You finally managed to find your gym membership in your wallet – what a challenge that was! Or perhaps the dumbbells you bought years ago in a discount store started glaring at you reproachfully from behind the couch. Or maybe it’s something else entirely: summer is approaching, and this time you don't want to miss the moment. Regardless of your motivation, the best workout apps will help you achieve your fitness goals. All of them. Check out how it works.
To answer the question from the title – let's get it over with – yes and no.
No, because no app, not even one powered by AI, can replace a good trainer. The keyword here, however, is "good". An engaged, creative, attentive trainer who bases their programs on scientific research, not trendy Insta reels, who is patient, supportive, and motivating. One who analyzes data, monitors effort and regeneration, maybe even looks into their so-called "diet". Know anyone like that? Give me their number, please.
However, a decent app can easily replace an average or poor trainer. Unless you're preparing for the Olympic Games or a Grand Slam tournament – at this amateur level, when your goal is to lose a few kilograms, build muscle, or get in better shape, a good app will be just what you need.
Before you start – best workout apps
Remember, however, that an app is an app, however silly that may sound. It won't replace a professional – neither a trainer, nor a dietitian, much less a doctor. So use it wisely and don't base all your actions on trusting it one hundred percent. Read, educate yourself, also watch those Insta reels – the more sources of knowledge, the better – for this, you'll naturally need a good prepaid offer, because you'll surely use tons of data this way.
And if you're just starting to exercise, still book a few personal training sessions to learn the correct exercise technique and at least basic concepts. And adhere to these few rules:
- Train regularly. Fitness isn't elections – to see results in the mirror, on the scale, and on the field, you need to act more often than once every few years. How often? Several times a week.
- Technique, technique, technique! Even a simple push-up can be done either well or poorly. If you understand basic exercises, great. If not, educate yourself.
- Training accounts for only 5% of total metabolism – check out the article on the best calorie counting apps. The old saying that a six-pack is sculpted in the kitchen, not the gym, is true. Well, it would be good to add the bedroom here too…
- Focus on diversity. Do strength training, but don't forget about cardio, individual, or team sports. Be as active as possible.
- Try out different workout apps before committing to an annual subscription to just one of them.
After the warm-up? Well, let's move on to the main part. Here's the Viking's choice, ta-da! The best workout apps for Apple and Android smartphones. Divided into categories like zones in fitness clubs.
Best workout apps – a trainer in your phone
First up are apps that can truly replace a trainer. They will arrange and adapt your program, provide technical tips, count time and repetitions, and motivate you to act.
The recommended apps are fundamentally similar. You can choose between them without worrying that they won't fulfill their basic task.
Best fitness workout apps – Sweat
An app whose success is attributed to Kayla Itsines, an Australian trainer and cover star of healthy and active lifestyle magazines. Kayla is an institution in Australia, but people all over the world use Sweat. In short: it's the best workout app you can download to your smartphone.
Availability: Android, iOS (the app works not only on Apple phones, but also on Apple Watch, iPad, and Apple TV).
Model: paid subscription.
What it offers: comprehensive workout programs for every level of advancement, meal plan, workout log, timer, daily dose of motivation, yoga, Pilates, and much more. Sweat is a true fitness powerhouse.
What we like most about the Sweat app?
- Great workouts, high variety, lots of content – the app guides you through the entire workout step-by-step like a real trainer; from warm-up to cool-down.
- Workouts to do at home with your own body weight or basic equipment, but also hardcore gym sessions with heavy weights.
- Despite the fact that the app is mainly aimed at women, men can also train with it comfortably. Drop sets? Absolutely!
- Easy exercise swapping for others.
- Clear instructional videos of exercises on a white background – here functionality trumps bells and whistles, and that's a good thing.
- Quite a nice library of recipes and meal plans – though still just an add-on.
- Challenges that motivate.
What we like a little less about the Sweat app?
- No Polish language version.
- It's relatively expensive – but it's easy to snag a promo for a new account.
The Sweat app according to Viking Piotr:
I've used Sweat several times in my life for several months, and I always got into peak shape then. Of course, I was skeptical at first, but when I saw the progress my wife was making with Kayla, I decided to give it a try. The bottom line is, I recommend Sweat as a guy – with a clear conscience. It's a blast.
Best strength training apps – Centr
Centr launched around the time of the pandemic, spearheaded by Chris Hemsworth. He's that star who doesn't just prepare for a role in the gym – Thor is in shape all the time, and training is a way of life for him. So it's no surprise he launched his own app. And once he did, he practically hit the jackpot. Alongside Sweat, it's the best fitness trainer you can fit in your pocket.
Availability: Android, iOS.
Model: paid subscription.
What it offers: a comprehensive (holistic) approach to fitness. Workouts (and plans), meditations, mindfulness, a dietary plan.
What we like most about the Centr app?
- Lots of content. Workouts with heavy weights, specific athletic conditioning for various sports, intense interval training (HIIT), cardio sessions, yoga, stretching – Chris Hemsworth (because it's his app) and his team took care of everything.
- The app asks about available equipment and can quickly adapt to changing conditions.
- Holistic approach to fitness – in addition to exercises, you'll find breathing techniques, meditation, and meditation tips.
- Great videos – clear, bright.
