10 Best Workout Apps for Every Goal, Recommended by Personal Trainers

Availability: iOS and Android | Cost: $13/month, $129/year

Peloton has been around for over a decade, and I was an early adopter of the platform, purchasing their original Bike and app membership back in 2018. It's the one app I have consistently used over the years and keep going back to, and it's continually a favorite among our testers.

How it works: There are three tiers to choose from – Peloton's App One includes all of the fitness classes that don't require a machine (think bodyweight-only workouts and routines with small pieces of equipment like dumbbells and resistance bands). App+ is for those who have a non-Peloton piece of equipment at home that they frequently use (like a generic bike or treadmill), and All-Access is for those who own Peloton equipment like the Bike+ and Tread that provide insights into even more workout metrics.

Why we like it: There are a few reasons why we love it and have rated it our best overall – first and foremost, the app functionality is best in class. It's a beautiful platform that's easy to navigate and offers many class filters, making it easy for you to find and search for the exact workout class to meet your needs within seconds. "I love the app because it is easy to navigate and filter through the workouts to get exactly what you are looking for – from the type of running workout, the length of time and even the instructor you prefer," a tester said.

Testing notes: I've never gotten bored of the app thanks to its massive selection of quality classes and its variety (over 16 different types of workouts)– you'll find everything from spin to running but also yoga, barre, HIIT, strength training, stretching and even prenatal content. The classes are well executed, and testers were impressed by the feeling of being right in the studio. New classes are added regularly, and the app has a huge community-based component with hashtag groups, virtual high fives, community forums, live DJ classes and more.

The biggest standout, though, is that Peloton has hands down some of the best fitness instructors in the industry, including the inspiring Robin Arzon, hilarious Cody Rigsby, feel-good Alex Toussaint, hardcore Tunde Oyeneyin and more. There really is an instructor to fit every workout vibe. "My favorite part is the individual instructors guiding you through with uplifting motivation, conversation and the best music every step of the way," one person said.

Peloton also recently launched a separate app called Strength+ – think of it as your gym buddy. It's specifically dedicated to strength training for those working out with commercial or home gym equipment. Instead of following along in a workout class, the app provides programs catered to the equipment you have on hand, whether that's cable machines, barbells, kettlebells, medicine balls, leg presses and more. The app costs $10/month, but if you have an existing App+ or All Access Peloton membership, then the Strength+ app is free.

RELATED: Is the Peloton Guide Worth It?

Availability: iOS | Cost: $10/month or $80/year (and three months free with most new iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad and Apple TV purchases)

You know Apple for its smartphones, laptops, smartwatches and other tech gadgets. But the brand launched a workout platform, Apple Fitness+, in late 2020 for all fitness levels. Previously, you could only get the app if you had an Apple Watch, but it's now expanded availability to anyone with a compatible iPhone, Apple TV or iPad.

How it works: Apple Fitness+ stands out for its engaging and energetic instructors, incredible workout video production quality and vast variety of content for all fitness levels. You'll find everything from HIIT workouts to core and yoga sessions since the app offers over 12 workouts. You can filter classes for specific trainers, time ranges (5 to 45 minutes), music types and more. "There's a pretty wide variety of fitness categories, and you can narrow it down even more within those categories. For example, the strength category can be narrowed down to lower body focus, upper body or total body," one tester noted.

Why we like it: What I love most about this app is that there are always between two and four trainers per class to show exercise modifications that suit all fitness levels (this also gives a very team-like atmosphere to the workouts). Plenty of modifications are provided, whether easier or more challenging, and the instructors are inspiring and uplifting, including celebrity trainer Gregg Cook, yoga instructor Jonelle Lewis, HIIT aficionado Kim Ngo and marathon runner Emily Fayette. You'll see the inclusion of American Sign Language (ASL) in every Fitness+ class, too — the trainers learn ASL together in weekly classes led by a Deaf certified instructor, and ASL is incorporated into every workout and meditation to make sure that those who are deaf or hard of hearing feel invited and acknowledged. The app itself is also an incredibly affordable price per month for all of the content it delivers.

Testing notes: The platform offers collections if you're looking to follow a catered program, and it's ideal for music lovers since Apple's Artist Spotlight series features inspiring workouts with entire playlists from favorite artists like Miley Cyrus, Bad Bunny and Keith Urban. One of my surprisingly favorite features is walking sessions with celebrities (called Time to Walk) – I loved hearing stories from Rita Ora, Goldie Hawn, Robin Roberts, Jason Segal and Nick Jonas. That said, you will get the most out of this platform by tracking metrics through an Apple Watch. "I loved that this service tracked and displayed your pulse throughout the whole workout and gave you feedback about how your rate recovered after the workout," one tester said. And note that while the production quality of the workout videos is impressive, there are no live classes.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Apple Fitness+

Availability: iOS | Cost: $13/month, $130/year

Known for its trendy yoga and lounge clothes, Alo also offers a fitness and wellness app packed with great exercise content filmed in stunning locations.

