Category: 10 Best Workout Apps of 2026, Tested by Personal Trainers

Nike Training Club is also approachable given the variety of workouts available across the app. While there are more equipment-focused sessions available than bodyweight exercises, there’s still a good selection of movements. We appreciate this as it’s less of a burden when it comes to choosing a workout for the day, and it’s why we rate NTC a 4 out of 5 for equipment demands.

SmartWOD: Simple, Fun CrossFit Workouts with Customization for Any Skill Level or Equipment

The best overall workout app is the app that offers the most customization and accountability— the one most likely to get you to your fitness goals. We love Future because it matches you with a real, certified coach who will check in on you and design workouts specifically for you. Novice athletes that want further interactivity and support may feel underwhelmed with this service, which we rate at 3 out of 5 for interactive features.

The Best Smart Strength Training Equipment for 2026

• In addition, the app provides workouts for you, so people new to working out won’t be guessing at what to do each day.
• Caliber’s free membership also lets you design your own programs (you’ll need to upgrade for personal coaching, however).
• Choose from a variety of programs, including yoga, mobility, strength training, cardio, and HIT.
• Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, best known for playing Thor in eight Marvel Cinematic Universe films, created his own workout app to help you get in superhero shape.
• When it comes to health monitoring, Dr. Gualtieri says that Apple watches are getting closer and closer to meeting the standards of medical-grade devices.
• This integration also allows you to take advantage of iFIT’s AutoAdjust feature, which is available on several of their machines.

You can engage with other Ladder users to help spur you on to greater PRs and loftier goals without trying to make awkward small talk at your gym. The app really shines, though, if you use a Peloton bike or treadmill, since the classes are centered around that equipment. You can definitely fire up a class on your phone or iPad at the gym, but using Peloton’s actual hardware makes things easier. An audio-focused streaming workout app that lets you take your workouts anywhere you want to go. Yet despite these stereotypes, there are still a few good eggs in the app store — like Nike Training Club. Additionally, iFIT offers an AutoAdjust feature on their compatible devices, which automatically toggles your incline and speed settings in tune with your instructor’s commands.

Nike Training Club (NTC)

In addition, there is an option to select a personal workout with an instructor so that you get the maximum exhaust from the workout by performing all the technical elements. Combination of personal training in accordance with the developed plan both in the hall independently and with the coach. This approach allows you to increase your productivity, because app strengthens your skills, and the coach corrects them in the right direction. A multi-level system that allows the program to find an approach to both beginner and professional, depending on the user’s performance.

Why Men Need Structured Workout Programs

So if you’re looking for a way to improve your fitness with a plan, here are some great choices for the best workout apps for men. With a FiiT membership, you get access to their workout library containing over 100 workouts—and their workout library is growing every day. The app offers workouts for any level of experience and for any level of intensity, so whether you’re new to HIIT or a veteran, there will definitely be something for you. Download the #1 rated AI fitness app for free today to get fit for less than the cost of a single month’s gym membership, because greatness isn’t from birth, it’s built one workout at a time. For users who would want their exercises with mindfulness and the integration of relaxation techniques to work with them in enhancing fitness, this is one of the fitness apps for men. Users love Shred because its progress charts, leaderboards and partner features keep motivation alive without gimmicks.

COMMUNITY

The workouts are built around your available equipment, which our testers found convenient. As far as unimeal reviews complaints user experience is concerned, we experienced no bugs or lagging when navigating the app features. Our tester also appreciated how Future can be used across their smartwatch for added convenience during training. You can also stream your daily workouts to a nearby TV or monitor for larger viewing needs. We found this especially helpful when tackling new, challenging exercises we hadn’t experienced before.

// Core Key/Value Tracking

This impressive platform is filled with over 90 full-fledged training programs written by some of the industry’s most recognizable names, including Jim Stoppani, Kris Gethin, and Jamie Eason. This option allows users to assess their progress compared to other app users at the same fitness level to get a good analysis of their progress. Workout videos can be accessed on demand and you can track your progress in the app as well, with a user profile that records past classes and any health data you wish to track.

Type of Training

You can switch your program easily and take on-demand classes if you feel like adding the odd barre session to your planner. “That bothers me because it usually means I have to shortcut prescribed workout regimens, and I don’t like to take ‘the easy way out’; I’d much rather have a modified routine,” Currin said. Workouts can be viewed on your phone or desktop, or cast to a larger screen using screen mirroring. Workout routines can also be integrated with your own Spotify playlist, or the app’s instrumental upbeat music (that’s actually not bad, according to our testers!). Unique to Studio Bloom, the app teaches diaphragmatic breathing as the foundation of every exercise.

