Best picks
The 10 best fitness and home workout apps for 2026, ranked by the activity guidelines, self-monitoring features, privacy labels and cost, with App Store prices checked October 2026.
Key takeaways
- Adults need 150 to 300 minutes of moderate activity (or 75 to 150 vigorous) a week plus muscle strengthening on 2 or more days; pick an app that covers both.[1]
- In a meta-analysis of randomized trials, physical activity apps raised steps by about 477 a day, a gain that was not statistically significant.[3]
- App-based activity programs had small-to-moderate effects on weight, and those with reminders, self-reporting and a coach did better.[4]
- Among 389,481 app users, training consistency in the first 28 days was the strongest predictor of still training a year later.[6]
In short: The best workout app is the one that gets you doing both kinds of exercise the U.S. guidelines ask for: heart-pumping activity and muscle strengthening on at least 2 days a week. Our top researched pick is Caliber, a free strength app that logs every set and lists no cross-app tracking on its privacy label. If you want guided classes on an iPhone you already own, Apple Fitness+ ($79.99 a year) covers 12 workout types. If you want a plan that adjusts each session to your equipment and level, Fitbod leads among the paid strength planners.
We research; we don’t test. For each app we read its U.S. App Store listing, in-app purchase prices, Apple privacy label and privacy policy on October 7, 2026, and searched PubMed for studies of the app itself. If you want to know which kinds of exercise help most with weight, start with our exercise for weight loss guide. If you are looking for specific routines rather than apps, our list of the best home workouts ranks the workouts themselves by energy cost and joint load. This page ranks the apps that deliver them. Calorie trackers live on a separate list, the best weight-loss and calorie-tracking apps.
What any workout app should help you do
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans set the target every app on this list is measured against. Adults get substantial health benefits from 150 to 300 minutes a week of moderate activity, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous activity, plus muscle-strengthening work for all major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week. Older adults are also advised to include balance training. The guidelines add that physical activity reduces the risk of excessive weight gain and helps people maintain a healthy weight, and that any amount is better than none.
The weekly targets, from the Physical Activity Guidelines
- 150-300 minof moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week for adults, such as brisk walkingPhysical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition
- 75-150 minof vigorous-intensity aerobic activity a week, or an equal mix of bothPhysical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition
- 2+ daysa week of muscle-strengthening activity that works all major muscle groupsPhysical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition
Checked on October 7, 2026
Every app here offers both strength work and cardio or interval training, so the evidence for the approach is the same for all ten. What the research says about apps themselves is more modest. A 2019 meta-analysis of randomized trials found that physical activity apps raised daily steps by about 477 on average, a gain that was not statistically significant, with the clearest effects in programs shorter than three months. A 2023 meta-analysis of 12 trials found small-to-moderate effects on body weight from app-based activity programs, and apps with reminders, self-reporting and a coach did better. In other words, the features that help you keep a record and keep going matter more than the brand. For a deeper look at the two types of exercise, see our comparison of cardio vs strength training.
The 10 best fitness and home workout apps
The 10 best fitness and home workout apps, ranked
1. Caliber: Strength Training
Best for Free strength training you can log at home or in a gym
- Free version lets you create and track unlimited workouts with 800+ exercises and form videos
- syncs cardio, steps and body stats from Apple Health
- privacy label has no "Data Used to Track You" section
Maker-stated specs
Price Free; Caliber Plus $6 to $12 a month or $36 to $72 a year (App Store in-app prices) (checked Oct 7, 2026)
Drawback Built around strength: cardio is logged from your watch or other apps rather than taught in classes; no published trial of the app itself
2. Apple Fitness+
Best for Guided classes of many kinds on an iPhone you already own
- 12 workout types, including HIIT, strength, yoga, Pilates, cycling, rowing and dance, from 5 to 45 minutes
- the Fitness app shows your Move goal, workout history and trends
