Best Workout App for Men (2024): 9 Expert-Tested Picks for All Types of Training

Sometimes, it’s hard for a guy to say he needs a little bit of help and guidance. In the fitness world, this can lead to men doing home workouts without any clear goals, showing little to no progress. As a lifelong competitive athlete who has had a coach my entire career, I’m here to say, it might be time to get a workout plan through one of the best workout apps.

Our team at Garage Gym Reviews has tested over 40 of the best fitness apps on the market, and we have now compiled our top picks for the best workout app for men to help you and the boys achieve real progress in your home gym or commercial gym. And with a team of certified personal trainers, coaches, and competitive athletes, we know what to look for in top training programs.

We considered specific wants or needs that men may have for their workout apps; however, none of these apps are truly gender-specific and can help anyone make progress in the gym.

During our testing process for top workout apps, we rated each app on a scale from 1 to 5 across 14 different categories, with some categories excluded due to the app’s features, according to our fitness equipment testing methodology. A few of the major categories we tested include:

• The app setup and ease of use
• Pricing
• Equipment demands
• Accountability
• Online support and interactive features

So if you’re looking for a way to improve your fitness with a plan, here are some great choices for the best workout apps for men.

The 9 Best Workout Apps for Men 

• Best Workout App for Men Overall: Caliber
• Best Workout App for Men for Personal Training: Future
• Best Workout App for Men for Fitness Classes: iFIT
• Best Running App for Men: Map My Fitness
• Best Beginner Runner Workout App for Men: Joggo
• Best Free Workout App for Men: Nike Training Club
• Best Workout App for Men for Variety: ClassPass
• Best Workout App for Men for Minimal Equipment: Ladder
• Best Workout App for Men for Beginners: Aaptiv
• Best Outdoor Workout App for Men: Strava

Best Workout App for Men Overall: Caliber

Good for: Anyone looking for research-backed strength training programs to build muscle

Best Overall

Caliber Strength Training

GGR Score: 4.68

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Product Highlights

• Strength training and nutrition app
• Personalized, data-driven workout programs
• Expert habit coaching
• Free and paid versions
• Private 1:1 coaching available
• Weekly lessons, metric tracking, nutrition syncing

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Scientifically-based training plans
• Individualized coaching for both fitness and nutrition with paid subscriptions is reported to be very thorough
• Free version offers a library of curated workout plans
• Reportedly easy-to-use

Cons

• Personalized macronutrient goals only available with paid versions

Bottom Line

Caliber Strength Training is a fitness coaching program grounded in scientific principles designed to increase strength and improve body composition. The app offers both group and individual training plans which are written and modified by a certified coach based on progress.

Caliber takes our top spot for the best workout app for men overall, as it can help people of all fitness levels and ages. Whether you’re a newbie or a veteran weightlifter, young or old, Caliber can help you achieve your goals.

There are three different tiers available, with different prices, methods of coaching, and programming. The free version of the app features an extensive library of over 500 exercises, with personalized programming made from an algorithm based on an initial assessment. The next tier, at $19 a month, offers a group chat feature for group training, and the Premium option costs $200 or more each month, with access to a one-on-one coach.

Our product tester and certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto gives the value for the Premium plan a 5 out of 5. Although the price is one of the more expensive options for a training app, the monthly cost is still less expensive than in-person coaching with a personal trainer, which can cost $50 or more per hour.

Workout programs from Caliber focus on strength training, and can be customized for the gym equipment you have access to, leading Amanda to rate the equipment needs a 5 out of 5 as well. For the man looking for full-body workouts geared toward building muscle, Caliber can be a great option. You can see our full in-depth look in our Caliber app review.

Best Workout App for Men for Personal Training: Future

Good for: Men wanting personalized programs with the guidance of a certified coach or trainer

Best for Personal Training

Future

GGR Score: 4.3

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Product Highlights

• Virtual training from qualified coaches
• Personal plan designed to help reach your goals
• Great interface
• Use our link for 50% off your first month

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Incredible user interface; very well designed and intuitive
• Choose your own coach based on your personal preferences and goals
• Lots of variety in your workouts

Cons

• No real-time coaching from your trainer
• $199 per month membership cost

Bottom Line

An online training program that's staffed by real-life humans, and one of our favorite fitness apps.

