There are some that even function as a personal trainer without having to set foot in a gym. There are lots of free options available that fit this criteria (without spending an arm and leg on hiring a personal trainer). We’ve curated this list of the best free workout apps for beginners that will help you achieve your specific fitness goals while making your exercises exciting, intuitive, and fun.
Best workout apps for women in 2026
The classes were highly engaging, and the instructors were upbeat and explained each movement clearly, making it easy to follow along, even for beginners. I loved that you could choose your preferred music style or opt for no music at all. Despite the gentle and low-impact nature of the exercises, which were forgiving on my bad back, they still felt effective. Centr takes our top spot as the best overall online workout program thanks to its super comprehensive approach to health.
In addition to the built-in music player, the app also allows you to listen to audio cheers sent by friends, as well as encouragement from Nike’s pro athletes. Kristine has been immersed in the fitness world for nearly 20 years. She has competed in marathons and Ironman races and earned a spot to compete in the 2012 Age Group National Championship Olympic Triathlon. If price is more important to you than features like dual-band GPS, Training Load and Training Readiness, the aforementioned Garmin Vivoactive 6 or make for great, cheaper alternatives. The Amazfit Active 2 is a ridiculously good value — so much so that I was suspicious of it at first, but after weeks of testing, I am confident in recommending it.
Boostcamp hosts the best evidence-based free strength programs in any app. You’ll find 5/3/1 variations, GZCLP, nSuns LP, Reddit PPL, and programs co-developed with researchers at Stronger By Science. The free tier covers all the programs you need for years of progressive strength development. The tracking interface is clean — set/rep/weight entry is minimal friction. Our top recommendation for serious home gym barbell athletes who want structured free programming.
Specifications
You can starting with brief running intervals interspersed with walking, the app slowly builds your endurance until you can run continuously for 30 minutes. The audio coaching provides real-time guidance during workouts, eliminating the need to check your phone constantly. To help you make the best decision when choosing a workout app, we put them to the sweat test by using them for a number of different workouts.
Best running app for training plans
The focus is on traditional cardio training (such as running, swimming, and biking), but you can pick from a variety of sports. There are also eight individual workout categories, including at-home, travel, dumbbell-only, and bodyweight. From the inspiring Robin Arzon to the hilarious Cody Rigsby and feel-good Alex Toussaint, there is an instructor to fit nearly every workout vibe. The instructors are highly polished, the music is front and center, and the leaderboard and community features add an extra layer of motivation for people who thrive on shared energy. Kristin McGee is ideal if your goal is feeling more connected to your body through intentional movement.
Cons of Survival Fitness Plan App
Fitbod creates personalized strength training plans based on your fitness level, available equipment, and goals. What makes it ideal for beginners is that the workouts are carefully tailored and adapt based on your progress, ensuring that you don’t get overwhelmed with challenging exercises from the get-go. The app makes it easier to stick to a structured routine with detailed workout planning and logging tools. You can choose from pre-made workout plans or create your own based on your goals. There’s also a community forum where users can exchange tips and encouragement.
Day High Protein Meal Plan
It offers a unique workout experience, keeping users hooked in the long run. The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is more than enough for most fitness activities, but people training for a race, marathon or triathlon will appreciate what the Forerunner 265 has to offer. It’s a running watch with a few key features that set it apart from my other top picks. This makes Seven one of the best organisation apps on our list as well. While the instructors in the my net diary reviews class use the Les Mills Smartbar, you can actually use any weight you have to hand to do the workout.
- Runna (acquired by Strava in 2025) is focused entirely on structured run training.
- If you’re looking for more basic workout tracking, such as mainly tracking your consistency, a number of apps will get the job done.
- “Clearly define your own fitness goals and consider what you want to achieve in a specific timeframe,” says Kyrie Furr, director of performance fitness at Athletic Lab.
- We’ve tried these apps ourselves to see if they’re easy to use, fun, and worth the money you need to pay in subscription fees.
- In the end, though, it’s always wise to go with the app service that fits your budget and fitness desires best.
- The production quality is polished, the instruction remains clear and accessible, and the app makes it easy to keep track of your progress.
Survival Fitness Plan: Get Fit, Stay Prepared
Apps like Seven and FitOn, for example, offer bodyweight exercises that can be done anywhere. Charles Thorp is the Fitness and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, where he shares the best product recommendations in gym equipment, recovery tools, supplements, and more. Following an early life in athletics, Charles became a NASM-certified trainer and began writing programs alongside the most respected coaches in the world. When he’s not writing about training programs or gear, he can be seen at the gym or in the wild, putting them to the test. The app also has a ton of built-in training programs to tailor your workouts to what you hope to achieve when you actually take your bike out on the road or mountain. There are gravel-specific plans, plans for crushing a 100-mile mountain bike race, or keeping up with your crew at the local criterium.
Find your coach
That means intuitive navigation and filters that let you quickly find the perfect class based on workout type, duration, or even music. Many apps also include a community component, which can be a helpful way to stay motivated, share progress, and hold yourself accountable. The experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition & Fitness Lab have tested more than 40 workout apps, combining hands-on evaluations with real-life feedback from GH staffers and consumer testers.
Key Features:
This is particularly great for beginners as it has all the tools needed to understand which food will best fuel them along their fitness journey. AI fitness apps have analytical capabilities to offer data-driven personalization, while human interaction provides irreplaceable motivation, so the better choice depends on individual priorities. This AI fitness app is a home gym system that provides real-time form correction and personalized workouts. This AI fitness app transforms running into an immersive adventure through the power of HQ audio, blending fitness and gamification.
Fitbit Charge 6
In other words, it is a weighted metal disk that takes the place of a bike wheel and is connected to the pedals via either a chain or a belt. The bike’s location can be pretty flexible, thanks to mini roller wheels that facilitate transportation. But the weight unit will limit its general living place, and I wouldn’t be keen on rolling it or riding it without the use of heavy-duty floor protection. Its extremely light weight makes it ideal for those who need to move it around, and its low maintenance wind resistance should see it last forever. She’s been covering all things shopping and tech, including shopping holidays like Prime Day and Black Friday, for Mashable since 2019. She also explores trends in the shopping sphere, such as dupes and viral TikTok moments.
