The 20 best cardio exercises to do at home

If you’re new to running, let Nike Run Club be the accountability buddy that will help you reach your goals. Not only does it track distance, pace, elevation, and heart rate, the walking app also offers access to guided runs so you have a coach in your ear to keep you focused during workouts. Plus, if safety is a concern for you, the app allows you to share your location with loved ones so they know where you are while walking solo.

Yes, FitOn still has a 100% free version, which gives you access to their database of workouts. Of course, scrolling the app store can feel overwhelming, and not every fitness app delivers high-quality programming. That’s why our exercise professionals in the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition & Fitness Lab tested more than 40 workout apps to find the ones that truly stand out. We evaluated everything from the quality of the workouts and variety of classes to how intuitive the apps felt to use.

Best workout app for women

See fitbit.com/devices, g.co/health/fitbit-air and g.co/fitbit/compatibility. The only way you’ll work up to pulling heavy weight to build big-time strength and muscle is by getting the form right. Tom Price is a reviews editor for Popular Mechanics while also contributing to Runner’s World, Best Products, and Bicycling. It doesn’t take a lot to equip someone for a solid home workout — especially if you’re armed with these suspension straps. Using the straps adds resistance to your own body weight, whether you’re working your arms, legs, or entire body.

• We recognize this scoring system isn’t perfect because personal training apps can cost much more to the tune of hundreds of dollars per month.
• However, she mentioned that data privacy concerns are something to keep in mind when deciding which activities to keep private and whether to start and end your activities at your home.
• If you love to ride your bike but don’t want to hit the road during the coldest days of winter, Zwift is your solution.
• Beyond gameplay, Brainwell provides feedback on your performance, letting you pinpoint new areas for improvement.
• This program can be adjusted to your fitness level and made as challenging as you want.
• In the end, the “best” app comes down to what excites you, whether it’s a favorite instructor, a style of class you can’t get enough of, or a program that fits seamlessly into your schedule.

Best Workout App for Cycling: Zwift

Apple fitness+ boasts a series titled Time to Walk, which features various guided walks by celebrities. From Jamie Lee Curtis to Rebel Wilson to Dolly Parton, these walks are must-listens. The app is only available on Apple products, but features an array of other exercises, including HIIT, yoga, meditation, and more. Get three months free when purchasing a qualifying apple product, or one-month free upon subscribing with an existing product.

In the long term, it reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia, depression, and many cancers. Engaging in a consistent home exercise routine 3 to 5 days per week can enhance physical abilities and overall physical health. Jogging in place is a simple and effective exercise to increase heart rate. Intermediate exercises increase the intensity of the workout to get the heart pumping and the body moving. As their fitness improves, they could also move on to more difficult movements. If better fitness isn’t enough of a motivator to get you on your feet, maybe raising money for a good cause will do the trick.

Price

While most of these devices offer similar capabilities, the design you choose—watch or ring—will depend on your own personal aesthetic. If you want a basic level fitness tracker, the Whoop PEAK membership with its new 5.0 band may be your answer. Men’s Health Fitness Director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S. backs this device for that reason. “Simplicity is what works here, because it’s reliable, has great battery life, and I don’t need to think about it,” he says. The Whoop 5.0 Band is a fitness tracker band, which means though it’s still decently functional, it does not have a display like most wrist devices. It tracks all of your data in the corresponding phone app, but it’s worth noting, you cannot see the data directly on your wrist.

Thanks to a wide variety of periodized regimens as well as live and on-demand fitness classes led by certified personal trainers without any cost of entry. The Nike Training Club caters mostly to strength-based training, but also has sessions for bodyweight training, yoga, pilates, and mobility work. With so many apps to choose from, however, it can be difficult to determine which platform is the best fit for your home screen. Do you want an app that’s specific to your training interests, or one that caters to a variety of disciplines?

Intermediate exercises

Fitness apps can be handy tools for supporting your training and nutrition goals, especially if you’re at the starting line of your training, still wondering, “what is cardio? ” Additionally, they often cost less than hiring an in-person instructor. Plus, they can be ideal for athletes struggling to compile a worthwhile regimen on their own. Below are some of the perks that come with adding one of these services to your home screen. The coaches do a great job of verbally guiding you through different effort levels, based on factors like your RPE and breathing. However, these are pre-recorded and aren’t too personalized — it’s on you to gauge your effort.

Best Home Workout App: Ladder

The wide variety of premium workouts and challenges makes it a great option for anyone looking to share the app with a friend or partner. Plus, there are new programs added every month, so you’ll never get bored. Unlike many other apps, each course contains anywhere from four to 64 videos, giving you more control over how much time you’d like to invest. A runner is going to want something totally different from someone primarily looking for an app that will help them strength train. Some workouts may also require equipment in order to follow tutorials in select apps.

How to choose the best walking apps

If you want to track nutrition and build healthy habits, Yazio is the strongest option, with a database of over 4 million foods and a built-in intermittent fasting tracker. If you prefer structured workouts to drive weight loss, Sweat and Muscle Booster both offer progressive programmes that will help you build the consistency needed to see results. Trainers can create comprehensive workout plans with video demonstrations, rest timers, and progression tracking. The workout builder is intuitive yet detailed, allowing for complete customization based on each client’s needs, equipment access, and goals. The app integrates with Apple Health, Google Fit, and various fitness trackers (with PRO), automatically best gym workout app syncing steps, workouts, and weight data for a complete health picture.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8

Getting your heart rate up and challenging your muscles benefits virtually every system in your body, and improves your physical and mental health in myriad ways. In addition, a regular exercise program can make your sex life better, lead to better quality sleep, reduce your risk of some cancers, and is linked to longer life. While the workout library isn’t as dense as some other apps, the app is high quality and you can personalize your training programs when creating fitness goals.

You’ll find him regularly testing the latest MacBook or iPhone, but he spends most of his time writing about video games at Dexerto. It’s a great resource to get into the social side of running, with ‘friendly’ competition from friends and other users, and it’s great to use for any outdoor pursuit. However, you really need a Fitbit or a Google Pixel Watch to get a lot out of the metrics, and although FItbit is system-agnostic, its purchase by Google means it’s slightly easier to invest in for Android users. Our new top pick for 2025, Zing Coach is an AI-powered app packed with tools and a chatbot that’s ideal for any workout type.

Workout apps can provide you with expert guidance, either through professionally made programs and plans or through connecting you with a certified personal trainer or coach. While what a workout app does varies from product to product, they can help you track progress, keep you motivated, and connect you with like-minded individuals who can support you on your fitness journey. If you’re looking for an app that takes the guesswork out of your training, TR[Ai]NER by Element 26 is worth considering. This AI-powered workout app offers programs you can customize based on your preferences, equipment access, and personal goals.

Benefits of Workout Apps

The Fitbit Luxe has a slim, jewelry-like profile, with optional accessories that feel more like bracelets and less like sporty bands. We had a few hiccups, like when the Luxe blacked out during heart-rate testing and we couldn’t get back to the display. The “Whoop Age” feature, which provides an estimated age based on user input and activities, is similar to other fitness aging metrics many companies are increasingly promoting.

Why We Like Caliber Strength Training

Featured by Apple, Rolling Stone, Men’s Health, and PCMag, it’s gaining recognition as a comprehensive training solution. You don’t need to follow a specific training program – the app simply assesses your current strength capabilities and highlights where you stand. This makes it perfect for anyone, regardless of their current training style. Elegantly simple yet incredibly effective at crafting customized workouts perfect for those new to strength training.