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If you’re looking to kickstart your fitness routine, there’s nothing quite like an online fitness program or app to help provide structure, guidance, and motivation.
They’ve come a long way in recent years and the quality of exercise programming, coupled with fancy tech, means the world of online exercise is undoubtedly thriving.
From celebrity-led live classes to fitness apps built using A.I. algorithms, we wanted to get to the bottom of which ones are really worth the money.
In this round up review, we provide an honest, first-hand experience of the best of the best when it comes to fitness programs and workout apps.
(We’ve also included any discount codes or links to free trials we could find).
TOP PICKS FOR FITNESS APPS & PROGRAMS

ALPHA PROGRESSION
Best overall.

FITBOD
Best for beginners.

STRENGTH WELL
Best for longevity.

SWEAT
Best for women.

PLIABILITY
Best for recovery.

MOVEMENT ATHLETE
Best for calisthenics.
Why Trust Us? Review Process Explained
Here at Fitness Drum, we believe in editorial integrity and providing genuine value to our readers. For this review, we used and tested over 40 popular fitness apps and programs over several months (details at the bottom of the article), and evaluated them on price, ease of use, effectiveness, enjoyment and purpose.
Best Overall – Alpha Progression

ALPHA PROGRESSION
Strength training app that uses AI to customize your workout plan for hypertrophy and muscle building.
Alpha Progression has earned its place as the best overall fitness app for 2026, and for good reason. This intelligent gym logger uses cutting-edge AI to create genuinely personalized workout plans that adapt to your progress, available equipment, and goals.
What sets Alpha Progression apart is its sophisticated approach to progressive overload. The app analyzes your performance in past sessions and provides precise recommendations for weight and rep targets in every single set. This ensures you’re always progressing optimally without the guesswork that plagues most gym-goers.
We’ve selected Alpha Progression as best overall because it excels at what matters most: helping you build muscle and get stronger through science-based programming. The app’s algorithm is built on the latest exercise science research, ensuring your training is both effective and sustainable.
A standout feature updated in 2025 is the multiple gym profiles capability, allowing you to seamlessly switch between different training locations (home gym, commercial gym, hotel gym) with appropriate exercises for each setup. This flexibility is invaluable for anyone who trains in multiple environments.

Key Features:
- Over 1,000 quadrillion possible workout combinations based on your inputs
- Real-time progression recommendations for every set
- Comprehensive periodization with deload weeks
- Extensive exercise library with video demonstrations
- Detailed progress tracking and analytics
- Share workout plans with friends or coaching clients
The app is particularly brilliant for bodybuilding and hypertrophy-focused training, with graphs showing your estimated 10RM and improvements over time. This naturally encourages volume-based training, helping shift your mindset toward muscle building rather than just chasing one-rep maxes.
Alpha Progression comes at a competitive price point too, making it accessible for most fitness enthusiasts. With a 14-day free trial and consistent updates, it’s clear the team is committed to making this the ultimate strength training companion.
Our Alpha Progression review includes more details on what it’s like and our experience using it and how it compares to some of the other best strength training apps.
Best for Beginners – Fitbod

FITBOD
Elegantly simple yet incredibly effective at crafting customized workouts perfect for those new to strength training.
While Fitbod previously held our top overall spot, we’ve repositioned it as the best app for beginners in 2026, and here’s why: it remains unmatched at removing intimidation from the weight room.
Fitbod uses an exercise algorithm to adapt your workout plan based on your ability, past performance, and available equipment. For someone just starting their fitness journey, this seamless experience means you’ll never feel lost in the gym. Each workout feels perfectly created for exactly where you are right now.
The app excels at teaching proper form through high-quality video demonstrations shot from multiple angles. Every exercise includes clear instructions, targeted muscle groups, and difficulty ratings. This educational approach helps beginners build confidence while learning correct technique from day one.

