Staying fit doesn’t have to come with a gym membership price tag. Thanks to the myriad of free fitness apps available, you can transform your smartphone into a personal trainer, nutritionist, and workout buddy all rolled into one. At freetrials.co.uk, we’ve put these apps through their paces to bring you a curated list of the top free fitness apps for the year ahead. Whether you’re looking to shed a few pounds, build muscle, or simply maintain a healthy lifestyle, there’s an app to suit your goals.
Our Top Tested Picks
Nike Training Club | Best for Comprehensive Workouts | |
MyFitnessPal | Best for Nutrition Tracking | |
Adidas Training by Runtastic | Best for Custom Workouts |
Nike Training Club
Nike Training Club offers workouts for all fitness levels, including strength training, yoga, and HIIT. This free app provides adaptive workout plans based on fitness goals and available equipment, with video demonstrations by Nike Master Trainers. It also includes nutritional advice and wellness tips. Regular updates keep the content fresh, making it a great choice for maintaining a consistent fitness routine.
Key Features
- Wide variety of workouts for all fitness levels
- Customisable workout plans
- Video demonstrations with Nike Master Trainers
- Progress tracking
- Nutritional advice and wellness tips
- No equipment needed for many workouts
Free Plan: Completely free, no paid tier available
MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal is a nutrition and fitness tracking app with a database of over 14 million food items for easy meal logging and calorie tracking. It syncs with fitness devices and apps to provide a comprehensive view of health and fitness. Users can set personalized goals for weight loss, muscle gain, or maintenance, with adjusted calorie recommendations. The app also includes a social feature with forums and friend connections for support and motivation.
Key Features
- Extensive food database for easy meal logging
- Calorie and macronutrient tracking
- Goal setting and progress monitoring
- Integration with fitness devices and apps
- Community support and forums
- Basic exercise logging
Free Plan: Offers core features with ads
Premium Plan: £7.99/month or £39.99/year, includes advanced features like meal planning and macronutrient goals
Adidas Training by Runtastic
didas Training offers a variety of workouts, from bodyweight exercises to full-body routines, with flexible duration and intensity options. It includes video demonstrations and audio cues to ensure correct form. The app adapts to different environments, offering workouts for home, gym, or outdoors, and includes basic progress tracking to monitor improvement.
Key Features
- Wide variety of workout types and durations
- Video demonstrations and audio guidance
- Customisable workout plans
- Basic progress tracking
- Adaptable to different workout environments
- Integration with other Adidas Runtastic apps
Free Plan: Offers a range of workouts and basic features
Premium Plan: Available for additional features, pricing varies
FitOn
FitOn is a free fitness app offering workouts with celebrity trainers, including HIIT, strength training, yoga, and dance. It provides live and on-demand classes, giving a studio feel at home. The app offers personalized workout plans, meditations, and post-workout stretches for a holistic approach. Its social features allow users to connect with friends, join challenges, and share achievements, adding motivation to the fitness journey.
Key Features
- Celebrity and expert-led workout classes
- Wide variety of workout styles
- Live and on-demand classes
- Personalised workout plans
- Meditation and stretching sessions
- Social features and challenges
Free Plan: Offers full access to workouts and basic features
Pro Plan: Available for additional features like meal plans and music, pricing varies
7 Minute Workout
The 7 Minute Workout app uses high-intensity circuit training (HICT) to offer quick, efficient workouts. It features 12 exercises targeting major muscle groups, completed in just seven minutes, making it ideal for busy individuals. The app also offers workout variations and custom routine options. It’s especially useful for beginners or those returning to fitness.
Key Features
- Quick, 7-minute full-body workouts
- No equipment required
- Voice and video guidance
- Multiple workout variations
- Custom workout creation
- Progress tracking
Free Plan: Offers full access to all features
MapMyRun
MapMyRun, part of Under Armour, is a popular app for runners and walkers. The free version uses GPS to track routes, distance, pace, and elevation. Its standout feature is route discovery, helping users find new running paths. The app also offers challenges, route sharing, and connections with other runners. It syncs with fitness devices and Under Armour smart shoes for detailed metrics. Additionally, it provides training plans for various race distances, making it useful for casual runners and event training.
