Also: The best treadmills for your home gym I personally turn to fitness apps to get my workout class fit – either on-demand, which has more of that “live” feel to keep you accountable – or in the app’s usually stacked library. As a self-proclaimed class junkie, I’ve made my workout app rounds, and these are the ones I find pretty comparable to in-person. Review: Tempo Move: If Ikea made a home gym for iPhone users For more on fitness and workouts, be sure to check out our list on the best smartwatches, the best workout mirrors, the best workout apps, and the best fitness trackers.
Pricing: 30-day free trial, $12.99 per month after Compatible with: iOS and Android devices, Android TV, AppleTV, FireTV, Chromecast, Roku, LG TV and AirPlay Workouts available: Strength, boxing, running, cycling, yoga, meditation, rowing, row bootcamp, bike bootcamp, tread bootcamp, pilates, barre, cardio, stretching, walking, hiking
Even though Peloton is most famous for its in-home bike revolution, you don’t need to own Peloton equipment to benefit from the Peloton Digital app. The app features on-demand and live classes of all kinds, led by Peloton’s renowned high-energy instructors, and ranging from quick 10-minute cardio to an hour-long sweat session. “I love the Peloton app and I’ve only used an actual Peloton bike once,” said ZDNET’s Emery Wright. “Even though it’s a bit pricey, I love how you can choose between so many types of classes (I love the strength and bootcamp ones), with or without equipment.” The only downside is with the more advanced classes, extra equipment is often required. If you have access to a treadmill or rower, the app also serves as a great running and rowing guide to prevent workouts from becoming monotonous. And if competition is a major motivator in your group fitness classes, Peloton Digital also lets you follow other members so you can see their workout stats. The Peloton Digital app offers users a 30-day free trial before charging the $12.99 monthly fee. Between the high energy feel, class range and availability, and under $13 per month cost, Peloton Digital easily gives that endorphin-high feeling and keeps me accountable without excessive fees.
Pricing: Free Compatible with: iOS and Android devices, TV via HDMI or Apple AirPlay, and Netflix Workouts available: Strength, yoga, stretching, HIIT, whiteboard workouts, pre and postnatal
Nike Training Club’s app might be free, but it’s definitely high-quality. With around 500 workout classes to choose from and healthy lifestyle tips, it’s kind of like having a 24/7 coach in your pocket. If I don’t have a class to go to or a structured workout planned, finding the motivation to get off the couch and get in physical activity is even harder, especially after a long day and a busy schedule. Nike Training club provides bite-sized workout classes that are guaranteed to get your heart rate up. These quick classes have also made their way over to Netflix, giving me encouragement to fit at least five minutes of movement in before binging the new season of Love is Blind. Nike trainers, doctors, and nutritionists give advice on how to make small changes to lead a healthier lifestyle. So if you don’t find yourself with free time often, Nike Training Club is a free option that can help you make room for some simple yet effective habits. My only quibble is that the app doesn’t have the easiest UX. The time I save in a quick workout, I waste trying to find the perfect class to do. Same with finding tips – I have to do a deep-dive to find one.
Pricing: 7 day free trial, then $179 annually or $19.99 monthlyCompatible with: iOS and Android devices, desktop and laptops, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Roku Workouts available: Dance cardio, lightweight, low-impact sculpting, pre and post natal workouts, yoga, stretching, and meditation sessions
Created and led by ex-dancer Megan Roup, The Sculpt Society is truly one of my favorite ways to get my body moving. The dance cardio classes combined with Megan’s high energy and clear instruction makes it feel more like a dance party in my living room than a workout, but I definitely work up a sweat. If you’re not much of a dancer, TSS still offers pilates and barre-based workouts so you can achieve that lean-dancer look. My only complaint with the sculpting and toning classes is that they often require hand weights or ankle weights that I don’t usually have lying around. The classes range from 5 to 50 minutes and from beginner to advanced levels. TSS also has over 400 classes on demand in the app library and hosts several live classes a week. Low impact and easy to stream from your phone, TSS is a great option for those who travel or live in a small space, like an apartment.
Pricing: 30 day free trial, then $119.88 Compatible with: iOS and Android devices, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Fire TV, and RokuWorkouts available: Cycling, barre, cardio, core, strength, bootcamp, yoga, meditation, 2B mindset, portion fix
Before Beachbody was on demand, their workout tapes (remember those?) were my first introduction to at-home workouts. My nostalgia aside, Beachbody’s classes are still effective, fun, and up-beat on the On-Demand platform. Like the DVDs, the classes have a slight 80’s exercise feel in a good way, making the workouts simple and fun yet effective. Like any good bootcamp, the classes may introduce you to moves that fire up muscles you didn’t even know you had. The instructors are great at introducing strength training to safely build up muscle. With a nutrition integration, gamified activity and progress trackers, and one-on-one support from coaches, I will say this app can be a piece of your overarching fitness journey.
Pricing: 7-day free trial, then $22 monthly or $119 annually Compatible with: iOS and Android devices, Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, and Roku Workouts available: Low-impact strength training, pilates, and HIIT
I’ve been following fitness Instagram influencer Sami Clarke for years. During the pandemic, her easy-to–follow, quick strength workouts on Instagram kept me from being a complete couch potato. She’s since started her own platform, Form, which provides structured workout programs that build muscle without a squat rack or crazy cardio. I also appreciate that most of her workouts involve 5-10 pound dumbbells or ankle weights, focusing on building muscle through slow and controlled movements rather than just lifting as heavy as possible. Form’s platform is great for people who want a program to follow along with, rather than playing daily class roulette. But the app also has plenty of on-demand classes you can do individually. All about overall wellness, the app also features 7-day and 14-day meal plans along with nutritious recipes. Additionally, Form’s app might be the most organized, aesthetically pleasing online fitness platform I’ve seen, making it easy to navigate every workout program, class, and recipe.
Pricing: 3-month long trial, then $9.99 monthly or $79.99 annuallyCompatible with: iOS devices, Apple TV Workouts available: Kickboxing, HIIT, yoga, core, pilates, dance, cycling, running, walking, rowing, audio-guided, workouts for pregnancy
If a workout doesn’t count for you unless your Apple Watch tracked it, I feel you and am here to tell you Apple Fitness+ is not only compatible with your Watch, but even tracks your calories more accurately. Apple Fitness+ is a great fitness service any Apple user should unlock – especially during the free, three-month trial. So, if you’re a new Apple Watch owner, make sure to take advantage while you can. FItness+ has a variety of classes with different instructors on demand. The main dashboard is super easy to navigate and filter through what type of workout you want to do and the duration of your sweat sesh. Also, the instructors are high-energy while also coming off as genuine, providing the perfect mix of motivation and relatability. There are plenty of bodyweight-only based workouts that don’t require using or investing in any fancy equipment. If you do have access to a treadmill or rower, however, the walking and rowing classes are a great way to add some fire to a traditionally simple workout. My favorite part of Fitness+ is that your calories and workout stats from your watch sync up to the Apple streaming display you’re working out on (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV). Plus, it’s a good way to win an Apple Watch activity challenge. If you’d like to quickly see how Peloton compares to the other best fitness apps, the chart below summarizes the apps detailed in this guide, making it easier for you to see all the platforms they’re available on and their key features. If you’re looking for a place to start, some of my favorite YouTube fitness channels include MadFit, Yoga With Adriene, and Move With Nicole.
