We all know that friend with a huge chest and skinny legs because they skip leg day. Full-body workouts help prevent overcompensation in certain muscle groups. Instead of having a single big leg day that feels daunting just to think about, you can do one or two leg exercises in each workout and still get the necessary volume to grow. The upper/lower workout split can provide advantages over other workout routines. Since you’re always alternating between two workouts, you train all the muscle groups at a higher frequency. With the example above, you would train all the major muscles three times every two weeks, instead of twice.
The production quality is polished, the instruction remains clear and accessible, and the app makes it easy to keep track of your progress. It’s a great option for both beginners and more experienced yoga practitioners, and for other forms of movement as well. If you wear a fitness tracker, your coach can also use data like heart rate, recovery, and strain to inform programming over time. Below, I’ve rounded up the best online workout programs worth your time right now, broken down by category so you can find what fits your goals, lifestyle, and motivation style. The high-accuracy food database enables accurate tracking, which is why nutrition geeks, biohackers, and anyone else who wants full control over their diet use it.
That said, if you’re looking to get in better shape with a less-intense approach, this Pilates-based platform could be a useful solution. Where the coaching aspect comes into play is with its thousands of recommended recipes based on the food you like, the diet you’re on, and how many calories you want to eat each day. It also offers plenty of nutrition information and insight, the ability to track your micro- and macro-nutrients, and customized meal plans. While many diet and weight loss apps focus on just eating healthy, you should also ramp up your exercise routine for the best results. That’s where MyFitnessPal comes in, acting as a diet and exercise coach.
In addition to personal coaching, there’s an in-app community, which Sarah rated a 5 out of 5, where you can share comments and/or screenshots of your progress. It also tracks additional metrics like blood sugar, exercise, steps, and water intake. Considering you always have your phone with you, using an app to track your food and screen your grocery store purchases is ideal. Some of the available apps even create extensive meal plans, provide diet and exercise routines, or offer consultations from dietitians and nutritionists. Others simply track what you eat to raise awareness of the calories you’re taking in. The app includes far more features than just a food-tracking database, too.
When sticking to a meal plan or monitoring your nutrition for the sake of weight loss, your macronutrient intake is one of the most vital components to track. (2) That said, some may feel that expensive calorie counters and subscription-based weight tracking apps are too costly when what they seek are simple, effective weight management tools. If you have a history of disordered eating — particularly restrictive patterns or obsessive calorie counting — a tracking app can reinforce harmful behaviors.
However, for calorie and macro tracking (as opposed to just planning), Welling is more comprehensive because it combines AI coaching with real-time logging. Yes, there are a number of free workout apps out there, such as Nike Training Club, delivering solid workout plans to help you mix up your training sessions. Additionally, some fitness apps offer free trial periods at the start of your subscription to help you get a feel for the workout variety and platform offerings.
But Apple Health is really more about physical activity and other lifestyle factors, like sleep and tiktok cycle tracking. The premium version of the app has the ability to sync with other apps and devices, such as your iPhone’s health data, your Fitbit wearable or other trackers. Additional customizations available with the premium version include wellness challenges, setting up private support groups and receiving a daily or weekly log of your progress. According to the company, “Premium members lose, on average, three times more weight than members using the free version.” Weight loss apps can support mental health by offering features like mindfulness exercises, stress management tips, and motivational content.
“This is great if you have an injury or just aren’t feeling a specific exercise that day,” she says. FitOn is an app for diet and exercise tracking that provides users with meal plans, workout routines, and meditations for a well-rounded, active lifestyle. FitOn also includes workout videos that users can follow to stay active. Fitbit is a fitness tracker worn on the wrist to track exercise and measure activity levels.
Your journey to a healthier you shouldn’t be littered with companies demanding that you hand over your debit or credit card. It also integrates with likes of Strava, Strong, and even Fitbod. With a huge variety of guided workouts, Apple Fitness Plus is a great place to start something new – whether that’s yoga, or training towards a specific running distance. The apps we selected were all developed by experts in nutrition, fitness, or behavioral science, which means they provide reliable information to help users reach their goals. Each selected brand is also well-known and has a strong reputation in the industry.
Weight Watchers works on a point system, with high-protein, low-fat foods and fruits or vegetables typically being low in points. As junk food scores high, you’ll be encouraged to eat less to stay within your personalized points goal. Studies show that those who engage in physical activity that is enjoyable and provides a novel stimulus are more likely to stick to it over time, which ultimately improves their health and well-being. You can also invite a friend to join you, which can boost your motivation even further and help you lose weight fast. One of the hassles of trying to lose weight is knowing what food is actually good for you to eat. With Fooducate, you can learn more about healthy foods and instantly see if foods are good for you by scanning a barcode with your iPhone or Android.
When you first create your account, you can set your fitness goals and answer a few questions about your lifestyle. Will create a customized weight loss plan for you, including a recommended daily calorie intake, recommended foods, and more. You can track what you eat by using the search feature or the built-in barcode scanner, and, unlike other apps, you can participate in diet and exercise challenges by yourself or with friends. You can also create custom recipes, look up workout recommendations, and view personal insights to learn more about your diet habits. Aaptiv is unlike any of the other weight loss apps on our list because it is the only one to offer audio-based workout classes and programs.
Log your workouts and track your progress on Hevy app while being part of an amazing community of 13+ million gym athletes. Speaking of sets per muscle, the Hevy app allows you to track and display that data on a customizable graph. Log your exercises, and the app will calculate everything for you. See your training volume for each muscle to know if you’re within the optimal range. Develop a routine, stay consistent, and aim for small and steady improvements. For example, someone starting a 3-day split workout will have a hard time returning to the gym the day after training.
However, we do note that the free service does contain ads, so expect some scrolling and pop-ups as you begin to log your daily meals. A premium version is available ($79.99 annually) but the free version has virtually everything needed to warrant weight loss support. Several newer apps use AI to generate meal plans, adjust calorie targets, and predict weight loss timelines. Avo and Lumen have entered this space with hardware-software combinations.
Overall, consider Caliber if you prefer a more hands-on approach to weight loss. At the end of the day, the best online workout program for you is the one you’ll be consistent with. Answering those questions will help you figure out which to try first. With a massive on-demand library, a ton of exercise types, and a built-in community to connect with, Les Mills+ is an excellent option for both beginners and advanced athletes.
The most practical option is a doorway pull-up bar since you don’t have to drill holes and whatnot. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Many of these offer the first month free, so go ahead and try them out and see which ones get you excited to pick up your phone and get moving, cooking or talking. Having dabbled in keto myself, I have had Carb Manager across my home screen in the past. I really appreciate the ease of use, rating the service at 4 out of 5 for the category.