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
- MAPS Programs – MAPS programs are based around solid training methods and the science that works. I trust in the creators of the programmes and high reccommend the Muscle Mommy Program for women.
- 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
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 – 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.
Favourite Workout App For Home Full Reviews
Caroline Girvan CGX APP – Overview: Excellent format and programming. Intense workouts and great variety.
- Pros:
- Challenging & varied workouts
- Clear demonstration follow along instruction in real time
- Nice clean app and can access your own music via Spotify
- Cons:
- Does require a range of equipment for some of the programs
- Repeats her signature style (strength endurance) not as much variety of program design
Pricing: £9.99p/m / FREE 7 Day Trial
Best For: Intermediate’s who want an intense workout at home.
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 – 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.
- 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.
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