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Health - Mindset - Life

The Best Workout Apps & Programs For Women At Home

March 12, 2025 · In: Fitness, Fitness app review

Your Ultimate Guide to HomeFitness Apps

Home workouts really boomed during the time of the lockdowns in 2020/2021. But even before then, I have always been a fan of a home workout. They are super convenient, especially if you are tight on time or have kids at home that you can’t leave. As much as I love group training I also really enjoy working out in my own space too.

Though there was a little dip as people returned to normal life after the pandemic, the market of fitness apps is valued at 12.8 billion and is set to continue to rise as people are hopefully becoming more health conscious and want to be able to access fitness any time and anywhere.

With this rise we are also seeing improvements of apps, home workout equipment and of course the integration of AI and so whilst the market is growing and evolving it’s hard to decipher what’s hot and what’s NOT.

Whether you’re looking for strength training, yoga, HIIT workouts, or guided mobility sessions, there’s an app out there to help you stay on track. But with so many options available, how do you know which one is right for you?

The purpose of this article and series of reviews is to help you decide which is the right app or program for you. I am working my way through many of the popular health and fitness programmes and apps out there to help you make a more informed buying decision as I give you my opinion and preferences as a 20+ year time served health and fitness coach.

Please keep in mind that fitness is a very personal journey and it may take a little trial and error to find the best app or program for your wants likes and needs. But I hope that this guide will help to speed up the process a little for you to help deciper the best training programs and options for you as an individual, your specific needs and your own personal fitness goals. 

This guide will serve as a directory of the best workout apps for home, featuring in-depth reviews, pros and cons, pricing, free trial options and who each app is best suited for. I’ll be regularly updating this list as I test more apps, so be sure to check back for the latest recommendations!

Advantages of using home workout apps

For me the benefits of using home workouts has always been about time efficiency. When my kids were younger being able to workout from home was just more time, cost and childcare efficient. It just removes many of the barriers that put you off from going to the gym.

Now with the variety of home workout apps, now even beginners can have well programmed workouts accessible to them direct from home. 

Home workout apps saw a huge boom through 2020 into 2021 as many of us were confined to our houses. And while many people have returned to the gym, many people found it just worked better.

Many of the apps that I will feature offer both home workout and at gym programs offering a hybrid approach to fitness for those like me who like to do a little bit of both. Or for those that love their home workouts so much they decided to invest in a home gym set up.

Another advantage of using home workout apps is the cost-effectiveness they provide. Traditional gym memberships can be expensive, often requiring long-term commitments. In contrast, many workout apps offer free trials or affordable subscription plans, allowing users to explore various workouts without breaking the bank. Additionally, you can save on commuting time and costs that come with traveling to a gym, making home workouts an economically savvy choice that fits in with your own busy schedule.

Top features to look for in a home workout app

When searching for the ideal home workout app, there are a few things I think it’s important to consider that will increase the chances of it being money well spent, and that you will then stick with for the long term.

First and foremost, a user-friendly interface is essential, as ease of use is literally one of the most important aspects in my opinion. You want an app that is easy to navigate, allowing you to quickly find workouts, track progress, and access features without confusion. A well-designed interface can significantly make such a big impact versus an app that just feels frustrating.

Another important feature is the variety of workout options available. Look for apps that offer a wide range of workouts targeting different muscle groups, fitness levels and styles of training. Some apps may provide specialised programs such as postpartum workouts, senior fitness, or workouts for specific sports or differing fitness goals. The more diverse the options, the easier it is to tailor your fitness regimen to your personal goals and preferences.

Also keep in mind your own personal preferences when it comes to how you like your workouts presented. Some people like myself prefer instructor-led workouts that you can follow along in real time. Where as others like to have a check list to follow the movement and be able to check off the movements, reps and also weights used. Check out for equipment demands on each program as you may only have your living room floor and a few dumbells, where are some apps may require a set up closer to a home gym.

I also would also recommend looking for an app that also contains some nutritional components. Moving your body is amazing on it’s own and can have a huge impact on your overall health and wellbing. But the real game changer is when you combine movement with good nutrition to go with it. You cannot out train a bad diet and so fitness and nutrition should go hand in hand in my opinion and so looking for an app that contains support with improving eating habits, have sample meal plans all within one app is ideal v’s having one app for training and another for your eating. So in this article I’ll share which of these apps or programs also include nutritional support.