What Makes It Perfect for Beginners:
- Intuitive interface that’s easy to navigate from your first session
- Gradual progression that won’t overwhelm newcomers
- Muscle recovery tracking with visual heat maps
- Automatic weight suggestions that improve as you log more workouts
- Flexibility to train at home, gym, or while traveling
- No complicated periodization to understand – just press start and train
Fitbod’s recovery tracking system is particularly valuable for beginners who don’t yet understand the importance of balancing muscle groups and allowing adequate recovery. The visual muscle map shows which areas are fresh versus fatigued, helping prevent overtraining specific body parts.
The app supports various training goals including general fitness, strength training, muscle tone, bodybuilding, and Olympic weightlifting. As a beginner, you can start with simpler goals and naturally progress to more advanced training styles as your knowledge grows.
Fitbod also integrates seamlessly with Apple Health, allowing you to track your workouts alongside other health metrics. The subscription is reasonably priced, and free trial gives you enough time to test whether the app suits your needs.
For anyone new to strength training or returning after a long break, Fitbod provides the structure and guidance you need without requiring a personal trainer or extensive fitness knowledge.
Best for Longevity – Strength Well

STRENGTH WELL
A unique app focused on measuring and improving your strengthspan for long-term health and functional fitness.
Strength Well represents a refreshing shift in fitness app philosophy. While most apps focus on aesthetics or short-term performance gains, Strength Well zeroes in on something far more important: your long-term functional strength and healthspan.
The app introduces the concept of “strengthspan” – your overall strength capability for long-term health and longevity. Using 9 carefully selected exercises, Strength Well provides personalized strength scores and targeted recommendations to build functional strength that matters for everyday life, not just the gym.
We selected Strength Well as best for longevity because it directly addresses the #1 fitness trend of 2026: training for a longer, healthier life. Research consistently shows that maintaining muscle mass and strength are among the strongest predictors of mortality and quality of life in older adults.

Core Philosophy:
- Focuses on functional movements you use in daily life
- Personalized benchmarks based on age, gender, and body weight
- AI Coach provides daily guidance and feedback
- Progress tracking to measure improvements in your strengthspan
- Minimal equipment required
The beauty of Strength Well is its accessibility. You don’t need to follow a specific training program – the app simply assesses your current strength capabilities and highlights where you stand. This makes it perfect for anyone, regardless of their current training style.
The AI Coach is particularly impressive, combining advanced language models with Strength Well’s proprietary data to offer intelligent, on-demand coaching. It learns from your daily journal entries and benchmark data, providing personalized support whenever you need it.
What sets this app apart is its inclusive approach. There are no intimidating “beginner” or “advanced” categories – just personalized insights that help you understand your unique strength profile and how to improve it. The exercises chosen are accessible for all fitness levels and focus on movements that translate directly to better daily function.
Research shows that just two strength sessions per week can boost brain function, improve metabolism, reduce aches, regulate stress hormones, and lower chronic inflammation. Strength Well makes achieving these benefits straightforward and measurable.
If you’re focused on staying strong and mobile well into your later years, preventing age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia), or simply want to move better in everyday life, Strength Well offers a data-driven approach to longevity-focused fitness.
Best for Calorie Tracking – Cronometer

CRONOMETER
The most accurate nutrition tracking app with lab-verified food data and the ability to track up to 84 nutrients.
When it comes to calorie and nutrition tracking, accuracy matters. Cronometer stands out from crowded alternatives by prioritizing data quality above all else, using verified sources like the USDA and Nutrition Coordinating Center rather than unreliable crowd-sourced entries.
With over 10 million users and an impressive 4.7-star average rating, Cronometer has earned its reputation as the gold standard for nutrition tracking. The app goes far beyond simple calorie counting, tracking up to 84 different nutrients to provide comprehensive insights into your diet.
We selected Cronometer as the best calorie tracking app because of its commitment to accuracy and depth. Unlike other apps where anyone can create food entries (leading to errors and inconsistencies), Cronometer verifies all entries to ensure you’re getting reliable nutritional information.

Key Features:
- 1.1 million+ verified foods with lab-analyzed data
- Track calories, macros, and 84 micronutrients
- AI-powered photo logging (Cronometer Gold)
- Barcode scanning for quick entry
- Integration with popular fitness trackers
- Fasting timer and meal planning tools
- Recipe importer for analyzing home-cooked meals
The free version of Cronometer is surprisingly robust, providing access to the entire verified food database and core tracking features. This makes it accessible for anyone wanting to better understand their nutrition without financial commitment.
Cronometer Gold unlocks advanced features like AI photo logging, future meal planning, detailed nutrient breakdowns, the Nutrient Oracle (which suggests foods to fill nutritional gaps), and an ad-free experience. At $49.99 per year, it’s excellent value for serious nutrition tracking.
The app excels for various use cases: athletes optimizing performance through nutrition, individuals with nutrient deficiencies needing to track specific vitamins and minerals, people following structured meal plans, and anyone curious about the quality of their diet beyond just calories.
Health professionals particularly appreciate Cronometer, with Cronometer Pro offering specialized features for dietitians and nutritionists to work with clients directly through the app.
The interface is clean and intuitive, making logging meals quick and straightforward. The barcode scanner works reliably, and the search function quickly finds foods without endless scrolling through incorrect entries.
One feature users love is the macro scheduler, which allows setting different calorie and macro targets for different days (useful for those doing carb cycling or having flexible weekends).
While calorie tracking isn’t appropriate for everyone (particularly those with disordered eating histories), for those who benefit from data-driven nutrition, Cronometer provides the most accurate and comprehensive tool available.
Best for Stretching – StretchIt

