Personal Trainer in Your Pocket: 15 Best Exercise Apps to Get Fit Anywhere

Are you tired of downloading exercise apps that don't fit your fitness goals? Maybe the number of reps in the exercise routines doesn't suit your fitness levels, or the meal plans could use some work to support your workout routine. Or perhaps you've tried free versions or free apps that fall short of expectations.

An effective training app can support your wellness journey by doing the heavy lifting for you. From customized meal plans to targeted workout programs, the right app becomes your personal trainer, guiding you in looking after your mind and body. Whether you're using an iPhone or Android device, these apps offer custom workouts tailored to your specific fitness goals.

We've thoroughly researched the top fitness apps in both the App Store and Google Play to bring you the cream of the crop in health and wellness. But before we dive into the best workout apps, let us introduce ourselves. We are Headway, a learning app that supports your growth regardless of your goal. You'll discover detailed summaries from nonfiction books covering everything from workout plans and bodybuilding to wellness and nutrition. Alongside your training apps, it's the perfect companion to elevate your fitness journey. If you're ready to say goodbye to glitchy workout videos and hello to seamless training plans, keep reading for the best fitness apps available.

Our top picks:

1. Best for learning about fitness and nutrition: Headway 

2. Best for free workouts: Nike Training Club

3. Best for live classes: Peloton

4. Best for fitness and nutrition: Grokker

5. Best for yoga: Glo

6. Best for toning: Tone It Up

7. Best for women: Sweat

8. Best for men: Centr

9. Best for runners and cyclists: Strava

10. Best for holistic wellness: Alo Moves

11. Best for IOS devices: Apple Fitness+

12. Best for fitness challenges: Shreddy

13. Best for celebrity workouts: FitOn

14. Best for calorie and nutrition tracking: MyFitnessPal

15. Best for quick workouts: Seven 

15 best fitness apps to level up your lifestyle

1. Headway

As John J. Ratey discusses in his book Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, physical activity is vital to our mental well-being. His research of countless studies shows that a consistent workout routine combined with proper meal plans can:

• Sustain energy levels

• Improve sleep quality and recovery

• Prevent physical and mental health issues

• Boost self-esteem

Even a simple bodyweight exercise is better than no movement at all. However, stepping into a gym or planning the right meal can take time for a beginner. Many people find it helpful first to understand how different muscle groups work and how exercise affects their wellness journey. At Headway, we made it our mission to create accessible, educational resources for all fitness levels. With our detailed nonfiction book summaries, you can learn about fitness topics in as little as 15 minutes. 

Our extensive library suits any goal, from health and weight loss to career and relationships. If you're looking to improve your wellness, you may enjoy reading or listening to these essential book summaries:

• Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Anti-Diet Approach by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch

• The Energy Plan: Eat Smart, Feel Strong, Perform at Your Peak by James Collins

• Exercised: The Science of Physical Activity, Rest, and Health by Daniel Lieberman

• The Joy of Movement: How Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, Hope, Connection, and Courage by Kelly McGonigal

Nike is renowned for its performance-enhancing gear; however, did you know it also has a fitness app? Nike Training Club provides structured routines to help users meet their fitness goals. After a quick quiz, it creates a four or eight-week training plan that matches your fitness levels and aspirations. The workouts include everything from bodyweight exercises to HIIT sessions, requiring minimal equipment for sessions lasting from 10 to 60 minutes. Users can choose from categories such as strength training, yoga, and core work. 

In 2020, Nike made premium app content free, allowing anyone to benefit from their virtual guidance. While you can only access one training program at a time, it remains one of the best free exercise apps on the market. 

3. Peloton

If you've been in the fitness game for a while, you'll know that Peloton bikes and treadmills changed the game for at-home workouts. For those who invest in Pelonton's home equipment, the company brings live classes to your living room. However, buying this equipment isn't available to everyone, but that's where the Peloton home workout app comes in. It's not exclusive to their equipment, although some statistics are specific to these devices. 

As a standalone app, it provides many exercises, including spin, strength, stretching, running, and HIIT. You can choose between on-demand sessions or join live classes, where your heart rate and reps are tracked in real-time. Peloton's energetic trainers bring the personal trainer experience to every session, offering modifications for different fitness levels and helping you build muscle effectively.

4. Grokker

Grokker is an excellent fitness app that offers a wide variety of workouts for all fitness levels. With options like strength training, cardio, yoga, and meditation, Grokker lets you customize a routine that suits your personal goals.

The app includes a quiz to recommend workouts that fit your preferences and fitness targets, making it easy to find routines that work for you. Grokker also connects with Fitbit, Garmin, and Google Fit, so you can track your progress and see how your workouts contribute to your overall health and wellness journey.

5. Glo 

If you're searching for a fitness app for beginners and pros alike, look no further than Glo. It is a top health and wellness app for yoga, pilates, and meditation. Take a quiz to personalize recommendations based on your answers. If you're looking for more motivation, try a live class! Glo trainers host live daily lessons to encourage physical activity and mental wellness — which you can do alongside other members. However, to level up your app experience, you can connect your Glo account to Strava, one of the best apps for tracking exercise.

Glo is ideal for home movement as you can choose sessions based on duration, intensity, instructor, or type of practice. Moreover, users can download classes and use the app offline, making it easy to work out from anywhere.

6. Tone It Up 

Tone It Up is one of the best workout apps for women seeking low-impact exercises. While anyone can benefit from this option, many women praise the inclusion of pregnancy and postnatal content. However, their variety doesn't stop there. Users can also try activities such as strength training, dance classes, and kickboxing. It offers a unique approach to fitness for those seeking alternatives to traditional gym workouts. 

