In my month of testing Fitness Online, I was impressed by the wide range of programs and the customization options. It’s no secret that movement plays a major role in long-term health. Regular exercise has been linked to benefits such as improved cardiovascular health1, better sleep2, and even reduced depressive symptoms3. I’ve tested dozens of fitness trackers and smartwatches for NBC Select. I am a runner and cyclist, and use fitness trackers to monitor my pace, heart rate and distance. I test each one for at least two weeks, using all available features, including sleep tracking.
Access dozens of guided workouts without the usual paywall
Nutrition is a huge part of what Fitness Online offers. Along with calorie and meal tracking, the app offers an extensive recipe database with 10,000+ recipes crafted by certified nutritionists. Recipes are localized to regional products—and you can use the macro-adaptive tracking to tailor meals to your preferences and dietary needs. In addition, a workout app can be convenient in a couple of ways.
While Lifesum initially offers a discount, the price increases digital fitness coach monthly. After completing your workout, you can share an image of the workout summary directly from the app. Options are available to download the image or copy the summary as text. Quickly share your workout achievements on social media or via text.
Studio-style workouts at home
Just personalized training plans that adapt to you — powered by heart rate, backed by science, and designed to keep you motivated every step of the way. Caliber also has a live community for motivation and support within the app. You can also create private workout groups with your friends. If you’re looking for extra support, you can upgrade to one of Caliber’s coaching programs that start at $19 per month with a free trial. While JEFIT’s 1,400-exercise database sounds impressive, most people use exercises regularly. The ability to create custom exercises matters more than a huge pre-built library.
Log Your First Workout
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. Matt is a writer and fitness coach who’s been working in the fitness industry for 13 years. 8Fit is a comprehensive fitness and nutrition app that gives users everything they need to get in shape.
We also examined privacy policies to understand how each app handles your workout data. Some apps sell anonymized data to third parties, while others keep everything private. Quickly view past exercise progress with the tap of a button to see how you are progressing over time and view your progress in beautiful charts.
- If you don’t feel the need for an online support system, there are still ways to stay on top of your workouts.
- While there are some advanced strength classes with heavy weight options, the classes are primarily done with minimal or no equipment.
- It uses GPS to provide real-time feedback on distance, pace, duration, and calories burned.
- It offers a full slate of workouts including strength training, running, bootcamp, yoga, Pilates, and mobility.
- After a week of real use, you’ll know which interface matches your workflow.
- FitNotes is a minimalist workout tracker for those who prefer simplicity to flashy features.
The workout tracking interface is clean and intuitive. You can log sets quickly, see your previous performance, and track progress over time. The app also includes video demonstrations for every exercise, which helps with form. Fitness shouldn’t come with a monthly fee, especially when your goals are straightforward.
FitOn: The Most Hands-On App.
You can start workouts, log sets, and view timers directly from your wrist. Setgraph also supports Apple Watch for workout tracking. For Android Wear, options are more limited—Strava and Google Fit integration work best. Most strength training apps prioritize iPhone and Apple Watch over Android Wear. For workout tracking specifically, MyFitnessPal is basic. You can log exercises and estimate calories burned, but it lacks the detailed set-by-set tracking that dedicated strength training apps provide.
Best Free Apps for Tracking Workouts in 2026
Apps that require multiple taps or navigation through menus become annoying. The best apps let you log sets with minimal interaction. Some provide genuine value, while others are essentially demos for premium subscriptions. For those following specific programs like Push/Pull/Legs splits, you need an app that handles custom workout creation easily. Each workout shows the exercise, duration, and rest periods.
Mobile apps
“You can follow people on Strava just like on Instagram or Twitter.” Along with that, Strava encourages group challenges and interaction with other athletes through clubs. Strava gets a 5 out of 5 for its interactive features. One callout that Amanda has is that Caliber lacks integration with common fitness trackers. “I wish the app integrated with Garmin or other fitness trackers instead of only Apple Watch.
Gym streaks
Watch your strength gains, volume progression, and personal records appear instantly in your workout log, synced across all your devices. Stay motivated with live feedback celebrating every milestone of your fitness journey. The app is ideal for lifters who already know what they’re doing and want an efficient way to stay organized. It lets you create custom exercises and categories according to your training style.
Can I export my workout data if I want to switch apps?
When I think of an app for a beginner, I would want value, ease of use, and good instruction. Megan Capritto, sister of GGR senior staff writer Amanda Capritto and our tester for FitOn, found the interface for the app very easy to use and intuitive, giving it 5 stars out of 5. There is also solid instruction for each of the trainer-led workout videos. You filter out the workouts by the equipment you have as well as skills. The app is very easy to use, and Amanda rates it a 5 out of 5 in its ease of use. The GPS support seems to work well enough, as Amanda tested its accuracy with other GPS trackers she uses, and it was comparable to those apps and trackers.
Fitness Database
Lia has a highly informative teaching style, making the platform great for all levels. I personally did not have much experience with Pilates prior to joining B The Method five years ago, and I was immediately hooked. I’ve seen a huge improvement in my posture and flexibility and gained a better understanding of my body—yet the workouts continue to challenge me, in the best way. I love how knowledgeable and engaging the instructors are, and that they always give cues for modifications throughout every workout. It’s easy to make the workout easier or harder, simply by grabbing heavier weights or opting to do bodyweight as needed. The platform also has a mindfulness focus, with a library of meditations and affirmations, as well as nutrition support with grocery guides and recipes.
The app’s simplicity and flexibility make it appealing to beginners, while its advanced features cater to experienced users. Do you work out at home, at the gym, outside or a mix of all three? If you like to run outdoors, for example, you’d likely want an app that offers location tracking.