- Fitness app privacy label has no "Data Used to Track You" section
Maker-stated specs
Price $9.99 a month or $79.99 a year; 1 month free for new subscribers (apple.com) (checked Oct 7, 2026)
Drawback Apple devices only (iPhone 8 or later); no published trial of Fitness+ itself
3. Fitbod
Best for Strength plans that adjust to your level and equipment
- Builds each session around your fitness level and the equipment you have, including none
- 1,000+ exercises with video walkthroughs
- works with Apple Health, Apple Watch, Strava and Fitbit
- privacy label lists usage data as used to track you
Maker-stated specs
Price $12.99 to $15.99 a month; $79.99 to $95.99 a year (App Store in-app prices) (checked Oct 7, 2026)
Drawback Free trial, then a subscription; its one published study, co-authored by a Fitbod employee, looked at who kept training rather than at results
4. Sweat
Best for Women who want structured programs and a big community
- Beginner to advanced programs: strength, HIIT, Pilates, yoga, barre, recovery, pregnancy and postnatal
- log the weights you use and plan your week
- privacy label lists identifiers as used to track you
Maker-stated specs
Price $19.99 to $24.99 a month; $134.99 a year (App Store in-app prices) (checked Oct 7, 2026)
Drawback One of the higher yearly prices here; no published trial of the app itself
5. HIIT by Down Dog
Best for Short bodyweight interval workouts that never repeat
- 1,000+ exercises
- you set total length, work and rest intervals and level, and can exclude moves such as jumps or planks
- syncs with Apple Health
- privacy label has no "Data Used to Track You" section
Maker-stated specs
Price $12.99 a month or $99.99 a year; All Access to the maker's apps $119.99 a year (App Store in-app prices) (checked Oct 7, 2026)
Drawback High-intensity intervals only, and no free tier listed; no published trial of the app itself
6. FitOn
Best for A large library of free classes
- Free cardio, strength, HIIT, dance, yoga, Pilates and barre classes with personalized plans
- optional sync with the Health app
- privacy label lists identifiers as used to track you
Maker-stated specs
Price Free; FitOn PRO $19.99 to $39.99 billed yearly (App Store in-app prices) (checked Oct 7, 2026)
Drawback Fewer logging tools than the strength apps above; no published trial of the app itself
7. LES MILLS+
Best for Group-fitness classes such as BODYPUMP at home
- Strength, cardio and mind-body classes from 10 to 55 minutes
- training schedules and progress tracking
- privacy label lists usage data as used to track you
Maker-stated specs
Price Base $14.99 a month or $89.99 a year; Premium $29.99 a month or $179.99 a year; 14-day free trial (checked Oct 7, 2026)
Drawback In an 18-month trial, adding its home videos to an activity tracker did not raise activity levels
8. Centr
Best for Coached plans with daily workouts chosen for you
- Personalized plans for strength, HIIT, Pilates, yoga, boxing and HYROX training
- workouts from 5 to 60 minutes
- privacy label lists identifiers as used to track you
Maker-stated specs
Price $15.99 to $29.99 a month; $119.99 to $152.99 a year; 7-day free trial (checked Oct 7, 2026)
Drawback No free tier after the 7-day trial; no published trial of the app itself
9. Peloton App
Best for Live and on-demand classes, with or without equipment
- Strength, indoor and outdoor running, cycling, yoga, HIIT and stretching
- stream classes to a TV
- Apple Watch app shows your stats
- privacy label lists purchases, location and other data as used to track you
Maker-stated specs
Price App One $15.99 a month or $159 a year; App+ $28.99 a month or $289 a year (App Store in-app prices) (checked Oct 7, 2026)
Drawback The highest yearly price on this list, and three tracking categories on its privacy label
10. Nike Training Club
Best for Fully free training from Nike's coaches
- Free strength, conditioning, HIIT, yoga, Pilates and recovery workouts for home or gym, plus weeks-long programs
- syncs workouts with Apple Health
- privacy label lists location, identifiers, usage data and sensitive info as used to track you
Maker-stated specs
Price Free (no in-app purchases listed) (checked Oct 7, 2026)
Drawback The most tracking categories of any app here; last updated May 19, 2026
All 10 apps side by side
