Fitness Goals 2026: How to Set and Actually Achieve Them

Best Workout Apps for Real Results in 2026 Why Workout Apps Work Fitness apps have exploded in popularity because they offer something traditional gym memberships can’t: convenience. The Good Housekeeping Institute notes that there’s little downside to trying a new workout app because most offer free trials goodhousekeeping.com . They’re more affordable than in‑person gym memberships and save you the effort of programming workouts yourself goodhousekeeping.com . You can bring them anywhere, anytime, making them a great tool for keeping you consistent and helping you see results goodhousekeeping.com . That said, the market is crowded and not all apps provide quality training, which is why experts test dozens of apps to find the best goodhousekeeping.com . Another key factor is commitment. Personal trainer Amy Schlinger told Good Housekeeping that workout apps work only if you stick with them goodhousekeeping.com . Downloading an app and using it once a week won’t deliver results; using it consistently will. Top Workout Apps for 2026 – Ranked from Good to Best Not every fitness app is created equal. To help you decide where to invest your time, we’ve ordered our recommendations from those with more limited features to those that deliver the most comprehensive experience. FitConnect tops the list as the best option because it combines training plans with real‑coach accountability and AI‑powered insights. Aaptiv – Aaptiv is a great starting point if you want audio‑only coaching and prefer to focus on verbal cues rather than video. The app offers over 3,000 workouts and adds 40 new classes each week mensfitness.co.uk . You can choose goals such as losing weight, building strength or reducing stress and tweak the programmes by duration, training days and equipment mensfitness.co.uk . However, because it’s audio‑only, you need some familiarity with exercise technique, and there’s less visual motivation compared with other apps. Nike Training Club – This free app delivers hundreds of workouts across strength, cardio, mobility and yoga, all led by expert trainers mensfitness.co.uk . It’s ideal for getting started with bodyweight or minimal equipment workouts and discovering what training styles you enjoy. While the content library is impressive, the lack of personalisation and accountability means some users may plateau without additional guidance. Freeletics – Freeletics is praised as the original bodyweight home workout app mensfitness.co.uk . It excels at kit‑free, personalised training journeys covering a wide range of goals, from MMA conditioning to explosive strength mensfitness.co.uk . The app adapts sessions based on your feedback and includes mindset audio courses to keep motivation high mensfitness.co.uk . It still operates as a stand‑alone app though, so if you need external accountability or strength‑training guidance, you may need to supplement it with other tools. Fitbod – For strength‑training enthusiasts, Fitbod uses AI to build programmes that adapt as you log workouts. It suggests weights, sets and reps and lets you train with whatever equipment you have. The app earns praise for user experience, cost and workout variety garagegymreviews.com . The free version is quite limited, however, and you’ll need to upgrade to unlock unlimited sessions and wearable integration. Shred App – Shred takes things further with AI‑powered customisation and programmes designed by world‑class athletes. Garage Gym Reviews named it the best overall workout app, citing high‑quality weight‑training programmes and ease of use for both home and gym workouts garagegymreviews.com . It’s ideal for those who want a structured programme with some personalisation garagegymreviews.com . Still, community features are limited and the focus remains on pre‑made programmes rather than fully bespoke coaching. Peloton App – Peloton remains a favourite for its massive library of live and on‑demand classes and its engaging community features. The user‑friendly interface and ability to filter by workout type, duration and instructor make it easy to find the right class goodhousekeeping.com . Reviewers highlight the motivational instructors and community support goodhousekeeping.com . However, to get the most out of Peloton you’ll often need additional equipment or multiple subscription tiers goodhousekeeping.com . FitConnect – Ranked at the top because it goes beyond generic programmes. FitConnect connects you with certified personal trainers across disciplines – from personal training and boxing to nutrition coaching – and integrates AI tools to calculate calories, macros and training loads. Unlike stand‑alone apps, FitConnect provides one‑on‑one feedback, tailored plans, accountability and motivation. You can sync wearable data, upload progress photos and message your coach in‑app. With a free user tier and only coaches paying for premium tools, FitConnect offers the most value and personalisation, making it the best choice for real results. Learn more at getfitconnect.co.uk. These rankings are subjective, but they reflect how much each app or platform can support long‑term training success. Use this list as a starting point and remember that the best app is the one you’ll use consistently. How to Choose the Right App Selecting the best workout app depends on your personal goals and preferences. Consider these factors: Define your goal: Decide whether you want to lose weight, build muscle, improve cardiovascular fitness, learn a sport (like boxing or MMA) or simply move more. Apps like Freeletics and Shred offer goal‑specific programmes, while Nike Training Club and Peloton provide broader variety. Assess your experience level: Beginners may prefer apps with guided tutorials and easy‑to‑follow classes; more advanced users might want custom programming or AI‑driven adjustments. Consider equipment and space: If you have no equipment, look for bodyweight programmes like Freeletics; if you have dumbbells or a treadmill, apps like Peloton and Fitbod can tailor sessions accordingly garagegymreviews.com . Check trial periods and cost: Most apps offer free trials. Use them to assess the interface, workout variety and coaching quality before committing. Look for community features: A supportive community can boost motivation. Peloton’s community features (hashtags, virtual high fives and live DJ classes) are a good example goodhousekeeping.com . Integrate wearables: If you track workouts or health data on Apple Health or Google Fit, choose an app that syncs seamlessly. How FitConnect Complements Your Workout App While these apps can provide excellent training programmes, they’re often built for general audiences. FitConnect bridges the gap by connecting you with certified personal trainers and coaches across multiple disciplines. Whether you’re looking for one‑on‑one boxing coaching, personalised nutrition plans, or ongoing accountability, FitConnect matches you with a coach who understands your goals and can tailor programmes for your needs. You can still use your favourite fitness app to log workouts or follow classes, but adding a coach through FitConnect ensures you get expert feedback, adjustments and support. FitConnect also offers features such as AI‑assisted calorie and macro calculators, wearable device integration, secure messaging with your coach and the ability to upload progress photos for feedback. Since the platform is designed to scale globally, you’ll be able to find coaches for everything from marathon training to Muay Thai when the service expands outside the UK. Signing up is free, and the platform only charges coaches for access to premium tools, so users always get value. Conclusion Workout apps are set to become even more sophisticated in 2026, with AI‑powered personalisation and larger class libraries. As experts point out, they’re more affordable than gym memberships and can keep you consistent wherever you are goodhousekeeping.com . The best apps combine variety, expert guidance and features that adapt to your progress. To maximise results, choose an app that aligns with your goals and use it consistently goodhousekeeping.com . When you’re ready to take things further, FitConnect lets you pair these apps with personalised coaching, helping you train smarter, plan better and achieve lasting results.