If you keep it up, you can continue to increase your strength, even if you’re not in shape when you begin. I am 56 yrs old and I am wanting a structured plan of strength training, cardio, rest suitable for my age group. I am wanting to build more muscle mass to reduce my risk of a strong family risk of type 2 diabetes and prevent it altogether. A good starting point is 2-3 sets of 8-12 reps for most strength exercises. This range builds both muscle and endurance while helping you master proper form. Once you feel comfortable and stronger, you can increase the weight or add another set to continue progressing.
Follow today
While only those with an Apple product (e.g. Apple TV, iPhone, or iPad) will be able to download this workout platform, if that’s your chosen tech of choice, then it should be a top consideration. No matter your fitness journey, if you’re planning on weight training, then the bare minimum demands for equipment will be weights. The kind of weights can vary though—free weights, Olympic barbells, kettlebells, dumbbells, slam balls, and even resistance bands. Weightlifting apps are also convenient, as they allow you to perform workouts wherever, whether that’s at a commercial gym, your own home gym, or even while traveling.
Want more? Search the Lift Vault Program Library!
StrengthLab360 stands out by offering experienced athletes the ability to customize mesocycles, integrating the app’s algorithmic insights to fine-tune their training. This level of personalization ensures that each workout is precisely calibrated to the athlete‘s current performance, fostering optimal growth and peak athletic performance. Apple Fitness+ is the strength training app of choice for Editor Kerrie Hughes.
Conclusion: Take Your Pick and Start Lifting
Simply click here to have the discount automatically applied to your account. For more info, check out our detailed Alpha Progression review, that outlines what it’s like using the app on a daily basis and the results we got. (We’ve also managed to negotiate some unique discounts on some apps to help you get started).
The biggest difference here is that the Train tier lets you create your own workouts and is available on equipment touchscreens. This helps the app earn a 4 out of 5 from our tester in the value category. IFIT offers fitness lovers versatility with machine-based classes and classes that do not require anything more than a towel or mat. Anyone looking for a home-exercise program will be hard pressed to find a more technology forward, expansive and inclusive platform than iFIT. BetterMe gets a 4 out of 5 in its initial setup, since you begin with a quiz on your fitness goals, mobility issues, sleep schedule, and more.
Best Workout App Instructors: iFIT
I’ve written social media and cybersecurity news, software and hardware reviews, streaming guides, how-tos, tech deals, and more. I have bylines in numerous publications, including MakeUseOf, Pocket-Lint, Android Police, How to Geek, XDA, Softpedia, as well as here at PCMag. When I’m not working, I like to spend time with my family, read, game, paint, listen to music, and run around after our many pets asking what it is they’re chewing on this time. While the free version is extensive, if you’re going on some deep country trails, it may be worth it to upgrade. At only $35.99 per year, the monthly price works out to only $2.99, so even the paid plan earns a 5 out of 5 for value.
#2 Caliber Fitness App
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. For each of the apps, we tried multiple workouts and looked at how easy the workouts were to follow, the range of workouts on offer, and how often new workouts were added to the app. All of the workouts can be done from home, and for most of them, you’ll only need one set of dumbbells. The app has loads of on-demand classes you can try, including yoga, Barre, and mobility, as well as different challenges to join to keep you motivated. Once you’ve chosen your program, you check in once a month to keep track of your progress. If you want a quick starting point, pick one logging app, commit to 8 weeks of consistent tracking, and measure progress in strength and body-composition metrics.
The annual rate ($134.99) is more reasonable, though still on the high side. Free workout apps have great value, providing basic instructions with libraries of exercises and workouts at no cost to you. Some of our favorite free workout apps include Caliber, Nike Training Club, and Map My Fitness. If those don’t do it for you, we have more free workout apps to choose from on our best free workout app roundup. Each workout app we’ve tested has been rated across 14 different aspects to determine the best fitness apps.
#4 Strong
The seven-day trial period is right on par with other services, as well. For pure tracking with no budget, Hevy’s free tier edges out most competitors on interface cleanliness and social integration. If you only need to log sets and reps and see basic progress lines, you may never need to upgrade. home workout apps 2026 The core apps serve everyone broadly — but if you’re a woman, especially over 40 or navigating perimenopause, you need something more specific. For competitive powerlifters, neither Hevy nor Fitbod provides the periodization programming they need — that’s where JuggernautAI becomes essential.
Most Joint-Friendly App: Evlo Fitness
Having 1RM, total volume, and other key performance metrics at your fingertips is great for evaluating your gains. We selected Pliability as the best app for recovery because the mobility sessions are very effective and include such a variety of routines. Due to the app originally being positioned for CrossFit, Pliability’s mobility sessions are ideal for anyone doing Olympic lifts.
This allows you to tailor your training to specific goals, such as trimming down or bulking up. Discipline in strength training is further reinforced by the structured environment that apps like StrengthLab360 create. By delivering tailored workout plans and scheduling reminders, the app helps users establish a consistent routine.
What to Look for in Free Workout Apps
- The annual rate ($134.99) is more reasonable, though still on the high side.
- He also took my feedback into account when designing workouts going forward,” says Logan, who gave Future 5 out of 5 stars for progressive overload.
- We’re huge fans of JuggernautAI’s programming and progressive-overload-focused approach, but there’s one big drawback.
- JuggernautAI compiles your information to create a personalized powerlifting and powerbuilding workout experience.
- The Functional Strength classes are a great way of working on your movement patterns if you’re a complete beginner, and the Pilates, core, and tone classes were all engaging.
- The equipment you have access to determines which app will actually work for you — not which app has the best reviews.
Now, Amanda brings her expertise in fitness to the GGR team by testing equipment and writing authentic, honest reviews on everything you might need to stock your home gym. Follow in Chris Hemsworth’s footsteps to build serious muscle, strength and size with Centr Power. Sometimes a little switch up is what you need to put the FUN back in training. And doing other forms of cardio can indeed make you a much better runner. If you own some sort of Apple device, you can get access to the hundreds of classes available on the Apple Fitness platform.
Are there any workout apps that don’t require a subscription?
GGR staff writer Matt Dustin, CSCS, PN-1, has used this app for over six months and loves the tracking, ease of use, and ability to build your own custom training plan if you want. Each exercise has an extensive overview of the movement, including a video, complete step-by-step instructions, a muscle map displaying the body parts most involved, and even key points and takeaways on form. That’s a lot of information for each exercise, leading us to rate the instruction a 5 out of 5. Enter the Men’s Health Training Lab, your source for your next week, month, or even year of workouts.
