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The 11 Best Free Workout Apps Tested by Experts 2026

So if you are an experienced user and want a reliable tracker on your phone, Strong is a great choice. It has helpful features such as tracking metrics (e.g. total volume), which can be difficult to do manually. Each app offers different features and workouts, so there’s bound to be one that fits your needs. Afterburn offers a unique approach by focusing on post-workout caloric burn through high-intensity strength circuits. It is designed for those who want to maximize their time in the gym.

Equipment Demands

Choosing the right app to track workouts free comes down to matching features with your specific needs. If you combine strength training with cardio, you need an app that handles both. MyFitnessPal provides basic tracking for everything, though it excels at neither. The app generates periodized strength programs that adjust based on your progress.

If you live a busy life and struggle to squeeze in a workout, Hevy is great for helping you find ways to keep fit. I’m not the most competitive person, but I have run the occasional low-stakes 5K, and I do run regularly. Having tried all the go-to running apps before, I was really excited to test Runna because it’s a relatively new addition to the running app scene. If you’re an avid Apple customer, Apple Fitness might be the first fitness tracker you try. To this list, you might add being easy to use and engaging enough that you want to stick with it. “In general, the longer a person uses an app, the better the outcomes,” adds Duah.

RepCount – Gym Workout Tracker

best free app to track strength training

If running for weight loss is one of your goals, then tracking your food is often just as important as putting in the miles. In 2002, I grabbed my trusty digital Timex to time the length of my new running habit, strapped a big yellow radio to my arm and headed out without a specific route. Once home, I listened to the beep of my dial up as I logged in to MapMyRun to plot out the path I’d just taken and figure out my distance. Dr. Muscle app has been declared the victor, scoring a remarkable 48 out of 50.

A score of 3 shows the app offers a fair amount of content and functionality for its price. Apps that are inexpensive or provide exceptional features relative to the cost earn higher marks. Meanwhile, platforms madmuscles app review with expensive monthly subscriptions that aren’t justified earn a 1 or 2.

If you’ve already been going to the gym for a few years or are looking to move away from in-person personal training sessions and plan your own workouts, this could be the app for you. While there are form demonstrations available to help with technique, there are no follow-along video workouts available. The workout tracking feature also offers lots of options (including, e.g., Pilates and tennis)—though for many workouts, calorie count defaults to the equivalent of a brisk walk. For runs, it marks both mile splits and lets you mark laps manually, as well as tracking heart rate and pace.

adidas Running (formerly Runtastic): Best for Beginner Runners

Fitbod is a good choice for those looking for a clean and easy-to-use workout routine tracker. Its simple AI may create programs that are just okay, but it is still a good option for beginners. Jefit, Freeletic and Stronglifts 5X5 are three popular options that are great for beginners and those looking to track their weight and progress.

Appropriately, we gave Muscle Booster a 5 out of 5 in our progressive overload category. The Shred app is significantly cheaper than the average training platform. The seven-day trial period is right on par with other services, as well. This can provide insights into the app’s performance and reliability.

Accessibility

If you’re looking to build strength along with endurance, Goruck Training offers plans inspired by military training methodologies, ensuring a full-body workout. With a well-designed app like Setgraph or Strong, logging a complete workout takes 2-5 minutes total across all sets. Speed matters because time spent on your phone is time not spent training. The massive exercise library includes every cable variation, machine exercise, and isolation movement you could want.

  • Whether you’re lifting weights or hitting the pavement, Strava’s thorough tracking guarantees you won’t lose sight of your progress.
  • For an app to earn a 1-star rating, the interface is confusing, there are no filters for specific needs, and it generally feels chaotic.
  • This online personal trainer service can provide the support, structure, and guidance necessary to help you crush home workouts with ease.
  • The app provides a vast exercise library with clear directions and instructional videos, earning Caliber’s 5 out of 5 rating.
  • This isn’t the best app for serious runners – there are no training plans or competitive running metrics, but if you want to make running with your local running club more fun, it’s a cool way to do that.
  • Comprehensive comparison of the top free workout tracking apps in 2025, including features, pros, cons, and recommendations.

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One of the fun new features is they have people like Deena Kastor offering guided runs. There are a lot of weight lifting apps out there, and it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. But you’re not ready to spend $500+ a month to hire a personal trainer to work out with you every day.

Why You Need a Workout Logging App

best free app to track strength training

Strong, which is free for iOS, Android and Apple Watch, is a good app for planning and logging workouts. Adding sets and exercises is fast, as theapp fills in previous data and offers a complete history, charts, and records. Strong lets you combine them into routines, as well (limited to three custom routines on free version). It locks a lot of features for $29.99 per year for an unlimited number of routines and to unlock additional PRO features. StrongLifts 5×5 is a no-nonsense strength training app built around the classic 5×5 method, using compound lifts and progressive overload.

Your Expert Guide to Making Budget-Friendly DIY Ankle Weights

Keep track of your best sets, max 1RM, body fat percentage, and more. StrongLifts 5×5 focuses on a simple yet effective program that centers on compound lifts, making it a great choice for beginners looking to develop strength quickly. Setgraph and Strong both have excellent rest timers with notifications. Setgraph’s Smart Plates feature is particularly good—it shows exactly which plates to load for any target weight. These features seem minor until you’re using them daily, then they become essential. Android apps often sync with Google Fit, providing similar centralized data management.

What is the best free app to track weight lifting?

The best weight lifting tracker apps offer a range of features, including the ability to track your progress, set goals, record your weightlifting form, and get personalized coaching and advice. They also include tools to measure your recovery and track your diet. The level of instruction and programming will vary from app to app, but the best weightlifting apps will have experts behind it.

Hevy: Best for Social Fitness Tracking

The Nike Training Club app is ideal for those who prefer workouts created by professional trainers. The app provides a variety of strength training routines catered to different fitness levels. According to research on fitness app usage, people who consistently log their workouts are 42% more likely to stick with their training programs long-term. That’s not because the app magically makes you stronger—it’s because seeing your progress creates momentum, and momentum builds habits. The AI keeps track of everything from reps and sets to max weights and creates the very best workout possible for you that day, in your current physical condition, to achieve the fastest progress possible.

That gave the app a 1 out of 5 in the interactive features category. Muscle Booster also earned perfect marks in the accountability and progressive overload categories. In order to move on to new workouts and learn different exercises, you have to complete your previous workouts. Our tester appreciated this, as the app pushes you to master your current workout before moving on. For anyone in the market for a Peloton app alternative, iFIT should scratch the itch.

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