This guide will serve as a list of the best workout apps for home, featuring in-depth reviews, pros and cons, pricing, and who each app is best suited for. I’ll be regularly updating this list as I test more apps, so be sure to check back for the latest recommendations!

Best Home Workout Apps by Category

Best Free App For Home Workouts

Who doesn’t love free? Now most free apps will come with some add ons. But these are the best Free options that I have come across.

  • Nike Training club app – Now also on Netflix which is only free if you already subscribe to Netflix. But you can read more about Nike Training Club On Netflix HERE 
  • Fit On

Best for Strength Training

stacy sims workout plan

Power Happens – TOP PICK ⭐

Stacy Sims program with Hailey Happens focusing on strength and power for midlife women.

This is by far the best program I have gone through personally.

You can see my full review HERE as well as getting access to my exclusive discount code I have managed to get for you guys. You can also see where I have compared the advanced v’s the intermediate program HERE

Cost – $199 Lifetime Access. Get 20% off using code AFF_EMMA20

sweat app reviews

SWEAT APP 

Ideal for women over 40 looking to build strength sustainably, but also has a range of varying program styles such as bodyweight only hiit workouts, Pre & Post pregnancy, Pilates Mobility. This app has a wide range covered and is easy to use with a great community aspect.

Full review HERE

Cost – €19.99 may vary in different currencies

Use THIS LINK to get 20% off your subscription + a 14 Day FREE Trial

MAPS Programs – MAPS programs are based around solid training methods and the science that works. I trust in the creators of the programmes and can reccommend the Muscle Mommy Program as a solid and progressive training for women getting going with strength training.

Cost $127 Lifetime Access to program

caroline girvan cgx app review

Caroline Girvan CGX APP – Excellent format and programming. Intense workouts and great variety and also has lots of recipes to help support your healthy eating to use along side the workouts. She often also runs live challenges for motivation and accountability.

  • Cost £9.99
  • Offers 7 Day Free Trial

Best for HIIT & Cardio

SWEAT APP – Quick and effective HIIT sessions that don’t require equipment is how Kayla Itsines started out and so whilst it’s also one of my favourite strength apps it currently gets the spot for cardio and HIIT too.

  • Cost – £14.99 7 day trial – FULL REVIEW HERE

Best for Yoga Workouts & Mobility

Alo Moves– From the Alo Yoga clothing brand you can also get Alo moves. Whilst there are a wide range of workouts and abilities I do find this is more suited to the more advanced yoga practisioner. This is a beautiful app with some amazing trainer led sessions

  • Cost – £17.49 p/m Offers 14 day free trial

Pilability – Best for mobility workouts. A wide range of mobility drills and tests so you can get workouts specific to your bodies needs.

  • Cost – $17.95 a month. Offers a FREE 7 day Trial

Best for Program Variety

les mills on demand reviews

Les Mills On Demand – Has the biggest variety of workout options across all types of fitness from strength, HIIT, Cardio or Mind Body. For all fitness levels and for a huge range of fitness goals and time availability for workouts. This global brand and app covers a lot and is a firm favourite of mine. CLICK HERE for full review

Cost – Varies depending on country. At time of publish Base €16.49p/m €98.88 year, Premium – €32.99pm €138.52 year. Offers 14 Day FREE Trial or 30 day free trial

CLICK HERE

Best For Weight Loss

  • To be discovered, watch this space!!

Individual App Reviews

Below, you’ll find detailed reviews of the top-rated home workout apps. And at the bottom I’ll also link to the ones that I would maybe steer away from. Click on each review to dive into the specifics of what makes each app stand out.


Home Workout App’s To Miss

Whilst I test things out there are also the apps and programs out there that I wouldn’t recommend. This is my own personal opinion and I share the reason why I wouldn’t recommend these programs and apps in the individual reviews.

v shred reviews

V Shred

Whilst the program it’s self is solid and the nutritional support is also fair. It’s the marketing tactics that this company uses that let it down. Ads that talk nonsense and really dig into people’s insecurities. For me the values and ethics of this company are off and why I wouldn’t personally reccomend, but this is my own personal preference, I feel there are better companies out there.