If you’re interested in an online personal trainer that can take all the guesswork out of programming and keep you on track and motivated, Future is a solid choice for you. Originally only available on the iPhone, Future is now available on both Apple and Android devices and connects you to a personal coach who will program workouts based on your fitness goals and experience.

At $199 per month—and with no free version or free trial—this is one of the more expensive workout apps to use. However, you also get a lot more from the app than most other competitors, leading GGR’s head of content and certified personal trainer Kate Meier to rate the value a 4 out of 5. 

“Although the price is comparable to a CrossFit gym membership with access to tons of gym equipment and coaching, I think it’s a really good value for virtual training,” says Kate on the value of the app.

She also enjoys the encouragement from her coach, rating the accountability of Future a 5 out of 5. Kate says about her coach, “She would check in with me almost every day to see how I was feeling, how the workout went, or ask why I hadn’t done the workout yet. This was a big motivator for me; I think I only missed one planned workout in my first four weeks, and that was due to illness.”

Kate says this may be best for generic weight training, but may not appeal to those training for specific goals. She explains, “In-person training is usually best for someone preparing for a weightlifting meet or CrossFit competition. But for the average person looking for muscle building or weight loss programs, it’s fantastic.”

RELATED: Best Weight Loss Program for Men

You can read more of our thoughts on this coaching platform in our Future app review.

Best Workout App for Men for Fitness Classes: iFIT

Good for: People looking for expert-guided workouts with exceptional cues

Best for Fitness Classes

iFIT

GGR Score: 4.2

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Product Highlights

• Over 16,000 live and on-demand classes
• More than 60 types of workouts
• Immersive experience
• Classes filmed worldwide
• Live races and events
• World-class trainers
• Syncs with Nordictrack and ProForm equipment

Pros & Cons

Pros

• At-home training
• World-class coaches
• Immersive training experience
• Vast library of workouts
• Record and track workout metrics
• Individual and family memberships available
• Free trial

Cons

• Pricey for some
• No true path for progression

Bottom Line

iFIT offers fitness lovers versatility with machine-based classes and classes that do not require anything more than a towel or mat. Anyone looking for a home-exercise program will be hard pressed to find a more technology forward, expansive and inclusive platform than iFIT.

Looking for an app with a group class feel? Check out iFIT, our pick for the best workout app for men for fitness classes. Considered a good alternative to the Peloton app, it offers connectivity to many of the best cardio machines out on the market today. The app works perfectly fine without the connection, too.

The iFIT app offers much more than simply cardio workouts, though; it also offers strength classes, HIIT, yoga, and pilates classes through on-demand classes and workout videos. The app did offer live classes, although they were discontinued earlier this year (live races are still a function, though).

Our product tester Caroline Lubinsky, CF-L1 says the amount of expert-guided classes and workouts can feel like an overload of info at first. “The home screen has a lot of information at first. It kind of makes me want to look everywhere at once; it’s a little overwhelming.”

Each class or workout features an expert trainer who guides you through workouts, keeping you motivated and also giving insightful cues during your workout. The coaching won’t be in real-time though, so you won’t get immediate feedback like you would in some of the best personal training apps. Feel free to take a deeper look at this app in our iFIT reviews.

Best Running App for Men: Map My Fitness

Good for: Guys looking for a running app with lots of tracking features for their runs

Best Running App

Map My Fitness by Under Armour

GGR Score: 4.2

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Product Highlights

• Fitness platform that integrated GPS to track routes, distances, pace, and more
• Customizable training plans with personalized coaching tips available with MVP version
• Claims to have the largest selection of activities (over 600) including running, cycling, walking, gym workouts, cross training, and yoga
• Large community of athletes
• Premium features enables live tracking, personalized training plan, and audio coaching

Pros & Cons

Pros

• GPS integration
• Great community aspect
• MVP version is affordable
• Lots of options with free version
• Integrates with most trackers and wearable
• Plan and track your own routes

Cons

• Requires MVP subscription to unlock some features

Bottom Line

Map My Fitness is a well-established and widely-used fitness tool that allows you to choose from a huge variety of workouts with some really notable features. Whether you're working out in a gym or looking for a route to run, Map My Fitness has got you covered.

