Go beyond the gym with online fitness programs. Many workout apps offer personalized fitness and nutrition plans to help you reach your goals while actually enjoying exercising.
Working out in the gym just isn’t in the cards all the time. Whether you don’t have time, find gyms to be intimidating, simply don’t like going to a physical gym, or something else is preventing you from going, you can still exercise. Workout apps allow you to meet your fitness goals at home, and they may actually be the motivation you need to get moving.
Luckily, there are a ton of fitness apps out there. Unfortunately, that can be a bit overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
What fitness app is best for me?
First of all, decide what kind of exercises you want to do. Are you into strength training? Is yoga more your thing? Or do you want a fitness plan that focuses on cardio? You’ll also need to figure out what your goals are, whether it’s weight loss, muscle toning, or something else.
If losing weight is a top priority, look for online fitness programs that have strict routines and meal plans to follow.
Traditional gym exercises don’t work for everybody, and that’s where many of these fitness classes come in. There are some apps that do focus on workouts you’d do at a gym, but quite a few apps offer more than that. The beauty of virtual fitness programs is that you can take classes from top-rated professional trainers from the comfort of your living room, and you can try out things like HIIT (high-intensity interval training), dance cardio, and other fun exercises your local gym or studio might not offer.
Benefits of online fitness programs
The obvious benefit of workout apps is that you don’t have to leave your house. Additionally, you can learn at your own pace while still getting access to personal trainers (often without paying those pricey trainer fees).
You’re also able to start out at whatever fitness level feels comfortable, and with many workout apps offering free trials, you can try out a few before fully committing. As with most things in the age of the internet, you can find super niche fitness programs that give you exactly what you’re looking for in a home workout.
Do I need special equipment to use a workout app?
Not necessarily. Most online fitness programs and workout apps require nothing more than some motivation and a few feet of open floor space. Oftentimes, exercises on apps can be customized based on what you do have — so if you do have a yoga mat but nothing else, you can open your options to routines that require a cushioned surface. (Some Youtubers even use water bottles in place of lightweight dumbbells.)
But some super-advanced programs require heavy-duty special equipment, like The Mirror’s interactive mirror or Fight Camp’s special Punch Trackers or punching bag. We’ll make a special note about programs that require these extra purchases outside of a membership.
Openfit
Work out in your home while still getting live feedback and advice from trainers.-
Free trial:
14 days -
3-month plan:
$13/month -
6-month plan:
$10/month -
Annual plan:
$8/month
Along with fitness advice, the app also provides nutrition guidance in the form of daily meal plans. It’s a one-of-a-kind customizable experience that’s the next best thing to an in-person trainer or nutritionist.
A set of dumbbells is required to take advantage of Openfit’s programs.
ClassPass
Participate in those famous moody lighting fitness studio sessions from anywhere.-
Free trial:
14 days -
$19/month:
10 credits and up to 2 classes -
$49/month:
27 credits and up to 7 classes -
$79/month:
45 credits and up to 12 classes -
$159/month:
100 credits and up to 28 classes -
$199/month:
130 credits up to 36 classes
Fitness studios have emerged as the stylish alternative to a traditional gym. The ClassPass app is your ticket to one of the largest digital workout varieties and some of the most hype on-screen trainers. It’s especially handy if your area doesn’t offer the uniqueness and specificity that ClassPass does, from aqua cycling to the famous spin classes.
Subscriptions work a little differently at ClassPass. Instead of a monthly rate that covers unlimited access to as many live or on-demand workouts as you want, you’ll pay a fee based on how many credits (which pay for courses) you may take that month.
Beachbody
Beachbody offers exercise and nutrition plans to help you get fit and lose weight.-
Free trial:
14 days -
3-month plan:
$39 every 3 months -
6-month plan:
$59 every 6 months -
12-month plan:
$99 every 12 months
Within those 40 workout programs, there are more than 1,000 individual workouts, so there’s plenty for you to try out and find the ones that work for you. Beachbody is accessible from your phone, laptop, tablet, and smart TV.
Sweat
The Sweat app provides challenging workouts while encouraging female empowerment.-
Free trial:
No -
Monthly plan:
$19.99/month -
3-month plan:
$54.99 every 3 months -
Annual plan:
$119.94/year
Workouts are designed as a program and the intensity level increases with each week, encouraging you to get stronger. The app also features weekly meal plans and grocery shopping lists. Plus, Sweat has a forum where you can connect with other women using the platform.
Obé Fitness
Obé Fitness focuses on tiny apartment-friendly cardio, strength training, and yoga.-
Free trial:
7 days -
Monthly plan:
$27/month -
Annual plan:
$199/year
You don’t need any equipment, but if you want to push it to the next level, Obé recommends grabbing some resistance bands, ankle weights, or sliders.
Peloton
Peloton workouts provide intense cardio and the community of cyclists will keep you feeling motivated.-
Peloton bike:
$2,245 -
All-access membership:
$39/month -
Peloton digital membership:
$12.99/month
Unfortunately, the all-access membership isn’t free with the bike — you’ll have to cough up an extra $39 per month. But it’s worth it: Peloton is community-based and offers the chance to ride with other members. Classes are fun to follow along, lead by instructors who are famously upbeat. Real-time metrics liked heart rate, resistance, cadence, and output are super helpful.