How it works: Catered towards wellness and women's fitness, Alo Moves features barre, Pilates, yoga, HIIT, meditation, quick ab workouts and more, with over 3,000 classes. You can download workouts to your phone to practice yoga outside, even without a Wi-Fi connection. But there are some downsides, namely that the app does not offer live classes and can be a bit difficult to navigate at times (though the app just launched additional search filters to help with this). But the platform makes up for that with workouts filmed in stunning locations and seasoned instructors like Emily Sferra, Anabella Landa and Bianca Wise who keep the workouts interesting and never boring. "The instructor, Bianca, was beautiful, the setting amazing, music perfect. I'm absolutely hooked on her workouts️," a tester commented. Some workouts require special equipment like a Pilates ball, resistance bands and hand weights, but you can also search for bodyweight-only options if needed.

Why we like it: After testing the Alo Moves app for our Good Housekeeping Fitness Awards a few years ago, I was immediately hooked on the engaging and challenging barre and Pilates workouts. The app supported me through two pregnancies with its prenatal and postnatal barre content tailored to each trimester and kept me strong. Now, you'll find me turning to the app at least twice weekly for effective exercise sessions — the classes mimic routines you'd find in a quality boutique fitness studio. "I found that classes ran on the more challenging side relative to their classification. I also appreciated the workouts targeted to mastering harder poses," one tester said. The $20/month pricepoint is standard if not a bit on the higher end for a workout app, but you get access to all content with your membership.

Testing notes: Testers especially liked finding energizing and motivating workouts for all fitness levels as well as the wellness series tied to sleep, nutrition and self-care, all for one flat monthly membership fee. The classes aren't as music-centric as other platforms, but there is a newer music station feature with energy to match the class, which you can toggle off if preferred. The app is available on Apple devices, and although not on Android at the moment, you can access the workouts in your online browser on the Alo Moves website.

RELATED: The Best Health Apps

Availability: iOS and Android | Cost: $25/month or $135/year

Australian personal trainer Kayla Itsines has a massive social media following and is known for her effective at-home exercise routines, including her iconic 28-minute workout program. She launched the Sweat with Kayla app in 2015, and then, in 2017, she gathered her fitness trainer friends Kelsey Wells and Ruba Ali to add more content to the platform. Now, the Sweat app has over 50 unique workout programs and more than 13,000 workouts designed specifically for women by women.

How it works: The app is wildly popular because it goes all in on empowering women in fitness and is available in over 145 countries and eight languages. A female fitness pro leads each class, and testers like that the app offers a wide variety of workouts for everyone from experienced athletes to new moms. Training styles include HIIT, strength, Pilates, low-impact, yoga, barre, pregnancy, post-pregnancy and more. But with all of these features comes a price point that is on the moderate to higher side for a workout app.

Why we like it: If you want and need the guidance of a workout program to stay consistent, this is the app for you. Sweat is packed with workout programs ranging from as little as two weeks to over 24 weeks. "I loved the PWR Post-Pregnancy Program from Kelsey Wells; it challenged me and gave me something to stick to after having the baby," one new mom said. The High-Intensity Zero Equipment sessions led by Kayla Itsines are a personal favorite and a great option for beginners looking to make a fitness transformation.

Testing notes: The community is vast, the content is effective and user-friendly, and our testers found the app and instructors motivating. I appreciate that you can preview each workout before getting started, and most of the exercises are easy to follow. You do have to interact with the screen after each set (the app has no live or guided workouts), but you'll already have your phone handy. The programming and user-friendly interface make it worth it.

Availability: iOS and Android | Cost: $30/month or $153/year

This comprehensive fitness and wellness app was created by Chris Hemsworth and his hand-selected team of health professionals (including Luke Zocchi, the man behind Chris' training regime for the Thor movies). Not only does the app deliver effective workouts, including strength, boxing, MMA, HIIT, strength, dynamic yoga and Pilates, but the program is complete with nutrition guidance, meal plans and healthy recipes curated by chefs to help you achieve your wellness goals, plus expert sleep advice. Best of all, you can access the platform through the mobile app or website.