If you’re looking for the best running app for you, our favorite for men (and women) is Map My Fitness. Created by Under Armour, Map My Fitness has a robust GPS tracking system and several free features, with a premium subscription that helps with accountability. Our product tester and long-time Strava user Amanda Capritto even likes this app, saying, “I would switch to Map My Fitness from Strava if I didn’t already have a Strava account with a lot of history logged already.”

Amanda rates the app setup and its ease of use a 5 out of 5 since it syncs up to other apps and devices easily—Garmin, Apple Watch, UA-connected footwear, My Fitness Pal, heart rate monitors, and more.

Although it’s a running app, the app still provides a good amount of instruction with its premium plan, as it’ll track tons of running metrics, from heart rate analyses and power output to running cadence and more. Amanda rates the instruction a 5 out of 5, saying, “You get a lot for the price—all for under $6 a month.”

In the free version, there’s not a lot to hold you accountable for your workouts aside from notifications. The premium subscription offers plans you can join, which Amanda says, “Being able to create and join plans in the premium version helps a lot with keeping you accountable to your workouts.” She rates the accountability a 4 out of 5.

The GPS works well enough, with Amanda rating the GPS accuracy a 3 out of 5. It seems to be accurate within about a tenth of a mile.

Best Beginner Runner Workout App for Men: Joggo

Good for: Those with a goal to run their first long-distance race 

Best for Beginner Runners

Joggo

GGR Score: 3.3

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Product Highlights

• Personalized running plans based on your fitness level, needs, and running goals
• Customized plan includes a strength training component with video-guided and equipment-free videos 
• Customized meal plans created by certified nutritionists
• Running tracker to monitor progress

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Personalized run training program
• Adapts every two weeks based on a progress test
• Audio-guided encouragement
• Treadmill running mode

Cons

• Reviews complain that the focus is on weight loss even when not noted as a goal by the user
• Reports that the customized meal plans leave users in a calorie deficit
• No free version

Bottom Line

For those looking for a running-specific app, Joggo offers personalized running and nutritional plans although there are several users disappointed in its emphasis on weight loss.

If you’re a beginner runner interested in running a 10k, half marathon, or even a full marathon and you need some guidance to help you get there, check out Joggo.

This digital running coach will create a personalized training plan for you based on your goals and lifestyle, guiding you through long runs, tempo runs, interval runs, and even strength workouts to help keep the injuries away. Our tester, GGR head of content Nicole Davis, rates the value as a 4 out of 5, simply because you do get a lot for the $33 per month you’ll pay (this is on the high end for app pricing, earning it a 2 out of 5 in this category, though).

After completing an assessment run, Joggo will assign you to a level, which helps guide your training plan. During the runs you’ll receive audio cues to encourage you and to remind you to focus on your breathing and form—Nicole likes this for a beginner, but our other tester, CPT Amanda Capritto is a more seasoned runner and found these cues annoying. This, plus the library of resources in the app to learn more about running, recovery, nutrition, and more give Joggo a 3.75 out of 5 for Instruction. 

You’ll have to be pretty self-motivated if you want to get the most out of Joggo, though. There’s no community aspect, and although you can sign up for push notifications and earn running streaks for completing all of your workouts during a given week, no one is going to make you open the app and complete the run as programmed. We gave Joggo a 3 out of 5 in Accountability and a 1 out of 5 in Interactive Features because of this. We have more details about our testing methods and scoring system in our full Joggo review.

