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The Best Workout Apps We’ve Tested for 2026

It bases workouts on your goals, such as whether you want to build muscle, drop a lot of weight, or just stay healthy by adding some cardio to your routine. Whatever the case, Shred sets you up with a complete program so that you know what to do and which days to do it. You can also generate a workout tailored to the specific part of the body you want to exercise, the equipment you have available, and the amount of time you have to spend. Sometimes, you get full videos with a trainer working out alongside you, and other times, you get sample videos of each exercise or move, along with the ability to record your rep counts.

What is Noom?

If you’re interested in more than just apps, such as at-home workout equipment that includes on-demand classes, check out our ultimate fitness tech guide. Just keep in mind that smart exercise equipment often costs a lot up front and requires an additional subscription fee for classes, which can also be steep. Most of the prices you see above are list prices—not necessarily what you pay. Even $15 per month is on the high side, though it may be worth it if you love the app and it offers classes, extras, and services that go above and beyond the norm. Before calorie counter apps existed, people used multiple techniques or tools to account for a day’s worth of calories. You may want to try one of these if you find calorie-counting apps too tedious or burdensome.

MyFitnessPal

Logging meals is a breeze and hassle-free with features like barcode scanning, photo identification, and manual input. CaloPal provides a detailed breakdown of macronutrients and calories by meal, and an overall daily snapshot to stay on track. Whether it is a meal or a snack, you can easily monitor your intake and have an in-depth record of your daily nutrition at your fingertips. Budget matters, especially when subscriptions stack up with other fitness tools and services. Many nutrition apps offer powerful free tiers or reasonably priced monthly plans that are still far more affordable than weekly one-on-one nutrition visits.

Can a nutrition app help me lose weight?

  • Some are free or offer free trials for a week or month, which lets you test out the app before officially committing to it.
  • Seize the opportunity to unlock your nutrition goals effortlessly with Foodvisor, your personalized nutritionist right in your back pocket.
  • Caliber Strength Training is a fitness coaching program grounded in scientific principles designed to increase strength and improve body composition.
  • In addition, many of these applications bypass the physical examinations conducted by the doctors, making the legal implications of such a means highly questionable.
  • It also features on-device menstrual tracking, which helped us easily monitor cycles.
  • Plenty of research1 has shown that following a workout routine can help improve your physical fitness and athletic performance, but getting a personalized training plan can be expensive.

It also offers detailed nutrient information for each ingredient in your food log and a daily analysis to help keep you on track. Some are completely free or offer a free trial, and some require a monthly subscription. Your choice will ultimately depend on whether you think investing in a paid app will actually help you get closer to your goals and what you’re comfortable spending. Other things to consider are if you prefer live streaming or On demand workouts. For those https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss/art-20047752 who need a more in-depth nutritional analysis, Cronometer is a fantastic option. It goes beyond just calorie counting and helps you monitor the quality of your nutrients.

Best for health coaching

You can find exercise routines based on how much time you have, the level of intensity you want, or the type of workout you prefer, including abs, butt and thighs, stretching, yoga, and so forth. If you wear a connected heart rate monitor while working out, you can see your heart rate on the screen as you move. There’s also a leaderboard for competing with other members or a group of friends. Calorie counting apps may be safe for some people but are not recommended for those with a history of disordered eating. You can always try other tools to estimate your calorie intake if this aligns with your health goals.

We Found the 14 Best Fitness Trackers & Watches After One Year of Testing

smart fitness and diet app

If you’re following a specific diet — keto, paleo, or high-protein — this is the app for you. It’s a calorie counter, so you can log food to track your macronutrients and micronutrients to avoid nutrient deficiencies while trying to lose weight. If you’re following a form of intermittent fasting, there’s also a timer to track your eating unimeal reviews complaints and fasting times. The app contains a barcode scanner so you can add packaged foods, a database for logging meals from restaurants, and a recipe logger so you can save your favorite meal ideas.

Benefits of Nutrition Apps

Despite the theoretical and demonstrated efficiency, these applications will not be able to reach their full potential without overcoming the barrier of motivation and adherence. With features like heart rate tracking, GPS, workout-specific modes, and sleep monitoring, a smartwatch can enhance your fitness routine if you plan to use it to set goals, monitor your progress, and boost your motivation. If you don’t think you’ll utilize the advanced functionality of a smartwatch, a basic, budget-friendly fitness tracker may be sufficient.

What to Look for in Free Workout Apps

Calorie counter apps often have millions of foods to choose from, with different available serving sizes to match what’s on your plate. Counting calories may be especially unsafe for people with a history of disordered eating. But weight loss is sometimes difficult because your body has mechanisms to protect you from losing weight. Lastly, some apps also provide accountability, which is key when aiming for consistency, a determining factor for weight loss success. Feel empowered to talk with a qualified healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian or mental health professional, if you’re having a hard time. The app also saves your most recent food logs and provides a list of common foods to make future entries easier.

Created by leading experts in health, nutrition, and weight loss.

If you prefer a workout app that’s more specific to your interests, such as yoga, we recommend others in the list below. These tools help you track what you eat, monitor your workouts, and stay accountable—because let’s be honest, we sometimes think we ate healthier than we actually did. It may seem like a hassle and feel time-consuming at first, but tracking actually takes very little time and provides invaluable feedback that helps you reach your health and fitness goals. Tracking eliminates guesswork, allowing you to see patterns, make adjustments, and stay consistent with your goals. CaloPal offers a novel dynamic real-time adjustment feature that adapts as you progress. As you log meals and activities, the app learns your habits, giving personalized one-on-one nutritional guidance specific to you.

Plus & Peak Subscription

Just scan the barcode on the food you are purchasing and you’ll get a personalized nutrition grade, pros and cons, and healthy alternatives to buy instead. If you want to get more out of the app, a Workout Pass ($3.99 per month or $39.99 per year) provides access to the Workout Calendar and all challenges and programs. An All-Access Pass ($6.99 per month or $69.99 per year) allows you to set goals, keep a daily journal of your progress, maintain a visual meal tracker, and track your water intake.