| # | Pick | Best for | Key specs (maker-stated) | Price range | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caliber: Strength Training | Free strength training you can log at home or in a gym | Free version lets you create and track unlimited workouts with 800+ exercises and form videos; syncs cardio, steps and body stats from Apple Health; privacy label has no "Data Used to Track You" section | Free; Caliber Plus $6 to $12 a month or $36 to $72 a year (App Store in-app prices) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| 2 | Apple Fitness+ | Guided classes of many kinds on an iPhone you already own | 12 workout types, including HIIT, strength, yoga, Pilates, cycling, rowing and dance, from 5 to 45 minutes; the Fitness app shows your Move goal, workout history and trends; Fitness app privacy label has no "Data Used to Track You" section | $9.99 a month or $79.99 a year; 1 month free for new subscribers (apple.com) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| 3 | Fitbod | Strength plans that adjust to your level and equipment | Builds each session around your fitness level and the equipment you have, including none; 1,000+ exercises with video walkthroughs; works with Apple Health, Apple Watch, Strava and Fitbit; privacy label lists usage data as used to track you | $12.99 to $15.99 a month; $79.99 to $95.99 a year (App Store in-app prices) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| 4 | Sweat | Women who want structured programs and a big community | Beginner to advanced programs: strength, HIIT, Pilates, yoga, barre, recovery, pregnancy and postnatal; log the weights you use and plan your week; privacy label lists identifiers as used to track you | $19.99 to $24.99 a month; $134.99 a year (App Store in-app prices) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| 5 | HIIT by Down Dog | Short bodyweight interval workouts that never repeat | 1,000+ exercises; you set total length, work and rest intervals and level, and can exclude moves such as jumps or planks; syncs with Apple Health; privacy label has no "Data Used to Track You" section | $12.99 a month or $99.99 a year; All Access to the maker's apps $119.99 a year (App Store in-app prices) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| 6 | FitOn | A large library of free classes | Free cardio, strength, HIIT, dance, yoga, Pilates and barre classes with personalized plans; optional sync with the Health app; privacy label lists identifiers as used to track you | Free; FitOn PRO $19.99 to $39.99 billed yearly (App Store in-app prices) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| 7 | LES MILLS+ | Group-fitness classes such as BODYPUMP at home | Strength, cardio and mind-body classes from 10 to 55 minutes; training schedules and progress tracking; privacy label lists usage data as used to track you | Base $14.99 a month or $89.99 a year; Premium $29.99 a month or $179.99 a year; 14-day free trial | Oct 7, 2026 |
| 8 | Centr | Coached plans with daily workouts chosen for you | Personalized plans for strength, HIIT, Pilates, yoga, boxing and HYROX training; workouts from 5 to 60 minutes; privacy label lists identifiers as used to track you | $15.99 to $29.99 a month; $119.99 to $152.99 a year; 7-day free trial | Oct 7, 2026 |
| 9 | Peloton App | Live and on-demand classes, with or without equipment | Strength, indoor and outdoor running, cycling, yoga, HIIT and stretching; stream classes to a TV; Apple Watch app shows your stats; privacy label lists purchases, location and other data as used to track you | App One $15.99 a month or $159 a year; App+ $28.99 a month or $289 a year (App Store in-app prices) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| 10 | Nike Training Club | Fully free training from Nike's coaches | Free strength, conditioning, HIIT, yoga, Pilates and recovery workouts for home or gym, plus weeks-long programs; syncs workouts with Apple Health; privacy label lists location, identifiers, usage data and sensitive info as used to track you | Free (no in-app purchases listed) | Oct 7, 2026 |
How we ranked them
We followed the published order for apps: evidence first, then self-monitoring, privacy, total cost and cancellation terms. All ten offer both strength and cardio-style training, so they tie on the evidence for the approach, and none has a trial showing that the app itself improves fitness or weight. Two have published research. LES MILLS+ was one arm of the ONWARDS randomized trial in Norway, where adding its home videos to an activity tracker made no difference to activity over 18 months, so that trial does not move it up. Fitbod’s study followed 389,481 app users and found that consistency in the first 28 days was the strongest predictor of who was still training a year later; it describes habits, not results, so it doesn’t move Fitbod up either.
Self-monitoring decided the first split. Caliber, Apple Fitness+, Fitbod and Sweat let you record what you did in detail (sets and weights, or minutes toward a goal) and sync with Apple Health; the other six mainly record which workouts you finished. Within each group, apps whose privacy label lists no cross-app tracking come first, then cost. That is why Nike Training Club, which is completely free, sits at number 10: its label lists four categories of data used to track you, more than any other app here. If cost matters more to you than privacy, it is a very good free option.
