How To Pick the Best Fitness App for You

It’s hard to find time to work out. And it’s even harder to find a workout you love. If you exercise at home, half your allotted time might be spent searching for the right workout for you. Only you can make the decision of when and how you get fit. But technology can help make the journey easier and more enjoyable. And regardless of your fitness level or chosen mode of exercise, we’ll help you find the best fitness app for your needs. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re looking for the best app to optimize the workout routine you already love, we’ve got you covered.

THE BEST FITNESS APP FOR BEGINNERS

If you’re just starting to work out, or starting again after some time off, it’s best to start slow. You can build up to longer, more challenging workouts as you progress. It’s a good idea to start off with shorter, less intense workouts. The Sworkit app is a great one for this. It has a beginner option that allows you to build on your fitness but will also carry you to its intermediate and advanced options. So if you love the app, you can continue to use it as your fitness needs evolve. It also offers a free trial, so you can see if it’s the right app for you.

THE BEST FITNESS APPS FOR PEOPLE WITH LIMITED TIME

If you are committed to getting your workouts in, but you have limited time, a great quick workout app is 7 Minute Workout. It has an extensive library of quick workouts to choose from, and makes it easy to track and share your progress. There’s also a free trial. Blogilates offers a variety of workouts that are 20 minutes or less, and you can try it for free, then continue with it a small fee.

THE BEST FITNESS APP FOR AT-HOME CLASSES

If you prefer a live class but can’t make it to the gym, try Obe. This app offers a large variety of live classes, giving you the social feel and motivation of a live class at home. If you aren’t able to sign up for a live class, it also offers plenty of classes on demand. You can choose from classes with different lengths, types of workouts and required equipment. And, like most of the other apps, a free trial period is available.

THE BEST FITNESS APPS FOR YOGA AND PILATES

If you’re a lover of yoga and pilates, the Alo Moves app is an outstanding choice. It offers all levels and intensities, allowing you to tailor your workout to your specific needs and skill level. It also includes barre and meditation classes, plus a free trial. Down Dog is also a good option because it provides a variety of classes for all fitness levels.

THE BEST FITNESS APPS FOR RUNNERS

If you are a runner or just prefer to exercise outside, there are apps for that as well. MapMyRun is good whether you are taking your first run or are an advanced distance runner. It allows you to chart and track routes as well as build a community with other runners using the app. You can also track workouts other than running. If you prefer to hit the hiking trails, try AllTrails. It offer free access to tons of trails to discover for terrific hikes, mountain bike rides or trail runs near you.

THE BEST WORKOUT APPS FOR STRENGTH TRAINING

If strength training is your workout of choice, Jetfit allows you to easily plan and track your gym or at-home workouts. You can analyze your data, then adjust your workout for maximum results. The basic version is free, and you can upgrade for a monthly or annual fee for more training options.  If you are working out solely from home and don’t have the equipment a lot of these workouts require, try the Freeletics Bodyweight app. Use it to personalize your workout plan, then follow that plan from anywhere. Many of the workouts accessible free of charge, while paid upgrades give you access to coaching.

THE BEST FREE FITNESS APPS

If the reason you don’t go to the gym is to save money, then paying for a fitness app may also lack appeal. For good, free options, try the Nike Training Club or FitOn apps. They both allow you to choose from a variety of types of classes as well as equipment necessary.

THE BEST ALL-IN-ONE FITNESS APP

If you’re focusing on more than just exercise and want an app to help with your overall health journey, MyFitnessPal is a good place to start. It allows you to track your food and exercise and keep track of various fitness goals. It also provides a community of other users and a recipe database. This app is free with the option to upgrade to a premium account for a small monthly fee. A free trial of the premium version is available.