Pvolve
Target those hard-to-reach areas with Pvolve’s mindful, resistance-based classes.-
Free trial:
14 days -
Monthly plan:
$19.99/month -
3-month plan:
$17.99/month -
6-month plan:
$16.99/month -
Annual plan:
$14.99/month
The Pvolve approach invites your mind to get a workout too, teaching better form, more mindful exercises, and sculpting without inevitable swamp ass or soreness. Workouts can be customized by time and the optional equipment kits, or try the “No equipment” series.
Mirror
Follow along with personal trainers at home through Mirror.-
Mirror cost:
$1,495 -
Monthly plan:
$39/month
There are more than 10,000 on-demand classes and more than 70 weekly live classes. During live classes you get real-time feedback and personal shoutouts throughout the session. A Mirror subscription includes unlimited access for up to six users, so the whole family can work out together. And yes, Mirror is a real full-length mirror when it’s off.
Mirror requires special equipment that is separate from the price of a membership.
Tonal
Tonal brings the whole gym setup home without taking up the room, but it’s not cheap.-
Tonal price:
$2,995 -
Smart accessories:
$495 -
Monthly plan:
$49/month
Tonal is the ideal in-home solution for people who like the range of machines at the gym, but don’t like sharing them. Instead of taking up a bunch of space in your garage or basement, Tonal provides everything in a compact touchscreen display (plus a few extra items).
Accessories like handles, a bench, and bar are sold separately, and the bundle of six items costs $495 in addition to the steep base price. You don’t have to get the accessories bundle to still get a satisfying workout, but Tonal is definitely a product for those who have a little extra spending room.
Tonal requires special equipment that is separate from the price of a membership.
Aaptiv
Aaptiv cuts out visual distractions from virtual workouts.-
Free trial:
7 days -
Monthly plan:
$14.99/month -
Annual plan:
$99.99/year
Aaptiv workouts can be done anywhere — at home, at the gym, outside on a ridiculously sunny day — because all you need is your phone and some headphones. With a membership you get access to more than 2,500 guided workouts, with more than 40 new classes added each week. Each exercise has curated music to get you properly pumped.
Jillian Michaels: The Fitness App
Create an easy-to-follow fitness plan with customizable routines and meal plans without calorie counting.-
One month:
$14.99 -
3-month plan:
$11.66/month (billed $34.99 quarterly) -
Annual plan:
$9.99/month (billed $119.99 yearly)
Following the plan nixes the need to input every food item for nutrition tracking and can be altered for diet preferences, weight loss or muscle gain, number of mouths being fed, and more.
Find Your Trainer
FYT allows you to train one-on-one with a professional wither in person or virtually.-
4 session plan:
Standard session rate (starting at $29) -
12 session plan:
5% discount -
24 session plan:
10% discount
In-person sessions happen at your home, so you get the one-on-one attention and help you need without the intimidation of a gym. This service is ideal for people who want more than just workout videos to follow along with.
Pricing is by session rather than by month, so you only pay when you use the service. Sessions never expire, so you can use them whenever you want. Pricing starts at $29 per session — though some trainers cost more than $100 per session — so this is a pricier option than typical online workout programs.
DanceBody
Dance with some of New York’s top instructors in the comfort of your home.-
Free trial:
7 days -
Monthly plan:
$34.99/month -
Annual plan:
$29.17/month (billed $349.99 yearly)
DanceBody Live has videos to break down each routine as well as videos of the routines full out for you to follow along once you’ve mastered the moves. It offers options for different styles and you’ll be doing dances that give you a solid workout and a nice arsenal of moves to bust out at the bar. Follow along with live and on-demand classes.
Bulldog Yoga Online
Bulldog takes yoga up a notch with high-energy moves and music.-
Free trial:
30 days -
Single class:
$26 -
5-class pack:
$125 ($25/class) -
10-class pack:
$229 ($22.90/class) -
Unlimited monthly plan:
$145/month
Bulldog focuses on power yoga and its streaming classes vary in intensity with options for a slower flow, quick-moving and intense flow, and a fast flow that incorporates resistance bands for extra cardio and strength building. You’ll get a full-body workout and work on muscle strength and endurance while losing weight.
Nike Run Club
This app tracks your runs and offers personalized coaching.-
Price:
Free
The app features guided runs and tons of motivational tactics, like cheers from friends and words of encouragement from professional athletes. It also has curated Apple Music and Spotify playlists to keep you pumped up on your runs. Plus, you get personalized coaching that adapts with your goals and fitness level as you progress.
FightCamp
Get access to personal trainers and customized boxing workouts, or break a sweat alongside friends using the app at the same time.-
FightCamp starter set:
$1,219 -
FightCamp membership:
$39/month
Boxing is great cardio workout to shake things up — and a hell of a stress reliever. Instead of your average punching bag, Fight Camp uses smart sensors to track your workout and show you your punch count and rate. For a little competition, you can link up with friends on the FightCamp app and see how your scores compare.
Workouts can be customized (down to the specific trainer who gets you pumped), so you can keep your switch up your swings whenever one routine gets old.
Fight Camp requires special equipment that is separate from the price of a membership.
Fitbod
Fitbod offers personalized plans for strength building.-
Free trial:
3 workouts -
Monthly plan:
$9.99/month -
Annual plan:
$4.99/month (billed $59.99 yearly)
Fitbod workouts focus on all your muscle groups, so you don’t miss any in your training, and each session is individualized and designed to be well balanced. Fitbod is free to try, but if you want to unlock unlimited logged workouts, you’ll have to subscribe and become and Elite member for either $9.99 per month or $59.99 per year.