You can record sets, reps, weight, and rest time for each exercise, and swipe between workouts to quickly review past sessions. The calendar view lets you filter by workout type or milestone, for example, bench presses over 80kg or long-distance runs. For those who want extra support, Caliber Plus unlocks coach-built training plans, a proprietary “Strength Score” metric, and deeper personalisation across workouts and nutrition.

Apple iPads

App makers would love for you to believe that the best discounts for fitness and gym apps happen between November and January, but it’s just not true. All these features together make for an excellent weightlifting experience that will keep users coming back for more. Designed by a sports scientist, it employs cutting-edge tech to design customized workouts that are unique to you. As you gain strength and size, the app gets even smarter and tweaks your workouts, so you never stop growing.

Key features of the Strong Workout

However, you don’t actually need a Peloton machine to use the app, which adds to the accessibility. Thanks to a wide variety of periodized regimens as well as live and on-demand fitness classes led by certified personal trainers without any cost of entry. The Nike Training Club caters mostly to strength-based training, but also has sessions for bodyweight training, yoga, pilates, and mobility work. Strong is a favorite among lifters who prioritize a clean, fast, and no-nonsense approach to workout logging. It strips away the complexities of AI coaching and social feeds, focusing instead on providing an exceptionally efficient tool for tracking your training. We have rigorously tested and analyzed the top contenders, from minimalist trackers to AI-driven coaches, to identify the 12 best muscle building apps available today.

Download the best home exercise app for calisthenics

Another pioneer in remote training for riders and runners alike, Zwift transforms tedious turbo rides and treadmill slogs into challenging, social sweat sessions. Pair any Bluetooth-enabled treadmill or static bike to the app and power your avatar around the roads of six virtual worlds, including a futuristic New York. There are more than 1,000 workouts to choose from, plus around 300 group races each day, giving you the chance to dish the dirt as they eat your (pixel) dust.

We Found Hidden iOS 26 Clear Icons Feature in Accessibility Settings

They can also provide us with useful information about exercises and help us find the right workout for our needs. NTC offers four 4–6 week training plans that can be adjusted to your progress, schedule, and other activities. Whether you have access to a full gym or are training from home, is madmuscles legit there is a routine that fits you and your schedule so that you can reach your goals. Some apps provide detailed workout plans, while others simply give you access to a library of exercises.

best home exercise apps for strength training (free & paid)

Perimenopause — the transitional period before menopause, typically ages — involves hormonal fluctuations that affect energy levels, recovery capacity, and bone density. Stanford research confirms that strength training during this phase specifically outperforms cardio for lean muscle retention and fat regulation. WeGLOW’s quarterly plan runs approximately $15/month with a three-day trial. For women who want a free starting point, Caliber’s structured programs include lower-body compound movements that support bone density — though without WeGLOW’s hormonal phase context. Fitbod is a popular fitness app that offers a comprehensive workout library with exercises tailored to various equipment, including equipment-free exercises. Its subscription tier uses generative AI to automatically build a workout plan based on your muscle groups and intensity goals.

Strength In Diversity

Fitnetic caters to individuals seeking a personalized approach to muscle building, offering expert guidance, customization, and a supportive community environment. From there we further tested our top contenders during workouts at our Men’s Health gym, our training spaces at home, local performance facilities, and outdoors. We made sure to utilize both iOS and Android smartphones, to compare how these apps performed on those different operating systems. As the ways we approach exercise have shifted in the face of changing technology, having a digital training partner has become more commonplace. Whether you’re exercising at home, or on the road, the best workout apps have become one of the most versatile fitness tools out there.

#4 Strong: The tracker experienced lifters always wanted

You can follow expert-designed programs or create your own, whether you’re bulking, cutting or training for raw strength. The app adjusts your sets, reps and weights over time based on your performance and recovery levels. Instead of juggling various apps and programs for my timer, form cues, and workout schedule, everything is conveniently consolidated in one location. If you want a full structured plan without apps, explore our home workout routine. For weight-loss-focused strength training, Fitbod and Caliber are again the top picks — but for different users.

• However, some users report the AI occasionally suggests strange exercise combinations.
• Future works best if you want human coaching but can’t justify the cost of traditional personal training sessions.
• The platform features periodized training programs that build muscle systematically while meal plans ensure you eat enough protein and calories to support growth.
• For a broader evaluation framework, see our broader guide to evaluating top fitness apps.
• Building routines is straightforward, and the in-workout logger is efficient with features like automatic rest timers and plate calculators.
• Fiit recreates the group class experience, and you can even invite your friends for free.

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From there, the app will calculate your one-rep max using the Brzycki and Epley formulas. Finding your favorite workout app may require a bit of trial and error since you’ll want to see if you’re looking for a personalized experience or are comfortable with a cookie cutter plan. When I tried out this app, I signed up for a kettlebell class called Body & Bell, and what’s great is you get video demonstrations for the different exercises you’ll be doing. The videos also tell you the type of weight you should be using (light, medium, heavy) and the length of time of the exercise. You can also connect with your coach via the chat in the app if you ever have questions about your training or want to chat with other members on your team. This app costs $25 a month ($135 a year) but lets you test it for free for seven days if you’re a new member.

Built-in timers and logging tools keep your sessions efficient and on track. The app even encourages regular meal tracking and sends reminders to log breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Each recipe includes full macro breakdowns and shows what percentage of your daily calorie target it covers.

Plus, the library is constantly growing with new modules being added daily. Considering the sheer variety of well-designed workouts, our testers gave their overall experience a 5 out of 5. Interested in Pilates as a go-to fitness discipline for your home workouts?

Apple Fitness Plus

Rather than telling you what to do, Strong empowers you to execute your own plan with precision. It is built for lifters who value data and consistency over guided workouts, offering clear tracking of volume, PRs, and body measurements to monitor your muscle-building journey. Caliber delivers real coaching from certified professionals who understand strength training biomechanics. The free tier provides genuine value instead of just being a limited teaser. However, the one on one coaching costs as much as Future while offering less frequent check ins.

This saves a lot of time, allowing you more space to do your workout rather than fiddle with the app. While it is a powerful tool, it comes at a premium price compared to simple trackers. Full access requires a subscription, which is clearly outlined on the App Store. The iOS-first development approach may also mean that users on other platforms could experience a slight delay in features. While the app has a functional free version for basic logging, the powerful plan generator and progression features require a Pro subscription.

User consensus from r/PlanetFitnessMembers recommends Caliber specifically because it’s ad-free and tracks strength progress comprehensively at no cost. That consensus from real users, not sponsored reviews, is the most reliable signal a budget app can have. Caliber, Fitbod’s primary competitor in the beginner-to-intermediate segment, solves a different problem entirely.

Jefit functions as a comprehensive workout database with over 1,300 exercises and detailed analytics that track every aspect of your training performance. The platform lets you create custom workout routines or follow pre-built programs while logging each set with precision. You get deep insights into your training patterns through charts and graphs that reveal exactly where your strength gains come from. Ladder Teams lets you join groups of lifters working toward similar goals so you can share progress and stay motivated.