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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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Everyone seems to want a Peloton… but not everyone Everyone seems to want a Peloton… but not everyone wants to spend £1,600 on an exercise bike.

So I decided to see what a budget exercise bike for home could offer instead.

I’ve been testing the Merach Exercise Bike for the last few weeks and honestly, I wasn’t expecting to be as impressed as I am.

✔️ Quiet to ride
✔️ Comfortable seat
✔️ Bluetooth connectivity
✔️ Compatible with workout apps
✔️ Less than £200

Is it going to compete with the premium bikes? Probably not.

But if you’re looking for a budget exercise bike for home workouts, want to improve your fitness, lose weight, or simply move more without leaving the house, it offers incredible value for money.

I’ve just uploaded my full Merach Exercise Bike Review where I share everything I liked, what could be improved, and whether I think it’s worth buying.

#MerachExerciseBike #MerachExerciseBikeReview #BudgetExerciseBike #ExerciseBikeForHome #HomeExerciseBike #IndoorCycling #HomeWorkout #FitnessOver40 #WeightLossJourney
Iv always said I workout cos I want to be the bitc Iv always said I workout cos I want to be the bitch who survives the zombie apocalypse. But this sound works just as well. Know your ‘why’ bitches!! And don’t let the team down 😂😂😂😂

#fitness #fitnesslife #fitnessover40
hank you to @lilyandloaf for sending across their hank you to @lilyandloaf for sending across their daily essentials bundle #gifted 

Designed as nutritional support on your health journey
This might not be the popular message… but it’s th This might not be the popular message… but it’s the truth.

Training is incredibly important. It helps us build strength, maintain muscle, improve mobility, support our metabolism and stay capable for all the things we want to do in life.

But if your goal is fat loss or changing the way your body looks, you cannot out-train your diet.

One of the biggest things being on Mounjaro has reminded me of is that I wasn’t necessarily eating the wrong foods… I was simply eating too much.

A few too many snacks.
Portions that were a little too big.
A glass of wine that became two.

Nothing extreme. Just enough to keep me from maintaining a leaner body composition.

Since starting my GLP-1 journey I’ve naturally reduced my portion sizes, stopped mindless snacking and cut back on alcohol. The result? The weight is finally moving.

Not because I’m training harder.
Not because I’ve found a magic solution.
But because my calorie intake is finally matching what my body actually needs.

Keep lifting weights.
Keep moving your body.
Keep working on your fitness.

But don’t underestimate the impact of nutrition.

You build the body with training. You reveal it with nutrition.

Have you ever realised that your portions were bigger than you thought they were? Let me know below 👇

#MounjaroJourney #WeightLossJourney #WomenOver40 #FatLossForWomen #StrengthTraining
We naturally stop doing explosive movements as we We naturally stop doing explosive movements as we get older.
Jumping. Sprinting. Moving quickly. Reacting fast.

But that’s actually one of the reasons we start to feel older physically.

One of the first things to decline in midlife is power… and that’s not just about sport or performance. It affects balance, reactions, mobility, strength and even confidence in your body.

This is why I think some form of power training is so important for women over 40.

And honestly… it doesn’t need to be extreme 😅

It can be:
✔️ Kettlebell swings
✔️ Fast step ups
✔️ Light jumps or hops
✔️ Simply moving a weight with speed & intent

Build up towards doing drop jumps as per the video. 

Because the goal isn’t just to stay “fit”.
It’s to stay capable.

Strong. Mobile. Reactive. Independent 💪

#womensfitnessover40 #strongover40 #midlifefitness #functionalfitness #trainforlife
Mounjaro weight loss month by month. Month 4 resul Mounjaro weight loss month by month. Month 4 results. 

One of the biggest things I wanted to focus on during this journey wasn’t just losing weight… it was maintaining muscle, keeping my strength, improving my energy and actually feeling GOOD in my body again.

This has never been about becoming the smallest version of myself.

It’s been about
Improving my metabolic health
Reducing food noise
Supporting my PCOS & insulin resistance
Maintaining muscle through strength training
Feeling more confident and comfortable in my body again

Slow and sustainable has always been the goal for me and honestly I’m so glad I documented the process because sometimes you don’t realise how much has changed until you look back.

I’m still training hard.Still prioritising protein.Still focusing on healthy habits.

This definitely hasn’t been “the easy way out”… but I do finally feel more in control around food and far more like myself again ❤️

#mounjaroweightlossmonthbymonth #mounjarojourney #glp1journey #weightlossjourney #womenover40
One thing I see a LOT… women underestimsting what One thing I see a LOT… women underestimsting what they could really lift

But that “this is getting hard now” feeling?
That’s usually where the magic actually starts happening.

If you finish a set feeling like you could easily knock out another 3-4 reps… chances are the weight is too light to really challenge you.

The last 1-2 reps should feel HARD.
Sometimes messy.
Sometimes accompanied by a little face scrunch or grunt 😂

It means you’re finally tapping into an intensity level that your body actually needs to get stronger.

And honestly? Most women are far stronger than they give themselves credit for.

You don’t need to destroy yourself every workout… but you do need to stop playing it safe all the time.

Try this in your next workout 

#fitness #fitnesstips #fitnessover40
A big part of your fitness journey will be about s A big part of your fitness journey will be about showing up and doing the same things over and over and over again. 

It’s often not sexy, it often will take way longer than you want it to. 

Fitness is for life, not just for summer. 

