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Fitness apps are easily downloadable on handheld devices like your phone, smartwatch, or tablet. While some are free and others require a subscription, most fitness apps were created to help provide consistency and discipline as you work toward your goals. Because there are so many different workout apps available—such as apps that cater specifically to women, beginners, and yoga enthusiasts—choosing the right one can seem overwhelming.
Our Picks for the Best Fitness and Workout Apps
- Best Overall Fitness App: Future
- Best Fitness App for Weight Loss: Noom
- Best Fitness App for Live Classes: Echelon FitPass
- Best Fitness App for Running: Nordictrack+ with iFIT
- Best Fitness App for Nutrition: Cronometer
- Best Workout App for Beginners: Copilot
- Best Fitness App for Strength Training: Future
- Best Free Fitness App: MyFitnessPal
- Best Fitness App for Beginners: BetterMe
- Best Workout App for Apple Watch: Future
The best fitness apps can help you manage your goals, give you access to workouts, and help you stay motivated. So which fitness app is the best for your goals? Our ACTIVE Reviews Team have put together a list of the best fitness apps to download in 2023.
Why Trust Us?
ACTIVE.com’s editorial team relies on the knowledge and experience of fitness and wellness experts including competitive athletes, coaches, physical therapists, nutritionists, and certified trainers. This helps us ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. Collectively, the team has spent countless hours researching equipment, gear, and recovery tools in order to create the most accurate, authentic content for our readers. Customer satisfaction is also a key part of our review process, which is why we only feature products that are highly rated.
Best Overall Fitness App - Future
SPECS
- Platforms: iOS and Android
- Pricing: $149/month
- Features: Custom workouts, one-on-one coaching, video tutorials, nutrition recommendations
We each have unique fitness goals and personalized training can help us reach them. With the Future app, members receive one-on-one coaching from fitness and health experts. These coaches work with you to determine your specific exercise goals, helping you come up with a weight loss program that works with your schedule, goals, experience level, and available equipment.
On your fitness journey, your coach will check in daily to keep you accountable and track your progress. Future utilizes Apple technology, specifically your iPhone and an Apple Watch, to achieve your fitness goals. If you don't already own an Apple Watch, Future will loan you one to use while you are a member. Future's personalized program lets you have all the benefits of a personal trainer right on your iPhone. If you have an Android device, you'll need to sign up and create a Future account before downloading the app. Additionally, it is now compatible with any watch that operates on WearOS 3.0 or above. Just check the Future site's FAQs for more information.
What We Like
- Personalized workouts
- One-on-one attention from coach
- Variety of programs
- Easy to use
What We Don't Like
- Higher monthly subscription cost
- Nutrition component isn't very extensive
Read our full Future app review.
Best Fitness App for Weight Loss - Noom
SPECS
- Platforms: iOS and Android
- Pricing: $60/month or $199/year on an auto-renew plan
- Features: Food intake and habit tracking, daily lessons, one-on-one coaching, community support groups, and recipe suggestions
Through science and psychology, Noom helps you better understand your relationship with food so you can make long-lasting changes that actually stick. Noom takes your age, sex, and current weight and height into consideration when creating personalized approaches to weight loss, so you can get the support you need for your specific body.
Noom's personalized lesson plans and tracking tools are designed to empower you to reach your fitness goals at your own pace. You can spend as much or as little time as you need to on each lesson plan. Noom's personal coaches offer support as you work toward your fitness goals. Instead of limiting certain foods, Noom uses a color-coded system based on food weight to help you make behavioral changes that will help you keep the weight off. The goal of the Noom system is to be focused on progress, not perfection.
What We Like
- Focus on long-term results
- Personalized coaching from certified health coaches
- Psychological approach
What We Don't Like
- Coaching is not face-to-face
- Reporting all meals is a big time commitment
Best Fitness App for Live Classes - Echelon FitPass
SPECS
- Platforms: iOS and Android
- Pricing: $11.99/month, premium memberships available
- Features: Daily live and on-demand classes, Pilates, yoga, and strength training, community membership
Echelon is becoming one of the leading names in cardio fitness equipment and is an excellent Peloton alternative. Echelon has options for connected bikes, treadmills, rowers, and fitness mirrors, so once you have the cardio equipment best suited to your needs, Echelon FitPass is there to help you get the most out of your training sessions.
The Echelon live classes are streamed directly from the Echelon studio to the app. You can sign up for the class ahead of time by selecting "Count Me In", there should then be a prompt that allows you to add the class to your schedule. Along with the live classes, you also have access to several on-demand classes that are filtered by skill level, duration, and destination. There are also several off-equipment workout options including Pilates, yoga, and strength training. As for community, if you want to engage with your Echelon peers, there is an interactive leaderboard for encouragement—and a little competition.
