Track your progress and learn new workouts right on your phone.
By Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., NASM-CPT and Olivia Lipski Updated: Aug 2, 2024 Save Article
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Though it’s not always easy to find the time to make it to the gym, that doesn’t mean you have to give up on your fitness goals. By downloading one of the best workout apps straight to your tablet or phone, you can choose from a variety of workout classes and activities — including yoga, HIIT, strength training, stretching and more.
Best of all, workout apps make it possible to track your progress or squeeze in a quick 10-minute ab exercise from the comfort of your home. Though some apps with extra perks have subscription fees, there's apps that are totally free that fitness enthusiasts will love.
The personal trainers, fitness enthusiasts and product analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test everything from the most engaging YouTube workout channels to must-have home gym equipment. In the past year alone, our pros have put more than 20 workout apps to the test, evaluating each one for its intuitiveness, variety of exercise options and price. We also considered feedback from real testers on their experience using apps, including how challenging the workout felt, the class quality and more.
After reading our reviews below, head to the end of this guide to find out what makes the best workout app. For more of the best health-related apps, consult out guides to the best intermittent fasting apps and weight loss apps.
Apple Fitness+ has been growing in popularity over the past few years for its robust library of studio-style workouts, with new classes added every week.
Previously, the service was exclusive to Apple Watch users, but the brand has since expanded access to anyone with a compatible iPhone, Apple TV or iPad. From HIIT to core and yoga, Fitness+ offers a wide variety of classes and rounds it out by tracking metrics through your Apple Watch. "I loved that this service tracked and displayed your pulse throughout the whole workout and gave you feedback about how your rate recovered after the workout," one tester says.
Our experts who tested Apple Fitness+ found instructors skilled and energetic, and we appreciate that there are always two to four trainers per class to show easy exercise modifications to suit all fitness levels. Plus, the production quality of classes is top-notch and paired with fantastic playlists that keep you motivated.
• Cost: $10/month or $80/year (and three months free with most new iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad and Apple TV purchases)
• Pro: Multiple trainers in each class provide tons of modifications for all levels
• Con: Only available on compatible Apple devices
• Available on iOS
Centr is a comprehensive fitness and wellness app created by Chris Hemsworth and his hand-selected team of health professionals. Not only does the app deliver effective workouts ranging from HIIT to strength and Pilates, but the program is complete with nutrition guidance, meal plans and healthy recipes curated by chefs to help you achieve your wellness goals.
It's a great choice for anyone seeking a lifestyle change. "I liked the approach with this app and having a section for workout, meditation and food recipes," one tester says. Our experts also appreciate that many of the specialized programs help you build strength and stay motivated, like the 13-week muscle-building program, Centr Power.
• Cost: $29.99/month, $59.99/3 months or $199.99/year
• Pro: Excellent strength training workout selection
• Con: Unable to download workouts beforehand
• Available on Android or iOS
You'll get the best of both worlds with this workout app that combines personal training with the convenience of working out at home on your own schedule. Start by matching with a human trainer based on your goals and fitness level, and you train all month for the price of what one personal training session would typically cost at a high-end gym.
Just note that although you have a live call at first, you won't physically see your trainer during every session. Instead, you'll be able to interact with them via the app's messaging platform to share any feedback or request adjustments to your fitness program. Our experts love that each weekly training plan and workout is customized to your goals and includes audio and video guides for every movement. We also appreciate Future's emphasis on tracking your progress so you can see real improvements and stay accountable.
• Cost: $199/month
• Pro: Personalized workouts and weekly training programs created just for you
• Con: You won't see your trainer during every session
• Available on Android or iOS
Featuring barre, Pilates, yoga, HIIT, meditation, quick ab workouts and more than 3,000 classes, it’s hard not to love this 2023 Good Housekeeping Fitness Awards Winner. The app is easy to navigate so you can find the right workout for you, and new classes are added on a regular basis so you never have to take the same one twice.
Our pros love the impressive production quality of each class, not to mention the quality of the content as well as Alo’s engaging instructors. Testers especially like being able to find easy-to-follow, accessible and motivating workouts for all fitness levels. Another perk: You can download workouts straight to your phone so you can practice yoga outside, even if there's no Wi-Fi connection.
• Cost: $13/month, $129/year
• Pro: Fantastic class content and instructors
• Con: Limited filters when searching in the app
• Available on iOS
Known for its neon-colored workout videos and upbeat instructors, this motivating app features 20+ types of workout classes from sculpting and barre to HIIT and cardio boxing. You can stream live classes six days a week or choose one of over 10,000 on-demand classes. When testing the app, our pros liked the app's easy-to-use interface as well the wide variety of class types, which were lively, engaging and fun.
We also love that you can download up to 30 classes in the app so you can keep up with your fitness routine when you're on vacation and Wi-Fi access is limited. While equipment isn't required for many of Obe's high-energy classes, you can increase the intensity by adding light weights and resistance bands.
