Best Workout Apps
By Annabelle Evans
| Updated 3 Days Ago
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Workout apps have revolutionized fitness by bringing personal trainers and gym routines directly to your smartphone, offering everything from strength training to yoga, and making it easy to stay active wherever you are. These apps have gained popularity among beginners and seasoned athletes alike, offering ways to switch up routines or track progress. Many provide video demos, step-by-step instructions, and customizable plans—ideal for newcomers or anyone trying unfamiliar exercises. Additional features like progress tracking, calorie counting, and community support help keep users motivated. When selecting a workout app, consider your fitness goals, experience level, exercise variety, ease of use, and whether it integrates with other fitness devices. After testing dozens of options, we’ve found the best workout apps that offer effective workouts, intuitive designs, and valuable features to help you stay on track.
Sunny Mini Stepper
We think the Sunny Mini Stepper is a smart choice for those looking to add easy, at-home cardio to their routine.
We think the Sunny Mini Stepper is a smart choice for those looking to add easy, at-home cardio to their routine.
We tested the Sunny Mini Stepper and found it to be a solid option for quick cardio sessions. Its small size let us easily move it around our home, making it great for sneaking in steps while watching TV or working at a standing desk.
The resistance bands are a nice touch. We used them to work our arms and shoulders while stepping, turning a simple leg workout into a more complete exercise. The digital display is basic but gets the job done, showing time, steps, and calories burned.
We liked the SunnyFit app connection, which added some fun to our workouts. It let us track our progress and try out different routines. The app isn’t perfect, but it’s a good extra for those who want more guidance or motivation.
The stepper’s build quality feels sturdy for its size and price. We had no issues with stability during our tests. The hydraulic system provides a smooth stepping motion, though it’s not completely silent.
For beginners or those getting back into fitness, this stepper is a good starting point. It’s easy to use and doesn’t take up much space. More serious athletes might find it too basic, but for a quick workout at home, it does the trick.
YESOUL Smart Exercise Bike
We think the YESOUL Smart Exercise Bike is a solid choice for home workouts, offering good value and features for its price point.
We think the YESOUL Smart Exercise Bike is a solid choice for home workouts, offering good value and features for its price point.
We tested the YESOUL Smart Exercise Bike and found it to be a great option for home workouts. The bike feels stable and well-built, with a smooth and quiet ride that won’t disturb others in your home. We liked the comfortable seat and adjustable handlebars, which let us find a good fit.
The app connectivity is a nice touch. We tried out some of the coaching courses and enjoyed the extra motivation they provided. The bike works with popular fitness apps like KINOMAP and Zwift too, which adds even more workout options.
One downside is that you’ll need to put the bike together yourself. It comes mostly pre-assembled, but we still spent about 20 minutes finishing the setup. The resistance system is friction-based, which works fine but doesn’t offer as many levels as some pricier bikes. The LED display is basic but gets the job done, showing your time, speed, and distance.
Sunny Smart Stepper
We think the Sunny Smart Stepper is a solid choice for those seeking a compact, full-body workout machine at home.
We think the Sunny Smart Stepper is a solid choice for those seeking a compact, full-body workout machine at home.
We tried out the Sunny Smart Stepper and found it to be a handy addition to our home gym. Its small size makes it perfect for tight spaces, yet it packs a punch in terms of workout options.
The stepper motion is smooth and quiet, thanks to the hydraulic cylinders. We liked that we could adjust the step height to match our fitness level. The added resistance bands for upper body work are a nice touch, giving us a more complete workout.
We were impressed by the free SunnyFit App. It offers tons of workouts and even virtual scenic tours, which helped keep us motivated. The non-slip pedals felt secure, even during intense sessions.
While the digital monitor tracks basic stats, we wished it was a bit more advanced. Some of us found the machine a little wobbly at times, especially during more vigorous workouts. The resistance options are somewhat limited compared to larger machines.
Assembly was a breeze, taking us less than 30 minutes to set up. For the price, we think the Sunny Smart Stepper offers good value for those looking to stay active at home without breaking the bank or taking up too much space.
