Even if you consider yourself a regular at the gym or your favorite fitness studio, you probably have some moments where you just don't feel like working out. Maybe you're too tired or you'd rather be hanging out with your friends or you want to binge-watch something instead of lacing up your sneakers. Whatever the case, the motivation is sometimes not there.
While fitness tracking apps can't physically force you to get off your butt and into workout leggings, a lot of them do provide some motivation in the form of challenges and daily affirmations. Ah, a moment of thanks for the benefits and conveniences of technology. Take a look at some of our favorites below.
1. MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal is one of the best apps out there for logging and getting insights into your healthy eating habits, but it's also helpful for keeping track of your exercise and steps, too. You can sync other workout apps to it (like Fitbit and Strava), create and choose from different types of exercises, and chart your progress through graphs and reports. Plus, there's an active community of members to connect with for motivation and support.
Price: Free to download; $10/month or $50/year for MyFitness Pal Premium. Available on iOS and Android.
2. Nike Training Club
If you're stuck in a fitness rut, the Nike Training Club app can help you get out of it. It has an extensive workout library with exercises for every kind of mood/time limit/ability level so chances are you'll never get bored. Choose from strength, endurance, yoga, and mobility workouts; 15- to 45-minute sessions; and beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. You can enter and record all the activities you do so you can earn badges and trophies for workout milestones and streaks. And if you have an Apple Watch, you can sync it with the app to track your heart rate and calories.
Price: Free to download; $15/month or $120/year for NTC Premium. Available on iOS and Android.
3. Fitbit App
You don't need a Fitbit device to use the app. You can track basic activity and runs on your phone. But of course, if you want all your movements, heart rate, and more logged, you'll have to invest in one. The app will track everything including your steps, runs, workouts, heart rate, and even water intake and sleep. If your friends or family also have Fitbit devices, you can compete in challenges or share stats with them.
Price: Free to download; $10/month or $80/year for Fitbit Premium. Available on iOS and Android.
4. Apple Workout
If you have an Apple Watch, you know how useful the Workout app is. I love using mine to track fitness classes and even long walks. You can choose from workouts like outdoor or indoor runs, elliptical, rower, high-intensity interval training, and pool swims. At the end of your workout, you'll get stats like total calories burned and average heart rate. The other cool thing about the app is that on devices with WatchOS 5 or higher, it can sense when you're working out, so it can still track your exercise even if you forget to turn it on.
Price: Free on Apple Watch.
5. Google Fit
Google collaborated with the American Heart Association on its Google Fit app to give goals based on activity recommendations from the AHA. There are two goals it created: Move Minutes (which gets you motivated to take the stairs or walk more) and Heart Points (which gives you points for moderately intense activity). The app also provides customized coaching and syncs with other wellness apps like MyFitness Pal and Nike Run Club. It works with your phone or selected smartwatches.
Price: Free to download. Available on iOS and Android.
6. Strava App
If you spend most of your workout outdoors, the Strava app is a good option. It tracks exercises like running, cycling, swimming, hiking, kayaking, surfing, and rock climbing. You can log distance, pace, speed, elevation, and calories burned. You can map out new routes and trails, while also competing in challenges with other users.
Price: Free to download; $5/month for Strava Summit. Available on iOS and Android.
7. At Home Workouts by Daily Burn
Can't make it to the gym? It's easier than ever to get a good workout in from the comfort of your own home. The At Home Workouts by Daily Burn app has plenty of audio and video workouts, like yoga, cardio, HIIT, strength training, and Pilates. And better for your schedule, there are exercises that last as little as 10 minutes to as long as an hour. You can set goals, take a look at your activity process, and see calories burned. It syncs with devices like your iPhone, Apple Watch, Fitbit, and Jawbone.
Price: Free to download; starts at $20/month for Premium. Available on iOS and Android.