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. Workout plans that lacked a clear path to progression earned low 1-star scores from our team. For an app to earn higher, 4- or 5-star ratings, the workout program needed to clearly follow the principles of progressive overload. There’s a basic community feed that allows you to view others’ workouts, but not much else. It’s a simple, streamlined app that’s very beginner-friendly, but it’s not the best choice if you prefer to have access to more advanced features. JuggernautAI costs slightly more than the average app, thought it offers a longer trial period than most so new users can experience the programming.

You also track your activities throughout the day — exercise burns calories, after all — and Noom is capable of pairing with the best fitness trackers to monitor your weight and daily step count. Noom combines psychology and behavioral science with traditional weight loss features like meal and activity tracking, personal coaches, and online communities to help customers adopt a healthier lifestyle. An iFIT subscription is available for $39 monthly, but we appreciate how the platform offers discounts for more dedicated subscriptions, meaning you can save money with longer commitments. A third and final three-year membership is also available for $899, or $505 saved when compared to a https://www.menshealth.com/weight-loss/g19543131/seven-fitness-weight-loss-apps/ monthly subscription for the same duration.

Best for Outdoor Adventures: Apple Watch Ultra 2

From there, you’re given suggestions on which coach fits your workout needs best. Aaptiv is an app that offers audio-based fitness classes led by certified personal trainers. The selection of exercises includes cardio and strength training as well as yoga and meditation exercises. This app provides a curated list of chest exercises for both beginners and advanced users. You don’t need any equipment to do these workouts, and they help with weight loss and overall fitness. The app includes detailed instructions, workout timer, and video animations to ensure you’re doing the exercises correctly.

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. However, ClassPass also has a database of workout videos that are completely free to users; you don’t even need to be on a subscription plan. Just like their local class options, these trainer-led workout videos vary from strength training to high-intensity workouts and everything in between.

Workout App for Men: The Best App for Men to Improve Muscle Strength in 2026

Its algorithms follow principles like non-linear periodization, ensuring that every session builds on the last without risking burnout. It also incorporates mindfulness — which helps to calm the mind and body — nutrition and recovery, providing you with a comprehensive approach to fitness. Regular updates ensure that the experience remains engaging and challenging, whether you are just beginning or advancing your skills. Since consistency drives results, Aaptiv tracks your stats and provides real-time heart rate feedback if you connect a device.

Whether you’re locked in on long-distance workouts or exploring the wide world of mindfulness and mobility through Pilates and yoga, these trends are poised to stay through 2024 and beyond. Although young guys still tend to spend a lot of time in the weight room, a few new movements in the fitness world have been cropping up. Through this app, you can book studio classes ranging in everything from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to boxing to rowing at local spots in your community.

Start on your hands and knees on a yoga mat on the floor, with your hands resting slightly wider than the width of your shoulders. Straighten your legs out behind you so you’re being supported by your hands and the balls of your feet. Keep your body in a straight line from the top of your head to your heels (holding your head up in line with your spine). Bend your elbows and lower your chest until it nearly touches the mat. Pause and then push yourself back up to the starting position. If that’s too difficult, complete the push-up with your knees on the floor.

How to create a routine

We wish you the best of luck with your 3-day split workout routine. Once done with that, you can do warm-up sets for your first exercise of the workout to further prepare your body for that specific activity. We discussed warm-up sets above, but the gist is to gradually increase the weight over two to four sets until you reach your working weight.

• Some research suggests athletes gain muscle quicker when training a given muscle group at a higher frequency.
• To make it more challenging, add a push-up before jumping up from the plank.
• Triceps dips help build arm strength and support shoulder control.
• Engage your core as you lift your right leg slightly off the floor and bring your right knee toward the center of your chest.
• Bodyweight exercises can range from low to high intensity depending on your health status, level of fitness, and strength-training goals.
• For the Inverted Chin Curl, position yourself below a dowel supported by two chairs and grab the dowel with palms facing toward you and feet flat on the floor.

SEATED PULLUP (BEGINNER)

The overhead squat is a challenging full body exercise that primarily targets the legs, core, and shoulders. The overhead position forces the upper body to stabilize, making it an effective exercise for enhancing shoulder and upper back strength as well. It helps develop functional strength and flexibility, making it beneficial for athletic performance and overall fitness. Keep your core tight and lift your left leg up toward the ceiling, as if you’re trying to press the bottom of your right foot into the ceiling.

