Branded hashtags also make it a lot easier to collect user-generated content from your audience. For example, the clothing brand Ugg has added #UGG in their bio so you can find all content related to their brand easily (including UGC). On top of that, having too many sensors can reduce the battery life, or make the device more complicated to use (we rate ease of use in our tests too), so it’s important to get the right balance. Fitness apps from Amazfit, Fitbit, Garmin, Huawei, and Xiaomi are all free to download for their wearables. You can buy a tracker for as little as £2 or you could pay close to £250.
Best for iOS users
With this video, she takes her expertise outside the dance studio. The 15-minute mat workout will help tone your lower body with graceful ballet-inspired movements like bridge variations. Build strong lower limbs (aka “luscious legs”) with this 11-minute routine from Autumn Calabrese. Power through three sets of tough moves, like single-leg jump squats, wall squats, and more, for a quick, no-equipment-necessary workout.
If you have an Apple Watch, the app makes it convenient to access it and view your metrics on the smartwatch during your workouts as well. If you own an iPhone, it’s a no-brainer to sign up for a workout app that is already built into your smartphone and allows you to work out anywhere. Some positive reviews people have shared are that the app finally got them to be more active, while another says it gave them the freedom to get in shape on their own time frame. Overall, most seem to enjoy the variety and length of the workouts. I tested the most popular workout apps to help you find the ones worth the cost–some are even free.
Simply answer a few quick questions about your goals and fitness level when you first sign up, and the app will help you create a personalized workout plan. It will also help you track your progress as you meet your goals. Alix Turoff, RD, a New York City–based registered dietitian and National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)–certified personal trainer, loves that you can also swap out exercises and modify workouts.
Best Workout App for Weight Loss: Reverse Health
Engagement and niche relevance often matter more than follower count. Notice they blend in naturally without seeming forced — that’s what you should aim for. Instagram is getting better and better at understanding the search intent of its users, so you definitely don’t need to unnaturally stuff keywords in your posts. Brush up your Instagram SEO skills and use relevant keywords (without overstuffing them) in your video subtitles and captions.
Best Podcast & Audiobook Apps for Runners
Some are free or offer free trials for a week or month, which lets you test out the app before officially committing to it. Others can cost less than $10, under $50 or as much as $100 a month, depending on how personalized the experience tends to be. When I tried out this app, I signed up for a kettlebell class called Body & Bell, and what’s great is you get video demonstrations for the different exercises you’ll be doing. The videos also tell you the type of weight you should be using (light, medium, heavy) and the length of time of the exercise. You can also connect with your coach via the chat in the app if you ever have questions about your training or want to chat with other members on your team.
If you’re a fan of our full-body resistance band workout, you’ll definitely dig this free workout video. It combines strength movements, like rear lunges with a rotation, with heart rate-boosting exercises for a routine that’ll challenge your entire body. Business accounts are designed for companies and brands, with features like Instagram Shop and detailed contact options. Creator accounts are tailored for influencers and public figures, with tools for managing fan messages and tracking follower growth. The primary difference is that Instagram business accounts have restrictions on the music library they can access under copyright laws. Others can be if you’ve got the right sort of strap, usually silicone.
- Inaccurate readings can undermine workout effectiveness and hinder fitness progress, making you wonder if your heart is even trying.
- “So their yoga programs are really front and center,” MacPherson adds.
- A good rule of thumb to follow is to include a healthy mix of all content formats.
- Most of the prices in this article are list prices, and that’s not necessarily what you will pay.
- If you’re someone who is new to exercising or has a specific goal in mind, you can take Obé’s quiz, and based on your answers, the app creates a personalized fitness plan for you that refreshes as you go.
- The Pixel Watch 4 is the best smartwatch for any Android phone, regardless of whether you’re all in with Google’s ecosystem.