Feature matrix
| App | Free to use | Strength | Cardio or HIIT | Yoga or mobility | Logs weights or sets | Tracking categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caliber | Yes (free version) | Yes | Logged from Apple Health | Not listed | Yes | 0 |
| Apple Fitness+ | 1-month trial | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (minutes and Move goal) | 0 |
| Fitbod | Trial | Yes | Yes | Mobility | Yes | 1 |
| Sweat | Trial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (weights) | 1 |
| HIIT by Down Dog | Not listed | Bodyweight | Yes | Not listed | No | 0 |
| FitOn | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 1 |
| LES MILLS+ | 14-day trial | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 1 |
| Centr | 7-day trial | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 1 |
| Peloton App | Free to try | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 3 |
| Nike Training Club | Yes (all of it) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (logs finished workouts) | 4 |
What research on the apps themselves shows
- +477 steps a dayaverage gain with physical activity apps vs control, not statistically significant (9 trials, 1,740 adults)Romeo et al., JMIR 2019
- No added effectfrom adding LES MILLS+ home videos and peer support to an activity tracker over 18 months (183 inactive adults)Sagelv et al., BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2025
- 10.1%of beginner Fitbod users still training weekly at 12 months; median drop-out at 19 weeks (observational)Conti et al., Front Sports Act Living 2026
Checked on October 7, 2026
Privacy: what each app says it shares
Apple’s privacy labels are filled in by each developer, and every listing notes that the information has not been verified by Apple. They are still the quickest way to compare apps. “Data used to track you” means data that may be combined with data from other companies’ apps and websites, usually for advertising. Workout apps can hold sensitive details such as heart rate, body measurements and pregnancy status, so it’s worth a look before you sign up. We also read each privacy policy: Fitbod’s says it does not “sell” personal information as the California law defines it, Caliber’s says it does not sell or transfer personal information to outside parties without advance notice, and Down Dog’s says the minutes it sends to Apple Health are not shared with third parties or used for marketing.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 0 |
| Apple Fitness | 0 |
| Down Dog HIIT | 0 |
| Fitbod | 1 |
| Sweat | 1 |
| FitOn | 1 |
| LES MILLS+ | 1 |
| Centr | 1 |
| Peloton | 3 |
| Nike Training Club | 4 |
Categories such as identifiers, usage data, location, purchases or sensitive info. Fewer is more private. Every app also collects some data linked to you to run the service.
Source: Apple App Store privacy labels for each app (developer-reported, U.S. store) (checked on October 7, 2026)
What a year costs
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| FitOn PRO | $19.99 USD | $39.99 USD |
| Caliber Plus | $36 USD | $72 USD |
| Apple Fitness+ | $79.99 USD | $79.99 USD |
| Fitbod | $79.99 USD | $95.99 USD |
| LES MILLS+ | $89.99 USD | $179.99 USD |
| Down Dog HIIT | $99.99 USD | $119.99 USD |
| Centr | $119.99 USD | $152.99 USD |
| Sweat | $134.99 USD | $134.99 USD |
| Peloton App | $159 USD | $289 USD |
Yearly plans only. Nike Training Club is free with no in-app purchases. Lists can include introductory offers and higher tiers; Fitbod's older 'legacy pricing' plans are left out. Web and Android prices may differ.
Source: Apple App Store in-app purchase lists for each app (U.S. store); Apple Fitness+ price from apple.com (checked on October 7, 2026)
Cancellation works the same way for every in-app subscription: you turn off auto-renew in your App Store account settings at least 24 hours before the period ends. Several listings (FitOn, Centr and Peloton among them) note that you can’t cancel the current paid period partway through, so a yearly plan runs to its end. Peloton’s listing says that if you cancel during a month you won’t be charged for the next one. Use the free trial first, and set a reminder before it ends.
How to choose a workout app
Pick an app in four steps
- Start with what you'll doPrefer following a class? Try Apple Fitness+, FitOn or LES MILLS+. Prefer lifting at your own pace? Try Caliber or Fitbod.
- Check your equipmentBodyweight is enough to start. Bands or dumbbells widen your options in every app.
- Read the privacy labelOn the App Store page, scroll to App Privacy before you create an account.
- Give it four weeksEarly consistency predicted who was still training a year later, so plan 2 to 3 sessions a week from day one.
If you are new to strength work, our strength training guide explains sets, reps and progression in plain language, and our picks for resistance bands, adjustable dumbbells and other home gym essentials cover the gear these apps use most. If your joints need a gentler start, the best low-impact workouts work well in any of these apps, and walking counts fully toward your weekly aerobic minutes. To see what a session burns, try our calories burned calculator.
What a workout app can’t do
An app can’t watch your form the way a trainer in the room can, and it can’t make you press start. The calorie numbers it shows are estimates. The guidelines say activity reduces the risk of excessive weight gain and helps people maintain a healthy weight; to lose weight, pair it with a calorie deficit from eating changes. Our guide to body recomposition explains how strength work and protein fit together while you lose. If you wear a watch or band, our best fitness trackers list covers the devices that feed these apps, and once you reach your goal, our guide to keeping weight off shows why staying active matters most.
Records in this article
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- Is it safe for me to start vigorous or high-intensity exercise?
- Are there movements I should avoid because of my joints, back or a health condition?
