The 23 Best Workout Apps, According to Editors
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The past few years have been a time of unprecedented growth for workout apps. In 2020, fitness-app downloads shot up by 46 percent, and daily user numbers increased by 24 percent, according to Polaris Market Research. That should come as no surprise: with gyms closing and stay-at-home guidelines in place during the initial wave of the COVID pandemic, people who wanted to work out turned to fitness apps to find routines they could use at home. And even though in many places across the US, gyms and fitness studios are back in full swing, the fitness-app boom is still going strong.
There's a lot to love about workout apps. Many people find that working out from home is a more convenient way to exercise than traveling to and from the gym. What's more, because there are so many workout apps available, they allow people to choose the type of exercise that works best for them, even if that modality isn't offered in a gym or studio nearby. There are apps for every expertise level, equipment, or accommodation needed. There are apps perfect for the gym, at home, or outdoor workouts like runs. You can zero in on one modality you love or try a new type of workout every day, whether that's yoga, strength training, running, Pilates, or HIIT. There are apps for short workouts and long ones, apps that are free or paid, and apps that guide you through video, audio, or written cueing. This is all to say, there's truly a workout app for everyone.
Of course, that can create a whole different problem. There are so many workout apps available that it might be hard to choose — and that's where we come in. As an exercise-loving bunch, we've tried out a huge chunk of fitness apps on the market, and through our own personal experiences and swapping notes with our coworkers, friends, and gym buddies, we've sussed out 23 of the best workout apps available, according to POPSUGAR editors. Whether you have a stocked at-home gym or not, there's a platform to meet you where you are and trainers ready to motivate you on your fitness journey. Ready? Your new favorite workout is only a download away.
— Additional reporting by Lauren Mazzo
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Centr
Founded by Chris Hemsworth, Centr ($10-$30 per month after a seven-day free trial) is a platform with workouts and fitness programs that can be done at home or at the gym — but the highlight is the strength programming (it won a POPSUGAR Fitness Award for exactly that). It even has healthy recipes and meal planning, if you want a wellness app that can do it all. Learn more about the app in one editor's review of Centr's Power at Home program.
Editor quote: "I enjoy the variety that Centr has to offer. There are a range of class types — yoga, HIIT, boxing, and strength training to name a few — as well as meal plan ideas and meditations. It has everything you need to get going on your next fitness journey, including Chris Hemsworth appearing in some of the workouts." — Angelica Wilson, former associate editor, wellness
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Sweat
Sweat ($10-$20 per month after a seven-day free trial) is the app created by trainer Kayla Itsines and home to workouts from other beloved fitness pros such as Kelsey Wells and Britany Williams. The workout app has more than 50 programs that span modalities and workout goals, from pregnancy barre to elite conditioning.
Editor quote: "Sweat allows for me to work out wherever, whenever. With dozens of equipment-required and equipment-free workouts uploaded to the app every week, I can find a workout that meets me at my energy level for the day. A favorite feature of mine is that it syncs with my Apple Watch so that I can always keep track of my progress." — Angelica Wilson, former associate editor, wellness
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Open
Download it: iOS
Open ($12-$20 per month after a seven- or 14-day free trial) is a deep breath, served up on your phone or computer screen. It offers immersive and cinematic yoga, breathwork, and meditation classes both live and on demand.
Editor quote: "I was all about it when I learned that Manoj Dias — a truly one-of-a-kind meditation practitioner — cofounded a studio and platform called Open. Dias, a Lululemon ambassador and author of 'Still Together: Connection Through Meditation,' is the kind of person who makes you simply feel calmer and somehow improved in his presence. The experts and practitioners the team has gathered under the Open umbrella are all just as remarkable in their own right, and as a bonus, the gorgeous studio setting and playlists are aesthetically on point. If you prefer more mindful movement, stretching, Pilates, and yoga classes are on offer. But lately, I'm gravitating toward the 15- and 20-minute meditation and breathwork sessions to start, bookmark, or finish my days with a little more lightness and presence." — Lindsay Miller, former deputy editor
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Evolve You
Work out with some of your favorite Instagram trainers on Evolve You ($8-$17 per month after a seven-day free trial), including Krissy Cela, Danyele Wilson, Melissa Kendter, and more. It offers workout programs across disciplines, including strength, barre, yoga, HIIT, and LISS. In addition to workouts, it also features an in-app forum for connecting with the Evolve community and thousands of recipes.
