Exercising is awesome—it’s great for your health, productivity, happiness, confidence, and so on. But sometimes it’s just downright difficult. And expensive. (We’re looking at you, $200+ monthly gym fees.) Here at Positive Routines, we don’t think you should have to shell out a pretty penny to reach your fitness goals. That’s why we searched high and low for the best free workout apps for both Apple and Android devices.
After all, who has the time to schlep it across town to the gym or the extra funds for a personal trainer? Even if you are monetarily blessed, your best friend for staying motivated and in shape this year might just be in your pocket.
10 Free Workout Apps to Hit Your Fitness Goals This Year
Here’s a list of the 10 best free workout apps (yes, free) that will not only help you reach your fitness goals, but also keep you motivated along the way.
The Nike+ Training Club app is one of the most comprehensive free exercise apps on the market. Featuring over 180 curated workouts from Nike fitness trainers and pro athletes, step-by-step guides for everything from yoga to weightlifting, and even customizable fitness plans for your personal goals, this app seriously has it all. For free.
NTC is perfect for the type-A fitness fan. Why? It lets you plan and schedule all your workouts, which then connects to your calendar and preferred fitness tracker. Plus, as you manually enter additional exercise sessions like a pickup basketball game or morning swim, the app becomes more intuitive at judging your fitness level.
A separate app from Nike’s Training Club, Run Club is for those who prefer running or walking to a set workout. This isn’t your typical mile tracking app though, it goes above and beyond with guided runs from Nike coaches and training plans to help you meet your goals. It also connects with the Nike+ Training Club app in case you’re a fan of varying your workouts.
Both Nike+ Run Club and Nike+ Training Club are available in the Apple and Android app stores for free—no sneaker purchase required.
Imagine having a personal trainer with you at every workout for free. That’s the appeal of Workout Trainer, which features thousands of guided workouts from certified personal trainers. The best feature is the ability to adjust your difficulty level, meaning the app is just as effective for a beginner as it is for a seasoned gym rat. Even better? Workout Trainer focuses on bodyweight workouts, so you don’t have to leave your apartment to get a serious sweat.
If weightlifting is more your jam, JEFIT is one of the best free exercise apps out there. It’s geared toward those with a gym membership (or home gym—more power to you) as most of the workouts use free weights or weight machines.
Available in both the Apple and Android app stores, JEFIT’s basic (and free) plan allows you to customize workouts, track your body stats and your progress, and get social about your goals. And we all know that accountability keeps you motivated.
If you didn’t spring for a gym membership this year, try the Freeletics app. The app allows you to work out from anywhere, as the only equipment you need is you. Each short, but intense workout targets different muscle groups to give you a comprehensive fitness session, on your own time.
Freeletics also has nutrition, gym, and running apps, that both sync together and with your favorite fitness tracker. So you can cross train and track your nutrition without any extra fuss. All their apps are available for both Apple and Android devices.
Developed by famous fitness trainer Cory Jordan, the 7-Minute Workout allows you to fit a rigorous sweat into your already super busy schedule. The app goes above and beyond Jordan’s original workout plan to give you guidance on proper form and motivation to keep going. And that’s not all. You’ll also get smarter workout plans that gauge your fitness level and recommended workouts that increase in intensity as you get into better shape.
If yoga is more your fitness speed, try Daily Yoga—one of the only free yoga apps available in the App Store or Google Play.
All of the practices are under 30 minutes, so you can easily fit in a stretch session on your lunch break. Classes are even sorted by body part, making it easy to work out that neck kink or leg cramp. Yoga is also a great way to cross train if you have other fitness goals. You can use the app in conjunction with some of the other free exercise apps on this list to stretch after a workout or get in a quick recovery session.
Who doesn’t like some tunes to pump them up during a grueling workout? Fit Radio not only provides you with epic playlists but also offers coached workouts that are perfectly timed with music.
To get started, just download the app and create an account. From there—just get moving.
If you’re a runner, try the Tempo Run feature, which allows you to choose your pace and music genre. It’ll give you a soundtrack that keeps you on pace with the beat of the music. Now you’ll never miss your mile time again. Score.
If raising money for a good cause gets you motivated, Charity Miles is the perfect free workout app for you. Simply download the app, choose your favorite charity, and start logging your miles.
The app allows you to choose from over 40 organizations from the Alzheimer’s Association to the Wounded Warrior Project, so you’re bound to find one you’re passionate about. The best part is, none of the money comes out of your pocket. Corporate Sponsors donate the money so all you have to do is get in shape.
For a simple way to get your butt in gear, try C25K, the original couch to 5K running plan. The app is ridiculously simple to use. And did we mention that it’s effective? It has a universal, built-in training program that shows a running novice how to finish a 5K in eight weeks.
Available for iOS and Android devices, C25K connects with your phone’s native music player. If you’re up for an upgrade, you can access their Zen Power Playlist. But if you know what music motivates you, stick with your own tunes.
Your turn: What other free exercise apps do you use for help staying motivated and getting in shape? Share in the comments.
Want to get your brain in as good of shape as your body? Check out our list of best meditation apps.