8. Map My Run
If you're serious about running, it's time to get acquainted with the Map My Run app from Under Armour. It breaks down your runs in charts and graphs so you can see your pace, cadence, and stride length, in addition to distance, duration, calories burned, and average heart rate. The app also provides training plans, route ideas, and audio coaching, too. It pairs with the Apple Watch, Samsung Gear, Garmin devices, and Fitbits.
Price: Free to download; $5.99/month or $29.99/year for MVP Premium. Available on iOS and Android.
9. Sworkit
Sworkit will help you find the best workout for you based on your needs. You can input how long you want to exercise, if you have equipment on hand, and what your goal is, and the algorithm will suggest one for you. The app even gives you access to certified personal trainers for some help, too. You can easily track and manage your workouts through the app, and it also connects with many other apps on this list like Strava and MyFitnessPal.
Price: Free to download; $10/month or $60/year for a Premium subscription. Available on iOS or Android.
10. Runkeeper
Another running app, this one from Asics tracks not only runs but walks, hikes, and other exercises. You can set goals, get personalized routines based on fitness level and schedule, and join challenges. You can also view progress charts and share them with other users on the app.
Price: Free to download; $10/month or $40/year for Runkeeper Go. Available on iOS or Android.
11. Aaptiv
Aaptiv has audio-based fitness classes led by certified personal trainers that will push you to keep going through music and motivational words. The app has over 2500 workouts to choose from, in different categories like running, strength training, yoga, and more. Track calories burned through the Apple Health app or other fitness tracking devices.
Price: Free to download; $15/month or $100/year for unlimited access. Available on iOS and Android.
12. Fitness Buddy
The Fitness Buddy app has hundreds of workouts with video instructions that you can do at the gym or at home. The cool thing about it is that the instructions are super detailed so you can correct your form, which is vital when working out. It's easy to log workouts, like your sets, and also keep track of your daily progress over time.
Price: Free to download; starts at $5/month for a subscription. Available on iOS and Android.
13. Peloton App
You don't need to have a Peloton bike or treadmill to use the app since it has a full library of different workouts led by trainers, from runs to yoga to strength training, that don't require much equipment. The app tracks your milestones and streaks and will send you workout reminders. Apple Watch owners can track their heart rate, pace, and distance with the app as well. And you can stream workout videos through Apple Airplay and Chromecast and on Amazon Fire TV.
Price: Free to download; $13/month of Peloton Digital Membership (no bike or treadmill required). Available on iOS, Android, and Amazon App Store.
14. Asana Rebel
The Asana Rebel app has workouts for every schedule, even if you only have five minutes. You can track your progress with daily challenges and also read health and wellness articles and take quizzes on the app, too. You can also sleep better with its meditation offerings and work better with its productivity music playlists.
Price: Free to download; starts at $10/month for Rebel Pro. Available on iOS and Android.
15. Charity Miles
Exercise and do good while you're at it with the Charity Miles app. Log your activity (running, walking, dancing, etc.), and for every mile you move, you earn money for charity. Some charities the app is partnered with include ASPCA, Stand Up to Cancer, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, and the Special Olympics.
Price: Free to download and use. Available on iOS and Android.
16. Trainiac
With the Trainiac app, you'll get one-on-one coaching virtually from a certified personal trainer. It's easy to log your workouts, view your stats, and keep track of other physical activities. You can also sync the Apple Health app to record steps and heart rate, too.
Price: Free to download; $80/month for a subscription. Available on iOS.
17. Adidas Training
Like Asics and Nike, Adidas has its own workout app, too. The app has various workouts to choose from and customize, and you can create your own personalized program based on your goals, fitness level, and schedule. You can record your workouts, track your stats, and take part in motivating challenges. It's also easy to integrate the app with other apps and devices like Apple Health, Apple Watch, and Android Wear.
Price: Free to download; starts at $10/month, $40 for six months, or $50/year for a Premium subscription. Available on iOS and Android.
Next up: 7 Effective Wellness Apps I Didn't Immediately Delete Off My Phone
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used in the place of advice of your physician or other medical professionals. You should always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first with any health-related questions.
