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The Best Fitness Apps of 2023

MyFitnessPal is the best fitness app because of its large workout library and easy-to-use tools

Fitness apps are excellent tools for staying on top of your fitness goals. Most provide access to a library of on-demand workout videos and allow you to log your workouts and track your progress. The programs can help you maintain your workout routine no matter where you are. Some apps are free, while others cost a few dollars a month to access premium features. But they all aim to provide guidance, motivation , and accountability. There are a wealth of fitness apps available on the market right now, so you’re bound to find one that fits your interests and abilities. 

To determine the best fitness apps, we looked at ones that offer both free versions and paid subscriptions, as well as ones with an array of expert trainers to help you reach your goals from anywhere.

Here are our top picks for the best fitness apps right now.

Best Fitness Apps of 2023

Best Overall : MyFitnessPal


MyFitnessPal

MyFitnessPal

Key Specs
  • Pricing: Free to download and use; premium subscription costs $19.99 per month 
  • Platforms: iOS and Android 
  • Features: Track calories and fitness activities, connect with friends, log food and exercise, 50 workouts, connect to 50+ apps and devices
Why We Chose It

 MyFitnessPal is our pick for best overall fitness app because of its robust food and activity database, easy-to-use logging and tracking tools, library of workouts, and ability to connect to several other apps.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Includes database of over 14 million foods

  • Logs food intake and physical activity

  • Customization based on health goals

  • Restaurant menu logging is available

Cons
  • Fee-based premium package for full range of services

  • No training services

  • Some tracking services are confusing or inaccurate

Overview

MyFitnessPal has been at the top of the charts for a while. It logs exercise stats and records caloric intake, helps you change your habits to meet personal health goals, and offers unparalleled customization for each of its assets.

The app integrates with more than 50 other apps and devices to sync all of your workouts, and it has a library of 50 workout routines if you need a jumping-off point.

MyFitnessPal also boasts a massive food database of more than 14 million foods, including a restaurant logger. It has tons of features and over one million positive reviews in the iTunes Store, making it one of the most trusted fitness apps out there.

Best Budget : Daily Workouts Fitness Trainer


Daily Workout

Courtesy of Amazon

Key Specs
  • Pricing: Free to download and use, with an optional pro version ($5)
  • Platforms: iOS and Android
  • Features: How-to videos; 5- to 30-minute workouts; on-screen instructions and timer
Why We Chose It

Daily Workouts Fitness Trainer gives budget-conscious fitness fans a simple way to access workout routines and hundreds of exercises.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Developed by a certified trainer

  • No cost for basic service

  • Suitable for beginners

  • Varied workout lengths available

Cons
  • No nutrition or calorie tracking

  • Limited capabilities compared to some other apps

  • Pro version has a lot more features, but is not free

Overview

Whether you’re just getting into a daily workout routine or are a seasoned fitness enthusiast, Daily Workouts Fitness Trainer is a solid fitness app choice for those on a budget. It was developed by a certified personal trainer who guides you through randomized workouts crafted from more than 100 of the best workout moves. It offers workout sessions from five to 30 minutes long, all of which can be performed anywhere. 

Reviewers love that the workouts strike a balance between being easy enough to keep up with and hard enough to feel the burn, and that each session has easy-to-follow video instructions.

Best for Apple Watch : Zones for Training


Zones for training

Courtesy of Itunes

Key Specs
  • Pricing: Free to download and use; about $6 to upgrade to pro version
  • Platform: iOS 
  • Features: Heart rate monitoring, heart rate training zones, heart rate tracking for cardio and strength training
Why We Chose It

Apple Watch fans looking to step up their heart rate monitoring will appreciate the details and metrics the Zones for Training app provides.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Good for experienced exercisers

  • Fat-burning feedback provided

  • Integrates well with Apple Watch

  • No fees for the basic service

Cons
  • Not ideal for beginners or those on medications that affect heart rate

  • Upgrade fee for customizable features

  • No actual workouts

Overview

This app helps you stay in the zone—the heart rate zone, that is— when you’re working out by integrating with Apple Watch to keep an eye on your pulse. Zones for Training carefully monitors your resting and active heart rate and then provides parameters to determine when you’re burning fat and when you’ve reached your peak activity level.

It’s a perfect companion for the Apple Watch, which has an exemplary heart rate monitor built into it. This app is best for someone who’s experienced with working out and wants more detailed data to help them reach their goals, or for someone who wants bonus heart-monitoring features and seamless integration with their Apple Watch.

