-in pacing to keep you on track. The virtual community vibes are high, and the platform feels like a tailored group fitness experience. Deciding which workout app is right for you depends on a ton of personal factors.

Best Free Workout App for Women: Nike Training Club

And while I’d be tempted to solely focus on the workout features, this all-in-one platform goes beyond workouts. Along with calorie and meal tracking, the app offers an extensive recipe database with 10,000+ recipes crafted by certified nutritionists. Recipes are localized to regional products—and you can use the macro-adaptive tracking to tailor meals to your preferences and dietary needs. Hevy differentiates itself through social features — you can follow friends, share workouts, and see what others are doing in a fitness-focused feed. The workout logging itself is clean and fast, rivaling Strong for usability. The social layer is genuinely motivating for users who respond well to external accountability and shared progress.

What is the most effective workout plan for beginners?

• I wanted something fun, with effective routines from personal trainers and yoga teachers.
• The AI tracks which muscle groups you’ve trained recently and prioritizes fresh muscles in each new session.
• The virtual community vibes are high, and the platform feels like a tailored group fitness experience.
• Aaptiv offers audio-based workouts across categories like running, strength, and yoga, making it ideal for users who prefer guidance without visual distractions.
• “Are you a self-motivated person, or do you need the energy of being around others in a space?
• If you want to try Peloton classes, the subscription offers a 30-day free trial.

The app integrates with Apple Health, Google Fit, and various fitness trackers (with PRO), automatically syncing steps, workouts, and weight data for a complete health picture. For anyone inspired by Sondre Berg’s movement on social media or simply wanting expert calisthenics coaching, this app delivers professional-quality programming at a fraction of the cost of in-person training. The app includes plenty of content for beginners but also features highly specialized routines for elite athletes, Olympic lifters, and those training intensively. This range makes it valuable whether you’re just starting to address tight hips or you’re an athlete seeking marginal gains. Daily mobility routines, access 1500+ workouts, expert coaches, track progress, effective programming. They also have a premium offering of custom mobility coaching for anyone looking for more support during their mobility and movement training.

Fitness Apps for Men

You can choose from workout types like strength training, yoga, HIIT and Pilates, and there’s programs you can do outside, as well as on the treadmill, stairmaster, bike and elliptical machine. Without the video component, you can focus on your form instead of watching someone else, which eliminates distractions, according to the brand. You can choose workouts based on factors like type of exercise, how long you want to exercise for and your favorite trainers or music. Aaptiv exclusively offered audio-only for years, but it now also has video content as well, similar to the other apps on this list. It’s not hard to see why this workout app is a fan favorite; it offers over 30 programs — all designed to fit multiple workout preferences and achieve different results. Some of the most notable plans include at-home workouts, gym training plans, post-pregnancy programs and zero-equipment workouts.

Some apps focus on specific activities, while others provide a variety to keep your routine exciting. Matching the app’s offerings to your preferences can make sticking to your fitness routine easier, which is really the whole point with finding a training resource. The best AI fitness apps personalize workouts by analyzing your goals, history, and fitness levels. It offers an extensive library of on-demand workout videos with celebrity trainers for free, with the upgrade option to the “PRO” version for added features. This approach makes high-quality fitness content accessible to a broad audience. Peloton is best known for its cycling classes, but the platform has options well beyond the bike.

These are our 12 favorite fitness, health, and nutrition apps we recommend for crushing your 2026 resolutions

It supports team-based or individual challenges, making it ideal for companies aiming to boost performance and social connection. It’s a great fit for anyone who’s motivated fitness habit building by instructor energy, music, and a strong sense of community. Christina is a health commerce staff writer at Fortune with more than a decade of experience crafting engaging content for digital platforms. There are also a few red flags to watch for when you’re evaluating options. To join Apple Fitness Plus, you can try it out for free for up to three months and then have the option to pay month-to-month, $10 or $80 for the year.

Unlock your body’s data

I also like that the animations show exactly what part of the body is targeted, with ‘Right vs. Wrong’ visual comparisons that help correct form instantly (a huge win for beginners!). For value, the team weighed all of these factors—features, coaching depth, workout quality, and flexibility—against the typical monthly subscription price. Testers paid close attention to how easy or difficult it was to download and set up each app, from account creation to any onboarding quizzes. Clear navigation, intuitive layouts, and obvious “do this today” guidance were prioritized so users could get moving quickly without feeling overwhelmed.

Are Stretching workouts suitable for beginners?

With a free trial available, you can test the app before committing to a subscription. We selected Berg Movement as the best influencer program because Sondre’s expertise and teaching ability shine through every aspect of the app. His background as a professional performer and coach means the programming is both practical and effective.

Peloton The Peloton App

Many of these apps do offer nutrition tracking features, which I’ve found incredibly helpful. They allow me to log my meals and monitor my intake, making it easier to stay on course with my health goals. So, if you’re keen on tracking what you eat, these apps can definitely assist you. The Fitness Workout Journal for Women & Men is an essential tool for anyone serious about tracking their fitness journey.

Fitness Goals

Zwift is an online training ground inhabited up until recently by cyclists, although now used by runners, especially by those who love their Wahoo Kickr Run Treadmill. Log in, sync your avatar to your iPad or other device, then ride or run around courses, surrounded by other virtual athletes from all over the globe doing the same thing. You can also download Zwift to other equipment to keep track of your runs.

The best fitness apps of 2026

So, while testing these fitness apps, I also paid attention to a few crucial features. One tricky aspect of workout apps is that you often don’t get the benefit of personalized instruction or in-person corrections on form. If you’re new to working out, a few sessions with a personal trainer could be helpful to get you started. Pick your distance goal when choosing your plan (from run your first 5K to ultramarathons), and find a community of runners taking part in upcoming events. Runna, owned by Strava, immediately offers you a plan with words of encouragement (using your name) from a coach. Now, the main limitation with personal training apps compared to in-person sessions is a lack of face-to-face interaction to check-in on your form, says Felton.