Furthermore, you can schedule activities and set reminders on the Tone It Up app. These features, combined with clear tutorials and exercise routines, help you establish and maintain a consistent fitness routine aligned with your goals.

7. Sweat 

Not all workout apps for women focus on low-impact movement. Meet Sweat is a revolutionary fitness app created by women for women. They understand that everyone has different fitness goals, from flexibility to strength training, and aim to cater to all. Their structured programs don't require equipment, making them perfect for fitness on the go.

If you're looking for a motivating app that's simple to use, consider Sweat. It boasts a user-friendly interface, a supportive community, and easy-to-follow exercises you can preview before your workout begins.

Users will find a variety of workouts led by industry professionals, including:

• HIIT for all levels 

• Post-pregnancy

• Barre and pilates sessions

• Yoga

• Strength workouts with and without dumbbells

8. Centr 

Centr is an all-in-one fitness app created by Chris Hemsworth that brings together workout programs and nutrition guidance. Users can access specialized training plans, including HIIT, pilates, and strength training routines. What sets this app apart is its holistic approach. Each program comes with custom meal plans crafted by professional chefs to support your specific fitness goals, whether you're looking to build muscle or improve overall wellness.

9. Strava 

Do you want to track your workouts and review your progress over time? Then Strava is the app for you. Many say it's the best workout tracker app available as it uses GPS to track your location while you run, cycle, or hike. It offers a dedicated space to discuss workouts, share exercise routes, and follow friends' progress. While the GPS function is popular among runners, the app measures progress across various activities, including swimming!

The ability to create and share routes is arguably Strava's standout feature. Try a popular trail, make new ones, or compete against friends. Finally, the Beacon safety feature is invaluable. It allows you to share your real-time location with a trusted contact during your workout to ensure your safety.

10. Alo Moves

Fitness looks different for everyone; with this next app, you can try various holistic wellness practices to improve physical activity and mental fitness. Alo Moves combines movement with mindfulness and skill-building. Unlike other exercise apps, they offer unique sessions such as relaxing sound baths and reiki. Moreover, users can focus on specific fitness skills to improve their flexibility, mobility, inversions, and backbends. These targeted exercise routines help you achieve your fitness goals more efficiently.

Alo Moves is a great digital companion wherever you go. Whether you want to move your body or listen to a meditation, download the session that suits you so it's ready when you are. 

11. Apple Fitness+

Apple Watch users should consider this next app for tracking workouts. Since Apple created this fitness app, it has integrated with hardware seamlessly to track various health metrics. Apple Fitness+ provides studio-style video workouts, including HIIT, core, and yoga. 

It's an excellent option for all fitness levels, as each video features multiple trainers showing different variations of the same move. Adapting some exercises is vital to make the workout suitable and safe for your body. Having several trainers demonstrate modifications enhances the overall workout experience and helps prevent injury.

12. Shreddy

Community stands at the heart of Shreddy, a female-focused workout app known for its vibrant pink and yellow branding. The app has built its reputation by engaging users in social media fitness challenges, with past participants winning substantial cash prizes. However, generous rewards aside, Shreddy offers three core training programs:

1. Balance: Focused on low-impact workouts such as yoga. 

2. Transform: A more intensive approach that includes HIIT sessions.

3. Strong: Science-backed exercises designed to build muscle.

Users can enjoy live classes, guides, and meal plans. Moreover, it all comes together in a pleasing, user-friendly interface featuring simple demonstrations. So, if you want an app that caters to gym workouts and at-home sessions to shred your way to your ideal body, Shreddy is a worthy contender.

13. FitOn

If you're downloading exercise apps to hold you accountable, consider FitOn's live class approach. This free app lets you join real-time workout sessions alongside other members, complete with leaderboards to track everyone's progress. The classes feature both professional trainers and celebrity instructors like Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough.

Users can also try on-demand cardio, dance, yoga, HIIT, and pilates workouts. If you opt for the premium subscription, you can access hundreds of recipes and personalized meal plans.

14. MyFitnessPal

MyFitnessPal is one of the best fitness and nutrition apps for logging food and monitoring progress. While keeping a food diary isn't for everyone, many find it helpful to visualize their calorie intake. 

The app's barcode scanner makes it easy to check nutritional information and log meals. You can track carbs, protein, and macros. In addition, the built-in meal planner helps you organize your nutrition in advance. 

Furthermore, MyFitnessPal offers self-guided workouts and seamlessly integrates with other apps such as Apple Health or Fitbit. This connectivity makes it simple to monitor your movement in one place.  

15. Seven

Need help fitting workouts into your busy schedule? Meet Seven. Based on research showing that seven minutes of aerobic and resistance exercises can significantly benefit the body, this app makes exercise accessible to everyone. Seven makes it easy to find time for exercise by focusing on effective yet short, equipment-free workouts that maximize results in minimal time. Moreover, each activity includes clear audio cues and tutorials to ensure proper form during your workout routine.

Compare the best workout apps

Takeaway

A reliable fitness app can be your personal trainer, ensuring safe and effective training programs tailored to your goals. Many of these options combine workouts with meal plans and mindset activities to help you strike a balance and maximize effects. Use this article to discover the best fitness apps for your lifestyle. Whether you want postnatal movement, high-intensity training, or even mindfulness support, there is an app for that! 

Finally, learning about fitness with the Headway app can help you plan your workouts and meals effectively. Dedicate just 15 minutes daily to understanding nutrition, muscle recovery, and targeting specific areas. Enriching your mind this way can empower your workouts and motivate you to keep going!

Download the Headway app for the best nonfiction book summaries and learn how to enhance your wellness routine.