STRETCHIT
Popular stretching app with instructor-led classes and fun challenges to help you become more flexible.
StretchIt claimed top spot in our recent comparison guide to the best stretching apps… and for good reason. This app is well priced, easy to use and comes with a whole host of stretching programs and challenges designed to help you get more flexible.
If you want to learn to do the splits… or just touch your toes… StretchIt is definitely worth considering.
We selected StretchIt as the best fitness app for stretching because we found the content to be effective, enjoyable to follow and simple to track progress.

Compared to other stretching apps, StretchIt’s use of instructor-led classes made a big difference, as they help guide you through the different stretches.
It seems most people agree with us and the online reviews for StretchIt are very positive on both iOS and Android app stores.
A feature we really like is the ability to upload progress photos as a simple but effective way to boost motivation during the programs. Improving flexibility won’t happen overnight, so seeing your improvements definitely helps to keep you engaged.
Best for Circuit Training – Shred

SHRED
AI-powered virtual trainer providing customized workouts with real-time adaptive coaching and comprehensive progress tracking.
Shred has emerged as a standout gym tracking app by combining AI-powered adaptability with elite trainer expertise. Featured by Apple, Rolling Stone, Men’s Health, and PCMag, it’s gaining recognition as a comprehensive training solution.
The app uses algorithms to provide customized coaching programs for various goals, with workouts including trainer-led videos and detailed exercise tutorials. After completing exercises, you rate difficulty, allowing the AI to adjust subsequent workouts for optimal challenge.
We selected Shred as the best for circuit training because it balances sophisticated AI adaptation with practical usability. The app learns your patterns and adjusts programming accordingly, providing a surprisingly personalized experience.

Core Features:
- Personalized training plans for gym, home, or bodyweight
- AI-powered coaching with real-time adjustments
- Tens of thousands of workouts and elite programs
- Expert-designed training programs from top coaches
- Progress tracking with deep statistics and insights
- Community features and social competition
- Apple Watch integration for seamless tracking
- Audio coaching that adapts to your pace
The training programs are developed by world-class trainers, ensuring quality programming rather than randomly generated workouts. The AI then personalizes these expert-designed templates based on your feedback and performance.
Shred offers impressive variety, from guided strength training to HIIT, cardio, yoga, and sport-specific programs. You can filter workouts by body part, equipment type, duration, and difficulty level.
The free version provides access to basic workouts and workout tracking functionality, allowing you to test the platform before subscribing. Shred Premium unlocks full program access, detailed analytics, and advanced AI coaching features.
A standout feature is the adaptive audio coaching. As you work through exercises, the AI coach provides encouragement, form cues, and adjusts rest times based on your pace. This creates an experience remarkably similar to having a real trainer in the gym.
Progress tracking is comprehensive, with visualizations showing strength gains, volume progression, and consistency metrics. The app’s ability to identify plateaus and automatically adjust programming helps prevent stagnation.
Shred integrates seamlessly with Apple Watch, displaying sets, reps, and rest timers on your wrist while automatically logging workouts. This hands-free tracking makes gym sessions smoother and more focused.
The community features add motivational value, with leaderboards, challenges, and the ability to share workouts. This social component helps maintain accountability and motivation.
For anyone wanting intelligent workout tracking that goes beyond simple logging, Shred provides AI-powered coaching, expert programming, and comprehensive analytics at a fraction of personal training costs.
Best for Personal Coaching – Caliber

CALIBER
Science-based strength training app connecting you with elite personal trainers for truly personalized programming and accountability.
Caliber represents the evolution of personal training: expert human coaching delivered through a sophisticated digital platform. Unlike AI-powered apps that mimic coaching, Caliber pairs you with a real certified trainer who designs, monitors, and adjusts your program.
With over 888 five-star Trustpilot reviews and an industry-leading reputation, Caliber has proven that combining human expertise with smart technology delivers superior results. The average member achieves at least 20% body composition improvement within 3 months.
We selected Caliber as best for personal coaching because it successfully replicates the personalized training experience at a fraction of in-person training costs ($200/month versus $100+ per session).