# KNEE-PLANK:

A. Start in a high plank position with shoulders over wrists, fingers spread apart, feet hip-width apart, and weight resting on balls of feet. B. Raise right leg in front of body and push hips backward to bend into a squat on left leg. Below, Torde and Artzi share their favorite full-body exercises you can do without equipment. We break them up according to which area of the body they target, but they all can be considered total body moves since they engage multiple muscle groups at once — including the core.

In both cases, eating too few calories can affect your results, so be careful and monitor your body weight to stay on the right track. Like other things, this is somewhat individual and will largely depend on your available time to train and your experience level. As such, you should determine how much recovery you need by considering post-workout soreness, your daily energy levels, and the quality of your sleep at night. The magic of the 3-day split is that you can customize it to your liking, as shown above. Vegans can consider plant-based proteins or blends, such as hemp with pea and pumpkin seeds. Casein protein is also a good option, particularly before bed, as it digests more slowly and provides a steady release of amino acids to support muscle recovery mad muscles reviews after a long day.

LET’S GET STARTED

Aim for 3 sets of 8-12 reps per leg, maintaining proper form throughout. For added challenge, incorporate a pause at the bottom of the lunge or hold dumbbells (if available). Squat jumps, a plyometric powerhouse, engage your quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calves explosively.

Do I need to finish Starting Strength or some other novice program before starting this program?

If you want a more advanced workout https://www.fightmatrix.com/2025/03/07/mad-muscles-review-2025-the-ultimate-fitness-app-for-strength-conditioning/ plan with high-volume training, we have German volume training, the Arnold split, and 5-day, 6-day, and 7-day workout plans. Bodyweight workouts are accessible and adaptable, improving posture, strength, and body composition without requiring major training equipment and space. You can perform them at home, outdoors, or while traveling. This can increase the likelihood of consistency for many people, which is the key to results. The squat is a foundational lower-body exercise that primarily targets the quadriceps while also engaging the glutes, hamstrings, and core. This functional movement mimics everyday actions like sitting and standing, improving strength, balance, and mobility.

Lunges

Every serious Shaolin routine centers around Mabu, commonly known as horse stance. TC emphasizes this fundamental position throughout his workout, explaining it builds stability, strength, and endurance simultaneously. Stand on your toes, lean your torso back, and push your knees forward over your toes while descending.

Are No-Equipment Workouts Really Beneficial?

Remember that you are building a lifestyle, and you shouldn’t feel forced to exercise every day. Flexibility can go a long way in keeping you motivated and consistent in the long run. Also, consider activities outside the gym when deciding how many calories to eat. The Hevy app has a warm-up set calculator you can configure. Once you choose a structure (you can also stick with our default recommendations), you can easily add multiple warm-up sets to any exercise with a single tap. You shouldn’t be in a situation where you have to train while you’re extremely sore or tired that your warm-up sets feel like working sets.

A2. Goblet Squat x 10-15

Planks finish the session by engaging the core and improving posture. Studies link greater push-up performance to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. You’ll alternate between upper- and lower-body training to target major muscle groups while giving each one enough time to recover. Build total body strength anywhere with this 30-minute bodyweight workout.

# DECLINE PUSH-UP:

On occasion, you can use a wand or resistance band to support an exercise. Beginners can ease into moves, while seasoned exercisers can ramp up the challenge by adjusting speed, reps, or rest times. This approach not only builds strength but also supports cardiorespiratory fitness. Despite all the benefits, I still don’t think bodyweight workouts get the recognition they deserve. Start in a classic lunge position with one foot forward and one back.

This allows you to vary muscle focus and adjust intensity to suit your fitness level. Per WebMD, the sweet spot for https://www.topendsports.com/fitness/products/apps/mad-muscles.htm calisthenics workouts is two to four days a week. It’s good (some would even say crucial) to have a heathy dose of rest as part of your workout routine.

Grab your heavy weights, move with intention, and make every minute count. Furthermore, this comprehensive approach trains your entire body evenly, helping prevent muscular imbalances. It prevents overtraining specific areas while neglecting others. They are ideal for building pushing strength and improving muscle definition. Here’s a simple and versatile stopwatch workout I performed while traveling the globe last month. You don’t need much to perform it — just the stopwatch, a mat or patch of grass, and a bit of mettle.