One of the top benefits of using a workout app is having access to expert programming. If you’re still struggling to lose weight even after adding more time to your daily and weekly workouts, you might want to consider giving your diet an overhaul. Now available in an app on Apple or Android with reminders to keep you on track. Turning your smartphone into a fitness tool is made easier with the plethora of apps available today. The above selections are designed to give you a taste of the diverse options you can tap into to meet your health goals.

“For being completely free forever, I thought the library of workouts was pretty robust,” they said. We like that newcomers to weightlifting will have the freedom to sniff around the no-cost version before committing to the group or one-on-one subscriptions. The BarBend team of certified fitness professionals includes competitive weightlifters (including a member of the USA Olympic team), certified personal trainers, and gym owners. For each of the over 60 fitness apps we’ve tested, we assigned ratings of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) across 13 categories, including ease of use, instruction, and progressive overload. BarBend’s roster of competitive weightlifters — including a USA Olympian — and certified personal trainers is uniquely positioned to offer up critiques of these strength-training apps.

Key Features

Most offer a free trial, which lets you explore the workouts, features, and overall vibe before committing. Compared to an in-person gym membership, fitness apps are typically more affordable, far more convenient, and they take the guesswork out of programming our own workouts. Since you can use them anytime, anywhere, they’re also one of our favorite tools for staying consistent (and seeing real results). After completing the initial assessment, you’ll be “matched” with several personal trainers, but the choice is yours. First, pick a trainer that aligns with your preferences, goals, and fitness level. Whether you’ve stocked your home with one of the best squat racks and dumbbells or want to stick to bodyweight, your trainer will get to work creating a personalized training plan.

• Unfortunately, the app does not keep track of classes taken so this is something you’ll have to track on your own.
• Originally known for Kayla Itsines’ high-intensity BBG programs, it has evolved into a comprehensive platform featuring over 60 distinct plans.
• Audio fitness apps like Aaptiv allow them to enjoy their workouts with minimal visual clutter.
• Nike + Training Club is the ultimate app for fitness enthusiasts who want to experience an intense sweat session with a variety of options for their workout—so you never get bored.
• She is a nutrition, mental health, fitness and sleep science enthusiast.
• It aims to help users find ideal workouts daily with options ranging from circuit training to kettlebell and dumbbell workouts.

Strong – Best for Tracking

The 7-Minute Workout app lets even the busiest women squeeze in exercise routines that are short yet effective. Using a combination of cardio and strength training exercises that don’t need any special equipment, the 7-Minute Workout also tracks your progress to keep you both motivated and challenged. Working on the premise that you don’t have any equipment, Mark Lauren Bodyweight Training is packed with 200 bodyweight exercises that tap into just your own body’s weight to be effective. Available for Apple and Android devices, this app also includes how-to videos and modifications so you can customize the exercises to your fitness level. The MapMyFitness app is free and essentially turns your phone into a personal trainer. Using your phone’s GPS capabilities, MapMyFitness monitors your favorite activity and delivers performance feedback.

They are available on iOS and Android and are free, with an option for in-app purchases. Still, even experienced athletes can benefit from fitness apps by tracking their performance and metrics such as heart rate, recovery time, and sleep data. Caliber is a free workout app with a library of workout programs for muscle building, strength, gains, and fat loss. It has a built-in progress tracker that allows you to see how well you are doing over time. Hevy is the best strength training app I (the writer) have used, and I always recommend it to my personal training clients.

Best Workout App for Women: Obé

“Build strength to do 5 unassisted pull-ups” or “train for a 5K race” gives you direction for choosing the right app and measuring progress. Despite what you may have been told or believe, it’s never too late to feel stronger. For women, the 40s are a decade characterized by hormonal fluctuations and physiological changes that can impact function and quality of life.

The 10 Best Workout Apps for Women of 2026

Testers loved the huge choice of workouts available, from strength sessions to yoga to meditation, and found it easy to filter classes on the app by duration and difficulty to find the right one for them. These workout apps will challenge your cardio, strength and endurance from the (dis)comfort of your own home. Whether you’re a regular at the squat rack or prefer to get your fitness fix at home, they can help you get strong and smash your health goals — there’s something for everyone. Women looking for a holistic approach to fitness that balances strength training, cardio, and mindfulness. Ideal for those who need motivational community support and affordable pricing for an all-in-one fitness solution.

A Final Word on Free Fitness Apps

In their kettlebell program, however, our tester noted that their background in fitness came in handy. “The coaching is great overall,” they said, scoring the instruction 4 out of 5. “But I feel like someone new to weightlifting may struggle without feedback.” Subscriptions start at $29.99, but you can also connect with an individual coach for $44.99 per month. Most of the workouts only require basic home gym equipment and their programming adheres to the principles of progressive overload. With several levels of membership, we found the pricing structure a bit confusing.

How do I choose the best workout app for my needs?

Strength training is an umbrella term that refers to any activity dedicated to building mass and growing stronger. That said, the free version isn’t without limitations, as you can only store about four workouts and minimal custom exercises to your routine. If you choose to upgrade to the Pro version of Hevy, it’s a budget-friendly $3.99 per month or unlimited access for $74.99. Workout apps offer more convenience than scheduling in-person training or navigating group class schedules. You can see their recommendations for how many calories you should allot for each meal, which is an excellent and helpful feature.

Tone It Up fitness and lifestyle app

Most of these workout apps allow you to personalize your workout plan, but it may be a good idea to consult with a doctor or personal trainer if you have any specific questions about your health. The U.S. Office on Women’s Health has some helpful guidelines about physical activity for women, including older women and women with disabilities. FITR is a unimeal reviews workout app for women tailored specifically to meet their needs as per their body, offering a range of features to support personal health and exercise routines. From cycling, strength training, yoga, to meditation, you get it all along with experienced instructors. Its classes are designed to fit different fitness levels, from beginners to advanced.

Accessibility

If you’re trying to improve your general fitness, you’ll probably be okay to start your training at three times per week. You can also find a place to log and track your progress with most weightlifting apps. Tempo Move, and its integrated Tempo Home Fitness app, addresses injury prevention with technology, making home workouts very accessible.

For a fitness app to make money, it generally has to appeal to a wide user base. “One of my favorite apps for advanced lifters is JuggernautAI, which offers somewhat personalized programming suited to individuals who are comfortable and confident lifting weights,” she explains. Jefit is a comprehensive training app with a large selection of exercises and workouts. It also offers the unique feature of connecting with nearby users, which can be a great asset for those looking for a live trainer. However, the vast amount of exercises and workouts may be overwhelming for some users and it can be easy to get lost in the ocean of information. When considering a free weightlifting training program, Jefit is certainly worth considering, but it may be worth exploring other options to find the best fit for your needs and goals.

Day Home Workout Plan #5 Advanced

You can easily plan and view your workout program calendar along with training progress and total volume so you can make adjustments to keep pushing toward your goals. Nike’s training app (NTC) hits the ball out of the park with variety—and it’s free to use. Yup, without any payment whatsoever, you’ll have access to strength training, yoga, HIIT, running exercises, and more, all through an incredibly user friendly interface. Meskille recommends first identifying your fitness goals and preferred type of exercise to narrow things down.