The 11 Best Free Workout Apps Tested by Experts 2026

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10 Best Free Workout Apps to Try in 2026 Ditch the Gym!

We appreciated the clear labels that explained the duration of each flow, along with the intended intensity level. Having a personal trainer at your disposal can be great for staying diligent in your training, nutrition, and wellness journeys. That said, hiring an individual for these needs can have hourly rates ranging from $25 to over $100. (1) Thankfully, Caliber offers three tiers of subscriptions that cater to a variety of budgets. As far as user experience is concerned, we experienced no bugs or lagging when navigating the app features. Our tester also appreciated how Future can be used across their smartwatch for added convenience during training.

Best Basic Workout Apps: Adidas Running by Runtastic

If you’re not a fully converted Peloton junkie, the Peloton app One is a good stepping stone to see what the hype is about and whether you enjoy the classes. If you like to run outdoors, for example, you’ll likely want an app that offers location tracking. If you don’t feel the need for an online support system, there are still ways to stay on top of your workouts. Some apps will add calendar reminders or push notifications to help remind you of your workout schedule for the week. One callout that Amanda has is that Caliber lacks integration with common fitness trackers.

The Ultimate Consistency Hack: The Human-Led Exercise Workout App

Sweat, founded by personal trainer Kayla Itsines, has plenty of structured programs based on your goals and lifestyle, offering workouts and nutrition plans to help you get the most from your training. The workouts are presented in the form of videos, typically featuring a trainer who guides you through the activity while speaking to you. Sometimes, the app displays videos of a trainer performing exercises with a voice-over that provides tips and counts down the time. While some of Nike’s on-demand workout videos are short, others last up to 60 minutes. If you want more structure in your routine, consider joining programs that include multiple weekly workouts, typically divided into several stages. As an added motivation, you can work toward achieving the various goals the app sets out.

Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 9

The recipes are delicious, and easy to follow, and I appreciated having everything in one place. Apple Fitness Plus is the best workout app if you’re embedded in the company’s ecosystem, especially if you use an Apple Watch. There are HIIT, strength, core, yoga, Pilates, and meditation classes, taught by a range of different trainers.

Red flag #2: Generic Programs

Once you complete a quick quiz about your fitness level, goals, injury history, and your preferred coaching style, you’re paired with your instructor. You video chat with them for an introduction, and from there, your training plan is customized to your abilities and available equipment. Strong is a free app for iOS, Android, and Apple Watch, making it ideal for planning and logging workouts. It provides all the necessary tools for effective activity tracking, including a vast library of exercises and a practical data entry method.

Programming

With Apple Watch compatibility, you can monitor your workouts in real time, track your progress, and receive personalized feedback right from your wrist. Many of these apps also include high-intensity workouts, strength training programs, and nutrition guidance, ensuring you have all the tools you need to optimize your fitness journey. Whether you’re chasing new personal records or just want to make the most of your gym membership, these workout apps are designed to help you achieve your goals efficiently and effectively. Choosing from the thousands of workout apps available in 2026 requires more than just looking at a high star https://madmuscles.pissedconsumer.com/review.html rating; it requires an honest assessment of your environment and psychology. Some apps are specifically designed for fitness beginners, offering accessible features and step-by-step guidance to help those new to fitness get started with confidence. The “best” app is the one you will actually open on a Tuesday morning when you’re tired and unmotivated.

More of Our Favorite Fitness Gear

Other high-quality free options include FitOn, which offers a massive library of celebrity-led classes, and WorkoutGen, a newer 2025 favorite that provides 100% free gym-specific programs without ad spam. Many expert reviews emphasize the importance of tracking capabilities in workout apps to monitor progress and stay motivated, supporting Caliber’s strong focus on progress tracking. Some programs are generic, and while they may help you address some of your fitness goals, they may not help you with all of your aspirations. By contrast, many workout apps connect you with professionals who can help guide you through and program a custom workout plan for your specific preferences. Some apps even have coaching check-ins or community boards for additional accountability.

Now you have access to various workout programs that can be done at home or in the gym, such as yoga, strength and Pilates, all taught by different women personal trainers.
Other apps allow some degree of customization by filtering workouts by length, but this one actually allows you to pick the workout you want to do, then set the time.
Workout plans that lacked a clear path to progression earned low 1-star scores from our team.
However, gym workout planner is a popular and well-known app with many features.
In addition to Men’s Health, his work has been published in GQ, Gear Patrol, The Strategist, and others.
When not training, testing products, or writing content, Ben spends his time pursuing his other interests which include cooking, hunting, fishing, hiking, DIY projects, and intramural sports, among others.

How Much Should You Pay for a Workout App Membership?

You can try a few workouts for free and receive a complimentary seven-day trial, but after that, the monthly rate is $19.99 or the annual rate is $119.99. Yes, realreviews.io/reviews/madmuscles.com FitOn still has a 100% free version, which gives you access to their database of workouts. The app features a variety of workouts—hundreds in different formats, from written workouts to perform at your own pace, to on-demand and live fitness classes with excellent instruction that Amanda rates a 4 out of 5. Workouts cover different modalities, from strength training, HIIT, and cardio, to yoga, pilates, and mobility exercises. Equipment is needed for most workouts, but Amanda says you can filter your search for workouts by the type of gym equipment needed. Following these principles is crucial for achieving fitness goals and avoiding injury.

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For gym goers, the right mad muscles realreviews.io workout app can transform your time on the gym floor into a focused, results-driven experience. Apps like Ladder, Strava, and Peloton provide comprehensive platforms that go beyond simple tracking. They offer structured training plans, detailed workout tracking, and vibrant social communities to keep you inspired.

workout planner app review

Based on these stories

To help you find the best workout app, I tested some of the most popular ones to see which are worth the price and can help you reach your fitness goals in 2026. Additionally, if you are someone who values having access to a supportive community, personalized coaching, and accountability, Gym Workout Planner may not provide the level of support you need. The app is more geared towards self-guided workouts and lacks the community and coaching features found in other workout apps.