Key Features
- GPS tracking for runs and walks
- Route discovery and creation
- Detailed performance stats
- Community challenges and sharing
- Integration with fitness devices
- Basic training plans
Free Plan: Offers core features with ads
MVP (Paid) Plan: £5.99/month or £29.99/year, includes advanced features like personal training plans and live tracking
Daily Yoga
Daily Yoga is a yoga app for all levels, offering a range of yoga and meditation classes with audio instructions and video demonstrations. The free version includes targeted programs for sleep, back pain, and flexibility, as well as a pose library for learning individual poses. Users can customize their sessions by creating routines from different poses, and the app’s community feature allows users to connect, share experiences, and join challenges.
Key Features
- Wide range of yoga and meditation classes
- HD video demonstrations and audio guidance
- Targeted yoga programs for specific goals
- Customisable yoga sessions
- Pose library with detailed instructions
- Community features and challenges
Free Plan: Offers a selection of classes and basic features
Pro Plan: Starting from £9.99/month, includes full access to all classes and programs
JEFIT
JEFIT is a strength training and bodybuilding app with a comprehensive free version. It offers over 1,400 exercises with instructions and animations, along with strong workout planning and tracking features. Users can select pre-designed routines or create custom workouts tailored to their goals. The app includes a rest timer, exercise logging, and a body stats tracker to monitor progress. JEFIT’s community feature allows users to share workouts, join challenges, and get advice, adding motivation and support to the fitness journey.
Key Features
- Extensive exercise database with instructions and animations
- Customisable workout plans
- Workout tracking and logging
- Rest timer and exercise history
- Body measurement and progress photos
- Community features and challenges
Free Plan: Offers core features with ads
Elite Plan: £12.99/month or £69.99/year, includes advanced features like workout analytics and ad-free experience
Strava
Strava is a popular app for runners and cyclists, combining fitness tracking with social networking. The free version uses GPS to track distance, pace, elevation, and routes, with the standout segment feature allowing users to compete on specific stretches. Strava’s social features let users follow friends, join clubs, and participate in challenges. It connects with various devices, from smartphones to GPS watches, and includes basic training logs and gear tracking. While the free version is robust, Strava offers a premium subscription for more advanced features.
Key Features
- GPS tracking for running, cycling, and other activities
- Segment competition and leaderboards
- Social networking with other athletes
- Activity feed and kudos system
- Basic training log and gear tracking
- Integration with various fitness devices
Free Plan: Offers core features
Premium Plan: £6.99/month or £47.99/year, includes advanced features like route planning and detailed performance analytics
Calm
Calm is a meditation and mindfulness app offering tools for stress reduction and improved sleep. While primarily paid, the free trial includes guided meditations, breathing exercises, and sleep stories. The app’s user-friendly interface features soothing visuals and sounds, catering to beginners and experienced users with various session lengths. A standout feature is the celebrity-narrated Sleep Stories to aid sleep. Calm also includes mood tracking and daily streaks to encourage regular practice, providing a good introduction to its offerings before committing to the full version.
Key Features
- Guided meditations for various purposes
- Sleep Stories for better sleep
- Breathing exercises and relaxation techniques
- Mood tracking
- Daily meditation reminders
- Calming music and nature sounds
Free Trial: 7 days
Paid Plan: £28.99/year for annual subscription, includes full access to all features and content
How to choose the best fitness app for you
Identifying Your Fitness Goals and Workout Style
Navigating the world of fitness apps can be as daunting as your first day at the gym. With countless options available, finding the perfect fit for your wellness journey requires a bit of personal reflection and research. Start by considering your fitness goals – are you looking to lose weight, build muscle, or improve your overall health? Different apps excel in various areas, so pinpointing your objectives will narrow down your choices considerably. Next, think about your preferred workout style. Do you thrive on structured routines or prefer the flexibility to mix things up? Some apps offer pre-designed workout plans, while others allow you to create custom sessions.