What We Like
- Access to live and on-demand classes
- 30+ instructors
- Workout playlists
- Echelon community support
What We Don't Like
- Works best with Echelon equipment
- App can be glitchy
Best Fitness App for Running - NordicTrack + iFIT
SPECS
- Platforms: iOS and Android
- Pricing: $39/month
- Features: Includes studio classes, Google Maps trails, global workouts, yoga, HIIT, recovery, and strength classes, recipe ideas, sleep monitoring
Whether you're a beginner or looking to beat your own personal record, tracking your runs can give you the data you need to meet your goal. If you're a runner who regularly uses a treadmill and wants a more dynamic, interactive workout, a premium NordicTrack Treadmill in partnership with the iFit app is your best bet. On their own, NordicTrack treadmills are excellent pieces of cardio equipment because they're cushioned for impact, durable, and offer many high-tech features. Now add iFIT programming and the world is at your feet—kind of literally, as you have the ability to run trails all over the globe from the comfort of home.
Depending on your mood, you can select your runs by trainer, length or type, and intensity. The iFIT workouts are streamed to your treadmill via an HD touchscreen and your stats are recorded in real-time. You can also interact with other iFIT users and access healthy recipe suggestions from nutritionists and registered dietitians.
What We Like
- Vast library of on-demand workouts
- App also features off-equipment workouts
- iFIT can track your sleep patterns and offer advice
- Access to healthy recipe database
What We Don't Like
- Works best with iFIT-compatible equipment
- Limited music options
- Expensive
Best Fitness App for Nutrition - Cronometer
SPECS
- Platforms: iOS, Android, Wear OS Watch
- Pricing: Basic version is free, premium version available for $5.99/month
- Features: Meal tracking, community forums, macro and calorie counting
If you're looking for the most accurate way to track your nutrition, Cronometer is the fitness app for you. Every meal you log on Cronometer is verified to ensure that each submission is correct. This fitness app allows you to track your macro- and micronutrients which helps you determine how you can adjust your diet to better reach your fitness goals.
Cronometer allows you to easily track a variety of biometrics, as well as your meals and exercise, and will give you regular reports. All of this data paints a picture of your overall health which is important for determining what improvements you can make. With Cronometer, you can take your nutrition tracking to the next level!
What We Like
- All food submissions are verified for accuracy
- Detailed biometrics and nutritional data
- Fasting timer
- Custom diet settings
What We Don't Like
- Food library is not as large as other fitness apps
- Amount of data may be overwhelming
Best Workout App for Beginners - CoPilot
SPECS
- Platforms: iOS and Android
- Price: 14-day free trial, then $129/month
- Features: Fitness coaching, nutritional guidance, personalized workouts, training metrics, video tutorials
After signing up for CoPilot, you'll meet with a fitness coach who can assess your fitness level and needs, and take a look at the goals you hope to achieve. Your coach will then create a customized workout plan for you that you can follow through the app and track your progress over time. You can also interact with your coach via text, video, or live calls, and look over your workout metrics together to assess and adjust your training program as needed.
Not gelling with your coach? With the app you have the ability to switch coaches as many times as you'd like, so it's easier to find the person who can best help you accomplish your fitness goals.
What We Like
- Personal trainer can adjust workouts based on data and feedback
- Coach teaches mindful eating patterns
- Exercise tutorials are available
- No equipment necessary
What We Don't Like
- App can sometime be slow or glitch
- No live classes available
- Workout variety is limited
Best Fitness App for Strength Training - Future
SPECS
- Platforms: iOS and Android
- Pricing: $149/month
- Features: Custom workouts, one-on-one coaching, video tutorials, nutrition recommendations
If your fitness goals are focused on building strength, Future is the fitness app that can help you do just that. The Future app coaches can customize your workout to the equipment that you have available, meaning you can build muscle from the comfort of your home, whenever it fits into your schedule. In addition to your customized training program, the Future app also has extra workouts that can be added to switch up your routine, and a selection of playlists to keep you motivated and moving. Lastly, the app is easy to use and gives you the option to record your form and receive input from your coach as you progress.
What We Like
- Personalized workouts based on equipment available
- One-on-one attention from coach
- Variety of programs
- Easy to use
What We Don't Like
- Expensive
- Nutrition component isn't very extensive
Best Free Fitness App - MyFitnessPal
SPECS
- Platforms: iOS and Android
- Price: Basic version is free, premium version is $9.99/month
- Features: Custom app-generated goals, community forum, food diary, exercise tracking, informative content
MyFitnessPal helps you reach your fitness goals by focusing on your nutritional health. This free fitness app allows you to track your meals so that you can learn more about your eating habits and begin eating more mindfully. MyFitnessPal's database has nutritional information for over 14 million different foods. You can scan the barcode of a food item and easily see its calories, nutrients, and serving sizes.
This fitness app also provides you with healthy recipe ideas and fitness inspiration. You are able to enter information about your workouts to determine how many calories you've burned. MyFitnessPal factors these calculations into your daily calorie consumption. Additionally, this app's forum is one the largest fitness communities which can provide you with 24/7 support, advice, and health tips.
What We Like
- User-friendly
- Community content that includes blog posts, recipes, and tips
- Large database of nutritional information
- Free to use
What We Don't Like
- Only nutritional goals can be personalized
- Includes ads
Read our full MyFitnessPal review.