Best for Barre : Alo Moves


alomoves

 alomoves

Key Specs
  • Pricing: $20 a month or $199 a year
  • Platforms: iOS, web browser, streaming
  • Features: Full workouts in a range of styles
Why We Chose It


Alo Moves offers barre, HIIT, core, strength, yoga, and mindfulness classes, all from expert instructors.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Tons of workout choices from fitness pros

  • Barre classes for all levels

  • New classes every week

  • Classes can be done with or without equipment

Cons
  • Difficult to select a coach with so many options available

  • No live classes offered

Overview

Created by premium yoga apparel brand Alo Yoga, Alo Moves is the brand’s first foray into fitness, and it has made sure to find instructors for pretty much anything you can think of—from yoga and barre to meditation and HIIT. Workout videos range from five to 150 minutes long. With over 70 coaches available on the platform, it may take a while to find the best ones for you.

The app doesn’t offer any cardio workouts since it focuses primarily on mindfulness and strength. The barre programs in particular can be done with or without equipment, and modifications are available for all levels.

The Alo Moves app can also be streamed to your TV and videos can be downloaded for offline use, which makes it a wonderful option for those traveling. New classes drop every week, so you never have to worry about running out of options, and you can sync the app to your Apple Watch to track your heart rate as well.

Best for Yoga : Glo


Key Specs
  • Pricing: Free to download; $23.99 per month for subscription 
  • Platforms: iOS and Android 
  • Features: Meditation, yoga, fitness, and Pilates classes, lectures, and workshops
Why We Chose It

Yoga students of all levels will find classes, routines, and tips to improve their yoga practice with the Glo app.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Appropriate for all levels of yoga students

  • Daily classes and updates available

  • Integrates with Apple watch

  • Wifi not required

  • Well-respected base of teachers

Cons
  • Limited focus on yoga, meditation, and Pilates

  • Subscription required after free trial

  • At times, videos may freeze

Overview

Glo is a great app for beginners trying to nail down the tree pose, or for more advanced students who are ready to take their practice to the next level. It offers daily curated classes to help you meet your goals, from improved sleep to stress reduction and general strength training. You can follow your favorite yoga instructors for updates on their latest classes.

Many positive reviews give this app five stars for its library of knowledgeable teachers. Other reviews applaud Glo for the highly customizable sessions, its ability to download classes and use them offline while traveling, and the app’s superior customer service. Glo also works with the Apple Watch, so you can collect fitness data during your session and easily watch classes across your Mac devices.

Best for Beginners : Sworkit


Sworkit

Courtesy of itunes

Key Specs
  • Pricing: Free to download; $9.99 per month for premium subscription
  • Platforms: iOS, Android, and desktop
  • Features: Customizable workouts for strength, yoga, stretching, and cardio; personal training; monthly challenges 
Why We Chose It

Sworkit gives beginners an easy way to find workouts, learn new exercises, set goals, and create a regular fitness routine.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Many workouts are customizable

  • Flexible focus based on personalized goals

  • Integrates with other apps and devices

  • No gym or equipment required

  • Personal trainers available for one-on-one coaching

  • Suitable for beginner through advanced users

Cons
  • No food tracking or nutritional guidance

  • Subscription required for full access

  • Video glitches at times

Overview

Sworkit is a fan favorite on iTunes and Google Play for its flexible offerings: Select your goal from strength, cardio, yoga, or stretching categories or pick from sets of curated classes for monthly challenges, different skill levels, or specific trainers. Then, punch in the amount of time you have to work out, and Sworkit automatically creates a workout for you.

The variety of classes and gradual increases in workload make this a great choice for beginners who want to try different exercises. You won’t get bored with the diverse workouts and you can even privately message the app’s trainers with questions or concerns.

Best for Weightlifting : JEFIT Workout Planner Gym Log


JEFIT

Courtesy of itunes

Key Specs
  • Pricing: Free to download and use; subscription $6 to $13 per month
  • Platforms: iOS and Android
  • Features: Custom weight-training sessions, workout tracking, support community, exercise library, body stat tracking
Why We Chose It

JEFIT gives you all the weight-lifting tips and tools you need along with an active support community.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Ability to create a custom workout

  • Body stat tracking can be shared

  • Offers peer support

  • Post-workout analytics provided

Cons
  • No food tracking

  • Few free features

  • Limited focus on strength training

  • No nutritional guidance

Overview

JEFIT Workout Planner Gym Log is a mobile and web-based app (and a Google Play Editor’s Choice pick) that’s ideal for anyone who has difficulty staying on track during their fitness journey. Building off the scientifically backed tenets of progress tracking and peer support to get you moving and keep you motivated, the app lets you create custom weight-training sessions and track your workouts with friends.

You can take it to the gym and record your workout step by step, and the app will time your breaks for you. This is an especially useful feature for pausing between sets while weight training. The data automatically travels to the JEFIT server to create analytic insights into your workouts—a fun feature for anyone who likes breaking down the nitty-gritty elements of fitness into tangible data. JEFIT is the perfect fit for anyone with a competitive streak who likes encouraging (or playfully ribbing) their pals during their quest for improved strength.

