7 best strength training apps, tested by us

15/05/2026

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. Read on past the list for more guidance on choosing the best workout service for your long-term health. I’ve found that just 20 minutes of focused strength training can absolutely be enough (and yes, a 20-minute workout can be incredibly effective) when the movements are intentional, compound and challenging. Creating custom workout plans or following professionally created workouts are also features that we think are really useful for any sort of strength training. This allows you to tailor your training to specific goals, such as trimming down or bulking up.

From x planks to b-stance deadlifts, and everything in between, this is really useful for beginners and those who want extra guidance. In this roundup review of the best weightlifting apps, we guide you through 9 apps that stand out for us and explain who each app is best suited to. However, the partnership didn’t last and the workouts were removed from Netflix in March 2024, according to What’s on Netflix. The Netflix and Nike deal was meant to see if Netflix could compete with Peloton for streaming workouts, but it seems the company didn’t want to progress any further. There are also handy features like Strava Beacon, which are designed to keep you safe, by allowing your friends or family members to track your live location on a run. During a workout, if you’re wearing one of the best Apple Watches, you’ll be able to see stats from your watch on the screen.

LIT: Strength Training Plans

Hevy also includes a social feed where you can follow other lifters and share workout logs. Reddit’s r/Fitness community frequently recommends it alongside Strong as the two best pure logging tools. The free tier covers core logging features; Hevy Pro ($2.99/month or $23.99/year) unlocks unlimited custom exercises, unlimited routine history, and detailed analytics. Caliber, Fitbod’s primary competitor in the beginner-to-intermediate segment, solves a different problem entirely. You get structured strength programs, an exercise video library with form demonstrations, workout logging, and progress tracking, all at no cost and with no ads.

If you’re a Peloton All-Access or App+ Member, you also get Strength+ at no additional cost—and any workouts you do with the app will count towards your existing streaks and milestones. Whether you want to build up to doing push-ups for the first time or are looking to make some major hypertrophy gains, Strength+ is the perfect companion to get you there. When you perform your reps too quickly, it’s easy for your form to falter, especially when you’re working out at home and don’t have a trainer or instructor to provide hands-on alignment.

• You’ll gain strength from your first session and you’ll always see proof of your progress.
• Here’s the honest breakdown of what each app gives you at zero cost.
• Master-Teacher David-Dorian Ross guides you through an invigorating STRENGTH workout that combines empty-hand and weighted tai chi ball movements.
• Yes, you can build muscle with 20-minute workouts, as long as the training is focused and challenging.
• You can skip it or swap it out for another suggested alternative or take another class with a matching Class Type, and it will still count towards your goal.
• 3,500+ exercises, 2,500+ workouts created by expert coaches, 90+ coaching plans, track and record your workouts.

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Apple Fitness+ is the strength training app of choice for Editor Kerrie Hughes. While only those with an Apple product (e.g. Apple TV, iPhone, or iPad) will be able to download this workout platform, if that’s your chosen tech of choice, then it should be a top consideration. While the instructors in the class use the Les Mills Smartbar, you can actually use any weight you have to hand to do the workout.

Generated workouts go, we’ve found Alpha Progression to be very effective, reliable and generally more accurate than others we’ve tried. While a handful of apps are free, many of these workout apps require a subscription. Take advantage of any trial period and then try a monthly subscription to see if the app meets your needs.

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It’s specifically designed to be used in the gym (but it does have bodyweight workouts available) as the main function of the app is to design a reps-and-sets-based workout plan. You can find exercise routines based on how much time you have, the level of intensity you want, or the type of workout you prefer. If you wear a connected heart rate monitor while working out, you can see your BPMs on the screen as you move. There’s also a leaderboard for competing with other members or a group of friends. If you want more from FitOn, such as personalized meal plans and the ability to connect to Fitbit or Garmin devices, you can pay for a Pro account ($129.99 per year, but keep an eye out for regularly recurring steep discounts). Testers also loved the energizing, motivating workouts for all levels, as well as the wellness series focused on sleep, nutrition, and self-care.

This Full-Body Bodyweight Workout Takes Just 20 Minutes

The Strength Training At Home app is perfect for anyone who wants to do strength training workouts from the comfort of their own home. The app includes cardio and weight lifting exercises to improve overall fitness. With the app, you can create a daily workout plan for muscle gain and develop core muscle strength. It also offers personalized training plans for 30 days to help you with weight loss or muscle gain.

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The Swimming – Strength & Conditioning app helps you get in top physical shape for swimming. It includes exercises to improve your speed and lap time, as well as techniques for freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, and butterfly. The app provides audio guidance from a personal trainer, customized workouts each week, and HD instructional videos.

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Plus, progress tracking is seamlessly integrated, so you can keep an eye on just how much stronger you’re getting. Take it to the gym and feel confident trying out new machines, or filter by the equipment you have at home to get a workout tailored exactly to what you have on hand. If you feel as though pre-recorded workouts and group chats aren’t enough to help you stay motivated, Future may be a good option for you. That’s because it connects you with a real personal training coach, which includes virtual calls and a custom fitness plan.

Minute Full Body Dumbbell Only Workout (Athlete 25 Day

Use this approach as needed, not as an extended long-term solution. Sure, some people shuffle priorities to find two or more hours per day to train, but for the time-constrained lifter, finding just one hour can be too big a task. Fortunately, short workouts don’t have to mean coming up short on results. Here’s how to make the most from just 20 minutes of well-planned training. The videos in this home workout app are well made (though not quite as polished as some premium offerings) and offer lots of customization options.

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With so many options for strength training apps available, selecting the best one can enhance your fitness routine and help you achieve your strength goals. The best strength training app for women over 50 is WeGLOW, a strength and wellness app built specifically for women with guided gym and home-compatible workouts designed with perimenopause hormonal context in mind. The programming doesn’t apply a standard 3×10 template and call it done — it structures sessions around different energy windows across hormonal phases, which is a meaningful functional difference. If you’re looking for an app home workouts that has it all—meal planning and workouts—Caliber is hard to beat. It offers a tiered membership based on what you can afford, and all of its methods are science-backed. Upgrade to get access to group coaching or one-on-one coaching, keep track of your reps and weights during workouts, and work with a trainer to develop a nutrition plan that will help you meet your goals.

Many people think strength training must last 60–90 minutes to be effective. In reality, the intensity and exercise selection matter far more than the duration. A well-structured 20-minute full body workout can deliver excellent results by targeting all major muscle groups and keeping rest periods short for maximum efficiency.

Modified Side Plank Elbow to Knee

That’s not cheap, but it’s less than the cost of even two in-person classes. At this subscription level, you get not only unlimited bike, treadmill, and rower classes, but also non-equipment classes for HIIT, outdoor running, strength training, yoga, and more. This 20-minute, all-standing full-body strength workout is designed to help you build muscle, increase overall strength and get an efficient session in without ever going to the floor. Ideal for anyone who wants a quick, low-impact routine at home, it targets the lower body, upper body and core through compound and isolation moves.