Common Pitfalls With Fitness Apps in General
The best workout app depends on your goals, experience, and preferences—someone training for muscle gain might choose a strength‑focused app, while a beginner walker may prefer a simple, walking‑based program. The best option is the one you can use consistently and safely for months, not days. MyFitnessPal is the app that Caroline Grainger, a Dallas-based International Sports Sciences Association–certified personal trainer at FitnessTrainer Online Personal Trainers, recommends most often to clients. It’s billed as a nutrition and food tracking app, but MyFitnessPal also includes fitness features like activity logging and estimates of calories burned. The app also includes a growing library of exercise instructions and video demos. Peloton is best known for its cycling classes, but with the Peloton digital app, you can also access other types of workouts.
For a beginner who just wants to log sets and track progressive overload (gradually increasing the weight or reps to keep making gains), Hevy’s free tier is the clear starting point. Choose from more than 1,000 classes that range from complete beginner to expert, or take a guided program to master your preferred dance style. Styles are taught by professional dancers and include hip-hop, ballet, contemporary, house, jazz, and more. The digital studio technology allows you to watch instructors demonstrate dance moves from different angles, play moves or sections on loop so you can practice, or adjust the class pace. BetterMe is a wellness platform for all genders that offers a little bit of everything in a very approachable manner. Unique to Studio Bloom, the app teaches diaphragmatic breathing as the foundation of every exercise.
Best Fitness Apps for Women and Specialized Needs
That’s exactly what you get with this classic Pilates workout — you’ll feel longer, leaner, and stronger — without stepping foot into a studio. So soothing, in fact, you might even fall asleep during Savasana (don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone). Shelley Darlington’s channel is hilarious, motivational, and she relies on our favorite thing to drive her points home — science.
Pitfalls That Waste Your Time
Using Instagram for business doesn’t have to mean you have to be all professional and corporate in your content. The most successful businesses on Instagram show their brand personality (looking at you, Duolingo) and are incredibly “human” in their approach. Make it a ritual to analyze your Instagram insights regularly (weekly, biweekly, or monthly) and understand which kinds of posts and content formats are the most successful for your profile. A good rule of thumb to follow is to include a healthy mix of all content formats. Instagram Shop is one of the best features you can rely on when you use Instagram for business. Using shoppable posts, you can display your entire product catalog on Instagram and allow people to shop directly from the platform.
Factors to consider when choosing a workout app
Additionally, some advanced watches and rings offer features like period and ovulation prediction, providing valuable health insights for users. These capabilities make them more than just fitness trackers, transforming them into comprehensive personal health companions. A reliable HRM provides consistent, precise heart rate readings during various activities, from cardio to tai chi training app strength training. Inaccurate readings can undermine workout effectiveness and hinder fitness progress, making you wonder if your heart is even trying. FitnessTrainer is the most convenient way to connect you with a local personal trainer. Whether you’re looking to simply get healthier or get into a specific fitness activity, we will match you with a one-on-one trainer who can customize each session to meet your fitness goals.
All the fitness apps below come recommended by NBC Select staff members or the experts I spoke to. I detailed important information about each option, including the types of exercise they offer and in what modalities, as well as their overall cost and how long their free trials are. If strength is your goal, you’ll find a wide range of strength classes and programs on the Alo Moves app. Sort the offerings by difficulty and intensity level and then choose the series that aligns with your goals. In a study published in the September 2019 JMIR Mhealth and Uhealth, college students who used fitness apps were more active than students who didn’t use apps.

What is the best workout app overall?
You’ll also want to figure out whether the app’s classes require you to have certain pieces of equipment on hand, like dumbbells or a yoga mat. Make sure you either have these items, or you have the budget to purchase them. Alo Wellness Club (formerly Alo Moves) began as a yoga platform, but now is actually one of the most comprehensive options on our list. 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.
The Best Workout Videos on YouTube

A cyclist, for example, isn’t going to be using the same workout app as a gym-goer. Thankfully, you don’t have to, and many certainly have strengths and weaknesses. PUSH is an absolutely brilliant app targeted exclusively at strength training and building muscle.