Stamina InTone Plus Mini Trampoline
We think this mini trampoline is a solid choice for those seeking a fun, low-impact workout at home.
We think this mini trampoline is a solid choice for those seeking a fun, low-impact workout at home.
We tested the Stamina InTone Plus Mini Trampoline and found it to be a good option for adding some bounce to your fitness routine. The 36-inch size is just right for most spaces, and we liked that it folds up when not in use. This feature makes it easy to stow away in a closet or under a bed.
The built-in LCD monitor is a nice touch. It keeps track of your jump count, time spent exercising, and calories burned. We found this helpful for setting goals and seeing our progress over time. The free access to the muuv coaching app is also a plus. It offers guided workouts and tips to help you get the most out of your trampoline sessions.
We did notice a few drawbacks. The support bar isn’t as sturdy as we’d like, which might be an issue for users who need extra balance help. Some of us also found it tricky to stay in the middle of the trampoline during more energetic bounces. The limited space means you can’t do as many types of exercises as you might on a larger trampoline. But for basic rebounding workouts, it does the job well.
Stamina Recumbent Bike
We think this bike is a solid choice for those seeking a low-impact, full-body workout at home.
We think this bike is a solid choice for those seeking a low-impact, full-body workout at home.
We tried out the Stamina Recumbent Bike and were pleased with its performance. The bike offers both lower and upper body workouts, which is great for a full-body exercise session. We found the seat and backrest to be very comfortable, making it easy to stay on the bike for longer periods.
The bike uses magnetic resistance, which keeps noise levels low. This is perfect for those who want to exercise without disturbing others in the house. We liked that we could adjust the resistance levels for both the upper and lower body exercises, allowing us to customize our workouts.
We did notice that some users mentioned noise from the upper body pedals, but we didn’t find it too bothersome. The bike comes with a smart workout app, but we felt it could use more features. Assembly is required, which might be a drawback for some. Despite these minor issues, we think this bike offers good value for its price and is a solid option for home workouts.
Sunny Premium Folding Treadmill
We think this treadmill is a solid choice for home workouts, offering good value and features for its price point.
We think this treadmill is a solid choice for home workouts, offering good value and features for its price point.
We spent a week testing the Sunny Premium Folding Treadmill, and we’re impressed with its performance. The 2.2 HP motor runs smoothly and quietly, making it great for apartment use. We found the speed range of up to 9 MPH suitable for both walking and running workouts.
The treadmill’s Bluetooth connectivity is a standout feature. We linked it to the free SunnyFit app, which opened up tons of workout options and scenic routes. This really helped keep our runs interesting. The 9 pre-set programs also add nice variety to workouts.
We like the cushioned running surface, which felt easy on our joints during longer sessions. The folding mechanism works well, making it simple to store when not in use. While we wish the belt was a bit wider, it’s still comfortable for most users.
The digital display is clear and easy to read, showing all the key stats we wanted to track. The pulse sensors on the handrails are handy, though not as accurate as a separate heart rate monitor. We found the quick-access buttons very useful for adjusting speed on the fly.
Assembly took us about an hour, but the instructions were clear. The treadmill feels sturdy and well-built, supporting users up to 285 pounds. For the price, we think this treadmill offers great value for home workouts.
Sunny Compact Rower
We think this affordable, space-saving rower is a solid choice for at-home workouts, offering good value and versatility for beginners and intermediate users alike.
We think this affordable, space-saving rower is a solid choice for at-home workouts, offering good value and versatility for beginners and intermediate users alike.
We tested the Sunny Compact Rower and found it easy to set up and use. It took us less than 5 minutes to assemble, which was a nice surprise. The rower’s small footprint makes it great for apartments or small spaces. We could easily move it around and store it when not in use.
The 12 resistance levels gave us plenty of options to adjust our workouts. We liked that we could start with lower resistance and work our way up as we got stronger. The hydraulic resistance was smooth, but it didn’t feel quite the same as more expensive water or air rowers we’ve tried.