Lastly, although Joggo’s nutritional component does seem to add to the value, providing custom meal plans from a nutritionist, Nicole was slightly put off by how much emphasis the app puts on running for weight loss. “This is troublesome to me as a CPT and a nutrition coach. Losing weight shouldn’t be your main motivation to run, or do any other cardio exercise for that matter. If you look at Joggo as an affordable running coach to help you with a goal of completing a race, I’m much more likely to recommend it.”   

Best Free Workout App for Men: Nike Training Club

Good for: Fitness enthusiasts needing a budget-friendly option with great value

Best Free Workout App

Nike Training Club

GGR Score: 4.1

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Product Highlights

• Completely free
• Massive library of on-demand workouts and live classes
• More than 10 workout categories
• App is easy to use
• No individualized programming

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Completely free to use
• Previously premium/paid content is available for free
• More than 10 workout categories
• Most workouts taught my certified trainers and instructors

Cons

• Audio controls can be finicky
• Sometimes hard to see on-screen metrics like reps and time

Bottom Line

Nike Training Club is a free fitness app with a robust workout library that includes one-off workouts as well as periodized programs led by certified instructors.

When we talk about value in a product, we want to make sure it’s worth its price. In the case of Nike Training Club, it has killer value, as the online training program is 100% free and has been since 2020.

Unlike other apps that have a free version with partial features, Nike Training Club gives you access to the entire app for free. With an account, you’ll have access to a database of workouts led by certified trainers on Nike’s team. Workouts span from strength training, high-intensity interval training, and functional fitness, to yoga, pilates, and mobility training.

The app is easy to navigate, and you can search for new workouts with filters on equipment needed, workout length, and fitness level. Our tester Amanda Capritto, CPT, CNC, CES, CF-L1, rates the ease of use of the app as a 5 out of 5. Workouts and live classes can be streamed, and the instruction is pretty good, leading Amanda to rate it a 4 out of 5.

One thing you won’t get is the real-time feedback of a personal coach, as this app only offers the ability to stream workouts. Also, Amanda rates the accountability a 3.5 out of 5, saying, “This is your basic fitness app. You can download it on your phone, but no one is going to make you use it. It does send notifications if you enable them, and you can join programs or challenges.”

For someone whose budget is free, this is an excellent choice for a variety of strength, mobility, and HIIT workouts.

Best Workout App for Men for Variety: ClassPass

Good for: Anyone looking for access to a variety of fitness classes in their area

Best for Variety

ClassPass

GGR Score: 4.25

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Product Highlights

• Monthly membership app that provides access to thousands of studios, gyms, spas, salons, and more located across the world
• Memberships vary and work off credits used to book classes or appointments
• Reservations have varying credit rates based on appointment time, business, location, popularity, booking time, and your visit frequency to that business
• One month free trial followed by automatic enrollment into 28 credits/month

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Well-suited for those who travel
• Available worldwide
• Variety of wellness activities to choose from to keep routine fresh

Cons

• There seems to be a lot of negative feedback regarding the cancellation policy, late-fees, and unclear policies overall
• May not be ideal for small town/rural areas as there are not as many options to choose from

Bottom Line

This monthly membership app is well-suited for those who like variety in their wellness routine as it provides access to thousands of wellness spots worldwide, using credits for bookings. Overall, the feedback from users is negative highlighting potential issues with their cancellation policies and limited options in less populated areas.

Sometimes, you just have the itch for a fitness class outside of the app store. For those wanting to travel to other spaces for their training, there’s ClassPass, which offers access to local gyms with a variety of fitness classes available—like strength, HIIT, cycling, yoga, and boot camps. There are even health and wellness options, like massage work and health spas.

Depending on your monthly plan, you get a certain number of credits, which allows you to visit different classes throughout your area. If you’re not feeling too adventurous, ClassPass also has a library of workout videos for at-home workouts that are led by professional coaches and completely free to users.

RELATED: At-Home Bodyweight Workouts

The instruction you receive from the classes outside of the app will be totally dependent on the gyms, as ClassPass is more or less just offering the access to try out these classes. Our product tester Megan Capritto rates the equipment needed a 4.5 out of 5, saying, “You won’t need much equipment for this app. Most gyms should provide all the things needed like a mat and weights. Still, some classes will say to bring your own.”

