Gone are the days of tired gym memberships and dog-eared exercise DVDs – the future of fitness is now firmly in the palm of your hand. In recent years, the app store has become a veritable playground for fitness enthusiasts. From AI-powered personal trainers to immersive virtual reality studios, the options for leveling up your fitness routine are both diverse and delightful.
In this article, we’ll explore the 16 best fitness apps specifically designed for beginners. Whether you’re looking to build strength, improve flexibility, lose weight, or simply develop healthier habits, there’s an app perfectly suited to your goals and experience level.
What Makes a Fitness App Great for Beginners?
Before exploring specific apps, it’s important to understand what features make a fitness app truly beneficial for someone just starting:
- Clear instructions and demonstrations: Proper form is crucial for preventing injury and ensuring effective workouts.
- Customization options: The ability to tailor workouts to your fitness level, available equipment, and time constraints.
- Progressive difficulty: Workouts that gradually increase in intensity as your fitness improves.
- Encouraging feedback: Positive reinforcement and realistic goal-setting to keep motivation high.
- Community support: Connection with others on similar journeys can provide accountability and inspiration.
- Tracking capabilities: Visual progress indicators help maintain motivation when physical changes aren’t yet apparent.
16 Best Fitness Apps for Beginners Review
1. Nike Training Club (NTC)
Nike Training Club stands out as one of the most comprehensive free fitness apps available, making it an excellent starting point for beginners.
Key Features:
- Over 185 free workouts ranging from 5 to 60 minutes
- Workouts for all fitness levels with clear video demonstrations
- Programs designed by certified trainers
- Minimal or no equipment options for home workouts
- Integration with Apple Watch and other devices
NTC excels at providing crystal-clear video demonstrations for each exercise, reducing the risk of improper form. The app also offers complete workout programs that progress in difficulty over weeks, helping beginners build consistency.
The “no equipment needed” filter makes it easy to start without investing in gear, while the short workout options (some as brief as 5-15 minutes) help newcomers build the exercise habit without feeling overwhelmed.
Cost: Free (Nike removed the premium subscription in 2020, making all content accessible)
2. Couch to 5K
For absolute beginners interested in running, Couch to 5K provides a gentle, progressive introduction that has helped millions transform from sedentary to runner.
Key Features:
- 8-week progressive running plan
- Audio coaching during workouts
- Alternating walking and running intervals
- Progress tracking and achievements
- Options to choose different virtual coaches
The program’s gradual approach helps prevent the common beginner mistake of doing too much too soon, which often leads to burnout or injury.
You can starting with brief running intervals interspersed with walking, the app slowly builds your endurance until you can run continuously for 30 minutes. The audio coaching provides real-time guidance during workouts, eliminating the need to check your phone constantly.
Cost: Free version available; premium version $2.99-$4.99 (one-time purchase)
3. FitOn
FitOn has quickly gained popularity for offering high-quality, celebrity-led workouts completely free of charge.
Key Features:
- Diverse workout styles, including HIIT, strength, yoga, and dance
- Workouts led by celebrities and elite trainers
- Personalized plans based on your goals
- Social features to connect with friends
- Meal planning integration
FitOn excels at making fitness approachable and fun. The workouts feature clear modifications for different fitness levels, and the variety prevents boredom—a common reason beginners abandon their fitness routines. The social aspect allows you to connect with friends for added accountability, while the zero cost removes financial barriers to entry.
Cost: Free with optional Pro upgrade ($29.99/year) for meal plans and music
4. MyFitnessPal
While primarily known as a nutrition app, MyFitnessPal offers integrated fitness tracking that makes it valuable for beginners focusing on overall wellness.
Key Features:
- Extensive food database for nutrition tracking
- Exercise logging with calorie adjustments
- Step counting
- Water intake tracking
- Community forums for support and advice
MyFitnessPal helps beginners understand the relationship between nutrition, exercise, and results. The comprehensive food database makes nutritional awareness accessible.
Plus, the exercise logging feature provides insight into calories burned during various activities. For beginners working on weight management, this holistic approach addresses both sides of the energy balance equation.
Cost: Free version available; Premium $19.99/month or $79.99/year
5. Seven – 7 Minute Workout
For beginners concerned about finding time to exercise, Seven offers scientifically-designed workouts that can be completed in just 7 minutes.
Key Features:
- Quick, equipment-free workouts based on scientific research
- Visual and audio instructions
- Customizable workout intensity
- Achievement and challenge systems for motivation
- Health app integration
Seven removes the “I don’t have time” barrier that prevents many beginners from starting a fitness routine. The short duration makes it mentally easier to commit to, while the body-weight exercises require no equipment investment.
Despite the brevity, the circuit-style workouts effectively improve fitness when done consistently, providing beginners with tangible results that build motivation.