We enjoyed using the free SunnyFit app with this rower. It offered lots of workouts and scenic routes to keep us motivated. The built-in device holder was handy for following along with the app or watching shows while rowing. The basic LCD display showed our time, count, and calories burned, which was enough for quick checks during workouts.
Compact Elliptical Strider
We think this portable elliptical is a good choice for people who want a low-impact workout at home or the office.
We think this portable elliptical is a good choice for people who want a low-impact workout at home or the office.
We tried out this compact elliptical strider and found it works well for light cardio sessions. It’s small enough to fit under a desk, so we could pedal while working. The machine lets you adjust the tension, which is nice for switching up the intensity.
We liked that we could use it both sitting and standing. This gave us more options for how to work out. The pedals moved smoothly in both forward and backward directions. This helped target different leg muscles.
The display is basic but shows helpful stats like time, strides, and calories burned. We did notice the machine could wobble a bit during more intense use. The stride length is also shorter than a full-size elliptical. But for the price and size, we think it’s a solid pick for getting in some extra movement during the day.
RENPHO Smart Body Tape
We think this smart measuring tape is a great tool for anyone looking to track their fitness progress accurately and easily.
We think this smart measuring tape is a great tool for anyone looking to track their fitness progress accurately and easily.
The RENPHO Smart Body Tape has quickly become one of our favorite fitness gadgets. It’s a game-changer for anyone serious about tracking their body measurements. The large LCD screen is a standout feature – no more squinting at tiny numbers on a traditional tape measure.
We love how the app syncs with the device. It’s so handy to have all our measurements in one place, and watching our progress over time is really motivating. The retractable design with an easy-lock hook is clever too. We can measure hard-to-reach spots without asking for help.
One thing to note: the battery doesn’t last as long as we’d like. We’ve had to replace it more often than expected. There’s also a bit of a learning curve when you first start using it. But once you get the hang of it, it’s a breeze. While it doesn’t measure body fat, we find it’s still an invaluable tool for our fitness journey.
Row-N-Ride PRO Squat Machine
We think the Row-N-Ride PRO is a great choice for anyone looking to add a versatile, low-impact squat machine to their home gym setup.
We think the Row-N-Ride PRO is a great choice for anyone looking to add a versatile, low-impact squat machine to their home gym setup.
We tested the Row-N-Ride PRO and found it to be a solid piece of equipment. The machine felt stable during use, and we liked how smooth and quiet the hydraulic resistance system was. It’s perfect for apartments or shared living spaces where noise could be an issue.
The adjustable seat and handlebar were a nice touch. We had no trouble finding a comfortable position, even for our shorter team members. The self-leveling pedals added to the overall stability, letting us focus on our form without worrying about slipping.
We really enjoyed the free SunnyFit app. It gave us access to lots of workouts and helped us track our progress. The built-in device holder came in handy for following along with the app’s videos. While the Row-N-Ride PRO is great for lower body workouts, we did wish it offered more for the upper body. Still, for the price, we think it’s a good value for home fitness fans.
Buying Guide
When choosing a workout app, we recommend considering these key factors:
Fitness Goals
Think about what you want to achieve. Are you looking to lose weight, build muscle, or improve flexibility? Pick an app that aligns with your goals.
User Interface
The app should be easy to navigate. Look for clean designs and intuitive controls. A cluttered interface can be frustrating to use during workouts.
Exercise Library
A good variety of exercises is important. Check if the app offers different workout types like cardio, strength training, and yoga.
Customization Options
We value apps that let you tailor workouts to your needs. This includes adjusting difficulty levels and workout duration.
Progress Tracking
Look for features that monitor your improvements. This might include:
- Workout history
- Personal records
- Body measurements
Community Features
Some people find motivation in connecting with others. If this appeals to you, consider apps with social elements or challenges.
Cost
Compare pricing structures. Some apps offer free versions with basic features, while others require subscriptions for full access.
Device Compatibility
Make sure the app works on your smartphone or tablet. Check if it syncs with other devices like smartwatches or fitness trackers.
By keeping these points in mind, you’ll be better equipped to find an app that fits your workout needs.