VShred Review

  • Metaboost – Whilst this diet may get initial results I feel it’s unsustainable for many people and leads into strict dieting that I don’t think is supportive to long term results.
  • Tracy Anderson – This one may be due to personal preference, but the workout just wasn’t for me. It’s high priced fluff for the wealthy wannabe’s.
  • Better Me – This is an AI app. Whilst it did have some good parts such as the nutrition and mindset guidance in the app was excellent. The program it’s self it was quite basic. I also like to work with real instructors.

Final Thoughts

The best workout app for home will depend on your personal goals, budget, and workout style. I’ll continue to update this directory with new reviews and insights as I test more apps, so stay tuned! If you have an app you’d love me to review, drop a comment below or send me a message.

Stay Connected!

Subscribe to my YouTube channel for in-depth video reviews, or follow my blog for the latest updates!

By: admin · In: Fitness, Fitness app review · Tagged: best app for home workout

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People can be quick to dismiss group workouts. “Y People can be quick to dismiss group workouts.

“You’d get better results following a gym programme.”
“You spend too much time chatting.”
“You could lift heavier in the gym.”

And maybe sometimes that’s true.

But for so many women, working out is about FAR more than squeezing every last percentage out of a training session.

It’s the people who notice when you haven’t been there for a while.

The five-minute catch-up that somehow turns into your entire life story.

The laughing, moaning and collective “WTF is this?” when I explain the next exercise. 😂

It’s getting out of the house. Having some time for YOU. Feeling part of something. And actually looking forward to exercising because you know who’s going to be there.

And THAT is often what keeps you consistent for years.

So yes, train for strength. Train for your health. Train because you want results.

But never underestimate the value of finding a way to exercise that gives you people, connection and a reason to keep showing up too. ❤️

Tag your gym friend who accidentally became a real-life friend 👇 or send this to your workout group.

And if you haven’t been to a class for a while… consider this your sign.

Book your next class

#groupfitness #fitnessover40 #womensfitness
Back to school and back to our health and fitness Back to school and back to our health and fitness routines that often skip just a tad over the summer. 

For locals see updated class timetable. Book via the app or if you are new and want to start training with me just drop me a mesg for any more details. 

I also have spaces for personal training sessions and also online 121 fitness and nutrition coaching.
Not every workout is supposed to feel amazing. I Not every workout is supposed to feel amazing.

I recently heard Dr Stacy Sims talking about the “law of thirds” and it’s such a good reminder:

Roughly a third of your workouts will feel great.
A third will feel hard.
And a third might feel like complete 💩.

And that doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.

Some days you need to push through the discomfort — because those harder sessions can be the ones that move you forward.

Other days, the smartest thing you can do is rest.

And on the days you’re not sure? Start the warm-up.

Give yourself 10 minutes and see what happens. Sometimes your body wakes up and you end up having a great session. Sometimes it becomes very clear that today isn’t the day.

The skill is learning to know the difference.

But most importantly, stop expecting every workout to feel good.

Consistency isn’t built from perfect workouts. It’s built from showing up, adapting and doing what your body needs that day.

Follow for more realistic fitness advice for women 40+ 💪

#WomenOver40 #FitnessOver40 #StrengthTraining #MidlifeFitness #WorkoutMotivation WomenWhoLift
I thought vibration plates were a gimmick until… I I thought vibration plates were a gimmick until… I actually started using one consistently. 😂

And no, I’m not claiming standing on a vibrating platform is magically going to melt fat or replace your workouts.

But what surprised me was how much I actually enjoy using it.

10 minutes while I’m having my morning coffee, after a workout, or at the end of the day and I genuinely feel less stiff, less puffy and weirdly calmer afterwards.

Is some of that placebo? Maybe. 🤷‍♀️
But there is some interesting research around vibration training, circulation, muscle activation and recovery — which is exactly why I decided to properly test one rather than immediately dismiss it as another wellness gimmick.

And months later… I’m still using it.

Sometimes the things you roll your eyes at end up earning a permanent place in your routine. 😂

Would you try a vibration plate — or are you still firmly in the gimmick camp? 👇

Follow for more 40+ fitness, health & wellness trends tested so you don’t have to.

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I have just got my hands on @flikeze Neo Back Cusi I have just got my hands on @flikeze Neo Back Cusion Red light pad, and WOW!!!