What You Get:
- Matched with a certified trainer from the top 1% in their field
- Fully customized training and nutrition program
- Daily motivation and expert guidance via in-app messaging
- Video form reviews for exercise technique
- Weekly progress reviews and program adjustments
- Guaranteed results or money back
- Free version for self-guided training with exercise library
The process begins with a comprehensive consultation where you discuss goals, experience, lifestyle, and available equipment. Your coach then creates a completely personalized program, not a template modified slightly for you.
Throughout your membership, your coach tracks your progress through proprietary metrics like Strength Score and Strength Balance, identifying imbalances and ensuring comprehensive development. This data-driven approach prevents the common problem of overtraining certain movements while neglecting others.
The in-app messaging allows you to communicate with your coach anytime, receiving responses typically within a few hours. This accessibility provides accountability while offering flexibility better than scheduled in-person sessions.
Caliber also offers a robust free version allowing unlimited workout creation and tracking with access to 600+ exercises. This makes it valuable even without coaching, though the premium experience delivers significantly greater value.
Caliber Plus ($19/month) provides coach-designed training plans and progress tracking without 1-on-1 coaching, offering a middle ground for those wanting expert programming without the full coaching investment.
The app integrates with Apple Health, Cronometer, Oura Ring, and other platforms, creating a comprehensive view of your health and fitness data.
Users consistently praise the quality of coaching, noting coaches are knowledgeable, responsive, and genuinely invested in their success. Many report achieving better results than with previous in-person trainers.
Caliber is ideal for beginners wanting expert guidance from day one, experienced lifters who’ve plateaued, anyone needing accountability to stay consistent, and those who want comprehensive fitness and nutrition coaching.
If you’re serious about strength training goals and thrive with expert guidance, Caliber delivers personal training caliber coaching at app pricing.
Best for Women – Sweat

SWEAT
30+ million downloads, 34,000+ 5-star reviews, quality workout programs, meal planning, and community.
With over 30+ million downloads and one of the biggest social media followings for any brand (let alone for fitness apps), this list simply wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Sweat.
Founded by Kayla Itsines in 2015, Sweat quickly became the leader for online workout plans for women. The brand is unapologetically designed for women (by women) and comes with an army of loyal customers who swear by the workouts and programs.
The app is easy to use, and allows you to follow along to a structured program, as well as gaining access to a whole host of on-demand workouts.
Although at first glance, Sweat may seem like a similar to apps like Alo Moves, BODi and Gymondo, it is actually quite unique in that it uses gifs to deliver a smooth workout experience. This will appeal to anyone who doesn’t have time to watch a 40-minute guided workout and follow along with an instructor. Instead, Sweat customers can quickly select a workout and get started, and progress at their own pace.
The use of gifs also creates a much more personalized experience as you can swap out any exercises you don’t like within a workout (for example, if you don’t have the equipment or you find it too difficult, you can swap it for another exercise that works the same muscle group).
Sweat will give you a selection of appropriate alternatives so your workouts are more customized to what you like (which is great for motivation).

Why Women Love Sweat:
- Programs designed around female-specific goals (toning, sculpting, pregnancy, postpartum)
- Multiple world-class female trainers with different styles
- Highly engaged community with 34,000+ five-star reviews
- Flexible workout system that adapts to your preferences
- Comprehensive meal planning and nutrition guidance
- Progress tracking with photos and measurements
The app includes programs for all levels and preferences, from high-intensity HIIT to low-impact strength training, barre, yoga, and specialized programs for pregnancy and postnatal recovery. Each program is led by an expert trainer who understands the unique challenges and goals women face.
Sweat’s community feature deserves special mention. The app includes a dedicated space where members support each other, share progress, and stay motivated. This sense of belonging to something bigger makes a huge difference in long-term adherence.
The platform is incredibly user-friendly, with workout schedules clearly laid out and the ability to filter by equipment, duration, and body focus. You can create a custom plan or follow structured programs ranging from 4-12 weeks.
While Sweat is designed for women, the actual workout content is top-quality strength and cardio programming that delivers real results. The 34,000 five-star reviews speak volumes about the effectiveness and user satisfaction.
For women looking for a supportive, comprehensive fitness platform that understands their specific needs and goals, Sweat continues to be the gold standard.
You can learn more about this popular app in our full Sweat app review.
Best for Injury Prevention- ATG