Best Fitness App for Beginners - BetterMe
SPECS
- Personalization: Yes
- Goals: Health and wellness
- Device integration: All smartphones
- Activity summaries: Customized workouts and menus
- Notifications: Yes
- Videos/Tutorials: Recipes and workouts
- Community: N/A
If you are new to the fitness world, knowing where to start and what to focus on can be overwhelming. With BetterMe you can confidently begin your health and wellness journey. This fitness app is ideal for beginners because it provides you with easy-to-understand information on the basics of fitness. Your personalized plan will be filled with quick and effective activities that can help you reach your fitness goals. BetterMe takes a holistic approach and they recognize the importance of nutrition, so 10 personalized meal plans are also included.
To foster long-lasting health and wellness, BetterMe uses psychology to help you break old, unhealthy habits. Through the app, you will be prompted with timed daily tasks which are designed to change your mindset on food, weight loss, and exercise. You can easily track your progress on BetterMe with data summaries and visual graphs. Featuring informational sources and easy to understand health plans, BetterMe is great for beginners looking to make important fitness changes.
What We Like
- User-friendly
- Easy for beginners to understand
- Holistic approach
What We Don't Like
- No free features
- Unable to change portion sizes
Best Workout App for Apple Watch - Future
SPECS
- Platforms: iOS and Android
- Pricing: $149/month
- Features: Custom workouts, one-on-one coaching, video tutorials, nutrition recommendations
Future, again? Yes! There's a reason we keep recommending this dynamic fitness app. The Future app offers personalized fitness coaching and integrates your customized training plan directly with your Apple Watch. This app is easy to use and allows your trainer to access your heart rate and calories burned during your workouts. Having this info then allows them to make any adjustments needed to help you reach your goals. Less expensive than traditional personal training, the Future app—along with your Apple Watch—can help keep you motivated and on track.
What We Like
- App was created with Apple product integration in mind
- Trainers can accommodate your travel and work schedules
- Variety of workout programs
- Easy to use
What We Don't Like
- Expensive
- Nutrition component isn't very extensive
How to Choose the Best Fitness Apps
There are several important factors you should explore before downloading and subscribing to a fitness app:
Use
Before choosing the best fitness app for you, consider what you will mostly be using it for. This is important because fitness apps can have several different functions. Some fitness apps are focused on providing personalized coaching and community through interactive live workout classes. Others are geared toward tracking your nutritional or exercise data. If you are looking for an app that achieves all of these things, there are multifunctional fitness app options out there, too.
Personalization
We all have different fitness goals. Because of this, it can be really helpful for fitness apps to offer ways to personalize your fitness plan. Examples of this include one-on-one coaching, individualized workouts, and offering a wide variety of classes. When your fitness plan can be tailored to your needs and goals, there is a higher chance of achieving long-term results.
Free Features
While some apps are subscription based and others are completely free, most fitness apps have both free and paid versions. It is important to evaluate what features are offered from free workout apps before making the decision to subscribe. Most paid versions of fitness apps do have additional features that are valuable to improving your health and fitness.
Why You Should Buy/Download Fitness Apps
Fitness apps can help you achieve your fitness goals in a variety of ways: With the data provided through meal-tracking apps, you can become more mindful about your eating habits. Fitness apps with one-on-one coaching give you access to personalized training. Apps with two-way interactive classes give you a studio feel from the comfort of your own home—or wherever!
Ultimately, fitness apps give you personal data and informational resources that you can use to make changes to your health and fitness approach. These improvements can lead to long-lasting results.
Fitness Apps FAQs
Which fitness app is the best?
The best fitness app for you is one that offers the services you need to reach your goals. Because we all have separate fitness goals, the best app differs from person to person. It is important to evaluate what your fitness focus is before choosing which app is best for you.
Are fitness apps free?
While some fitness apps are fully free, most have subscription options. Subscriptions for fitness apps typically have different levels of commitment. The highest price often gives you unlimited access to all of the app's features, while you might be able to access a smaller number of features for a lower price, or even for free.
What is the number one fitness app?
Because fitness apps serve different purposes, many of our recommendations could be considered number one for their specialty. Smartphone App stores rank apps daily based on category and these rankings are constantly changing.
What is the difference between a personal training app and a fitness app?
Personal training apps provide exercises for users to follow. Some are more specialized, offering workouts to lose weight or build muscle, depending on your goals. Certain personal training apps may only offer exercises for cardio, strength training, HIIT, or cycling, while others offer a variety or combination of exercise types.
On the other hand, fitness apps cover a much broader realm. These apps can help you reach your fitness goals in a number of ways, whether through nutrition or exercise. Depending on the app, fitness apps may offer meal tracking capabilities, recipe ideas, workout options, one-on-one coaching, and more.
About the Author
Emily is a mental health, fitness, hospitality, and entertainment content writer. Emily’s work can be found on Recoveryworldwide.com, where she wrote about the importance of treating addiction and mental health with holistic health approaches. She can also be found on DVCShop.com where she currently works as the editor.
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