Most modern fitness trackers do an excellent job in tracking heart rate, stress and sleep accurately. Fitness trackers have optical heart rate sensors that can keep up with quick changes in heart rate. The Garmin Connect app contains lots of deep insights, the ability to generate training plans, check out historic data, monitor your recovery and lots more. It’s just a shame there’s no onboard GPS for monitoring your location during outdoor cardio workouts, generally Garmin’s biggest strength. The Samsung Galaxy Ring is just edging out Oura in the race for reviews.io/company-reviews/store/madmuscles.com best smart ring, and by extension perhaps the best fitness tracker for sleep.

I Spent $60 to Lock My Phone. The Results Were Surprising

The program is centered around getting stronger and improving the big three lifts (squat, bench, and deadlift). If you’re not interested in powerlifting (or powerbuilding—a combination of bodybuilding-style training and powerlifting), this likely won’t be the best workout app for you. The level of personalization, modification, versatility, and accountability you get for the price is, quite frankly, insane. There are a million and one fitness apps out there that hover around the same price point, but most don’t offer anything nearly as comprehensive as JuggernautAI. Although more equipment is needed than in other apps we reviewed, Amanda still gives JuggernautAI a 4-out-of-5-star rating for equipment demands. “You can swap in exercises each day or for an entire block based on what you have handy,” she explains.

The best Garmin fitness tracker

In this guide, we’ve detailed enough fitness trackers to fit every need, style, and budget. However, for those just beginning their search who are looking for a simple overview, here are the must-know options to consider. This guide is designed to help you find the option that best suits your needs, budget, and style. We recognize that getting basic tracking is now easy and affordable—you can get a capable band for around $50/£50. However, the price quickly scales up when you consider different form factors, niche fitness insights, or dedicated smart features. Quality fitness apps will feature a wide range of workouts, provide classes or guidance from qualified and credible instructors, and be affordable.

Privacy and Data Security Concerns

For runs, it marks both mile splits and lets you mark laps manually, as well as tracking heart rate and pace. Apple Fitness isn’t amazing at tracking strength training metrics like reps or sets, but if you have a lot of variety in your fitness routine, it can handle a little bit of everything. Aaptiv (available on Android, iOS, and the web) specializes in audio-based workouts, meaning you don’t have to keep your eyes or fingers on a screen to exercise.

Fitness tracker FAQs

It also comes with a whopping 14-day battery life, dual-band GPS navigation, compass, altimeter, and many other features typically reserved for more premium models. Yes, FitOn still has a 100% free version, which gives you access to their database of workouts. While some apps only have free trials, there are a few free workout apps. For example, Nike Training Club is completely free, offers workout databases, and lets you track your workouts.

While the Ultra 3 is great for extreme hikers, the Series 11 is the pick for most iPhone users. The software Zepp OS is a bit simpler than Fitbit or Garmin, but it gets the job done. It has a feature called PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence), which gives you a single score based on your weekly heart rate activity.

• I went on a two-week vacation and didn’t even pack the charging cable.
• AI-powered apps like Welling make logging feel natural, almost fun.
• In addition to his contributions to Wareable, Conor’s expertise has been featured in publications such as British GQ, The Independent, Digital Spy, Pocket-lint, The Mirror, WIRED, and Metro.
• I’m also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade.
• Some apps offer cardio sessions that can be done on any equipment, while others, like Peloton, connect with their own machines to provide more detailed metrics and insights.
• A smartwatch, on the other hand, handles running, sleep, heart rate, and everyday wellness, but battery life may be shorter because it’s doing more.

The design of the Fit 3 is also beautiful, it comes with an aluminium frame that feels so much more expensive than it is. In my testing, I found that sleep tracking is also quite detailed here. I mostly became a sensitive hedgehog, which means I wake up easily but still get a decent amount of sleep.

Not every workout app can be the best, but some can still be great and worth your time. These are the apps we’ve tested that didn’t quite make the cut, but are still worth a download if you’re after more options. As a BodyPump fan, I would watch the classes on my TV, and send my heart rate soaring without leaving my living room.

With us,it’s not just about exercising; it’s about embracing a healthier, happier lifestyle.

Take advantage of the seven-day free trial and try out some free sessions before you start paying. Trim down or bulk up, run faster, or bike farther—however you exercise, our favorite workout apps help you stay committed to physical fitness. Some apps are meant for those who are entirely self-sufficient with no community or coach interaction, some offer fully customized coaching from a personal trainer, and many fall somewhere in the middle. If you’re going to be training in your garage gym, you’ll want to carefully consider what sort of home gym equipment may be required for the app you’re considering. Many apps have minimal requirements, and are designed to work with only your bodyweight and some light dumbbells.

Best fitness trackers: Frequently Asked Questions

People wanting guided workouts should explore Nike Training Club or Fitbod. Setgraph currently doesn’t offer CSV export, which is a limitation if you want to back up data externally or switch apps later. Setgraph, Strong, Hevy, Fitbod, and Nike Training Club all support Apple Watch. You can log sets, start rest timers, and view workout data from your wrist. Boostcamp specializes in implementing proven strength programs like 5/3/1, Starting Strength, and nSuns. Instead of building these programs yourself, Boostcamp provides them ready to use with proper progression schemes.

You can give kudos (likes), comment, and join clubs based on location or interests. Apps that offer local-first storage with optional cloud sync give you more control over your data. If you’ve ever stood at a barbell trying to figure out which plates to load for 275 pounds, you understand why this feature matters. Smart plate calculators tell you exactly which plates to add, accounting for the bar weight and what’s already loaded.

Personalization

During testing, we found the instructor-led workouts to be engaging and motivating, and also enjoyed the whiteboard workouts, which show you the entire workout so you can follow at your own pace. There’s also the option to connect the workout to your Apple Music. It’s not perfect, but for a free app, there’s plenty to keep you moving here. If you don’t feel the need for an online support system, there are still ways to stay on top of your workouts. Some apps will add calendar reminders or push notifications to help remind you of your workout schedule for the week. Other than finding one at the low, low price of free, here are some things to consider for the right fitness app for you.

Best Free Workout Tracking Apps 2025: Complete Comparison Guide

Our tester and lead reviewer for Garage Gym Reviews Everything, Lindsay Scheele, CPT, CNC, notes there are bodyweight, dumbbell, and barbell progressions for most movements. Both the paid and free versions earn a 5-out-of-5-star rating for equipment demands. The SHRED app is significantly more affordable than the average workout app and includes a 7-day trial for new users. Fitbod takes a different approach by generating personalised workouts using AI. Rather than following a fixed programme, the app creates each workout based on your history, recovery, and available equipment.

Fooducate: Nutrition Coach

The rest timer is reliable, and the interface, while not the prettiest, is functional and gets the job done. Smart Plates is a standout feature—it calculates which plates to load on the bar for your target weight, eliminating mental math mid-workout. The rest timer includes Live Activity support on iOS, so you can see your countdown without opening the app. If you might switch from iPhone to Android (or vice versa), choose an app available on both platforms.

However, if you’re a data-hungry athlete who lives for recovery metrics, you really can’t beat the Garmin Vivosmart 5. It’s the one I grab when I know I’m going to push my body to the limit and need to know exactly how much energy I have left. One confusion people often have is whether they should just buy an Apple Watch or a dedicated fitness tracker. If you love the idea of a high-end wearable but aren’t ready for a monthly subscription, you might want to check out some of the WHOOP alternatives that offer similar tracking without the subscription. If you have a Samsung phone, the Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 is the best fitness tracker in 2026 for you.