A hunky AI coach can also spit out a workout program after you feed him some basic data. Premade workouts can be as short as five minutes or as long as several hours. The app is free, but you can pay for the Abel Runner’s Club version to access all eight seasons and features. In addition to heart-pounding audio storylines and narrated adventures, there are also virtual races, stat tracking, GPS-enabled maps, and the ability to connect with your Apple Watch or Google Pixel Watch.

However, you’ll need compatible hardware, and it’s only good for cycling workouts. Zwift Companion also lets you send messages to your friends and join clubs based on your fitness level and preferences. We think it’s worth it, especially if you want personal coaching, and when you use our GGR-exclusive discount link, you can enjoy your first month completely free. This is the only trial option for users, which we only gave this 3 out of 5 stars for the trial period. Our tester also gave the app a 3 out of 5 for value, stating that it’s “very AI forward” and lacks the community aspect and competitive leaderboard you would find in other apps. Our tester notes that this is a great platform for independent users who enjoy training alone, but it might not work for everyone, especially those looking to interact with others on their fitness journey.

Best Overall – Alpha Progression

You’ll also want to figure out whether the app’s classes require you to have certain pieces of equipment on hand, like dumbbells or a yoga mat. Make sure you either have these items, or you have the budget to purchase them. Whether you’re a seasoned lifter focused on maximizing gains or a beginner aiming to build a solid foundation, this curated list will help you find the perfect digital partner. Each recommendation includes screenshots, direct links, and a clear breakdown of who it serves best, turning your effort into measurable, science-backed results.

Our Top Picks: Best Strength Training Apps

WeGLOW is the top-rated strength training app for perimenopause based on its hormonal phase-aware programming and women-specific exercise selection. Perimenopause — the transitional period before menopause, typically ages — involves hormonal fluctuations that affect energy levels, recovery capacity, and bone density. Stanford research confirms that strength training during this phase specifically outperforms cardio for lean muscle retention and fat regulation. WeGLOW’s quarterly plan runs approximately $15/month with a three-day trial. For women who want a free starting point, Caliber’s structured programs include lower-body compound movements that support bone density — though without WeGLOW’s hormonal phase context. The fitness industry has evolved dramatically with technology, and if you’re serious about achieving your strength training goals, utilizing a fitness app can be a game-changer.

Fitness Guides

For anyone looking to improve their relationship with food, build healthier eating patterns, lose weight sustainably, or simply gain awareness of their nutrition, Yazio provides friendly, effective guidance. The free version provides solid functionality including calorie tracking, basic fasting features, and access to many recipes. This allows you to test the app’s core value before considering the PRO upgrade. We selected Yoga-Go as the best yoga app because it delivers genuine quality across multiple disciplines, not just yoga, and the accessibility of the content makes it suitable for all levels. The Chair Yoga section is particularly impressive for older adults or anyone wanting a very gentle entry point into regular movement.

Best for Calorie Tracking – Cronometer

• We selected Shred as the best for circuit training because it balances sophisticated AI adaptation with practical usability.
• It masterfully balances an intuitive, minimalist interface with a robust feature set that caters to everyone from beginner lifters to data-driven athletes.
• The most effective strength training program is any program that applies progressive overload consistently over 8+ weeks.
• The free version of Cronometer is surprisingly robust, providing access to the entire verified food database and core tracking features.
• This holistic approach ensures balanced development rather than focusing solely on impressive party tricks.
• While the algorithm-led approach can feel restrictive for advanced users who prefer manual control over every variable, its ability to auto-regulate is a massive advantage for consistency.

Afterburn offers a unique approach by focusing on post-workout caloric burn through high-intensity strength circuits. All-in-one platform empowering fitness professionals to build, manage, and scale their online training business with custom-branded apps. The guided instruction is clear and well-paced, with video demonstrations from multiple angles and audio cues throughout. Sessions run from just 7 minutes up to 30, which makes it easy to fit a session in regardless of how busy the mad muscles review day gets. I found the shorter sessions surprisingly effective, and the variety meant I rarely felt like I was doing the same thing twice.

This beginner-friendly workout app can be accommodating for a range of different skill sets and equipment setups. Plus, Muscle Booster promotes progressive overload effectively by having you master each prescribed exercise prior to moving onto more challenging movements or rep ranges. In terms of cost, there’s the $15 monthly iFIT Train plan and the $39 monthly iFIT Pro plan. 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. For anyone in the market for a Peloton app alternative, iFIT should scratch the itch.

Equipment Demands

By incorporating one of these top-rated strength training apps into your fitness regimen, you can optimize your workouts and efficiently reach your desired strength levels. With so many options for strength training apps available, selecting the best one can enhance your fitness routine and help you achieve your strength goals. Users can create unlimited custom routines, log any exercise, and access advanced analytics like volume and intensity charts without encountering ads or paywalls for these essential functions. This is a significant advantage over competitors that often restrict such core tools. The app also emphasizes privacy, storing all your workout data locally on your device by default. For those dedicated to long-term progress, this approach ensures their training history remains their own.

Connect With Your Community

The AI then personalizes these expert-designed templates based on your feedback and performance. If you have ever spent the first 10 minutes of a gym session wondering what to actually do, Muscle Booster is built for you. The app creates a fully personalised workout plan based on a detailed onboarding questionnaire covering your goals, fitness level, available equipment, training location, schedule, and any physical limitations.

The in-app messaging allows you to communicate with your coach anytime, receiving responses typically within a few hours. This accessibility provides accountability while offering flexibility better than scheduled in-person sessions. Throughout your membership, your coach tracks your progress through proprietary metrics like Strength Score and Strength Balance, identifying imbalances and ensuring comprehensive development. This data-driven approach prevents the common problem of overtraining certain movements while neglecting others.

Best Workout App for Men: Caliber Strength Training

Muscle Booster has no shortage of perfect 5-out-of-5 scores from our tester, though its interactive features and overall value leave a little to be desired. While you can upload photos to send to your trainer, you can only send one at a time, according to Amanda. “I think no matter where you are, there will be a workout you can do with the app,” says Lindsay. If Strong’s Watch app is what kept you, Heavyset goes further — every workflow designed for the Watch first, with iPhone as a secondary screen.

Progressive Overload

ATG flips this on its head, teaching you to safely load your joints through full ranges of motion, building bulletproof strength in positions most programs avoid. With over 30+ million downloads and one of the biggest social media followings for any brand (let alone for fitness apps), this list simply wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Sweat. The app integrates with Apple Health, Cronometer, Oura Ring, and other platforms, creating a comprehensive view of your health and fitness data.

Boostcamp — Best Free Program-Led Alternative

For those serious about their progress, the PRO subscription unlocks advanced features like plate and warmup calculators, detailed progress graphs, and Apple Health synchronization. While some apps only have free trials, there are a few free workout apps. For example, Nike Training Club is completely free, offers workout databases, and lets you track your workouts. The Caliber app also offers a free version that can provide basic strength training guidance. Caliber’s free membership also lets you design your own programs (you’ll need to upgrade for personal coaching, however). The best free strength training app is only “free” if it doesn’t lock the features you actually need behind a paywall.