Cost: Free with limited access; 7 Club membership $9.99/month or $59.99/year
6. Yoga for Beginners
For those interested in developing flexibility, mindfulness, and strength through yoga, this app provides a gentle introduction specifically designed for newcomers.
Key Features:
- Step-by-step tutorials for basic poses
- Beginner-friendly sequences of increasing difficulty
- Video demonstrations with verbal cues
- Focus on proper alignment and modifications
- Sessions range from 5-60 minutes
Yoga can be particularly intimidating for beginners due to unfamiliar terminology and complex poses. This app breaks down the practice into accessible components, focusing on fundamentals before advancing to more challenging sequences. The emphasis on proper form and modifications helps prevent injury while building confidence.
Cost: Free with in-app purchases; premium version $9.99/month
7. Fitbod
Fitbod uses an intelligent algorithm to create customized strength training workouts based on your experience, available equipment, and recovery status.
Key Features:
- Personalized workout recommendations
- Detailed exercise tutorials with videos
- Automatic tracking of personal records
- Recovery tracking to prevent overtraining
- Adaptation to available equipment
For beginners interested in strength training, Fitbod removes the guesswork of creating effective workouts. The app’s algorithm considers muscles you’ve recently worked and ensures balanced development while preventing overtraining. This is a common pitfall for enthusiastic beginners.
Plus, the detailed tutorials help newcomers learn proper form. The progression tracking provides motivating feedback as strength improves.
Cost: Limited free version; premium $12.99/month or $79.99/year
8. Map My Fitness
Under Armour’s Map My Fitness provides comprehensive tracking for over 600 activities. This makes it perfect for beginners who want to experiment with different types of exercise.
Key Features:
- GPS tracking for outdoor activities
- Database of over 600 activities
- Community challenges and connections
- Gear tracker to monitor shoe mileage
- Integration with nutrition tracking
The app’s versatility allows beginners to explore various activities without needing multiple apps. The GPS tracking provides valuable data on pace, distance, and elevation for outdoor workouts. The community features offer motivation through challenges and friendly competition.
For beginners still discovering which activities they enjoy most, this all-in-one solution simplifies the exploration process.
Cost: Free with basic features; MVP subscription is $5.99/month or $29.99/year
9. Strava
While popular among serious athletes, Strava offers features that make it valuable for beginners focused on running, cycling, or swimming.
Key Features:
- Detailed GPS tracking and analysis
- Personal record tracking and segments
- Social feed to connect with friends
- Route planning and discovery
- Challenge participation
Strava’s segment feature allows beginners to compete against their own previous efforts rather than feeling intimidated by comparing themselves to more experienced users.
The route discovery tool helps newcomers find popular paths in their area, which can be particularly valuable when exploring a new activity. The clean interface makes tracking progress straightforward, while the social features provide community support.
Cost: Free with basic features; Strava subscription is $7.99/month or $59.99/year
10. Freeletics
Freeletics offers AI-powered coaching that adapts workouts based on your feedback and progress, creating a personalized experience similar to having a personal trainer.
Key Features:
- AI coach that adapts to your capabilities and feedback
- Bodyweight-focused workouts requiring minimal equipment
- Audio and video coaching during exercises
- Mindset coaching beyond physical training
- Nutrition guidance (in premium version)
AI coaching provides personalized guidance that helps beginners avoid the common mistake of following generic programs that may be too difficult or too easy.
The emphasis on bodyweight exercises makes it accessible without equipment. Mindset coaching addresses the psychological aspects of building a fitness habit. This is crucial for beginners who may struggle with consistency and motivation.
Cost: Free workouts available; coaching starts at $6.99/month with an annual subscription
11. Aaptiv
Aaptiv differentiates itself by focusing on audio-guided workouts across various categories. This makes it perfect for beginners who prefer focusing on instruction rather than watching screens during exercise.
Key Features:
- Audio-guided workouts with trainer instructions
- Music-backed sessions across multiple categories
- Progressive programs for specific goals
- Team challenges and community features
- New workouts added weekly
Aaptiv’s audio format allows beginners to focus on the movements and their body’s response rather than constantly checking a screen. The trainers provide form cues and motivation throughout, creating an experience similar to having a personal coach.
Plus, the structured programs help beginners progress methodically toward specific goals like running a 5K or building core strength.
Cost: 7-day free trial; $14.99/month or $99.99/year
12. Strong
For beginners specifically interested in strength training and weightlifting, Strong provides a straightforward way to track workouts and progress.
Key Features:
- Clean, intuitive workout tracking
- Exercise database with demonstrations
- Rest timer between sets
- Personal record tracking
- Workout templates and routines
Strong simplifies the often-intimidating world of strength training by focusing on what matters most: tracking sets, reps, and weight. The app’s streamlined approach helps beginners concentrate on progressive overload—gradually increasing weight or reps.
This is the foundation of strength development. The rest timer helps newcomers maintain appropriate recovery between sets, a detail often overlooked by beginners eager to rush through workouts.
