what do you look for in a workout app?
Chances are that you or someone you know has a workout app on their phone. Some say its a saturated market because there is just such a vast array of fitness app options out there. I know firsthand it can be hard to figure out which one to choose.
One I always heard a lot about in my workplace was Classpass, which allows you to book all types of fitness classes at studios and gyms near you. I also know many (including myself) utilize the Fitbit app that pairs nicely with your handy wrist device, tracking steps, heart rate, exercise, sleep and more.
However, I’m talking about (and more focused on) the workout apps you see being developed by trainers and influencers in the wellness sphere. Each concocting their unique spin and specialty app offerings - some with a nutrition component, others with community tabs and some with apparel and fitness accessories to accompany their workouts of choice.
I have tried quite a few over the last 10 years and enjoyed all of them for different reasons. I think it just depends on your favorite way to workout, whether it’s running, Pilates, weightlifting, yoga, etc. Whatever you spend the most time doing, there is a specific app to suit your fitness preferences perfectly.
Choosing an app for me was always based on the season of life I was in - was I working out from home more, did I crave something that integrated meditation or did I love the creators overall energy and physique, enticing me to follow for more. Picking any workout routine, workout app or fitness membership should always be based on what brings you joy, fits your mood and workout style. In my opinion, daily movement should bring you joy. If its not, then its not the right option for you.
Here are some of my thoughts regarding workout apps I’ve tried out in the past:
Alive by Whitney Simmons – I feel like this is perfect for the woman that hits the gym (or lifts at home), embraces strength training and desires more direction. Your workout is mapped out, you know what muscle group you’re working on, what moves you’re doing. I tracked my weight and reps, could follow instructional videos of each move and felt stronger within the first week. She stands by the phrase, “It’s a great day to be alive,” hence the app name “Alive.” She also includes a gratitude and daily journal section to jot down whatever’s on your heart that day.
Tone It Up (TIU) – Like other workout apps, it boasts a variety pack of workouts and has a nutrition and community tab. This was in my opinion one of the OG workout communities. They built a massive following of TIU Members, a variety of meal plans, tips and nutrition programs to follow. They even formulated protein powders and bars that became popular enough to be sold in Target stores. For some reason, it just felt like I aged out of their program, but I highly recommend it for teenagers to thirty-somethings.
Slay – I listened to her on a podcast and enjoyed her Youtube content for awhile which led me to try out her app. If you’re a fan of Mari, then you’ll enjoy her app which includes instructional at home and gym programs, recipes and progress tracking.
The Class – A unique blend of stretching, dance and vocal movement created by Taryn Toomey. This was a free trial I tried in conjunction with my Sakara meal service. It offers something a bit different from anything else I’ve seen. The apps description expresses it well “The Class is a music-driven experience that borrows from yoga in its spirit, a rock concert in its energy and bootcamp in its grit.”
Melissa Wood Health – This is for the quintessential lover of mindful movement. The core of this app was built on Yoga, Pilates and Guided Meditation. However there are more classes available on it now. If you do not have equipment at home or enough time to devote to working out, this app solves those problems for you, as you primarily use just your bodyweight and they provide 5, 10 or 20 minute options if needed. The point is just to move a little everyday
I’m currently utilizing a workout app called EvolveYou. I stumbled upon the creator, Krissy Cela, on YouTube while watching one of her workout videos titled, 5 Upper Body Exercises all Women Must do and then slowly binge watched more. I had just started consistently lifting weights again in January of this year and when my husband couldn’t come with me, I needed some direction and found her. You pick your program, I’m doing “Strong,” which is a 22 week program of 5 sessions per week, 45-60 minutes total. It has a weekly planner I follow, with days broken up by full body, glutes and hamstrings, push day, pull day and quads and calves. You get a star after completing a workout, ultimately being able to win a club t-shirt when you hit 50 stars in total. And yes, this is motivating and rewarding for me!
Others I have not personally tried but were highly rated:
Sweat: Fitness app for woman - Following Kayla Itsines (co-founder and trainer) and other trainers in a variety of workout programs and on-demand classes. According to the app description it has one of the worlds largest women’s fitness communities, helping you stay accountable and meet like-minded women. The amount of fitness styles available seems impressive, with not just HIIT, Circuit training, bodyweight exercises and strength training, but also Yoga, Barre, Pilates, recovery, cardio and pregnancy and postnatal all in one place.
8fit - Based on the goals you set on the app, it will create a personalized diet and exercise program for you, providing workout videos, recipes, shopping lists, and a food log.
Aaptiv - Instead of constantly having to pick up your phone after every set to see what’s next, Aaptive is audio-based, so you have a trainer telling you what to do in your ear the whole time based on whatever fitness you chose that day.
Fiton: Fitness Workout Plans - Unless you subscribe to their pro version, you’ll get majority of the fitness content for free. Fiton has a wide variety of video-based, on-demand workouts led by many celebrity trainers. Heading to the gym isn’t necessary, you can throw on a heart rate monitor and tune in through any device where you can join the leaderboard for friendly competition.
Strava - This is a fitness tracking app (using your phones GPS) for runners, cyclists and swimmers, where you can compete against yourself or others.
There are plenty of other app options available, as I’m not even scratching the surface. More that came up in my research was Jillian Michaels Fitness, Nike Training Club, Peloton and Shred and then of course you have the bodybuilder and male specific apps as well.
I would love to hear what your preferred fitness app is and why? If you don’t have an app, that’s OK too…perhaps you enjoy your in-person, group classes instead, or maybe you have a one-on-one session with a personal trainer. Maybe none of this sounds appealing and you prefer hiking and dog walks throughout the week. Whatever it is, please share with me below.