Because this isn’t your typical fitness app, there aren’t notifications for continuing your workouts. “The only notifications I get are to confirm reservations for classes,” Megan says. Additionally, there are no interactive features or community for online support. Still, if you’re looking to change up your workout routine, ClassPass is a great way to do it and also explore your local area and what it has to offer.

Best Workout App for Men with Minimal Equipment: Ladder

Good for: Men with little equipment who are looking for solid programming to build strength

Best with Minimal Equipment

Ladder

GGR Score: 4.3

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Product Highlights

• Progressive strength training app
• Train in 5-6 week blocks
• 1:1 coaching options
• 7-day free trial period
• Bodyweight training available

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Daily training options
• Uses progressive overload
• Affordable
• Tracks progress

Cons

• Must be on one workout track at a time
• Available on iOS only

Bottom Line

Ladder is a fitness app with daily strength training workouts. You'll pick your preferred training style and stay in that track for 5 to 6 week blocks, which gradually get more challenging.

If you’re still building out your garage gym, you may not have all the home gym essentials at your house yet. If you’re still a little limited in your equipment, a great strength training app for you is Ladder. 

GGR senior editor and certified personal trainer Nicole Davis tested out Ladder and notes that the majority of workouts keep the equipment limited to kettlebells, dumbbells, or resistance bands. Even more, Nicole says that instructors during workouts will often provide suggestions for replacements on exercise equipment, like using an Olympic barbell instead of dumbbells for deadlifts. She rates the equipment demands a 4 out of 5.

The app is very easy to use, as Nicole rates it a 5 out of 5, saying, “It takes the guesswork out of the equation. After you choose your program, all workouts for the week are pre-programmed for you.” This allows Ladder to provide programs that follow progressive overload, which is where the app really shines.

Nicole rates the progressive overload of Ladder a 5 out of 5, explaining, “All programs follow a series schedule, designed to help you gain strength in five to six weeks, followed by a deload week.” This adherence to basic programming principles takes all the guesswork out of your workouts.

There isn’t as much variety on this app as other apps, since it predominantly focuses on strength training. However, if you’re looking to build strength with minimal equipment, Ladder follows the basics to ensure you’ll make strength gains.

Best Workout App for Men for Beginners: Aaptiv

Good for: Beginners looking for an easy-to-use app to begin their fitness journey

Best for Beginners

Aaptiv

GGR Score: 4.14

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Product Highlights

• Audio-guided workout app
• Over 2,500 workouts 
• New workouts each week

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Audio-based classes
• Thousands of workouts
• New classes each week
• Goal-based programs
• Free trial for annual plan

Cons

• Fewer coaches than competitors
• No information on nutrition
• Must sign up for annual plan to get the free trial

Bottom Line

Aaptiv is a great option for people looking for an alternative to video-based workout programs.

With a seven-day trial and affordable rate, Aaptiv is a great fitness app for anyone beginning to regularly work out, or for people curious about workout apps. In addition, the app provides workouts for you, so people new to working out won’t be guessing at what to do each day.

Expert product tester and certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto says the app is easy to use and navigate, which is extremely helpful for beginners. She rates the ease of use a 5 out of 5 because of how easy it is to search for workouts through a multitude of filters: workout mode of training, length, muscle groups used, fitness level, and equipment.

Although there is plenty of instruction within the app, Aaptiv won’t hold your hand through the workout. Instead, exercises within workouts have short audio and visual instructions, and workouts can be completed at your own pace. The lack of a coach-led workout might deter some people from using this app, Amanda suggests.

Still, there is plenty to learn from the exercise instructions, and Amanda notes that the programming team members responsible for workouts are clearly knowledgeable, programming some contralateral work in a workout. “This is something only a knowledgeable and experienced trainer would likely program,” Amanda says, rating the instruction as a whole a 4 out of 5.

With a variety of training types and workouts ranging from bodyweight exercises to using functional trainers, the app and its workouts can meet you where you’re at. For a beginner using Aaptiv, you can start from wherever you are, making it very accessible.