- Professional coaching staff.
- Extensive meal plan.
What we like a little less about the Centr app?
- High price.
- Background music.
- No Polish version.
- Not very intuitive.
The Centr app according to Viking Wojtek:
Finally, I understood how it's possible that Hemsworth has such biceps. The app is great, and the workouts are really tough. You can feel the full professionalism here; everything runs smoothly. One month, and peak shape is ready.
Best home workout apps – Freeletics
Do you train at home, not in a gym? This is the choice for you. Freeletics is an incredibly popular app, and there's no accident in that. It's a very good app, thanks to which you can gain muscle condition and endurance really quickly.
Availability: Android, iOS
Model: partially free (basic workouts), full version requires a subscription
What it offers: Intense bodyweight workouts and basic fitness equipment.
What we like most about the Freeletics app?
- Great app to start. Workouts without equipment get the job done – they are sufficiently intense and have the right volume. You can really work on your muscles at home.
- Adapts to the user, always providing a challenge. An achievable challenge, but a challenge nonetheless.
- Focuses on shorter sessions – good for those who prefer more frequent, shorter workouts…
What we like a little less about the Freeletics app?
- Animations instead of videos.
- More for those who want to improve overall fitness and lose excess weight rather than those aiming for greater muscle mass.
The Freeletics app according to Viking Janusz:
The basic version is fine, but only for the first week. After that, it's worth paying for access to a larger database of exercises and workouts, and more features. The app can push you to your limits, but that's good, because liters of sweat translate into better shape. The satisfaction after completing a short, intense workout can be immense. It's great that you can train with it anywhere, because it doesn't require any equipment. I'm often on the road, and this works perfectly.
Best free workout apps – Nike Training Club
For some, the logo alone is a guarantee of quality, and it's hard to argue with that. Nike Training Club is excellent – it's the best app for beginners. We recommend starting with it, especially since it's free. The Nike Run Club running app – this is where Nike Training Club has its roots.
Availability: Android, iOS
Model: free
What it offers: Lots of workouts designed by Nike-affiliated trainers.
What we like most about the Nike Training Club app?
- Free app. All content is available without any fees – that's several hundred workouts of varying intensity and duration.
- Programs for specific goals.
- Good videos.
What we like a little less about Nike Training Club?
- Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, but – no dietary support.
- Ultimately limited content and updates – after some time, the app runs out of new content.
The Nike Training Club app according to ViQeen Ewa:
I found this app through Nike Run Club – and I'm happy with it. It might not be as comprehensive as its competitors, but for someone who mainly runs and doesn't train in the gym, it's perfectly sufficient. I mainly use the 15-30 minute home workouts: a bit of cardio, a bit of strengthening. The Polish-speaking instructor tells me when to switch sides during exercises, when to rest – it's a great thing. I feel like I'm in a fitness class, only no one is watching when I lose my technique from fatigue…
Best workout apps – workout timers
This won't be a long sub-chapter, because there's one app on the market that rules all others. Seconds, as it's called, is the best interval timer – period. In the category of apps that count down, ring, and signal when you should push yourself and when to catch your breath, it's unmatched.
Best interval training apps – Seconds
It's available in a free version, but the paid variant deserves full recognition. Seconds isn't expensive; payment is a one-time thing – and it can be shared in a family cloud (Apple users like that).
Availability: Android, iOS
Model: the free version does its job, the paid one removes ads and expands features.
What it offers: timers that can be configured, changed, saved, etc., at will.
What we like most about the Seconds app?
- Simplicity – no frills, because nothing here is meant to distract you, only to work.
- Personalization – colors, sounds; you can let your imagination run wild and set up exactly the timer you need.
- Muting background music at key moments (the app lowers the music briefly before changing an exercise to a break and vice-versa – that detail is great!).
- Runs in the background and on a locked screen – you don't even have to look at it…
What we like a little less about the Seconds app?
- There's no such thing – Seconds doesn't make empty promises and delivers exactly what it is and is meant to be.
The Seconds app according to Viking Piotr:
Ideal for boxing training. I just start a pre-saved timer, and that's it; after 2 minutes and 50 seconds, I hear a warning signal like in a real ring fight, and after 3 minutes, the gong – and I know I have a minute's break ahead of me. Just that much, and yet so much. It also works great for kettlebell training. I set up exercises, breaks, changes during the interval (left and right arm), and even entered the names of subsequent exercises so I wouldn't get lost when I was more tired. I probably only use 10% of its functions, and it's still a huge help.
Which workout apps are the best? It depends!
As you can see, the choice of workout (and related) apps is enormous. The best workout app for one Viking will be different from another – everything depends on needs, type of activity, and expectations. Take that first step and install any one. And then the next one, and get off the couch. And one more – start exercising. Because:
Small steps lead to great results.
Workout apps – that's not all
There are also other workout apps on the market: those linked to sports watches (Garmin Connect, Polar Flow, Apple Fitness) or those that extend the capabilities of a smartwatch to a sports watch (Athlytic, Bevel, Heart Analyzer, Welltory, Health DSync). And those that allow you to aggregate data and transfer it between devices, like RunGap. And even outdoor apps that simultaneously record training (like Strava, Komoot, Trailforks, mapy.cz). You'll read about them in the next episode!
