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10 best workout apps, tried and tested in 2026

Science-Based Fitness Coaching Caliber Fitness

Apps that are inexpensive or provide exceptional features relative to the cost earn higher marks. Meanwhile, platforms with expensive monthly subscriptions that aren’t justified earn a 1 or 2. A score of 3 out of 5 means the app provides programs that work if followed, but may lack full optimization for long-term improvement. Higher ratings require well-devised programs that reliably produce gains over time. GGR Senior Staff Writer Caine Wilkes, OLY, CNC, USAW-L1, rates Hevy a 4 out of 5 for workout variety, noting that you can add or create your own routines and custom exercises.

Best Weightlifting App Overall: Shred App

best workout apps for strength training

Choosing the right workout apps for strength training is about matching features to your priorities. If you prefer automated workouts tailored to your equipment and recovery, Fitbod is compelling. For coaching and team workflows, TrainHeroic or TrueCoach are better fits.

  • Weight-loss seekers need resistance combined with metabolic conditioning.
  • The app includes programs for all levels and preferences, from high-intensity HIIT to low-impact strength training, barre, yoga, and specialized programs for pregnancy and postnatal recovery.
  • You wouldn’t want to go for this if you lift weights or use your hands a lot, but they’re comfortable and our expert product testers said they sometimes forgot they were wearing them.
  • Overall, this model looks poised to become a staple for both gym goers and everyday users, and we’re excited to learn more about its capabilities once we get the opportunity to test it.
  • Berg Movement also features detailed technique breakdowns with multiple camera angles and clear cues.
  • However, with so many options out there, including both free and paid apps, it can be hard to know which will suit your training needs.

Establishing Consistent Workout Routines

Hevy also includes a social feed where you can follow other lifters and share workout logs. Reddit’s r/Fitness community frequently recommends it alongside Strong as the two best pure logging tools. The free tier covers core logging features; Hevy Pro ($2.99/month or $23.99/year) unlocks unlimited custom workout app testimonials exercises, unlimited routine history, and detailed analytics.

Muscles Worked in Kettlebell Swings

In fact, our product tester who owns the Fenix 6 is still discovering everything his watch has to offer. Although the Whoop 5.0 technically doesn’t cost any money, you must purchase a membership to take advantage of its features. There are three plans available (WHOOP One, WHOOP Peak, and WHOOP Life) that cost between $199 to $359 per year. We like that Whoop offers a free trial option that includes a pre-owned 4.0 device, as this can give you time to test out this unique tracker. The strap has 24/7 heart rate, blood oxygen, and temperature monitoring. For example, the app will let you know if you’re good to train or if you need to take a rest day based on the amount of strain your body is under.

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Amanda gave Headspace a near-perfect score (4.75 out of 5) for ease of use, stating that the app interface is very clean and it’s a pleasant user experience. Everything from the fonts to the colors to the white space in between icons is nice and obviously thought out. The meditations, lessons, and modules are organized into categories and you can search for key terms. As for the app itself, it earned a total score of 4.23 after being tested by Kate Meier, certified personal trainer and GGR head of content.

Are all LES MILLS+ workouts included with my membership?

The app includes programs for all levels and preferences, from high-intensity HIIT to low-impact strength training, barre, yoga, and specialized programs for pregnancy and postnatal recovery. Each program is led by an expert trainer who understands the unique challenges and goals women face. As you work through exercises, the AI coach provides encouragement, form cues, and adjusts rest times based on your pace. This creates an experience remarkably similar to having a real trainer in the gym. AI-powered virtual trainer providing customized workouts with real-time adaptive coaching and comprehensive progress tracking. Our Alpha Progression review includes more details on what it’s like and our experience using it and how it compares to some of the other best strength training apps.