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Click the basket link on the video and then use code EMMA to get 10% off

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Mimi Champion we are gonna miss u sooooooo much. U Mimi Champion we are gonna miss u sooooooo much. U came to me post Covid days and have been a regular ever since those online and outdoor workouts. Always bringing the energy and laughter and the most amazing push ups. 

As much as I’m gonna miss you in classes we wish you all the happiness on your retirement travels. Miss you already ❤️❤️

Hope you stay strong on the boat 🛥️
There’s a difference between listening to your bod There’s a difference between listening to your body and never asking it to do hard things.

As women 40+, we hear a LOT about reducing stress, prioritising recovery and not overdoing it.

And yes — all of that matters.

But I don’t want the message to become “take it easy because you’re getting older.”

I still want to lift heavy, challenge my fitness and occasionally push myself into that uncomfortable place where I have to dig a little deeper.

This session — heavy legs, higher-rep contrast work and then a compromised run — absolutely annihilated me. 😂 Would I train like this every day? Definitely not.

But we can recover well and train hard.
We can listen to our bodies and ask more of them.

Getting older doesn’t mean we stop challenging ourselves. 💪

Follow me for more 40+ training tips, realistic fitness advice and a bit of motivation to keep finding out what your body is capable of.

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Get to work wether you want to or not. Rely on you Get to work wether you want to or not. Rely on your routines not your motivation

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GLP1’s are a powerful tool for weight loss, but it GLP1’s are a powerful tool for weight loss, but it’s not the full story to just eat less. In fact that’s probably the biggest mistake I  see people making. 

I truly believe there is a ‘right way’ to approach the use of these medications as a tool to support your goals. And if you actually want to keep the weight off then doing it right, matters. It matters for your result and your long term health. 

If you are starting out on your GLP1 journey and want to do it the right way, iv put a guide together to help you do just that. 

If you want it put guide in the comments or send me a dm and I’ll send it over. 

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I could do chin-ups before I lost the weight. I w I could do chin-ups before I lost the weight.

I was strong then. 💪

But THIS is one of the biggest differences I’ve noticed since losing 2 stone.

Everything just feels… better.

I’m lighter, but I feel stronger.

I move better. I feel fitter. More athletic. More capable.

And now I’m adding the weight BACK ON… just this time in the form of a weighted vest. 😂

That’s something I really wanted to get right during my weight loss.

I didn’t want the number on the scales to come down at the expense of my strength and muscle.

So throughout my GLP-1 journey, strength training has remained a priority, alongside eating enough protein and keeping the weight loss steady rather than trying to lose as much as possible, as quickly as possible.

Because for me, the goal was never just to take up less space.

I wanted to be able to DO more with my body.

And honestly, that’s probably been one of my favourite parts of this entire transformation.

Lighter. Stronger. More athletic.

Now let’s see how heavy I can make this vest… 👀😂
You don’t need to be motivated. You need to rememb You don’t need to be motivated. You need to remember how much better life feels when you feel strong, fit and capable.

For me, losing weight has absolutely been part of that.

I move better now. Everything feels easier. Running, hiking, lifting, snowboarding, getting up off the floor… there’s simply less of me to move around.

But weighing less was never the end goal.

The real goal is what it allows me to DO.

Because when you feel fit, strong and capable, you get to experience life at a completely different level of participation.

You don’t have to sit on the sidelines and watch other people do things.

You can join in.

You can say yes to the hike. Yes to trying something new. Yes to running around with your kids. Yes to the adventure. Yes to the things that might once have felt too hard, too tiring or simply not for you.

And that, for me, is one of the biggest reasons to keep working on my fitness.

I want muscle. I want strength. I want mobility. I want energy. I want a body that allows me to participate fully in my own life for as long as possible.

Fitness isn’t just about what you look like.

It’s about what your body allows you to experience.

And I don’t want to watch life from the sidelines. I want to be right in the middle of it. ❤️

#fitnessmotivation #fitnessover40
Sometimes I worry that summer is flying bye and we Sometimes I worry that summer is flying bye and we haven’t really been doing much. Then I give my head a shake and remember how amazing it is that we can go and do this on a random Tuesday and all it cost was the price of making a picnic ❤️❤️
 
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Your only competition is YOU Focus on being your Your only competition is YOU

Focus on being your best you, better than you were last year, better than you were yesterday

Little by little that focus is where you are made

#midlifefitness fitnessover40 #fitnessmotivaton
OMG!!!!! We have a 16 year old in the house WTF!!! OMG!!!!! We have a 16 year old in the house WTF!!!!

