Why Subscribe to a Workout App?

Budgeting for a monthly gym membership can be hard on the wallet, especially when you don't even attend classes or use amenities that are bundled in the price. For people with erratic schedules, the typical gym hours can make it difficult to get a workout in, so at the end of the month, you find yourself paying for a gym membership without having stepped foot in the gym.

Subscribing to a workout app matches your busy schedule, giving you 24/7 access to a program that works with you. Based on a digital platform, you can take these programs with you anywhere you go, making it perfect for busy professionals, weekly travelers, or anyone who doesn't have a typical routine.

By transforming your space into the gym, you have full control over your workout programs. Plus, with customized workouts and digital coaches, a workout app can be just as valuable as a personal trainer, but without the daunting price.

Don't stop working out just because your gym is closed — join a workout app service instead. 

Who Can Benefit From a Workout App?

You might be asking yourself if you're the right fit for a workout app, or whether or not a program will fit into your lifestyle. While some might prefer the in-gym benefits of stacked plates and weight benches, others will find that a workout app gets them more motivated and fits into their routines better. Here are just some of the folks who might find workout apps to be the most helpful way to reach their goals:

Frequent Fliers

When you're going from hotel to hotel on weekly business trips, it can be hard to adjust to the ever-changing hotel gym equipment that you get faced with. Business trips and travel can throw your workout routine off when you're dependent on gym equipment, which is why workout app subscriptions are a popular choice for athletes who are always on the go. 

Busy Parents 

Even when you do get the chance to step away from home, you still have to consider where your kids will be while you're away at the gym. For some lucky gym-goers, your gym might provide a daycare service while you're working out, but you'll likely have to pay extra. If your partner is unable to stay home with the kids while you're out for a workout, you might have to pay for babysitting just for a quick couple of hours of workouts. 

A workout app can give you the flexibility and confidence to complete your workout routines in the comfort of your own home, even while with your children. You can choose bodyweight exercises, eliminating the risk of any heavy workout equipment being in reach of toddlers. With the ability to modify your weights, you might even find yourself lifting a toddler as part of your routine.

Odd Hour Athletes 

Unless you happen to be near a 24-hour gym, you have to stick to the hours that the gym is actually open. If you work odd hours, or you just feel like having a midnight workout routine, you might find that your schedule doesn't exactly line up with a traditional gym time schedule.

In that same vein, workers with traditional 9-to-5 schedules find themselves in a clogged weight room where they have to wait to jump on a treadmill. Even after fighting for that one pair of dumbbells, you might feel rushed to finish your set.

Workout apps can help you avoid the obstacle of closed gyms or cramped weight rooms. Using just the space you choose, whether that's in your living room, a patio, or a local park, you can create your own gym without the parameters of someone else's schedule. 

Someone New to Working Out

We've all been there: We've had to navigate the gym for the first time, figuring out what each type of equipment does and how a workout is supposed to look. For most, we feel self-conscious about working out as a new gym-goer, and it doesn't help that we're surrounded by grunting weightlifters and muscled runners.

Workout apps are perfect for someone who wants to get fit and doesn't know where to start. Gyms are overwhelming, especially for someone who is just curious about a fitter lifestyle. It can easily deter anyone who feels out of place. A workout app individualizes the workout experience, giving you the privacy of working out at your own pace, in your own space.

Most workout apps connect you with a coach who you can meet with to talk about your goals and how to achieve them. Whether you want to improve your fitness or your nutrition, you can find the perfect program to help you progress.

If you've ever walked into a weight room only to walk right back out moments later, then you should give a workout app a chance.

How to Choose the Best Workout App for You 

We're all different. We have different goals, different body types, different struggles, and different approaches. That said, no two fitness journeys are the same, so while one type of workout process works for one person, it might not do the trick for you.

Thankfully, there are plenty of high-quality, trusted workout app services that you can choose from. Each one offers their own unique spin on helping clients achieve their goals.

For instance, if you need more accountability and human interaction to help push you toward your goal, choose a workout app that connects you with your own virtual coach. If you want a more hands-off approach and just want to follow certain training sessions, you can skip the trainer and go straight for the workout programs.

So what are the biggest differences between the top workout apps? We'll break down the variety of options you'll find within services. 