Best Outdoor Workout App for Men: Strava

Good for: Men wanting an app for traveling and experiencing the great outdoors

Best Outdoor Workout App

Strava App

GGR Score: 4.1

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Product Highlights

• Activity tracking app: track over 30 sports 
• Turns phone into a running/cycling computer 
• Free and subscription options 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Tracks variety of workouts
• Beacon live tracking available on free tier
• Provides lots of data
• Compatible with thousands of devices

Cons

• Many fan-favorite features behind paywall
• Some users wished the auto-pause feature was more sensitive
• Have to visit website on desktop to use some features like adding a new pair of shoes

Bottom Line

Strava’s tracking app allows you to track 30 different sports and, with a subscription, provides a wide variety of statistics to analyze your workouts.

If you’re looking for an app that’ll feed your urge for the outdoors, Strava is a great suggestion. Not only is it a running app, but it can also be used for trails, cycling, and even water sports like kayaking. If you’re looking for a cycling app that can keep up with you in the outdoors, this is the app for you.

The GPS tracker is pretty accurate from what product tester and certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto says, rating the accuracy a 4.5 out of 5. She explains, “Sometimes buildings might impede the GPS signal when I’m cycling through downtown Miami, but other than that, it does a great job.”

There is a free version as well as a premium version. Both will provide decent tracking stats, but Amanda suggests that any statistics lovers should go with the premium version for the best breakdowns of your routes. Also, the app easily connects with major fitness trackers as well.

One of the biggest differentiating factors of Strava from other running and cycling apps is its social network aspect. It has a social media presence on the app. “You can follow people on Strava just like you could on Instagram or Twitter,” Amanda adds.

One word of advice is that the app does reveal a lot of information on your location while using the GPS tracker. You may want to consider the risks before using a GPS tracking app like Strava.

Check out our Strava fitness app review for more information.

Other Workout Apps for Men We Researched

Here are a few other workout apps that we researched and tested, but they didn’t quite hit the mark to make our final list.

CENTR: Created by Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth, this workout app takes a holistic approach to fitness, providing training plans, meal plans, and workout routines from a panel of expert trainers and coaches. Still, the app lacks in accountability and interactive features. The main chance for motivation on this app is the occasional workout led by the Marvel star. Check out of Centr review for more.

Fiit: As the top-rated fitness app in the UK, Fiit provides expert-led workouts and a wide selection of 10-, 25-, 40-, and 60-minute workouts. However, quite a few customer reviews talk about a clunky interface—particularly with the Android version of the app.

Freeletics: Providing a free library of workouts, Freeletics might be a good choice for a fitness lover looking for a free workout app. However, our product tester Megan Capritto notes that there is little instruction on how to perform movements during a workout, just an animation. Furthermore, there’s no audio instruction either, leading her to have to look back at her phone multiple times during an exercise to know if she was performing an exercise right or not.

Jefit: Jefit has an expansive library of over 1,400 exercises, great for learning new movements and exercises. However, some of the workout tracking features are hidden behind their Elite subscription plan. For example, workouts log each exercise in alphabetical order instead of order of completion. Little things like this aren’t usually a premium feature.

How We Picked and Tested the Best Workout Apps for Men

The team at Garage Gym Reviews has developed a testing methodology for each piece of gym equipment we try out. For apps, we test across 14 different categories, although not every category pertains to every app. For example, a workout tracker won’t need a rating for GPS accuracy, and a running app doesn’t need a score for how it adheres to progressive overload.

