The Best Workout Apps We’ve Tested for 2026

See how EvolveYou has helped thousands of women build strength, confidence, and transform their lives. Join a community of women who uplift, motivate, and celebrate each other every step of the way – sharing progress, advice, and real stories of transformation. Expert-designed programs, personalised coaching, and a supportive community. Everything you need to get stronger, boost confidence, and look amazing. Celebrity workouts, free fitness guides, and various classes from dance to HIIT. The ability to create and share routes is arguably Strava’s standout feature.

The built in food database features over 300 million items, and can accommodate almost any diet plan you might be following. You can set goals, be it weight loss, weight gain, or maintenance and see how your food intake and exercise output influence your decisions throughout the day. The app’s easy-to-use interface also syncs with several other apps including FitBit, to import your workout data and update your nutrition goals for the day in real time. This app is also extremely helpful in reminding you to drink enough water, something we could all do a better job of doing.

The best workout apps for muscle gain exist for everyone, each with its unique features and target audience. Fitnetic stands out by offering a personalized approach that goes beyond generic workout plans. Nike Training Club (NTC) secures its spot as one of the best workout apps for muscle gain largely due to its unparalleled access and production quality, offered completely free to Nike Members. While not a dedicated hypertrophy tool with advanced periodization, NTC provides an extensive library of high-quality, coached workouts and multi-week programs designed by elite trainers.

This might sound obvious, but it’s surprising how many apps assume access to a full gym or specific machines. If you train at home, in a minimalist garage gym, or while traveling, you need an app that can work with the tools you have. Look for features like built-in progression tracking, 1RM estimators, volume summaries, rest timers, and visual graphs that highlight performance over time. When an app is built by people who have competed, coached and tested their methods over the years, it gives you a level of trust and confidence that’s hard to replicate with generic plans. You want to know that the programming was designed by someone with real-world experience, not just a random algorithm or a general fitness influencer. This is one of the most important and most overlooked elements when selecting a workout app.

How to choose the right workout app for you

Pliability is a must-have tool to keep your body in peak condition if you’re serious about bodybuilding. The search for what is the best home workout app is more than just a quest for convenience; it is about reclaiming your time and building a sustainable lifestyle. However, with thousands of options in the App Store and Google Play, finding the right fit can feel like its own workout. You really can’t underestimate the power of sleep, even when it comes to something like gaining weight.

Best fitness app for strength training

This is not to say that this is just a digital notebook app for gymgoers. Backed by sports science and coaching experts, guidance is safe, effective, and designed for bodybuilding goals. Key premium features may provide further customization for hardcore needs. Bodybuilding apps often include community features, connecting users with like-minded individuals. This sense of community fosters motivation, provides a platform for sharing tips and experiences, and offers support through forums and social features.

Fitbit Coach (iOS, Android, Windows)

• If you need guidance on what to train, it won’t help you.
• We’ve tested and collected our favorite fitness apps below, based primarily on quality and value.
• For people who are interested, there is definitely a lot to learn and explore, but, in the end, basic nutrition is quite simple.
• If you wear a connected heart rate monitor while working out, you can see your BPMs on the screen as you move.
• During our evaluation, some team members expressed frustration with intermittent ads occasionally interrupting their workout sessions.
• Whether you’re just starting in bodybuilding or looking to elevate your weightlifting game, Strong stands out as a top-tier bodybuilding app.

I felt so accomplished for the first time in along time and started to feel proud of myself and beautiful again. That means intuitive navigation and filters that let you quickly find the perfect class based on workout type, duration, or even music. Many apps also include a community component, which can be a helpful way to stay motivated, share progress, and hold yourself accountable. MyFitnessPal is one of the best fitness and nutrition apps for logging food and monitoring progress. While keeping a food diary isn’t for everyone, many find it helpful to visualize their calorie intake.

Fitness Trackers

Once you’ve narrowed down a few options, consider the costs involved. Some apps offer limited free content, while others have monthly or yearly subscriptions. A mix of workout stylesAs much as we love HIIT, it’s not the only bodyweight training style out there. Mixing it up with other modalities like plyometrics, boxing, Pilates, functional training, HILIT and MMA will help to keep you engaged and having fun.

A more empowered you starts with Sweat

But finding the one that works best for you can be a struggle, given the overwhelming number of options on the app stores. We’ve tested and collected our favorite fitness apps below, based primarily on quality and value. Nike Fitness Club is our current favorite of the bunch, but all of our other picks are worth a download, too.

Moreover, it all comes together in a pleasing, user-friendly interface featuring simple demonstrations. It’s a female-focused workout app known for its pink and yellow brand colours, which built its reputation by engaging users in social media fitness challenges. Fluid X has designed programs with minimal equipment in mind, optimizing for small spaces within your home.

The Evolution of the Digital Personal Trainer

If you’re in the market for a weight gain app that suits your needs, take a look at our checklist below to make sure you choose one that ticks all the right boxes. If you want to increase the difficulty of your bodyweight workouts, add free weights into the mix and prepare to feel the burn. There are an array of different mad muscles review varieties out there including dumbbells, kettlebells, and barbells, so you’re sure to find something that suits your workout style.

How to Avoid Weight Gain with HIIT

If you’re looking for a dead-simple, brutally effective way to build strength and muscle, StrongLifts 5×5 is one of the most time-tested programs out there. I’ve used it myself and often recommend it to beginners or anyone getting back to basics. It’s not flashy, but it works, especially if your priority is adding plates to the bar and building solid mass through compound lifts. From the start, BoostCamp delivers more than just a workout tracker.

Week Workout Plan #7 (Free Meal Plan Included)

We have rigorously tested and analyzed the market’s top contenders to create a definitive list of the 12 best workout apps for muscle gain. This comprehensive resource moves beyond marketing claims to evaluate each app on its core strengths, such as personalization, progress tracking, program design, and real-world user experience. You’ll find detailed profiles, screenshots, direct links, and an honest assessment of pros and cons for each option. We provide the insights you need to choose the right tool to build a stronger, more muscular physique with confidence and precision. We also prioritized effectiveness, favoring thoughtfully programmed workouts and motivating instructors who provide clear guidance and encourage users to stick with their routines.

Do bodyweight workout apps really work?

Today, the landscape has shifted toward intelligent, adaptive technology. It probably goes without saying, but to gain weight, you need to eat more. Anywhere from 200 to 500 more calories per day is a great start. If that sounds daunting, try slowly building up your calorie intake over time.

These are much better indicators of fitness than weight alone. Many of the best apps, including SWEAT and iFit, have robust community features. Engaging with others who are doing the same program provides a level of social accountability that is often missing when you train alone. At BUBS, we consider our customers part of the « BUBS Fam. » We love seeing your progress and hearing about your adventures. Sharing your journey makes the hard work feel more meaningful. I tested it again, this time using the Runkeeper app on my Apple Watch.