If you need a motivational boost or someone to keep you on track, Shred wouldn’t be my top pick. It’s certainly not bad in this regard, but Anthony only rated it a 3 out of 5 for accountability. “There’s some basics like a community feed and the ability to message friends, but you don’t have a personal coach who will follow up on you to track progress,” he says.

best workout apps for strength training

Training Specificity: Why Workouts Must Match Your Goals

Caine is an Olympian, placing 9th in weightlifting at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Having competed in Olympic weightlifting for over two decades, Caine has amassed several national and international titles over the years, including being a three-time Pan American Champion. A former gym owner, he also has more than 15 years of experience coaching other athletes in weightlifting, CrossFit, and functional fitness. It cannot see that your lower back rounds when you deadlift, or that your knees collapse on squats. Caliber’s structured programs highlight the Big Three compound lifts (squats, deadlifts, and bench press) from day one, because these movements build the most muscle across the most muscle groups per unit of time. Research from NIH PMC (2021) confirms that compound, multi-joint exercises optimize both strength and hypertrophy outcomes more efficiently than isolation work for untrained individuals (study on compound movements).

Beginner Core Workout: An Expert Coach Helps You Master the Basics

This has helped me get into working out in addition to the running/ cardio I do outside of weight lifting. Future’s monthly cost is higher than many of our other selections, but it’s the only online workout program that gives you access to your own personal trainer. Plus, the app costs less than most in-person trainers and offers way more access. Fantastic AppThis app is extremely helpful in tracking progress through mesocycles and the entire calendar year.

Trainers include Kayla herself, as well as the likes of Kelsey Wells, Chontel Duncan, Britany Williams, and Stephanie Sanzo. You can switch your program easily and take on-demand classes if you feel like adding the odd barre session to your planner. There’s free and paid options, but you get plenty of value if you do decide to pay, and you can access a free trial if you’re unconvinced. Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Coach platforms can be more expensive but often deliver personalized attention that accelerates results.

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This technological integration not only streamlines the workout process but also empowers users with the knowledge to optimize their health and performance. WeGLOW is the top-rated strength training app for perimenopause based on its hormonal phase-aware programming and women-specific exercise selection. Perimenopause — the transitional period before menopause, typically ages — involves hormonal fluctuations that affect energy levels, recovery capacity, and bone density.

For example, Hevy generates graphs for each exercise and lets you track workout-to-workout performance, and shows previous workout values when logging a live session. BetterMe’s paid version generates workout programs based on goals, experience, preferred exercise frequency, and other factors. “I think the social network-esque aspect of it is what really differentiates it from other free cycling GPS apps,” our tester and long-time Strava user Amanda Capritto says. “You can follow people on Strava just like on Instagram or Twitter.” Along with that, Strava encourages group challenges and interaction  with other athletes through clubs. While many of their workout plans are locked behind the subscription plan, the app still provides some free gym workouts, like the 3-Day Core Superset Routine, which Kate did and enjoyed.

Best Olympic Weightlifting Program: Torokhtiy Weightlifting Program

Freida gave the app a 5 out of 5 for interactive features because it can accommodate a range of preferences. Depending on the plan you choose, you’ll get unlimited chat (you can message your therapist any time and they will answer within one business day), plus live video or phone sessions that you can schedule in advance. Type “health apps” into the app store and you’ll be served hundreds of thousands of options (no, that isn’t a typo). Obviously that’s extremely overwhelming for anyone, but especially if you’re a beginner who doesn’t really know what you want out of your app. Nike Training Club does offer beginner-focused workouts, but even those classes still do require some basic fitness knowledge.

Log your workouts and track your progress on Hevy app while being part of an amazing community of 13+ million gym athletes. We hope our seven recommendations narrow the list and that at least one meets your needs. However, the app doesn’t offer the option to log improvised sessions or cardio/sports activities. StretchIt can generate a variety of mobility and flexibility programs based on goals, your preferred length (traditionally a bit longer than one month), weekly frequency, and session duration. Free workout apps have great value, providing basic instructions with libraries of exercises and workouts at no cost to you. Some of our favorite free workout apps include Caliber, Nike Training Club, and Map My Fitness.