So strap in and keep showing up

#fitness #fitnessmotivaton #fitnessover40
Fabletics Review 2026, is Fabletics still worth it Fabletics Review 2026, is Fabletics still worth it? I tried out their new spring collection to see if Fabletics are still my favourite workout clothes. I’ll link where I can or comment ‘fab’ and I’ll send u the link direct. 

#fabletics #activewear #Activewearforwomen #workoutclothes
Chocolate, cheese and the Swiss 🇨🇭 mountains 😍 Chocolate, cheese and the Swiss 🇨🇭 mountains 😍
Looking for the best home exercise bike for under Looking for the best home exercise bike for under £200. So giving this bike from Merach and little test out and I’ll be doing a full review once iv given it a proper go. But so far, for the price I think it’s actually pretty good at this price point. 

What home cycling apps do I need to test our first??

#homeworkouts #spinning #indoorcycling
Pliability is another app I keep seeing all over m Pliability is another app I keep seeing all over my ads. So of course I tested it out so that you don’t have to

Iv done a full pliability app review to give you my honest and unsponsored thoughts. If you want the deep dive I’ll link it where I can. Or comment ‘stretch’ and I’ll send you a dm with the link 

#fitness #mobilitytraining #FlexibilityTraining #StretchingChallenge
Consistent beats extreme every time. Success is in Consistent beats extreme every time. Success is inevitable if u don’t give up

#fitness #fitnessmotivation #fitnessover40
When was the last time you jumped? Not for a work When was the last time you jumped?

Not for a workout… just naturally.

Because here’s the thing,
we don’t stop jumping because we get older…
we get older because we stop doing things like this.

Power is one of the first things to decline as we age.

And it’s not just about performance… it’s about staying strong, mobile and independent.

As we get older we naturally see:
• Loss of fast-twitch muscle fibres (the ones responsible for power)
• Reduced bone density when there’s no impact
• A drop in reactive strength (your ability to catch yourself, change direction, stay agile)
• An increased risk of falls — and with that, loss of independence

Jumping trains what most workouts miss:
✔️ Power
✔️ Bone strength
✔️ Coordination & reaction speed
✔️ Pliability and elasticity

This isn’t about jumping higher…
it’s about staying capable.

Start small. Stay consistent. Stay powerful.

#womensfitnessover40 #strongover40 #bonehealth #functionalfitness #trainforlife
One thing I’m seeing more and more… Women losing One thing I’m seeing more and more…

Women losing weight — but noticing hair thinning.

And as a coach, this is where we need to zoom out 👇

This isn’t about the medication.

It’s about under-fuelling the body.

Hair health is one of the first things to suffer when:
– Calories are too low
– Protein is too low
– Nutrients are missing

You don’t need to panic… but you DO need to address it.

Fat loss should never come at the expense of your health.

#mounjarojourney #weightlossforwomen #over40fitness #hairlosswomen #fatlossjourney #glp1journey #midlifefitness
What a privilege it is to be able to move your bod What a privilege it is to be able to move your body and workout. 

Move to feel good 

#fitness #fitnessmotivation #fitnessover40
You don’t need to train every day or follow compli You don’t need to train every day or follow complicated programs.

You need a structure that works with your body, especially over 40.

Here’s a solid weekly plan to build from 👇

- 3 x strength sessions (this is your foundation) = build muscle, support metabolism, shape your body

- 1 x HIIT or SIT session = short, intense, time-efficient cardio

- Daily movement = aim for 10k+ steps to keep energy expenditure high without burnout

That’s it.

Because fat loss isn’t about doing more… it’s about doing the right things consistently.

Strength training is what stops that “smaller but softer” look
Steps keep things sustainable
And a little intensity goes a long way

Save this as your baseline and build from here. Follow for more female fat loss tips and let me know if u have questions. 

#womenover40 #femaleweightloss #strengthtrainingforwomen #fatlossover40 #workoutplan
You don’t just wake up one day feeling “old”… It’ You don’t just wake up one day feeling “old”…

It’s a slow loss of muscle over time.

And with it?
A slower metabolism, less strength, less resilience.

That’s why fat loss after 40 shouldn’t just be about getting smaller.

It should be about holding onto (and building) muscle so you stay strong, capable, and confident for years to come.

You don’t need fancy workouts.

You need:
✔️ 2–3 strength sessions a week
✔️ Enough intensity to challenge those last reps
✔️ A structured plan with progressive overload

Because random workouts = random results.

Strong is the goal. Always.

#womensfitnessover40 #midlifefitness #strengthtrainingforwomen #fatlossover40 #buildmuscleburnfat #metabolismboost #fitover40 #strongnotskinny #perimenopausefitness #progressiveoverload
Feel like I’m a little late to the party on this w Feel like I’m a little late to the party on this women’s activewear brand @oysho 

Have you tried their activewear? Let me know your thoughts. I’ll definitely be going back for more

#activewear #gymclothing #workoutfits #workoutclothes
If you want to look and feel different this summer If you want to look and feel different this summer…
you can’t keep training at the same intensity 👀

This is sprint interval training — and it’s one of the most effective ways to:

✔️ Increase fitness fast
✔️ Support fat loss
✔️ Build power (something we really need more of in our 40s+)
✔️ Get more results in less time

It’s not about doing more…
it’s about doing it better.

Short bursts. High effort. Proper recovery. Repeat.

This is your reminder to stop playing it safe in your workouts.

Because the magic?
It’s just outside your comfort zone.

Save this for your next session 🔥

#midlifefitness #womensfitnessover40 #fatlosstips #hiitworkout #strongover40
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