• Cost: $25/month, $170/year
• Pro: Fun and engaging fitness content for all levels, including live classes
• Con: iOS app is easier to use than Android version
• Available on Android or iOS
The Nike Training Club app has fantastic classes and doesn’t put a price on health and fitness. With an intuitive interface, the app lets you browse routines by workout type, muscle group or equipment. It even features useful nutrition and wellness tips. Our testers loved the range of workouts offered and noted that there were programs suited for varying fitness levels, including those for workout novices as well as more advanced athletes.
"There were different programs for different ability levels, which is great for everyone!" one tester says. Our fitness experts also appreciate that classes are efficient and easy to follow and that the app offers high-intensity workouts for small spaces, making it a great choice for anyone seeking apartment-friendly fitness. "This service was very easy to use and perfect for a quick at-home workouts," another tester shares.
• Cost: Free
• Pros: Caters to all fitness levels and offers a wide variety of workouts
• Con: Can take up quite a bit of space on your smartphone
• Available on Android or iOS
Peloton is not just for those with the brand’s bike, treadmill or rower. In fact, you don't need anything to benefit from the Peloton app's seemingly endless class options (both live and on-demand), including spin and running but also yoga, barre, HIIT classes, strength training, stretching and more.
Testers loved the varied workout categories, duration of classes, motivational trainers and the general sense of community the app encourages. "It was quick and simple to find whatever type of class you were in the mood for, and for however long you'd like the class to be," one tester says. Others were wowed by the feeling that they were right in the studio — some instructors even spoke to them with their leaderboard name!
• Cost: $13/month, $129/year
• Pros: Top industry instructors, huge workout community and class library
• Con You won't be able to take advantage of certain metrics if you don't have Peloton equipment
• Available on Android or iOS
BODi (formerly Beachbody On Demand) has consistently impressed our experts with its lively, invigorating classes and programs led by high-quality instructors. It has a community feel that we love, and testers gave it top scores, thanks to a wide variety of classes and activities offered, ranging from challenging boot camps to Pilates.
The app itself is easy to navigate, and you’re able to search for classes and programs based on your needs and interests. Get started by choosing from a variety of programs, like a six-week cardio plan or a two-month hip-hop program that focuses on ab work, that you can stream from your living room.
• Cost: $90/three months, $179/year
• Pros: Huge selection of class and workout programs, motivating instructors
• Con: Minimum three-month membership required
• Available on Android or iOS
SWEAT is a workout app designed specifically for women by women. Sessions are led by female fitness professionals who are considered some of the best in the industry. The High-Intensity Zero Equipment sessions led by Kayla Itsines feature high-intensity circuit training that's suitable for all levels and a great option for beginners looking to make a fitness transformation.
The post-pregnancy program from Kelsey Wells is another standout on this app. The community is vast, the content is effective and user-friendly, and our testers found the app and instructors very motivating. Our Lab experts appreciated that you’re able to preview each workout before getting started, and they found the majority of exercises easy to follow.
• Cost: $20/month or $120/year
• Pros: All female instructors, dynamic workouts designed for women at all phases of life
• Con: Most workouts require you to interact with the screen after each set
• Available on Android or iOS
Whether you’re a dedicated yogi or a downward dog beginner, Glo’s 5,000 classes (and counting!) make it the ultimate pick for practitioners at every level. Download the app, grab your yoga mat and take a quiz to get personalized recommendations, then search for and follow your favorite teachers. We especially love that you can download sessions to do later — perfect when you won't have access to Wi-Fi.
You can enjoy live classes with other Glo members, and you're able to search based on class duration, practice, instructor, body part, intensity level and more. Testers also appreciate that the app offers meditation content.
• Cost: $30/month, $245/year
• Pro: Content available for all levels
• Con: Specializes primarily in yoga and Pilates classes
• Available on Android or iOS
From trainers Karena Dawn and Katrina Scott, Tone It Up offers tons of incredible fitness classes, from toning and sculpting to pregnancy and postnatal content. You'll also find great strength training, dance, kickboxing and barre programs, all available at a variety of levels and intensities.
A favorite of our fitness experts, we appreciate that many workouts are beginner-friendly for those looking to tone and sculpt and that a lot of the content incorporates resistance bands for an added challenge. We're also grateful that you can schedule workouts in the app and receive reminders before it's time to start.
• Cost: $15/month or $100/year
• Pros: Great low-impact workouts available, large supportive community of over 1 million TIU members
• Con: Most content behind a paywall
• Available on Android or iOS
Yoga and barre not your thing? Strava is a workout app made for all the runners, cyclists and hikers out there. It tracks important stats (like speed, pace, elevation and more) so you can improve your performance over time.
Plus, it offers monthly challenges and competitions to help keep you on your toes. You'll also be able to connect with the Strava community, as well as your contacts and Facebook friends. If you opt for the premium Strava Summit membership, you'll get a more detailed analysis of your performance and access to a safety feature that shares your location with designated contacts while you run.
• Cost: Free
• Pros: Easy and free way to track your stats and find new routes
• Con: Does not offer fitness classes
• Available on Android or iOS