Best for Meditation : Headspace


Headspace
Courtesy of Headspace.
Key Specs
  • Pricing: Free to download; subscription is $12.99/mo for monthly, $69.99/yr for annual
  • Platforms: iOS and Android 
  • Features: Guided meditations, sleep sounds, wind-down exercises, yoga, relaxing playlists 
Why We Chose It

We chose Headspace for its guided meditations, expert instruction, and varied programs available for all ages, levels, and needs.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Addresses a range of health and wellness concerns

  • Helps reduce daily stress

  • Promotes evidence-based mindfulness practices

  • Offers cooking tips

Cons
  • No tracking features

Overview

If you’re someone who wants to incorporate stress reduction into your health and fitness plan—or if you need help clearing your mind and focusing before your workouts—you’re going to want to download Headspace. Taking care of your mental health is essential for achieving optimal physical health, and Headspace has become the gold standard of meditation apps.

Headspace is committed to creating the best mindfulness app around and uses clinically validated research on its own product to make sure the app is an effective, positive force in the lives of its users.

Instead of just throwing generic sessions at you, the program takes you through a comprehensive “Basics” package to teach you how to meditate, because it’s more than just sitting quietly with focused breathing. After completing the basics, you’re free to pursue other programs, such as those aimed at helping you manage sadness, anxiety, or chronic pain, or gear you up for a focused workout session and help you cool down afterward.

Best Complete Strength-Cardio Program : AARMY


Key Specs
  • Pricing: $35 a month or $350 a year
  • Platforms: iOS, Android, web browser
  • Features: Bootcamp, cycling, and stretching workouts; recovery tips; mindset training; personal training
Why We Chose It

Co-founded by celebrity fitness coach Akin Akman, AARMY focuses on athlete-level cardio and strength programs, along with recovery.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • World-class coaches

  • Offers both strength and cardio programs

  • Series help build skills step by step

  • Many options for bodyweight-only and shorter programs

Cons
  • You will need a spin bike for cycling sessions

Overview

AARMY is one of the few fitness apps out there to offer comprehensive indoor cycling and bootcamp sessions, along with recovery, in different program formats. Each program combines a mix of strength, cardio, and stretch, and is formulated to build specific skills in each mode of training, whether that’s endurance runs on a bike or ballistic movements with weights. After following each program, you should be ready to move on to the next one. AARMY also uses mindset training and affirmations to help motivate you, and the moves and workouts keep changing so you never feel stagnant.

If you need more personal attention, the program offers world-class coaching, and the subscription gives you access to live Zoom classes you can purchase at an extra cost. You can download the videos to view offline, and many bootcamp options come in shorter formats or bodyweight only, so they’re a great choice to keep in your pocket when you’re traveling.

Best for Quick Workouts : The 7-Minute Workout


7 minute workout

Courtesy of iTunes

Key Specs
  • Pricing: Free to download; in-app purchase costs $3.99
  • Platforms: iOS and Android
  • Features: Video, audio, and text demonstrations of 12 select exercises 
Why We Chose It

We like the simple interface and basic workouts you get with the 7-Minute Workout app.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Beginner-friendly workouts available

  • Convenient for those with busy schedules

  • No equipment required

Cons
  • No food tracking or nutritional guidance

  • Subscription fee required for full access to workouts

  • Workouts are limited to 7-minute format

Overview

The 7-Minute Workout is the perfect app for people with busy schedules that don’t allow for gym time, frequent travelers, or for those who are just getting started with fitness and want to set smaller goals. The app has a simple interface that offers three seven-minute workout videos on the home screen: a basic full-body workout, a session focused on abs, or a high-intensity sweat session.

Fans of the app love the helpful pre-workout demonstrations, the manageable time length of the workouts, and the low sticker price.

Final Verdict

The right fitness app can help you stick to a regular workout routine while saving you time and money. If you’re looking for a fitness app that has a little bit of everything, consider MyFitnessPal. This fan favorite has stood the test of time and continues to get better with age. Plus, it connects to 50 other apps.

Guide to Choosing the Best Fitness Apps

What Are Some Benefits of Fitness Apps?

Fitness apps let you stream workout classes, find trainers and fitness modalities that work best for you, and log your progress. They can be a great alternative or complement to going to the gym. Here are just a few of the benefits of fitness apps:

  • Accessibility: Almost all fitness apps can be downloaded on multiple devices and the videos can often be downloaded offline so you can access them anywhere you go.
  • Flexibility: Fitness apps give you the ability to change up your workout routine and try new things with little to no long-term commitment.
  • Price: Most fitness apps are affordably priced, and some are entirely free.
  • Programs: Instead of winging it by yourself, you can follow along with world-class instructors and coaches for a fraction of the price of a gym membership.