Editor quote: "The Evolve You app features workouts for all ability levels. Choose classes for endurance, stamina, power, HIIT, barre, yoga, strength training, and mobility. I like that you can even build a workout schedule to help inspire you to move throughout the week." — Jenny Sugar, former staff writer, wellness
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Alo Moves
Download it: iOS
Alo Moves ($11-$13 per month after a 14-day free trial) is the trendy activewear brand's streaming platform, and it does its workout app as well as it does its workout clothes. Read more in our editor review of Alo Moves.
Editor quote: "You might think that the workout platform associated with Alo Yoga would only offer, well, yoga flows, but that's far from the case with Alo Moves. This app features Pilates, barre, HIIT, strength training, and meditation in addition to yoga, and the trainers are top-notch — Adrienne Rabena, Briohny Smyth, Tela Anderson, and Carling Harps are my current favorites. An ideal day of workouts for me now includes an Alo Moves cardio, strength, or barre class in the morning and a wind-down yoga class after work. They're constantly putting out new workouts, sometimes shot in exotic locales, from Egypt to Croatia." — Maggie Ryan, former assistant editor, wellness
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Apple Fitness+
Download it: iOS
Apple Fitness+ ($7-$10 per month after a one-month free trial) used to be reserved for Apple Watch users only, but now, anyone with an iPhone can join in. If you have an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, you can cue up the platform via the Fitness app preloaded on your device. You can also try it for three months free when you purchase a new iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, or Apple TV, and no matter how you subscribe, you can share access with up to five family members. To learn more, read our editor review of Apple Fitness+.
Editor quote: "I love that Apple Fitness+ not only offers tons of different types of workouts that you can view on your iPad, iPhone, or Apple TV at home, but it automatically connects to my Apple Watch, so I can track my workout and see my stats right on the screen. I love the rowing workouts, yoga, strength training, HIIT, and Pilates. They also offer walking, cycling, treadmill, and dance workouts, if that's your thing. The instructors are so encouraging, the workouts are challenging, and they range from five to 45 minutes, depending on your schedule. They come out with new workouts every week to prevent boredom." — Jenny Sugar, former staff writer, wellness
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Boostcamp
With more than 50 comprehensive training programs, it's hard to believe Boostcamp (free) doesn't cost a dollar. You can track the minutiae of your workouts, from reps and sets to weight used, whether you're following a program or DIYing it. A fun feature is the in-app group chats for every program, so you can ask questions and find workout buddies who are right there with you.
Editor quote: "Boostcamp is free to use and has workouts from several dedicated trainers, like size-inclusive trainer Morit Summers. The platform has a ton of programs alongside live and prerecorded workouts. There's even an in-app calendar so that you can set and follow through with your workout goals." — Angelica Wilson, former associate editor, wellness
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Tracy Anderson Online Studio
Join the club of A-listers — including Tracee Ellis Ross — who love Tracy Anderson's workouts. Though her style originated with IRL group classes, you can now work out with her wherever via the Tracy Anderson Online Studio ($90-$130 per month after a 14-day free trial).
Editor Quote: "Tracy Anderson's online studio is a convenient way to train with her signature method wherever you are. Anderson delivers custom-choreographed sequences to target every muscle in the body, weekly. Anderson's online studio has beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes so I feel like I can continuously progress with her expertise leading the way." — Angelica Wilson, former associate editor, wellness
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Obé Fitness
Step inside a cotton-candy-colored dream with Obé Fitness ($14-$25 per month after a seven-day free trial), a workout platform that offers more than 20 class types, top instructors, and customized programs and challenges to keep you accountable. Learn more in our editor's review of Obé Fitness.
Editor quote: "I initially signed up for Obé during the pandemic, thinking it would be temporary until I could get back to in-person classes, but I ended up sticking with it for years. The at-home workouts are super efficient and easy to work into my schedule. From dance HIIT to Pilates (and even cycling and trampoline classes) ranging from five-minute to hour-long sessions, there are endless options for workouts that never get boring." — Yerin Kim, editor, breaking news
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Peloton
Peloton ($11-$24 per month after a one-month free trial) is most well-known for its at-home equipment, but the brand's workout streaming platform is too good to miss out on — even if you don't have a piece of Peloton hardware. In addition to its paid subscription options, it also has a free version of the app that gives you limited class-streaming access but includes its new guided gym workouts.
