Who Needs a Gym? Try One of The 9 Best Workout Apps Instead

Let’s face it: many of us are addicted to our phones. In fact, some research even suggests that women are more addicted to their phones than men. While that might seem like a bad thing (when you’re scrolling through Facebook on a seemingly endless loop), it can also be used for good. Case in point? Workout apps. These nine phone apps will help you reach your goals, no matter how big or small. Check them out and download the right one for you.

This GPS-based app is great for runners and cyclers. It tracks your progress, pace and speed then uses the tracking info to help you essentially compete against yourself. Plus, it has an amazing desktop experience, too. The basic app is free, its Premium Upgrade, which offers extra tracking features, training videos and live feedback, is $7.99 a month or $59 a year
Get it: Strava

If you’re not quite ready to splurge on a personal trainer, try Aaptiv, which offers trainer-led audio workouts in the realm of outdoor running, treadmill workouts, strength traning and more. You can track your progress and even download some of the workouts. Aaptiv offers a 30-day free trial, then it’s $14.99 per month, or $99.99 per year.
Get it: Aaptiv

Don’t splurge on fancy yoga studios and opt for Down Dog instead. This app provides various lengths of Vinyasa flow yoga classes with music and audio instruction. The classes come in full or short practice forms, quick fixes for those days you just don’t have the time and even restorative sessions. The app, which has a 5-star rating in the iTunes store, is free. Its pro version, which provides different pacing, playlist variety and specific body-part focused practices, is $7.99 a month or $49.99 per year.
Get it: Down Dog

If you’re looking for a new studio to try or a specific type of workout, the MINDBODY app gives your location-based access to studios nearby. You can filter by the type of class you’re looking for (like indoor cycling, CrossFit, Bootcamp, MMA, yoga and more) and even see places nearby with intro deals. The app is free itself but keeps your card on file so you’re charged all in one place for every class you take. You can also track your favorites and your history. A bonus? The app is also connected to spas and wellness centers.
Get it: MINDBODY

This app is owned by Under Armour and is perfect for those looking to track every aspect of their running. The app gives you training plans, no matter what your level or goals, ideal running routes and provides workout analyses after each run for you to track your progress. Its Under Armour affiliation will also provide suggestions for gear that’ll help you reach your goals. The basic app is free, but it’s MVP version, which is ad-free and comes with extra tracking info, costs $5.99 a month or $29.99 for a year.
Get it: Map My Run

This is the perfect app for anyone looking to become a runner. It’s truly for beginners, with a 9-week program that’ll get your body ready to run 3.1 miles, no problem. It features audio coaching from your choice of four different coaches and guides you through three runs a week until you build up enough stamina for an entire 5K. It tracks your progress through its GPS system and allows you to sync with social media. The best part? It’s free.
Get it: Couch to 5K

This is the ultimate personal trainer app, with more than 100 workouts of all kinds that you can do at home or at the gym. Pick your kind of workout, endurance-based, mobility, yoga or strength. You can also filter which workout you do based on muscle group. The app helps you create personalized plans and lets you sync up with your friends so you can challenge and root for each other. It’s also free.
Get it: Nike Training Club

Skip the equipment with this app, which screens your fitness levels at first to see which workouts the app provides are best for you. The app offers various bodyweight workouts and singular exercise to try and can also be upgraded to provide training and nutrition coaching ($89.99 for 6 months) or just training coaching ($59.99 for 6 months).
Get it: Freeletics Bodyweight

Pick your specific preference of workouts—like strength training or yoga—on this app, which provides 5 minute to hour-long workouts of all different levels. In 2015, a study from the University of Florida reported it’s one of the only workout apps that comes close to meeting American College of Sports Medicine’s training guidelines. You can even download this one to your Apple TV. It’s free for a week and then costs just $2.99 a month.
Get it: Sworkit

Edited from a post published 1.20.2018 — TW