ATG (KNEES OVER TOES)
Ben Patrick’s revolutionary knee and joint strengthening system that’s helped thousands reverse pain and unlock athletic potential.
ATG (Athletic Truth Group), created by Ben Patrick (aka “Knees Over Toes Guy”), has revolutionized how we think about joint health, mobility, and injury prevention. What started as Ben’s personal journey from multiple knee surgeries to dunking a basketball has become a movement helping over 40,000 people in 150+ countries.
The ATG methodology challenges conventional wisdom about joint safety. For decades, people were told never to let knees go past toes during squats or lunges. ATG flips this on its head, teaching you to safely load your joints through full ranges of motion, building bulletproof strength in positions most programs avoid.
We selected ATG as best for athletes and injury prevention because the results speak for themselves. Users report dramatic reductions in chronic knee pain, improved athletic performance, and the ability to return to sports they thought they’d never play again.

What Makes ATG Unique:
- Programs for every level (Zero for bodyweight, Pro for equipment)
- Daily coaching feedback on your form
- Full-body programs beyond just knee training
- Sport-specific protocols for basketball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, running
- Video submission system for personalized feedback
- Comprehensive tutorial library
The app includes multiple programs beyond the famous Knee Ability Zero. There’s Back Ability for lower back issues, ATG Basics for full-body strength, ATG Pro for advanced athletic development, and specialized Physique programs for muscle growth.
What truly sets ATG apart is the coaching component. You can submit videos of your exercises and receive feedback from certified ATG coaches within 24 hours. This level of support ensures you’re performing movements correctly and progressing safely.
The philosophy is built on timeless strength training principles: train through full ranges of motion, progress gradually, and address structural imbalances. The exercises may look unconventional (think reverse sled pulls, tibialis raises, and ATG split squats), but they’re all grounded in biomechanics and real-world results.
Membership ($49.50/month) gets you access to all programs, unlimited coaching, and a library of tutorial content. You can check the latest price, as there are often introductory offers for your first month. This makes it significantly cheaper than physical therapy or in-person training while often delivering better long-term results.
ATG is perfect for athletes looking to maximize performance, anyone dealing with chronic joint pain, post-surgery recovery, or simply those who want to bulletproof their body for long-term athletic pursuits.
If you’re tired of working around injuries instead of fixing them, ATG provides a proven system to rebuild your body from the ground up.
Best for Improving Athletic Performance – Mobility Manual

MOBILITY MANUAL
40,000+ happy customers. Completely customized plan for extra support, as well as various programs and general membership. Use FITNESSDRUM for 15% off.
Founded by British Olympian Sonny Webster, Mobility Manual offers a great range of products designed to improve your mobility and overall movement.
With over 40,000 customers, and very positive online reviews, we were excited to test out their mobility programs for ourselves.
We found the programs were very effective at helping to improve our mobility with carefully curated exercises and stretches for every part of the body. Unlike a lot of other mobility apps, Mobility Manual feels like everything you do is helping you achieve better performance in the gym or within sports.

As well as a monthly subscription, and programs for beginners and experienced lifters, they also have programs for specific body parts, including hips, shoulders and spine.
We selected Mobility Manual as the best fitness app for improving athletic performance because addressing limited mobility and flexibility are two areas that can instantly unlock better movement.
The one-off mobility programs and subscription are well priced too. They also have a premium offering of custom mobility coaching for anyone looking for more support during their mobility and movement training.
Best for Recovery and Mobility – Pliability

PLIABILITY
Daily mobility routines, access 1500+ workouts, expert coaches, track progress, effective programming.
Once you experience the transformative effects of mobility training, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. Just a few minutes daily can dramatically improve range of motion, reduce stiffness, and enhance overall movement quality.
Pliability (formerly ROMWOD) sits firmly at the top of the mobility app category, offering a comprehensive library of mobility sessions backed by sports physiotherapy principles.
The app includes plenty of content for beginners but also features highly specialized routines for elite athletes, Olympic lifters, and those training intensively. This range makes it valuable whether you’re just starting to address tight hips or you’re an athlete seeking marginal gains.