Here are some of the aspects tested for the best workout apps for men:

• App setup: Apps shouldn’t take forever to get you set up for your first workout, so high-rating apps usually set you up an account and have a short assessment before letting you take advantage of the app’s features.
• Ease of use: The best fitness apps should have a clean and easy-to-use interface. To score high here, users should be able to navigate the app easily, finding workouts and other features without much trouble.
• Instruction: Workout apps should at a minimum display how-to instructions and videos on exercises in workouts, but apps receive extra points for exceptional coaching cues or personal coaching.
• Equipment demands: The best apps will have an option for everyone, despite lacking equipment. Scoring high in this category means the fitness app’s equipment demands mold to what you have available, or there are minimal equipment requirements—or none at all.
• Accountability: Apps have some features that help you stay accountable. Bare minimum requirements are to have push notifications as reminders, but some apps go above and beyond with integration with calendars or the presence of a one-on-one coach.
• Interactive features: Not all apps have interactive features, but it’s helpful in keeping people motivated and engaged. Social media and online communities are one way to stay engaged, but apps can also feature badges and reward users for consistent use.
• Pricing and value: Prices can vary in workout apps, from being completely free to costing $200 or more each month. The best scoring prices typically were under $15 a month, but even expensive workout apps can have great value if they have features that match the cost.

Benefits of Workout Apps for Men

Let’s look at some of the reasons why workout apps could help us guys out.

Convenience

Workout apps can help save you time and money. They save you time by giving you access to your workouts anywhere: at home, in a gym, or while traveling. Many apps have the flexibility to allow for adjustments based on the equipment available, so it’s easy to get a workout anywhere and can cut down on time commuting to a gym.

Fitness can also be expensive, between the cost of a gym membership and a personal trainer. Personal trainers can cost anywhere from $50 to $150 for just a one-hour session. While workout apps can be pricey in some instances, most will cost far less than the cost of in-person training.

Expert Programming

The workouts provided in the best workout apps are made by experts: certified personal trainers and professional coaches. Some apps use algorithms, but these algorithms are backed by research and created again by top experts in the field.

RELATED: What Is a Personal Trainer?

Getting programming from a certified personal trainer can help take a lot of the guesswork out of your programming, so you can be assured that you’re making progress with your workout plan.

Online Support

Either with an online coach or a fitness community, many workout apps provide access to online support. Some use social media to encourage and support other athletes, while other apps will connect you with a coach who will help keep you on track for your program.

What to Look for in Workout Apps for Men

As I said before, there aren’t too many apps that are gender-specific for men. With that said, marketing for men is on the rise, and just because a fitness app’s logo has camo and chains doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right workout app for you. Here are some factors to consider when browsing the app store for a fitness app ideal for you.

Level of Instruction

One of the first things to consider when looking for a workout app is the level of instruction you’re looking for. Instruction can be simple, with a how-to video on performing exercises, or it can be a coach leading a streamed workout with cues throughout the video. Furthermore, you can use an app to connect with your own personal coach, who can keep you accountable and help you stay on track.

The amount of instruction you want or need will vary from person to person, so think about the type and amount of instruction or guidance you need for your workout program.

Programming Principles

Strength training programs should follow the concept of progressive overload, which keeps you incrementally adding weights to exercises with occasional deload periods—with the long-term goal of building strength. If you’re looking for a good weight training program, you should make sure that the program follows those basic guidelines.

Type of Training

What type of training interests you? Lots of fitness apps provide a good variety of workouts, while others may focus on strength training or running workouts. Consider the types of workouts you’re going to want to do before diving into a workout app blindly.

Equipment Demands

Depending on your home gym setup, you might have plenty of equipment options, or be very limited in those options. Be mindful of the equipment you have access to, and select a workout app that has workouts for that equipment.

Best Workout App for Men: FAQs

Caine Wilkes, OLY, USAW-L1

Caine Wilkes is an Olympian, placing 9th in weightlifting at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. A former gym owner, he also has more than 15 years of experience coaching other athletes in weightlifting, CrossFit, and functional fitness.

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Best Protein Powder on Amazon (2024): 11 High-Quality Options That Taste Good, Too

by Lindsay Boyers, CN

The best protein powder on Amazon has an effective protein dose and high-quality ingredients. Here are our top picks. Read more

Fitbit Promo Code (2024)

by Anthony O'Reilly CPT, CNC

Looking to save money on one of the best fitness trackers on the market? We’ve found the best FitBit promo code to help you save money. Read more