There is also solid instruction for each of the trainer-led workout videos. If you’re a cyclist, or any endurance athlete, a great app for tracking your bike routes is Strava. Not only is the GPS tracking pretty accurate, but there is a social element that separates it from most other free cycling apps. Each exercise has an extensive overview of the movement, including a video, complete step-by-step instructions, a muscle map displaying the body parts most involved, and even key points and takeaways on form. That’s a lot of information for each exercise, leading us to rate the instruction a 5 out of 5. Some gyms also offer body scans for detailed body composition breakdowns.
The Best Fitness Apps for Building Muscle
The platform’s core appeal is its “team” concept, where you join a group led by a specific coach, following their weekly programming alongside other members. This fosters a sense of accountability and community often missing from solo training apps. The in-ear audio coaching provides form cues and motivation during your workout, making it feel like a trainer is right there with you. The platform’s strength is its seamless blend of personal tracking and social interaction. You can log your workouts in detail, follow friends, and share routines, creating a supportive environment that encourages consistency. Hevy excels at presenting your progress through clear graphs and analytics, helping you visualize your strength gains and ensure you are applying progressive overload.
I didn’t mind this, mainly because the workouts Aaptiv directed me to were well-suited for me and easy for me to follow along. Its entry quiz is more detailed than others, and it set me up with the right workout program for my goals and ability. That said, I wouldn’t recommend Aaptiv to total workout newbies or visual learners because it’s hard to find your place if you happen to zone out for a few seconds and miss the audio cue. The best part, though, is that it’s completely free—no monthly subscription or hassle to cancel should you decide it’s not for you. Whether you’re hitting the weights in the gym or at home, a workout app is a great way to guide you toward your fitness goals.
Metric + goal tracking
If you’re feeling limited by pain or your ability to move, Pliability aims to complement your fitness routine and help you move better. Pliability is a must-have tool to keep your body in peak condition if you’re serious about bodybuilding. It is also essential to progress your workouts over time according to your changing strength and physique goals.
Is there an app that lets you build your own workout?
The database currently has over 1300 variations and demos that you could choose from. Create a workout plan, watch the instruction videos, workout, and log results. Pliability provides daily-updated custom mobility programs for those interested in optimizing their health and fitness.
With over 200 million users, it is one of the most popular nutrition and diet apps on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Eating a high-calorie diet is essential to bulk up and gain muscle, but many bodybuilders find it harder than it sounds. If you are already following a good workout program but are wondering why you aren’t getting the results you want, GainGuy provides nutrition guidance to help you achieve those results. You can set up a profile with your current weight and height, as well as your weight goals and time frame. The Fitness and Bodybuilding app is simple but effective, making it one of the best weightlifting apps for iPhone and Android.
Personalized Programing
It removes the guesswork from your training by generating a new plan for each session based on your recovery status and past performance. This makes it an ideal choice for lifters who want a structured yet flexible program without having to design it themselves. The platform’s strength lies in its “Training Journeys,” which are multi-week, goal-oriented programs. By selecting a muscle-building journey, you tell the AI your primary objective, and it structures your weekly plan accordingly.
Best For Lifters: Metric VBT
Boostcamp hosts 50+ proven strength programs — 5/3/1, nSuns, GZCLP, Candito, and more — and handles all weight calculations automatically. Pick your training maxes, choose a program, and the app tells you exactly what to lift each session including when to deload and how to progress. Instead of organizing around routines, Setgraph centers on individual movements — every time you train an exercise, you see your complete history for it regardless of which routine you were following. This exercise-first approach is ideal for lifters who rotate exercises or train by feel rather than a fixed program.
Progressive Resistance Training
- That said, Nicole notes that you may have to dig around to find what you need.
- Boostcamp receives high scores in nearly every category, but it’s best for intermediate lifters, as there’s little accountability or instruction provided.
- Muscle gain workout is a game-changer for anyone looking to improve their physical performance and aesthetic.
- There is a robust free-forever version and two paid options that grant you access to either group coaching ($19 per month) or a fully customized one-on-one coaching program (starting at $200 per month).
- This makes it a premium tool, but one that delivers significant value for those dedicated to optimizing their muscle-building journey.
- Trying several apps through free trials is often the best way to find the platform that helps you stay consistent and continue progressing.
Alo Moves also has pre-built playlists and themed series curated by trainers. While working out, it’s important to have a routine, or, something to follow that guides you through exercises and toward your health goals. If you don’t have a personal trainer or experience putting programs together, a fitness app is one of the best places to start, says Ansley Davis, a master trainer and yoga teacher at YogaSix. These apps are virtual libraries with hundreds of workout classes, and they do all of the planning for you — just press play and follow the trainer on your screen. Budget is a big factor, even though most workout apps cost far less than regular sessions with a personal trainer.
Russell Dickerson Reveals the Exact Workout Plan Keeping Him Shredded on…
It helps you track reps for each lift instead of using a pen and paper, and even counts down your rest time. Track your growth with an in-app progress meter, and use the in-app calendar to help you plan future 5×5 workouts. The best diet apps ensure that you’re consuming the right balance of proteins, carbs, and fats to meet your fitness goals.
Do You Have Proper Walking Form? Probably….
Across Reddit’s r/naturalbodybuilding, Hevy’s free tier is the most frequently recommended starting point for new lifters who want structure without subscription pressure. That community consensus reflects real-world trust built over thousands of individual training logs. The app features a clean interface with a strong community element, allowing you to follow friends and share progress. The AI coach is the core of the experience, asking for feedback after each workout to tailor the next session’s difficulty. While it has a strong foundation in bodyweight and HIIT, its weight-based journeys are comprehensive and effectively apply progressive overload principles. A free version offers access to a library of individual workouts, but the real power is unlocked with the paid Coach subscription.
Specifications
You’re also getting macro customization, a macro statistics tracker, weight charts, and more. This app even has special settings for tracking pregnancy macros and breastfeeding macros. If you’re sharing your fitness journey with others, you can digital fitness subscription reviews encourage them to download the same app for food sharing with friends and family. You’re also getting a very professional, polished experience that gives you confidence in your diet decisions. I am really impressed by the fact that Cronometer verifies every food submission for accuracy. I like it when apps don’t just leave you to figure it all out for yourself.
Experienced lifters or runners might be fine with minimal cues, as long as sets, reps, or distances are clearly laid out. Beginners, people returning from injury, or anyone unsure about form usually benefit from detailed demonstrations, step‑by‑step videos, and clear modifications. Look for an app whose level of guidance matches how confident you feel performing exercises on your own.