How to Choose the Best Fitness Apps

After the rise of at-home workouts during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are more fitness apps to choose from than ever before. In order to make the process a bit easier, we’ve narrowed down the list of the top factors to consider when choosing the best fitness app for your needs.

  • Price: Most fitness app subscriptions cost between $5 and $40 per month. The better ones have more videos, a range of workout types and lengths, highly qualified coaches, and easy-to-follow instructions. However, you can also find some great workouts on the free versions of many fitness apps without having to pay for a premium membership. Consider the quality, quantity, and variety of workouts when deciding whether a fitness app is worth paying for.
  • Experience levels: Be sure the app you choose matches your ability, experience level, and circumstances. For instance, if you’re pregnant/postpartum, make sure the app you choose has classes that cater to you. 
  • Skill of instructors: Some apps are crafted by seasoned fitness instructors, while others may be newer coaches. It’s important to find a teacher with an engaging instructional style.
  • Types of classes offered: There are tons of fitness apps out there that offer everything from HIIT and yoga to cycling and barre. See which workout(s) you love, and then find a workout app that caters to those.
  • Schedule and availability of live classes: If you’re pretty self-motivated, you should be able to meet your exercise goals with a fitness app’s library of on-demand workout videos. However, you may be better motivated by a fitness app that offers live videos with stats where you can work out with a team, or live classes for a fee and a community that can help you stay on track with your goals.
  • Length of classes: Most fitness apps offer both full-length (30 minutes to an hour) and shorter classes. Others, like the 7-Minute Workout app, are simple apps that only have short videos and instructions. It all depends on how much time you want to dedicate to your workouts each day.
  • Platforms available: Make sure the fitness app you choose works on your phone, whether that’s an iPhone or Android. Many also work on desktop, and can be streamed to your TV if you want a bigger screen.
  • Equipment required: If you travel a lot or don’t have home gym equipment, you may want to look for a fitness app that doesn’t require equipment for workouts.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What Are Some Pros and Cons of Fitness Apps?

    Fitness apps can be a convenient way to try workouts, track your progress, and maintain your motivation for a price that's more affordable than a gym membership.

    On the other hand, when you use a fitness app, you may miss out on the shared experiences, interaction, and personalized feedback you get when working out with a personal trainer or taking group fitness classes.

  • Can a Fitness App Replace Your Gym Membership?

    The quality of a fitness app’s information and workouts often rivals what you'd get with a gym membership, but it’s available for a fraction of the price. If you like to work out alone or have a busy schedule, you may want to invest in a robust fitness app instead of a gym membership.

    However, some people may find that they’re not as motivated to work out on their own. You’ll also likely get access to far more equipment at a gym.

  • Do Fitness Apps Help Build a Daily Exercise Routine?

    Some apps actually create daily workout programs for you to follow, while others simply provide a library of classes for you to choose from. If you tend to be self-motivated, fitness apps can absolutely help you stick to your goals.

  • What Is the Best Fitness App for Free?

    Some fitness apps are free to download, but the free versions are often limited in terms of access to workouts, advanced tracking tools, communities, and the ability to connect to other devices and apps. The best free fitness app for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

Methodology

There are hundreds of fitness apps available for Android and Apple users. To narrow our search, we gathered information about free versions, monthly costs, one-time in-app purchases, exercise libraries, and a number of workout routines. Based on what we found, we chose the 10 fitness apps you see in this list. These apps all provide users with valuable fitness and wellness tools. Although each app is unique and may focus on one area like meditation or pre-set workout routines, they all serve a purpose in the fitness community.

Article Sources
Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Sullivan AN, Lachman ME. Behavior change with fitness technology in sedentary adults: a review of the evidence for increasing physical activity. Front Public Health. 2017;4:289. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2016.00289

By Abby Stassen
Abby Stassen is a health and wellness writer and expert, covering everything from fiber supplements to walking shoes.

Updated by
Olivia Campbell
A white woman with red hair and blue glasses stands in front of green trees

Olivia Campbell is a health editor for performance marketing at Verywell. She is author of the New York Times best-selling book “Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine.”

Learn about our editorial process
Edited by
Ally Hirschlag
Allison "Ally" Hirschlag

Ally is a senior editor for Verywell, who covers topics in the health, wellness, and lifestyle spaces. She has written for The Washington Post, Scientific American, The Guardian, BBC Future, and more.

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Additional reporting by
Nikhita Mahtani
Nikhita Mahtani

Nikhita has written extensively about health and wellness since 2014, and has enjoyed a successful career in the digital space as both an editor and strategist. A New York-based writer, she primarily uses her contacts in the mental health industry to help readers deal with stress and burnout, prejudices or racial bias, and the mind-body connection.

Learn about our editorial process