The 7 Fitness Apps That Will Help You Achieve Your Goals

You can make exercising — in and out of the gym — a much more organized endeavor with fitness apps. They hold you accountable, track your progress, and can also give you some awesome exercise plans. Some of them cost money, but they’re much cheaper than personal trainers, which WebMD says cost on average $50 per hour. Plus, they make walking into a new gym a heck of a lot less intimidating — ignore the bulky, dungeon-style equipment and just focus on the phone screen, baby.

But not all exercise apps are created equal. Whether your 2020 resolutions included doing more yoga, running a race, or just getting more comfortable working out in the gym, these seven fitness apps can get you going.

8Fit

Price: Plans range from $20 to $72.

Get workout and nutrition plans tailored specifically to you with this bespoke app. They offer different levels of workouts, and although they’re only 10 to 20 minutes, they’ll have you sweating in no time.

Strava

Price: Plans range from $5.99 per month to $59.99 per year.

Looking to PR your mile time this year? This handy app will help you track and analyze your runs, offering up information on your distance, pace, elevation, and speed. Plus, find new trails by searching maps of the routes other runners in the Strava network have taken. It works for cyclists too, and if you join their summit program, they’ll provide you with training plans for your next big challenge.

Down Dog: Great Yoga Anywhere

Price: Free.

This app is sure to help newbie yogis zen out. Every time you log on, you’ll be prompted to try a new vinyasa flow that will incorporate twists, standing balancers, and those beloved hip-openers. Coaches talk you through each step, just like a teacher would in a studio. Plus, the music is so soothing you will melt.

The Be.come Project

Price: $35 per month.

These programs, designed by fitness influencer Bethany C. Meyers, are inclusive, fun and effective. You get a new 25-minute routine each week, with moves that you repeat continually over a seven-day period. The idea is that your body will become (get it?) familiar with the movements the more you repeat them, helping you build strength and improve technique.

Plus, the app offers an uplifting message about “body-neutrality,” preaching: “Some days we feel good about our bodies, some days we feel bad about our bodies, but all days we respect our bodies.” 

Nike+ Run Club

Price: Free.

Not only does this nifty app track distance and pace, they use that Nike money to get athletes and celebs like Kevin Hart to cheer you on with motivational audio commentary. You can go on guided runs, and challenge yourself with customized coaching plans.

Sweat

Price: Plans range from $12.99 to $54.99.

Okay, we’re obsessed with this app for a few reasons. Not only does it supply you with tough-but-doable 27-minute strength training workouts, it hooks you up with a meal plan (complete with grocery lists). Every week, you’ll get new workouts that are a tiny bit harder, so you’ll be motivated to keep building strength. Plus, fitness guru Kayla Itsines demos the moves for you (think: deadlifts and burpees) using GIFs, so you’ll have some guidance on form.

NEOU

Price: Plans range from $7.99 for a month to $99.99 for a year.

If you’re looking for an app with on-demand workouts that will make you sweat, look no further. Trainers lead live-streamed workouts. The beauty of the live workouts is that you won’t be as tempted to take breaks or quit mid-rep. (It worked for me when all my muscles wanted was for me to stop piking!)

But if you’re not someone who likes to be tied town to specific class times, don’t worry. The app offers a variety of workouts you can do at any time, ranging from dance to HIIT to boxing.

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