Pricing 

Across the board, you'll find that most of the programs offer prices well under a gym membership, giving you access to accountability without the hefty price of gym equipment. Some programs offer pricier tiers that hit close to $100 per month, but these are often paired with services that are on par with having your own personal trainer and nutrition coach.

When you compare the services that you'd find with a workout app to traditional applications like an individual coach, you'll find that you're saving hundreds of dollars each month.

The more hands-off the program, the less you'll pay each month for your workout app. For services that match you with a personal trainer who you check in with every week, you'll see that the cost starts increasing, but not to the same level as a personal trainer that you'd find with a big-name gym. 

What Are Your Goals?

Are you looking to lose weight or are you wanting to completely overhaul your nutrition? Answering this question can help narrow down the better workout app for you. You can find services that will guide you through workout sessions, while others prioritize your diet and psychology behind your habits.

Whether you want a complete lifestyle change or a supplemental workout routine for when you're on the road, you can find the perfect workout app that complements your needs. 

What Kind of Equipment is Needed

One of the biggest advantages of a virtual workout app is the ability to take your workouts with you anywhere. As long as you have your phone with you, you're set to start working towards your goals. Some are more dependent on workout equipment, while others are cardio-based or focused on bodyweight. 

To see if a certain service works for you, to take a look at their type of workouts for the week. Do they provide custom workouts that work around a lack of equipment? Do they give you a chance to try their workouts out for free?

With a trial period, you can try the program and see how it fits into your lifestyle — most of our top picks offer a free period in which you can dip your toes in.

Technology Needed

The piece of equipment that you will need with any of these services is access to the internet via your phone or on your computer. Along with that, you'll need to have it with you during your workout so you can track your progress and keep up with the workout routines.

If you're someone who prefers to disconnect during a workout and stick to the pen and paper method of tracking, you might find it difficult to take full advantage of a workout app program. 

Coaching vs. Non-Coaching 

Each person has different needs when it comes to their workout or nutrition goals. Some love the hands-on, individualized support that comes with personal coaches or weekly check-ins. Other prefer to go their own pace and just follow workout sessions that have already been posted.

You have plenty of options when it comes to this. Whether you want to check in with a coach who you are personally matched with, or you just want to follow a new workout routine for the day, there is a workout app for you.

Community Support 

Anyone in the fitness world can attest to how important a strong community is when it comes to reaching your goals. If you're starting your fitness journey, you want to celebrate your victories with a supportive group and reflect on any setbacks you might face.

With popular workout apps, you can connect to coaches, athletes, and a whole community who is working together to meet goals. You're no longer doing pushups in a dark apartment living room without incentive — you're working out alongside a virtual community that cares about your progress. 

To find out how big of a community a workout app has, you can find their resources on their website or phone app. Do they have a community blog? Do they have resources with recipes and advice for nutrition? All of these should be easily accessible and readily available for members, especially if you're really wanting to be part of a bigger support system. 

Start the Journey

With virtual workout options, it's hard to find excuses as to why you can't start your fitness or nutrition journey. If you've been wanting to be more fit, incorporate workouts into your weekly routine, or just start eating better, it's time to embrace the world of workout apps.

In no time, you'll see how your day-to-day habits start building to a healthier lifestyle.

Trusting Our Top Pick

Navigating the many choices for every consumer purchase can be challenging. Our team spends hours doing research, combing through forums, and reading consumer reviews on even the most basic of household items, and we summarize that information in clear, precise comparisons. 

Join the millions that have trusted BuyersGuide.org to help them make smarter buying decisions. We help our readers spend their money wisely and find the right product to suit their specific needs. Our independent expert reviews and data-driven shopping recommendations empower you find the workout app that's right for you.

What Sets Us Apart?

We leverage user data to understand decision-making and put the best products in front of each user. We tailor our comparisons to what matters to our user's needs, specific or broad. We keep our content up to date, we are constantly looking for new merchants and products to compare, and we are quick to remove any that are outdated or no longer meeting our standards. Our rankings change day-to-day based on our proprietary algorithms that crunch data to identify top-performing products and tailor recommendations to exactly what our readers are looking for.

Have a question or want to make a recommendation? We love to hear from our readers and are always looking for new products to include on our site. Get in touch!