Why Pliability Stands Out:
- Daily mobility routines structured for consistency
- 1500+ workouts filtering by body part, duration, and difficulty
- Mobility test to identify weaknesses and track improvements
- Expert coaching from certified physiotherapists
- Specialized protocols for different sports and activities
- Proven principles for improving joint range of motion
We selected Pliability as the best app for recovery and mobility because it addresses an area most people neglect yet could benefit from enormously. Poor mobility causes compensatory movement patterns, increases injury risk, and limits performance.
The mobility test feature is particularly valuable. You can assess your current joint mobility across different areas, revealing limitations you might not have realized. Based on your results, Pliability recommends specific content to address your weaknesses.
You might discover, for example, that limited hip mobility is contributing to your lower back pain, or that shoulder restrictions are affecting your bench press. Once identified, you can target these areas with appropriate mobility work.
The content is varied, ranging from 5-minute targeted sessions to 45-minute full-body routines. This flexibility allows you to fit mobility work around your schedule, whether it’s a quick morning routine or a thorough recovery session after intense training.
Pliability offers an unlimited free trial, allowing you to experience the benefits before committing to a subscription. This risk-free approach demonstrates confidence in their content’s effectiveness.
For anyone dealing with chronic stiffness, training for athletic performance, recovering from injury, or simply wanting to move better in daily life, Pliability provides structured guidance that makes mobility training both effective and sustainable.
To learn more about Pliability, check out our review.
Best for Functional Training – VAHVA

VAHVA
Complete fitness program, suitable for all levels, great alternative to traditional gym workout routines.
We would categorize VAHVA as more of an online fitness program as opposed to an app… VAHVA’s value lies firmly in the workout programming and content.
It makes you re-think what “fitness” means to you… and offers the tools and expertise to help you enjoy better movement and potentially move away from the typical gym machine workouts.
VAHVA’s methodology incorporates all sorts of styles of exercise and it is suitable for beginners and experienced athletes.

Most of VAHVA’s workouts don’t require any equipment (a pair of dumbbells at most) and focus on moving your body more meaningfully.
After following along to all 3 of VAHVA’s pillar courses, we found the workouts really are effective at building strength and burning calories… and ideal for anyone who is bored of their current workouts and wants to follow something new.
We selected VAHVA as the best option for functional training as the workouts include truly “functional” movements that will help build practical strength and attributes (like balance and coordination too).
VAHVA’s membership is pricier than other apps on this list, but that grants you lifetime access… so you won’t incur any ongoing membership costs which means over time, it might actually work out cheaper.
We would recommend VAHVA’s Movement 20XX program for anyone getting started.
Best for Calisthenics – The Movement Athlete

THE MOVEMENT ATHLETE
Popular calisthenics app, focus on bodyweight exercises, follow programs, track progress, engage with community.
Calisthenics has exploded in popularity as people discover the incredible strength and control you can build using just your bodyweight. The Movement Athlete makes this discipline accessible to everyone, from complete beginners to advanced practitioners.
The app’s intuitive design makes logging workouts simple and effective, with gamification elements that keep motivation high. As you complete workouts, you unlock new content within the app, creating a sense of progression that encourages consistency.
What makes The Movement Athlete special is its structured approach to complex movements. Want to achieve your first muscle-up? The app breaks it down into progressive components, teaching you to master each element before combining them into the full movement.

Key Features:
- Adaptive programs for all skill levels
- Step-by-step skill progressions for muscle-ups, planches, handstands, and more
- Bodyweight-focused training requiring minimal equipment
- Gamification to maintain engagement
- Clear video demonstrations and form cues
- Community features for support and motivation
We selected The Movement Athlete as best for calisthenics because it makes this challenging discipline approachable while maintaining the integrity of proper progression. You won’t be thrown into advanced movements before you’re ready.
The programs intelligently scale difficulty, ensuring movements remain challenging yet achievable for your current level. This smart progression prevents frustration while consistently pushing your limits.
Beyond the famous skills, the app includes comprehensive strength programs, mobility work, and conditioning routines. This holistic approach ensures balanced development rather than focusing solely on impressive party tricks.
The Movement Athlete is perfect for home training, requiring minimal equipment (often just a pull-up bar or rings). This makes it ideal for anyone without gym access or those who prefer training outdoors.
The community aspect adds valuable motivation, with members sharing progress, asking questions, and celebrating milestones together. This social element can be crucial for maintaining long-term commitment to calisthenics training.
Whether you’re fascinated by the idea of holding a human flag, want to build impressive relative strength, or simply prefer bodyweight training to weights, The Movement Athlete provides expert guidance and clear progression.
Best Influencer Program – Berg Movement

BERG MOVEMENT
Sondre Berg’s comprehensive calisthenics and handstand training app with over 1,200 exercises and skill-specific programs.
Berg Movement represents the gold standard for influencer-led fitness programs. Created by professional handbalancer and movement specialist Sondre Berg, this app brings elite-level coaching directly to your pocket.
What distinguishes Berg Movement from generic fitness apps is its laser focus on movement quality, body control, and skill acquisition. Whether you’re working toward your first handstand or refining advanced calisthenics skills, the app provides methodical, effective programming.
With over 1,200 exercises programmed into the system, you’ll never run out of training ideas. The sheer variety keeps workouts engaging while ensuring comprehensive physical development.