Editor quote: "I've tried a lot of workout apps, but I find myself returning to Peloton time and time again. There are so many classes to choose from, it's impossible to get bored — and maybe even impossible to do the same workout twice. Some of my favorites are Reggaeton rides with Camila Ramón, strength with Callie Gullickson and Adrian Williams, and stretching with Hannah Corbin. The incredible Peloton instructors are part of why it's so great; even as a trainer myself, I discover a new move or learn something new during every single session. I love that I can use the app at the gym, at home, or when I'm visiting family (and mooching off their home gyms). Not to mention, it has an app that works seamlessly on my Amazon Fire TV Stick, and the big screen really amps up the workout experience. It's almost like I'm right in the NYC studio with them." — Lauren Mazzo, senior fitness editor
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Corepower Yoga
Try Corepower Yoga On-Demand ($20-$49 per month) to stream the brand's many types of yoga classes at home, or snag an All-Access membership ($99) for both at-home streaming and in-studio access at any of its many IRL locations.
Editor quote: "Corepower Yoga offers live-stream classes of its in-studio classes so you can feel the energy of the group, plus on-demand classes. And it's not just regular yoga! Corepower also offers Yoga Sculpt Bodyweight classes and Yoga Sculpt classes with weights. I appreciate the different levels of CorePower classes because I can choose a class based on experience, ability level, and how I'm feeling that day." — Jenny Sugar, former staff writer, wellness
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Glo
Glo ($20-$30 per month after seven-day free trial) has been around since 2008, long before the workout-app boom. The platform has amassed thousands of classes across 16 different workout styles, including Vinyasa, Hatha, Kundalini, Yin, Iyengar Yoga, barre, Pilates, cardio, strength, HIIT, and more.
Editor quote: "Glo was recommended to me by my therapist after I told her I missed my in-person yoga studios and wasn't enjoying other workout-based yoga apps. Glo transforms my living room into a one-person studio where I can center myself and relax for anywhere from 15 minutes to a full hour. Glo sorts its classes based on skill level, intensity, and style, so whether I'm looking for a 20-minute easy restorative flow between meetings or a long, intense Pilates class, I can find what I'm looking for. Some classes are so enjoyable that I've done them more than once!" — Madeleine Fournier, former social content producer
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The Class by Taryn Toomey
The Class ($33-$40 per month after a 14-day trial), created by Taryn Toomey, is a cathartic, music-driven workout that the brand describes as a mix of yoga, a rock concert, and a boot camp. It's a group-class favorite among celebs that's branched out into streaming, so you can get in on the magic, too. Read more in our editor's review of The Class.
Editor quote: "The Class is one of those mindset-shifting experiences I didn't know I could have at home. You use up the space of a yoga mat to go through full-body, weight-free movements. This all happens to the soundtrack of some serious bops, which will make you want to sing along. The instructors offer thought-provoking gems throughout The Class, truly making it a mind-body experience as opposed to just another sweaty workout." — Angelica Wilson, former associate editor, wellness
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Pvolve
Pvolve ($15 per month after a seven-day free trial) is a favorite among both POPSUGAR editors and celebs like Jennifer Aniston, who recently joined the brand because she so wholeheartedly believes in the low-impact strength method.
Editor quote: "Pvolve has both on-demand workouts and a live streams from its virtual studio. The method is unique, with moves I've never seen anywhere else, and manages to be both high intensity and low impact. Most of the movements are slower and more controlled, and I really feel like my mobility and stamina have increased since doing these workouts. One of my favorite aspects of the streaming service is the option to add music to each class. This makes me feel more like I'm in studio, even though I'm at home by myself. I think it's one of the best online platforms I've ever used." — India Yaffe, former associate editor, Commerce
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Equinox+
The Equinox+ app ($40 per month after a seven-day free trial) brings the luxe fitness chain's best classes to wherever you are. If you have a Whoop tracker, you can even sync it to the app for better workout recommendations.
Editor quote: "Equinox's app is one of my favorite fitness hubs. It has classes for an array of workouts including swimming, and classes from recognizable brands like SoulCycle, Headstrong, Pure Yoga, Solidcore, Equinox trainers, and more. As an Equinox member, the app is a great companion to my gym membership, but you don't need one to access the app." — Angelica Wilson, former associate editor, wellness
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Fabletics FIT
If you're already a VIP member with Fabletics, you get free access to the Fabletics FIT app ($15 per month for nonmembers), or you can subscribe to the app alone. It offers both follow-along workouts as well as self-guided strength sessions and comprehensive programs from 14 to 30 days.
Editor quote: "Fabletics does more than make activewear. It also has a workout app named Fabletics FIT. In the app are classes for those who like barre, boxing, dance cardio, HIIT, Pilates, yoga, and more. I like that there are workouts you can do alone or with a friend and the range of easy-to-follow programs available, so I don't have to think about which workouts go together." — Angelica Wilson, former associate editor, wellness
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Melissa Wood Health
You may know Melissa Wood-Tepperberg from social media or her "Move With Heart" podcast. You can join her along with seven other top-notch instructors on the Melissa Wood Health (MWH) app ($8-$10 per month after a seven-day free trial) for dance, yoga, sculpt, Pilates, and meditation classes, as well as lots of miniseries.
