Expert-Tested: The Best Workout Apps 2026

In May 2026, we added TR[Ai]NER by Element 26 to our list of the best workout apps. This AI-powered app earned high scores for its workout variety, easy-to-use interface, and customization options. We also like its extended free trial—you can create up to three workout programs and get several months’ worth of programming for free. His works have been previously featured by DICK’S Sporting Goods as well as Gear Patrol. In Print Journalism from Penn State University and is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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The beginner—and holiday-friendly collections are also among my top picks. Glo is significantly more expensive than other paid apps on this list, at $244.99 per year (about £196.75 at the time of writing). If that’s within your budget and you want to follow along with live stretching, yoga, and Pilates classes at home, this is my top choice.

My Favorite Features of the Ladder Fitness App

You may not realize it, but many daily tasks involve flexibility, like squatting to sink in and out of a chair, leaning over to get in your car, and bending down to scoop up your toddler. By boosting your flexibility with stretching, you can perform these small but essential day-to-day movements more easily and effectively. From personalized plans to daily reminders, these apps offer a range of features that cater to different needs and lifestyles. In 2025, there’s no shortage of apps designed to help us improve mobility and flexibility. It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned athlete, the right app can make all the difference in your journey to better movement. A good app should encourage you to improve your performance over time, whether that’s adding more weight to the bar, doing a few more reps, or running a little longer.

Sworkit: Fitness & Workouts

Nike is better than the average workout app in nearly every category, which is very rare for a free workout platform. The Nike Training Club app received high scores for most categories, though it earned average rankings in a few select areas like equipment demands how to track workout results and progressive overload. However, she does note that the app can send you notifications if you enable them in your settings, and you can join programs or challenges. Overall, Amanda gives Nike Training Club a 3.5-star rating for accountability. The monthly fee is affordable at $19.99 per month, or $199 per year, but you’ll need to purchase additional equipment if you don’t already own a Zwift trainer. You’ll either need the Zwift Kickr Core 2 to use with your existing bike or the standalone Zwift trainer.

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BetterMe is a wellness platform for all genders that offers a little bit of everything in a very approachable manner. Whether yoga is part of your regular routine or you’re new to the practice, there’s something for you on the Glo app. This app was also featured as one of Healthline’s picks for the best fitness gifts. You can work out in real time with expert instructors and other members from around the world or take a prerecorded class. You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security.

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This makes it accessible for anyone wanting to better understand their nutrition without financial commitment. We selected Cronometer as the best calorie tracking app because of its commitment to accuracy and depth. Unlike other apps where anyone can create food entries (leading to errors and inconsistencies), Cronometer verifies all entries to ensure you’re getting reliable nutritional information.

Thanks to “YouTube University,” learning how to work out from home, or on-the-go, has never been easier. There are thousands upon thousands of free workout videos to choose from, and our list will get you moving in the right direction. Just shy of an hour long, this video is a killer aerobic kickboxing workout. You’ll throw punches and kicks in supercharged sequences as you follow along with the ebullient Billy Blanks. Former ballet dancer and Ballet Beautiful founder Mary Helen Bowers has serious fitness cred thanks to training Natalie Portman for her role in Black Swan. We’re not sure what we love more, these yoga sequences or the gorgeous backdrops featured in each video, from the mountains of Nepal to the oceanside cliffs of Hawaii.

Best For Group Fitness Lovers: LES MILLS+

This app focuses on long-term goals with an overview of your data, so you can track your stats and progress as you go, much like Stretch Club. There are three types of personalised programs on offer, including Daily, Pre-WOD and Post-WOD, and you can tailor them depending on whether you’re stretching in the gym or at home. If you’re not a CrossFit athlete, it may be helpful to know that ‘WOD’ stands of Workout Of The Day while using this app. To get started with StretchIt, I answered a series of questions based on my experience, mobility, lifestyle and stretching goals to generate a personalised program. This was my favourite thing about this app that isn’t offered by many of the others on our list, making StretchIt one of the best health apps to try as well.

Of all the programs available on the app, of which there are many, I found the most unique ones were those that focused on realigning posture and issues relating to desk work. While this is similar to Bend in many ways, there is more focus on this here. Glo is significantly more expensive than other paid apps on this list, working out at $244.99 per year (about £196.75 at the time of writing). However, if that’s within your budget and you’re looking to follow along with live stretching, yoga, and Pilates classes at home, this is my top choice. Are you looking to tone and sculpt, build significant muscle, improve your cardio endurance, or all of the above?

HARNA: Workout & Fitness

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. This customization is a nice feature for anyone who wants to get down to the exact stretches they have the time and need without much filler. For instance, as a runner, I particularly liked that stretching workouts are designed to cool down after a run or loosen tight muscles. These resources can enhance your understanding of stretching techniques, anatomy, and the benefits of incorporating stretching into your fitness routine. You can follow your own route or explore Strava’s massive network of roads and trails, built by millions of athletes worldwide.

• This ease of use is a marked win for beginners who might otherwise be overwhelmed by more complex apps.
• With cardiovascular workouts, a person must focus not only on the exercises themselves but also on their effort and intensity when performing them.
• 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.
• For an app to earn a 1-star rating, the interface is confusing, there are no filters for specific needs, and it generally feels chaotic.
• One callout that Amanda has is that Caliber lacks integration with common fitness trackers.
• I had a burst of inspiration post-Ladder workout (funny how exercise and endorphins do that to you) and had to type out my thoughts on this awesome fitness app.

Stretching Workout Flexibility

A person can perform arm circles while sitting or standing, making them ideal for all skill levels. Dancing to upbeat music can burn calories, while people may find it very enjoyable as an exercise. To increase the intensity, a person can increase the speed they march or raise the knees higher. For example, a person could do each exercise for 45 seconds to 1 minute, rest for 30 seconds, and move on to the next set. Download this one-pager for a quick overview of our wellness programs. Automate rewards to any award partner, including Achievers, Snappy, Tango, and more.

What happens to your body when you start stretching?

FitOn is a great service for people just dipping their toes into the fitness world, mainly because it’s free and gives you access to tons of guided workout videos, still all for free. While the premium option can give you special features like premium music options to spice up your playlist, personalized meal plans, and offline downloads to workouts, the bulk of the app is free. Still, with many flexibility apps available today, finding the right one can be overwhelming.

The pricing is reasonable considering the depth of content and Sondre’s expertise. With a free trial available, you can test the app before committing to a subscription. Berg Movement also features detailed technique breakdowns with multiple camera angles and clear cues. This attention to instructional quality helps you understand not just what to do, but why you’re doing it and how to execute it properly. You can assess your current joint mobility across different areas, revealing limitations you might not have realized. Based on your results, Pliability recommends specific content to address your weaknesses.

The level of personalization, modification, versatility, and accountability you get for the price is, quite frankly, insane. There are a million and one fitness apps out there that hover around the same price point, but most don’t offer anything nearly as comprehensive as JuggernautAI. Zwift Companion also lets you send messages to your friends and join clubs based on your fitness level and preferences. At $199/month, this is still significantly more affordable than hiring a personal trainer on a monthly basis at your local gym, but it’s going to cost a lot more than most apps on our list. Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, says her coach is fantastic about daily check-ins and gathering feedback. “Seeing my fitness rings on my Apple Watch worked really well for me in terms of keeping me on track with my workouts,” says Kate, who gave Future 4 out of 5 stars for interactive features.