What Makes Berg Movement Special:
- Programs designed by a world-class movement specialist
- Step-by-step guidance for handstands, planches, levers, and more
- Skill progressions broken down into manageable steps
- Emphasis on both strength and mobility integration
- Suitable for beginners through advanced practitioners
- Regular updates with new content
We selected Berg Movement as the best influencer program because Sondre’s expertise and teaching ability shine through every aspect of the app. His background as a professional performer and coach means the programming is both practical and effective.
The app includes targeted programs for specific skills, full-body strength development, and mobility enhancement. This comprehensive approach ensures balanced progression rather than creating imbalances from overspecializing.
Berg Movement also features detailed technique breakdowns with multiple camera angles and clear cues. This attention to instructional quality helps you understand not just what to do, but why you’re doing it and how to execute it properly.
The pricing is reasonable considering the depth of content and Sondre’s expertise. With a free trial available, you can test the app before committing to a subscription.
For anyone inspired by Sondre Berg’s movement on social media or simply wanting expert calisthenics coaching, this app delivers professional-quality programming at a fraction of the cost of in-person training.
Best for Yoga – Man Flow Yoga

MAN FLOW YOGA
Fitness-focused yoga designed specifically for men, with over 350 workouts and programs that build strength and flexibility.
Man Flow Yoga, created by Dean Pohlman, has carved out a unique and necessary niche in the yoga world. With over 1,100 five-star reviews and a loyal community, it’s clear this approach resonates with its target audience.
While marketed toward men, the effectiveness of Man Flow Yoga comes from its focus on strength, mobility, and practical results rather than spiritual elements. This makes it appealing to anyone seeking yoga’s physical benefits without the traditional atmosphere.
Dean’s teaching style is straightforward and informative, breaking down each pose clearly so you understand exactly what muscles you’re engaging and how to maximize benefits. This educational approach helps develop both physical capability and body awareness.

WWhy It Works:
- 350+ exclusive workouts ranging from 5-60 minutes
- 40+ structured programs and challenges
- Modifications for inflexible practitioners
- Emphasis on strength and mobility over flexibility
- Clear, jargon-free instruction
- Private community for support and motivation
We selected Man Flow Yoga as the best yoga app because it successfully makes this practice accessible to a demographic that often feels intimidated by traditional yoga classes. The workouts are challenging, effective, and results-oriented.
The programs address common goals like improving back pain, building core strength, enhancing athletic performance, and developing flexibility for weightlifting. This practical focus ensures the training directly benefits your other activities.
Users consistently report improvements in nagging aches, increased mobility for compound lifts, better posture, and enhanced overall body awareness. These tangible results keep people coming back.
The app includes calendar features for scheduling workouts, casting capability for following along on TV, and downloadable content for offline access. These practical features enhance usability.
While the monthly subscription ($29.99) is on the higher end, the annual plan ($199.99) provides better value. Given the comprehensive content library and ongoing updates, the investment pays off for regular users.
Man Flow Yoga is perfect for men (and women) who’ve avoided yoga due to intimidation, athletes wanting to improve mobility, weightlifters seeking better movement quality, and anyone dealing with chronic stiffness from sitting or aging.
If you’ve always been curious about yoga but put off by the perceived barriers, Man Flow Yoga provides the perfect entry point.
Best Healthy Habit Tracker – Yazio

YAZIO
Beautiful, user-friendly app for building sustainable healthy habits through intuitive food tracking, fasting, and lifestyle monitoring.
Yazio has grown to over 90 million users worldwide by focusing on what matters: making healthy eating simple, sustainable, and enjoyable. Unlike restrictive diet apps, Yazio emphasizes building positive habits that last.
The app’s beautiful design and intuitive interface remove friction from tracking your nutrition, making it easy to maintain consistency. With features ranging from calorie tracking to intermittent fasting and recipe suggestions, Yazio provides comprehensive support for improving your eating habits.
We selected Yazio as the best healthy habit tracker because it strikes the perfect balance between comprehensive features and user-friendliness. The app doesn’t overwhelm you with complexity but provides enough depth to make meaningful improvements.