Editor quote: "The videos in the Melissa Wood Health app are perfect for when you have no motivation to work out but feel the need to move your body. The MWH app is filled with quick 10- to 15-minute-long Pilates videos. MWH also has some longer yoga flows and meditation videos! Just because they're short, it doesn't mean they're easy. My abs, arms, and legs are always on fire after class!" — Jessica Chassin, former social content producer
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Nike Training Club
The no-cost Nike Training Club app (free) features workouts and training guidance from Nike's world-class trainers, and the app's helpful features — including a home-screen widget and workout scheduling with push-notification reminders — will help you stay accountable.
Editor quote: "The Nike Training Club app is one of the first workout apps I ever downloaded, and it's still a go-to favorite. Not only do I enjoy the effective workouts, but I also appreciate that it offers recipes to help me fold into my daily meal plan. Plus, getting to work out with Megan Thee Stallion is a great perk." — Angelica Wilson, former associate editor, wellness
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The Sculpt Society
Hop on The Sculpt Society ($19-$27 per month after a seven-day free trial) to take classes from celebrity fitness instructor Megan Roup and her all-star group of trainers. The Sculpt Society is the No. 1 Sculpt and Dance Cardio workout app in the Apple App Store, and POPSUGAR editors can back up the hype.
Editor quote: "When I want a hard workout, I turn on The Sculpt Society. Megan and the other instructors create workouts that seriously burn. There's dance cardio, sculpt, yoga, and meditation to choose from, but my favorite are the sculpt classes. The workouts are no joke (think arms, abs, and leg lifts of all different varieties) and they give plenty of modifications for all fitness levels. When I work out with them, I feel encouraged to complete one more rep, not defeated or depleted. If you've only got 10 minutes and want to get some movement in, there's a whole section of 'quickie workouts' that still pack a punch." — India Yaffe, former associate editor, commerce
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Les Mills+ On-Demand
You may know Les Mills's classes from your local big-box gym; well, now you can take its classic workouts (including favorites like Bodycombat and Bodypump) from your devices at any time using Les Mills+ On-Demand ($7-15 per month after a 30-day free trial). You can even join Les Mills for workouts in the metaverse with its VR workout game.
Editor quote: "Les Mills's large library (with over 1,500 workouts) allows you to find a workout that fits your lifestyle. Personally, I don't always have time to exercise for 45 minutes straight, so it's great that they offer a wide range of shorter classes. The platform's workouts are consistently energetic, so I don't get bored following along." — Angelica Wilson, former associate editor, wellness
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Omstars
Omstars ($12-18 per month after a seven-day free trial) is a hub for online yoga practice, offering on-demand classes in more than 20 different styles. Upgrade to Omstars+ for unlimited access to live classes.
Editor quote: "Omstars offers more than 100 live online yoga classes per month and also 5,000+ yoga classes on demand from its yoga library. I like that there are also specialty classes on topics like breathwork and mobility as well as more comprehensive workshops available to take your yoga practice to the next level." — Jenny Sugar, former staff writer, wellness
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Shreddy
Shreddy ($8-$13 per month after a seven-day free trial) offers workouts and challenges (for the gym or at home) and even meal ideas in the app.
Editor quote: "The Shreddy app (available in the UK and US) has the whole fitness journey in one! It has workout guides to follow, #ShredIt challenges to join with support from other participants, real-time classes, its own equipment range, and recipes or food plans to follow. It's truly the all-in-one of working out!" — Chloe Dunn, social media producer, UK
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AARMY
Model and trainer Akin Akman created his method years ago in NYC, and now you can train with him on the namesake app. AARMY ($29-$25 per month after a 14-day free trial) offers cycling and boot-camp workouts, and you can even stream the classes via the Lululemon Studio on the Mirror in addition to via desktop or the app itself.
Editor quote: "AARMY hosts both in-person and online boot-camp and cycling classes so even though you might be home alone, there's a room of encouraging people on the other side of the screen. I tried an in-person boot-camp class — where we could see at-home participants on a screen — and I never felt defeated. Most moves were offered with ways to modify them so that they could meet me at my fitness level. The workouts themselves are full-body, challenging, and really bring the sweat." — Angelica Wilson, former associate editor, wellness
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