I know he will hate this but wishing my gorgeous, talented and kind first born @claytoncolseynicholls a very happy birthday. Love you always and so proud of you in all that you do. We wish you the world 🌎 and Hope you know just how special you are ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
@gavincolseynicholls
The before & after photos show the physical change The before & after photos show the physical changes…

But they don’t show the part that matters most.

Before, I felt heavy.
Not just physically… mentally too.

I was constantly tired.
My energy crashed every afternoon.
Everything felt harder than it should have.

Yes, I wanted to lose weight.

But more than that, I wanted to stop feeling like shit all the time.

Now?

I feel lighter.
Stronger.
Fitter.
More energy.
Regain confidence.

And honestly… a little bit unstoppable.

For me, GLP-1 wasn’t the whole answer. It gave me the opportunity to actually stick to the habits I know work. It shut off the food noise gave me the willpower to make better choices and remain focused

Strength training.
Prioritising protein.
Better sleep

Less alcohol
Dialling in health habits and better eating instead of just chasing a number on the scales.

The weight loss is amazing.

But getting my life back has been the real transformation.

If you’re on a similar journey, remember this…

Don’t just focus on the number you want to lose.

Focus on the habits you went the build and the woman you want to be.

❤️ Tell me… what change are you hoping for most?

#weightlosstransformation #weightlossjourney #weightlossjourneyuk #fitnessmotivation
Time to stop dodging the cardio. It’s important Time to stop dodging the cardio. 

It’s important for heart health, fitness, longevity and keeping up with the activities that I want to do. It’s also very important for my Hyrox solo survival

Are u a cardio dodger? Or lover? What’s your favourite way to get it in??

#fitness #fitnessover40 #fitnesstipsforwomen #fitnesstips #fitnessmotivation
Vinted find or fail?? Do you use Vinted? Have you Vinted find or fail??

Do you use Vinted? Have you had any good finds??

#vinted #VintedFinds
The workout program iv been completely obsessed wi The workout program iv been completely obsessed with for the last 9 months. 

Stacy sims and Hailey Happens Power Happens program is by far the best workout program I have reviewed to date. If you want the link to my full reviews or the program it’s self. Let me know and I’ll send it over. 

Use code AFF_EMMA20 to get 20% off her programs

@haileyhappensfitness 

#powerhappens #stacysims #fitnessover40
HYROX training starts NOW 😬 12 weeks until I take HYROX training starts NOW 😬

12 weeks until I take on my first HYROX Solo… and today was my first run in 9 MONTHS.

The good news? I’m now 2 stone lighter and the run actually felt surprisingly good 🙌

The bad news? My heart rate would suggest otherwise 😂 What should have been an easy run had me sitting in Zone 4 and 5. Eeeeek.

So the goal over the next 12 weeks isn’t just to get HYROX fit. I want to build my aerobic fitness back up and get to the point where I can actually go out for an easy run and stay in Zone 2.

Right now, that feels like a long way off… but we all have to start somewhere.

12 weeks. HYROX Solo. Let’s see what we can do 💪

Follow along for the journey — I’ll be sharing the training, the progress and probably a fair bit of suffering along the way 😂

#HYROX #HYROXTraining #HYROXWomen #HYROXSolo #RoadToHYROX WomenOver40 FitnessOver40 RunningJourney Zone2Training
I’ve been seeing Spacegoods everywhere lately, so I’ve been seeing Spacegoods everywhere lately, so I decided to buy it with my own money and find out whether it’s actually worth it… or just another expensive wellness trend.

After using Rainbow Dust for months and testing Astro Dust too, I’m sharing my honest thoughts.

Has it replaced the foundations of good nutrition, strength training and sleep? Absolutely not.

But has it genuinely helped me feel more focused during the day and supported my evening wind-down routine? Yes.

This isn’t sponsored, just my honest experience after putting it to the test over a few moths and multiple purchases

Comment “SPACE” and I’ll send you the link to my full review, where I break down the ingredients, the science and whether I think it’s actually worth your money.
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