Considering Your Schedule, Lifestyle, and Essential Features
Don’t forget to consider your schedule and lifestyle. An app that demands hour-long daily workouts might not be practical if you’re short on time. Select one that aligns with how much time you can realistically commit to fitness. Consider the features that matter most to you. Are you keen on tracking your progress with detailed metrics? Look for apps with comprehensive data analysis. If you’re motivated by community support, choose one with social elements or challenges. For those who need extra guidance, apps with video demonstrations or live coaching might be essential.
Ensuring Compatibility and Understanding Costs
Compatibility is crucial too – ensure the app works well with your device and any wearable tech you own, and check if it integrates with other health platforms like nutrition trackers or sleep monitors. Lastly, while we’re focusing on free apps, be aware of any potential in-app purchases or subscription models. Some apps offer basic features for free but lock premium content behind a paywall. Decide if you’re comfortable with this model or if you prefer a completely free experience.
Which Fitness App Is Best?
For a well-rounded workout experience, Nike Training Club offers a wide range of exercises suitable for various fitness levels. If you’re focused on nutrition alongside exercise, MyFitnessPal is an excellent choice with its robust tracking capabilities, making it easy to monitor your diet and fitness progress together.
If staying motivated is your priority, FitOn features engaging celebrity-led workouts, while Strava uses social features to help you stay accountable and connect with other fitness enthusiasts. Both apps are ideal for those who enjoy a community-driven approach to fitness.
For specific goals, 7 Minute Workout is perfect for those short on time but committed to regular exercise, while Daily Yoga is designed for yoga lovers looking for structured, guided sessions to deepen their practice.
Frequently Asked Questions about Free Fitness Apps
Are free fitness apps really effective?
Yes, many free fitness apps can be highly effective. Apps like Nike Training Club and FitOn offer professional-grade workouts and guidance at no cost. The effectiveness ultimately depends on your commitment and consistent use of the app.
Do I need any equipment to use these fitness apps?
It varies by app. Many, like 7 Minute Workout and Nike Training Club, offer bodyweight exercises that require no equipment. Others, like JEFIT, include workouts for gym equipment. Most apps provide options for both equipment-free and equipment-based workouts.
How do free versions differ from paid versions?
Free versions typically offer core features like basic workout plans and tracking. Paid versions often include more detailed analytics, personalised plans, and ad-free experiences. For example, MyFitnessPal’s premium version offers more detailed nutritional information and goal-setting features.
Can these apps replace a personal trainer?
While these apps provide excellent guidance and structure, they can’t fully replace the personalised attention and real-time form corrections of a personal trainer. However, for many people, they serve as a great alternative or supplement to personal training.
Are these apps suitable for beginners?
Yes, most of these apps cater to various fitness levels, including beginners. Apps like Nike Training Club and FitOn offer beginner-friendly workouts and programmes. Always start slowly and listen to your body to avoid injury.
How accurate are the calorie-burning estimates in these apps?
Calorie-burning estimates in apps like MyFitnessPal and MapMyRun are generally based on averages and can vary in accuracy. They provide a useful guideline but shouldn’t be treated as exact figures. For more accurate readings, consider using a heart rate monitor or fitness tracker in conjunction with the app.
Can I use multiple fitness apps together?
Absolutely! Many people use a combination of apps for different purposes. For instance, you might use MyFitnessPal for diet tracking, Strava for running, and FitOn for home workouts. Just be mindful of potential overlaps in tracking to avoid double-counting activities.
Do these apps work offline?
It varies by app. Many, like Nike Training Club and 7 Minute Workout, offer offline functionality for workouts. However, features like GPS tracking in MapMyRun or social aspects in Strava typically require an internet connection.
How do these apps protect my privacy?
Most reputable fitness apps have privacy policies in place to protect user data. However, it’s important to read these policies and adjust your settings accordingly. Some apps, like Strava, have features to hide your location data if desired.
Can I cancel my subscription easily if I upgrade to a paid version?
Generally, yes. Most apps allow you to cancel subscriptions through your device’s app store or the app’s settings. However, it’s wise to check the specific cancellation policy for each app before upgrading to a paid version.