Cost: Free with basic features; Pro version is $4.99/month or $29.99/year
13. Zombies, Run!
This unique app transforms running into an immersive game, making cardio exercise engaging and fun for beginners who might otherwise find it boring.
Key Features:
- Story-driven audio adventures while running
- Interval training disguised as “zombie chases”
- Base-building game elements between runs
- Integration with music playlists
- Tracking of run statistics
By transforming running into an engaging narrative experience, Zombies, Run! helps beginners overcome the mental hurdle of cardio exercise feeling monotonous or unpleasant.
The zombie chase intervals introduce beginners to the concept of high-intensity intervals in a naturally motivating way. The ongoing storyline encourages consistent participation to uncover the next plot development.
Cost: Free with limited access; Pro membership is $5.99/month or $34.99/year
14. Daily Burn
Daily Burn offers a Netflix-like experience for fitness, with a vast library of workout videos and live daily classes suitable for all levels.
Key Features:
- New live workout every morning (available for 24 hours)
- Library of thousands of workouts across categories
- Programs designed for specific goals
- Modifications shown for different fitness levels
- Active community support
Daily Burn excels at providing structure through its daily live workouts, helping beginners establish a consistent routine. The variety of programs prevents plateaus and boredom. Plus, the demonstrated modifications make even advanced-looking workouts accessible to newcomers.
For beginners who enjoy group fitness but prefer exercising at home, Daily Burn recreates that motivating group experience.
Cost: 30-day free trial; $19.95/month afterwards
15. Sweat: Fitness App For Women
Created by fitness influencer Kayla Itsines and expanded to include multiple trainers, Sweat offers comprehensive programs specifically designed for women at various fitness levels.
Key Features:
- Progressive workout programs for different goals
- Weekly scheduling with flexible options
- Detailed exercise demonstrations
- Meal planning with shopping lists
- Community support through the app and social media
Sweat provides exceptionally well-structured programs that gradually increase in difficulty, allowing female beginners to build strength and confidence without feeling overwhelmed.
The detailed exercise library ensures proper form, while the meal planning integration helps address the nutritional component of fitness. The massive community surrounding the app provides additional support and motivation.
Cost: 7-day free trial; $19.99/month or $119.94/year
16. Peloton
Even without Peloton equipment, the Peloton app offers thousands of studio-quality workouts across multiple categories led by charismatic instructors.
Key Features:
- Live and on-demand classes across multiple disciplines
- Instructors who specialize in motivation and engagement
- Music-focused workouts with popular playlists
- Progress tracking and achievement badges
- Structured programs and challenges
Peloton’s instructors excel at making beginners feel included and motivated, with frequent form cues and encouragement for those just starting out.
The variety of workout types allows exploration without switching apps, while the music-forward approach makes sessions more engaging. The live schedule can help establish consistency, with specific classes becoming part of a weekly routine.
Cost: 30-day free trial; $12.99/month
How to Choose the Right Fitness App for You?
With so many excellent options available, selecting the best fitness app for your specific situation might feel overwhelming. You can consider these factors when making your decision:
- Your primary fitness goals: Weight loss, strength building, flexibility, or general fitness each align better with different apps.
- Available equipment: Some apps require specific equipment, while others specialize in bodyweight or minimal-equipment workouts.
- Time commitment: Consider how much time you realistically have—some apps specialize in quick workouts, while others focus on more comprehensive sessions.
- Learning style: Do you prefer video demonstrations, audio guidance, or written instructions?
- Budget: While many apps offer free versions, premium features often require subscription payments.
- Social preferences: If accountability and community motivate you, prioritize apps with strong social features.
Remember that the “best” app is the one you’ll use consistently. Many offer free trials, so don’t hesitate to experiment with several before committing to a subscription.
How to Get the Most from Your Fitness App?
Whichever app you choose, these strategies will help you maximize its benefits:
- Start where you are, not where you want to be: Be honest about your current fitness level when setting up your profile.
- Schedule your workouts: Block time in your calendar for exercise just as you would any important appointment.
- Enable notifications: App reminders can provide helpful accountability, especially when building a new habit.
- Track more than just workouts: Most fitness apps allow tracking of sleep, nutrition, and other lifestyle factors that impact your results.
- Join challenges: Participating in app challenges can provide structure and motivation during your first months.
- Be patient with yourself: Progress takes time, especially for beginners. Celebrate small victories and focus on consistency rather than perfection.
Conclusion
The fitness journey begins with a single step, and these apps make that first step considerably less intimidating. By providing guidance, structure, and support, they help bridge the knowledge gap that often prevents beginners from establishing consistent exercise habits.
Remember that the most sophisticated app is only as effective as your commitment to using it. Choose one that aligns with your goals and preferences, then commit to following its guidance consistently. With time, the workouts that once seemed challenging will become manageable, then easy—a clear indicator of your improving fitness.