How it works: The monthly cost of $30/month is high for a workout app, but it was one of the most comprehensive ones we have tested (and if you opt for an annual subscription, the app nets out to only $12.75/month). It's a great choice for anyone seeking a lifestyle change. "I liked the approach with this app and having a section for workout, meditation and food recipes," one tester says.

Why we like it: I also appreciate that many of the specialized programs help you build strength and stay motivated, like the 13-week muscle-building program Centr Power. Plus, Centr sells all the equipment you need to outfit an incredible home gym setup (I've tested some of the items, including the Centr treadmill, which is good quality for the price). "I find it hard to come up with routines myself, so having coached sessions made it easy and comfortable for me to try out new things like boxing that I wouldn't have sought out myself," one tester commented.

Testing notes: If you're exercising at a gym, you can click the self-guided tab on the app, which will allow you to work through the exercise moves at your own pace. Workouts range from five to 60 minutes, with levels from beginner to advanced, though testers felt that most options were challenging. A good portion of the workouts are bodyweight only, though many include equipment like dumbbells, resistance bands and a bench. Just note that if you set your goal to build strength or muscle, you'll likely need a few pieces on hand to complete the workouts, like a barbell, dumbbells, a bench and an incline bench.

Availability: iOS and Android | Cost: $199/month

Interestingly enough, Future was cofounded by Justin Santamaria, the same engineer who helped create FaceTime and iMessage. Now, Santamaria brings his tech-savvy expertise to the virtual personal training world. Most fitness apps don't offer much personalization, but you'll get the best of both worlds with Future, which combines personal training with the convenience of working out at home on your schedule.

How it works: Start by matching with a human trainer based on your goals and fitness level, and you'll train all month for the price of what one personal training session would typically cost at a high-end gym. Just note that although you have a live call at first, you won't physically see your trainer during every session. Instead, you can interact with them via the app's messaging platform to share feedback or request adjustments to your fitness program. In a way, this almost makes the app more effective because you can complete the sessions on your own time but still have the accountability of a trainer keeping track of your progress. You can filter to find a trainer based on their personality, as well as their area of expertise (bodybuilding vs. running, for instance) or sport.

Why we like it: The program still feels very customized to your goals, and I like that Future emphasizes tracking your progress so you can see real improvements and stay accountable. It's truly data-driven, and your trainer provides a balanced routine that integrates fitness and recovery, mindfulness and in-depth analytics to keep you on track. The app recently announced that it is merging with Autograph, a platform for sports news and tickets cofounded by Tom Brady, who also joined Future's team and board of directors.

Testing notes: "I love how personalized it is! I've had multiple calls with my trainer and chat with her every day. We've gotten to know each other and I just love the human component of the app. She also designs great workouts for when I've traveled and beyond," a tester said. Another staffer who recently started using the app said it's the first platform that's got her exercising consistently in years and that her trainer is knowledgeable and encouraging.

Availability: iOS and Android | Cost: Free

The Nike Training Club (NTC) app was one of the first workout apps I tried back in college to stay consistent with exercise. The main draw for me was that it was (and still is) free. The app delivers good classes with an intuitive interface that lets you browse routines by workout type, muscle group, equipment and more. They even have useful nutrition and wellness tips.

How it works: NTC offers hundreds of workouts for all fitness levels, including follow-along classes with trainers like HIIT guru Kirsty Godso and strength specialist Joe Holder, "whiteboard" workouts with drills that you can move through at your own pace, multi-week programs, as well as a library of in-depth guidance on movements, nutrition, rest and mindfulness. Our testers loved the range of workouts and noted that programs were suited for varying fitness levels, including those for workout novices and more advanced athletes.

Why we like it: I appreciate that classes are efficient and easy to follow. The app offers high-intensity workouts for small spaces, making it a great choice for anyone seeking apartment-friendly fitness. And even though the app is free, you still get access to special features like syncing workouts and heart-rate data with Apple Health, as well as access to your Apple Music library during workouts.

Testing notes: "There were different programs for different ability levels, which is great for everyone!" one tester says. The only drawback is that while the library is decent, with several hundred workouts, it's not as large as others on our list that offer thousands of classes. "This service was very easy to use and perfect for quick at-home workouts," another tester shares. And its companion, the Nike Run Club app, also performed well in tests and is curated specifically for running (and is also free!).

RELATED: The Best Free YouTube Workout Channels

Availability: iOS | Cost: $30/month or $180/year

Founded in 2020, the Ladder app is the ultimate platform for serious strength training. One of my favorite personal trainers, Elise Young, is a trainer on the app, which is how it first piqued my interest. The roster of expert fitness pros on the platform is best-in-class and extremely knowledgeable.

