Do you remember those motivational gym posters? The ones with words like “SUCCESS” and “ACCOMPLISHMENT” splashed across a cheesy photo of some dude sprinting along a beach at sunset? You don’t need that kind of old-school motivation these days with all of the incredible fitness apps available.
Apps make it easier than ever to reach, track and monitor your fitness goals. In fact, data shows that more than 71,000 health and fitness apps were released globally in 2020.
Given the seemingly endless options for fitness apps, how do you know which one to choose? We thought we’d save you some time by hand-picking our top 5 favourite workout apps for beginners:
1. FitOn App
Free Download for Google Play and iOS
FitOn is a free app with lots of options. It has a huge community of over 15 million members. There are a number of different workouts to choose from, with lengths running from 5 minutes to over an hour.
It’s easy to search for the type of video you want, including by duration, ability level, celebrity trainer, or intensity. You can even choose exercises that can be done with kids, and that will work in small spaces.
Pros
- Lots of free content
- Workout reminders make it easy to add to your daily routine
- Stream from a laptop, tablet, phone or TV
- Can see your heartrate on-screen if a watch with one
- World-class trainers and celebrities
Cons
- Ads interrupt your workouts in the free version
2. Nike Training Club
Free Download for Google Play and iOS
With more than 200 workouts crafted by professional Nike trainers, this app is a powerhouse of useful videos to help get you motivated to work out. Beginners can set specific fitness goals, like strength, toning or weight loss, and use the tutorial library to get each exercise right and avoid injuries. Are you feeling competitive? Link your profile with your buddies for extra accountability.
Pros
- 200+ free workouts
- Classes last from 5 to 60 minutes
- Track your progress
- Good for all levels of fitness
Cons
- Unable to preview workout before starting
- Can’t skip exercises you don’t want to do
- Need to download workouts to your phone
3. Centr
Free Trial for Google Play and iOS
The Centr app is from Chris Hemsworth, the actor who is known for playing Thor in the Avengers movies. The app is like having a mindfulness coach, personal trainer, and meal planner at your fingertips. You won’t get bored with over 4,000 workouts, 1000+ recipes and a variety of mindfulness exercises—with more always being added.
This app is great if you want some help with daily planning. It provides you with a planner where you’ll find each day’s workout, meals, mindset challenges, and blog articles. However, if you’re only looking for an exercise app, the extras might seem overwhelming.
Pros
- 7-day free trial
- Wide range of programs
- Includes meal plans and mental health coaching
- Geared towards men
Cons
- So many features can feel overwhelming
- Expensive
4. The 7-minute Workout
Free Download for iOS
This simple app features 12 high-intensity bodyweight exercises. 30 seconds per exercise, 10 seconds rest between exercises.
Pros
- One free workout to test it out
- 7-minute workouts are perfect for people short on time
- Video and text description of each exercise
Cons
- Only one free workout
5. Zombies Run Game
Free Download for Google Play and iOS
This game might give you the motivation you need to start running: zombies chasing you! This fun and interactive game gets you outside to run (or walk) away from zombies while collecting supplies and saving the world. There are over 20 missions to choose from. If you pay for the app, you get no ads and 400+ missions.
Pros
- Option to play for free (with ads)
- Makes running fun
- Great for gamers
Cons
- For running only
- Limited missions for free users
- Will likely get boring pretty quickly
Is there a fitness app that’s worked for you? Tell us your favourite fitness app in the comments below!
You say CARROT FIT is available on iOS and Android, but their website only says iOS. Please correct.
Hi Michael, We’ve updated the contents of this blog to keep up with the times, including the reference to iOS only for CARROT Fit. Thanks for your feedback!
Fitness is not allowed, unless you are putting, big dollars out . Just a opinion not a fact . Thank you .
I need to get out and exercise machine after my heart attacks because I need to lose more weight and get more muscle tone it’s better for my health and well-being
Another good app for motivational goals that include flexibility issues is MOVr
My weight is out of control!I need help?ciatica and lower back issues. Working on my eating habits.350 lbs and climbing. HELP ME PLEASE.I’m on disability. .money is always a issue
Hi Ted,
Thanks for reaching out. First, you have taken a great step in working on your eating habits – keep that going because it is so important. The next step is to make sure you are getting at least 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week. With your weight and back pain, exercise may be a challenge with your sciatica and back pain, but you need to move and something as simple as going for a 30-minute walk every day will put on you a healthier path. Eventually up this to 2 walks per day if you can – one in the morning and another at night. Even making a small change like this will require you to be very disciplined and determined, but you can do it. And drink more water than you can possibly imagine!!! 8 tall glasses per day.
These tips should not impact your financial situation as they are things you can do for free. Eventually, Ted, you will build momentum and things will improve – the change will not be overnight, it will take weeks and months, but you have to stick with it. Once you start making progress, Ted, look at small tips to improve your sleep, reduce alcohol consumption, and if you smoke save that hurdle for last as it the biggie!
And we have to suggest going to visit your doctor. He/she may have other solutions for you. There are plenty of tips on DontChangeMuch.ca that you can adapt and implement into your daily routine. Each small change Ted is a mini win!!!! Remember that and build up lots of mini wins!
Lastly, Ted, check out some of the stories of guys similar to you that have made small changes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-OD7pmpHs0&list=PLTgf-qsuGhYOADUdlxlC0zp3GU2qoSa0F
Kind regards,
Team DCM
Now has never been a better time to work on our fitness levels since lockdown! Some may have been doing it along the way but there will be some that have missed the gym! Very helpful! Great Post! Thank you for the interesting points!
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Last year Covid-19 shaken me up and I understood the importance of health. Thanks, Adam for sharing these amazing workout apps. I have decided to do exercise regularly using these.
We are so happy to hear these apps have gotten you moving! I think COVID-19 has been a real eye-opener for all of us.
~Canadian Men’s Health Foundation team member
your tips are so useful I’ve not worked out in about a month fixing to start back. So happy that you cover each and everything about the workout routine.
Happy to hear we can help! The apps these days sure to make it easy to sneak some exercise in during the day.
~Canadian Men’s Health Foundation team member