- How many strength days and cardio minutes should I aim for at first?
- Should I adjust my eating or medicines when I become more active?
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free workout app?
Nike Training Club is completely free, with no in-app purchases listed, but its privacy label lists the most tracking categories on our list. Caliber has a free version for logging strength workouts and lists no cross-app tracking, and FitOn has a large free class library.
Are workout apps good for weight loss?
They help you stay active, and the activity guidelines say activity helps people maintain a healthy weight. Trials of activity apps show modest effects on their own, so pair one with eating changes that create a calorie deficit.
Can I get a full workout at home without equipment?
Yes. Every app on this list includes bodyweight workouts, and the guidelines count any activity that works the major muscle groups, such as push-ups, toward the 2 strength days a week.
Do I need an Apple Watch for Apple Fitness+?
No. Apple says an iPhone 8 or later is enough. An Apple Watch adds live metrics such as heart rate and Activity ring progress during workouts.
How do I cancel a workout app subscription?
In-app subscriptions are managed in your App Store or Google Play account settings; turn off auto-renew at least 24 hours before the period ends. Plans bought on a company website follow that company's own terms.
References
- Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018. (accessed October 7, 2026) Guideline
- Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition: top 10 things to know. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (ODPHP). (accessed October 7, 2026) Guideline
- Romeo A, Edney S, Plotnikoff R, et al.. Can Smartphone Apps Increase Physical Activity? Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2019. doi:10.2196/12053 · PMID 30888321 (accessed October 7, 2026) Meta-analysis
- Yen HY, Jin G, Chiu HL. Smartphone app-based interventions targeting physical activity for weight management: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 2023. doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2022.104384 · PMID 36379104 (accessed October 7, 2026) Meta-analysis
- Sagelv EH, Manskow US, Antypas K, et al.. Online interventions to increase physical activity levels in self-reported inactive adults: the ONWARDS randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 2025. doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001816 · PMID 40546750 · NCT04526444 (accessed October 7, 2026) Randomized trial
- Conti F, Marzagão T, Galpin AJ, Schoenfeld BJ. Predictors of long-term resistance exercise adherence: evidence from a large cohort of mobile app users of various experience levels. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 2026. doi:10.3389/fspor.2026.1855668 · PMID 42638731 (accessed October 7, 2026) Other
- Caliber: Strength Training (App Store listing, in-app purchases and privacy label). Apple App Store / Caliber Fitness, Inc.. (accessed October 7, 2026) Other
- Apple Fitness+ (price, workout types and requirements). Apple. (accessed October 7, 2026) Other
- Apple Fitness (App Store listing and privacy label). Apple App Store / Apple Inc.. (accessed October 7, 2026) Other
- Fitbod: Gym & Fitness Planner (App Store listing, in-app purchases and privacy label). Apple App Store / Fitbod Inc.. (accessed October 7, 2026) Other
- Sweat: Fitness App For Women (App Store listing, in-app purchases and privacy label). Apple App Store / The Bikini Body Training Company Pty Ltd. (accessed October 7, 2026) Other
- HIIT | Down Dog (App Store listing, in-app purchases and privacy label). Apple App Store / Yoga Buddhi Co. (accessed October 7, 2026) Other
- FitOn Workouts & Fitness Plans (App Store listing, in-app purchases and privacy label). Apple App Store / FitOn Inc.. (accessed October 7, 2026) Other
- LES MILLS+: home workout app (App Store listing, in-app purchases and privacy label). Apple App Store / Les Mills Media Limited. (accessed October 7, 2026) Other
- Centr: Strength & Fitness App (App Store listing, in-app purchases and privacy label). Apple App Store / CH Digital Pty Ltd. (accessed October 7, 2026) Other
- Peloton: Fitness & Workouts (App Store listing, in-app purchases and privacy label). Apple App Store / Peloton Interactive, Inc.. (accessed October 7, 2026) Other
- Nike Training Club (App Store listing and privacy label). Apple App Store / Nike, Inc. (accessed October 7, 2026) Other
- Apple Privacy Labels. Apple. (accessed October 7, 2026) Other
- Fitbod Privacy Policy. Fitbod Inc.. (accessed October 7, 2026) Other
- Caliber Privacy Policy. Caliber Fitness, Inc.. (accessed October 7, 2026) Other
- Down Dog Privacy Policy. Yoga Buddhi Co.. (accessed October 7, 2026) Other
Facts checked on October 7, 2026
Educational information, not medical advice. Talk with a qualified healthcare professional about your own situation. In an emergency call 911.
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