WCore Features:
- 4 million+ food database with barcode scanning
- AI-powered food logging with photo recognition
- Intermittent fasting timer with multiple protocols (16:8, 5:2, 6:1)
- 2,900+ healthy recipes with filters for dietary preferences
- Smart grocery list generation
- Activity and step tracking integration
- Water intake monitoring with reminders
- Weekend calorie adjustment for flexible eating
The onboarding process is thoughtful, sprinkling helpful tips and realistic expectations throughout. Yazio understands common roadblocks people face, particularly the tendency to set overly ambitious goals that lead to frustration and abandonment.
The free version provides solid functionality including calorie tracking, basic fasting features, and access to many recipes. This allows you to test the app’s core value before considering the PRO upgrade.
Yazio PRO unlocks advanced features like detailed nutritional breakdowns (including sugar, fiber, vitamins, and minerals), custom meal plans, advanced fasting protocols, fitness tracker integration, mood and symptom tracking, and an ad-free experience. At approximately $24-33 per year (prices vary by region), it’s competitively priced.
What users particularly appreciate is the intermittent fasting integration. Rather than needing separate apps for nutrition tracking and fasting, Yazio combines both seamlessly, providing a holistic view of your eating patterns.
The recipe section is exceptional, with new healthy meal ideas added weekly. Recipes filter by dietary preference (low-carb, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free) and include nutritional breakdowns and step-by-step instructions.
Yazio also includes motivational elements like daily tips, progress celebrations, and encouragement to maintain streaks. These psychological hooks help build consistency without feeling manipulative.
The app integrates with Apple Health, Google Fit, and various fitness trackers (with PRO), automatically syncing steps, workouts, and weight data for a complete health picture.
For anyone looking to improve their relationship with food, build healthier eating patterns, lose weight sustainably, or simply gain awareness of their nutrition, Yazio provides friendly, effective guidance.
Bottom Line
A recent study from Estrada-Marcén et al., concluded that 72% of users benefited from the use of an exercise app to support their daily fitness goals. Research like this demonstrates that the value these apps and online programs offer is certainly nothing to dismiss.
This roundup review highlights the sheer depth of quality when it comes to online fitness programs and apps that are available at the moment. Features and price vary quite dramatically, so you’ll need to think carefully about your personal preferences, budget and fitness goals.
Most of the programs and apps listed in this article include free trials so you can try them out for yourself before committing.
Methodology
To create this comprehensive review, we tested and used the following fitness/workout apps and programs: Fitbod, Alpha Progression, Beachbody, Openfit, P.volve, Centr, Stronglifts, MyFitnessPal, 8fit, VAHVA, The Movement Athlete, DailyBurn, Obe Fitness, JEFIT, Nike Training Club, Tone It Up, StrongrFastr, Pliability, StretchIt, Future, ATG, Berg Movement, Caliber, Strength Well, Home Workout – No Equipment, Strava, Peloton, Virtuagym, 7 Minute Workout, HIIT Down Dog, Asana Rebel, Fitify, Adidas Training, Shred, Yazio, Cronometer, Man Flow Yoga, FitOn, Mobility Manual, Gymondo, Sweat and Sworkit.
FAQs
Do You Need to Follow a Fitness Program?
Fitness programs are a great way to kickstart a fitness journey, providing expert guidance and support, but you might prefer to simply follow along with your own workout programming… in which case, you might benefit from more of a workout logger, to help track your performance each session, compared to a guided program that will recommend exercises.
What Features Are Useful in Fitness Programs and App?
Ultimately, you want any fitness program to be easy to follow along to. Clear navigation, video demonstrations, explanations and workout logging to track progress, are all useful features we like to see in a fitness app.
Online Vs Local Fitness Classes?
You may decide you simply prefer joining local fitness classes to keep fit. Nevertheless, online programs and apps tend to be cheaper and do offer some features, like workout logging, which may benefit your workouts when you use a local class too.
What is the Best Fitness Program?
The best fitness program will depend on your individual goals, which is why we’ve structured this review into the best programs and apps for specific purposes. There certainly isn’t one universal “best fitness program”, because “fitness” means different things to different people.
You may want to lose weight, or perhaps get stronger… or you may want to do yoga, or HIIT… these factors will largely influence which online app or program is best suited to you.
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