How it works: Whether you're exercising at home or the gym, Ladder creates structured, progressive overload training programs — this is particularly helpful if you're busy and don't have the time (or experience) to plan your workouts. You can choose a workout program based on your goals, preferences and time, and get a structured plan for every day (and a new one each week). While it's a great platform for advanced athletes, newbies may get a lot out of it because it's excellent for forging foundational fitness and helping you learn and master the basics of weight training. It connects with your Apple Watch, plus Spotify and Apple Music.

Why we like it: The app offers a variety of strength training modalities, like yoga strength, Pilates strength, push-pull training, HIIT, bodybuilding, kettlebells, explosive power classes and more. Ladder even added a 12-week prenatal program for safe and effective strength training during pregnancy. Plus, you can pause, skip or rewind the workout if needed. Note that the app is only available on iOS at the moment, and the $30/month cost is on the higher side but you do get access to quality trainers and programming.

Testing notes: "I cannot say enough good things about this app," a staffer raved. "You pick a coach depending on your preferences and goals, and each day's entire workout, including rest, is programmed for you — just go into the app and press play. I have a coach focused on strength training with kettlebells. My workouts are about 45 minutes. At 45, I feel and look stronger than ever."

Availability: iOS and Android | Cost: $20/month or $120/year for unlimited

Founded in 2018, Shred has become popular thanks to its intense strength training circuits and workouts designed by trainers (with the help of AI). It's a top pick for Schlinger, who likes that the app starts by giving you a quiz to understand what you're trying to get out of it.

How it works: A big bonus with this app is that you can choose workouts for the gym or home, which tailors the moves based on the equipment you'll have access to, though the app can sometimes be a bit glitchy. You get a decent amount of features and workouts on the basic free version of the app. Unlimited unlocks access to all 18 training styles (gym, bodyweight and cardio), and AI helps personalize the workout program based on your goals (including weight recommendations and circuit alternates), schedule and available equipment. This costs $20/month which is on the moderate end for a workout app.

Why we like it: This isn't the platform for a five- to 10-minute workout, but it's great for a serious training schedule. Gym workout sessions are offered at 30–35 minutes, 50–60 minutes and 65–75 minutes, while Bodyweight and Cardio workouts are offered at 20, 40 and 60-minute intervals. And if you don't like one of the movements, almost all exercises have at least one alternative to swap in.

Testing notes: "I like hypertrophy training by body part, so I have Shred set up to suggest a workout I should be doing each day — upper body, lower body, full body or abs," Schlinger explains. "Say I did upper body yesterday, I can choose 'custom' workout and pick a different body part instead and it will make it a new workout (each workout shows you the full workout in writing and videos for each move)."

But if you need a break or want to change up from strength training, you can try Shred's full-length studio classes on the app led by expert trainers in yoga, boxing, HIIT and more. "I also like that the app has a 'cardio training' section," Schlinger adds. "Shred creates a running workout with different speed intervals based on the total duration you choose to exercise for; it's a great way to vary my running routine."

Availability: iOS and Android | Cost: $12/month or $80/year

Yoga and barre not your thing? Strava is a workout app made for the runners, cyclists and hikers out there. I was introduced to the app by my marathon-running sister, and any serious runner in your life likely uses Strava. It's different from other apps on this list since it's not a follow-along fitness class but an advanced activity tracker. Strava tracks important stats (like speed, pace, elevation and more) so you can improve your performance over time.

How it works: The app syncs to most phones, as well as GPS watches, head units, heart rate monitors or power meters, so you get access to in-depth data on your runs and rides. You can go on your own route or follow one from Strava's massive road and trail network assembled by millions of athletes worldwide. "I've utilized various other fitness tracking apps in the past, and Strava blows them out of the water. The mapping tool makes it easier than ever to plan your runs/workouts in advance, especially when you are following a training plan and have specific distances/paces in mind," one runner commented.

Why we like it: That's what truly sets Strava apart — its community. Once you record an activity, it goes straight to your Strava feed where your friends and followers can see and share their workouts and races. You can give kudos to friends for their achievements and leave comments on their activities, too. "Very easy to use and created community with my fellow runners, both those in my run camp and outside," one tester said. Plus, Strava offers monthly challenges and competitions to help keep you on your toes.

Testing notes: Subscribing gives you access to detailed analyses of your performance, the ability to compete with your past activities and with friends, and safety features that share your location with designated contacts while you run or cycle. "I like Strava Premium because I am able to get a deeper analysis in my run, like pace for specific segments, pace for similar runs and customized routes," one tester noted.

RELATED: The Best Running Apps