The best fitness, sports and workout apps
Do you want to do more sport, but don’t know where to start? Or don’t dare go to the gym? We’ll help you and give you the best app alternatives. In this article, you’ll find the best fitness, sports, running and workout apps and valuable information on how these apps can help you succeed. Unless otherwise stated, we use these terms interchangeably.
Summary: The best fitness, sports and workout apps at a glance
If you don’t have time, you can jump straight to the apps in the app stores with one click. You can find more information about the fitness apps, including features and costs, below.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Nike Training Club: Fitness | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Freeletics | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Asana Rebel:Yoga & Fitness | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| ASICS Studio | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| PUMATRAC | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Advantages and disadvantages of apps and gyms
Anyone who takes a look at the following table will think that sports apps are superior to gyms. However, there are important points that speak in favor of studios.
| Apps | Fitness studio |
| More flexible termsLess expensiveLower barriers to entryIntegration with other services such as nutrition apps, Apple/Google HealthMeasurement data can be viewed during and after trainingIntegration with smartwatchesDoing sports from home | Equipment availableOpportunity to train with other people and spur each other onGet to know like-minded peopleProfessional trainers are often available to motivate and supervise you, instruct you properly and give you advice |
| No personal experience: no instruction on the equipment, no tips, no supervisionIt is possible to perform exercises incorrectly and overestimate yourself → risk of injuryRather useless without a smartwatchEquipment required for full potential | Often very expensive and inflexible subscriptionsHigh entry barriers (getting to the studio, buying sportswear)Not always the latest equipment available |
Onboarding and support from experienced trainers alone speaks for the gym and helps beginners a lot. Good gyms will assess your state of health, discuss your goals and training plan and provide you with tips and advice. Training together with like-minded people should also not be underestimated. You often have to take out very expensive and inflexible subscriptions for this. Fitness apps are more flexible in this respect, but they can’t replace a professional trainer. However, they can be a good introduction to the world of sport – who knows, maybe you really will switch to the gym at some point 😉
How can I recognize good fitness apps?
Free vs. paid sports apps
There are many sports apps in the Google and Apple app stores. In addition to apps from sporting goods manufacturers such as Adidas or Nike, there are often unknown apps from unknown manufacturers that are free or offer cheaper in-app purchases than the big players. It’s easy to be tempted to use these apps to save money. However, we advise against these apps.
Good workout apps should cost something, but also offer a free trial period, because just like in real life, the chemistry has to be right with fitness apps. Once you have decided on an app and use it frequently, you can save money with an annual subscription. Just don’t forget to cancel it in good time!
User-friendliness
Good fitness apps are characterized by a clear and intuitive user interface. The workouts should be quick to start and the measurement data should be easy to understand and well explained. What’s the point if an app throws technical terms at you but doesn’t explain the scientific concepts behind them? If the app is financed by advertising, it should not appear too often.
Personalization
Even if the app consists of training videos, the sports app should offer some personalization options. These can include saving favorite workouts as well as creating training and nutrition plans (if offered). The app should be suitable for beginners, advanced users and professionals.
Videos with correct instructions
As no one is looking over your shoulder to make sure you are doing the workouts correctly, it is important that the trainers give you regular instructions in the videos.
No hasty promises
“Reach your dream weight in 4 weeks” or “six pack in 30 days” – good fitness apps don’t make any dubious promises. Reputable apps also don’t sell you dubious dietary supplements or overpriced sports equipment.
Scientific nature
Despite all the weaknesses and disadvantages mentioned above, Nike, Adidas, Puma and others invest huge sums in their fitness apps. The workouts on offer are supported by scientists, nutrition experts and doctors in the background and are based on scientific findings. This is important for the correct calculation of kilocalories burned, heart rates and distances or the correct execution of the exercises.
Data protection
As health data is collected during exercise, data protection is very important. This is especially true if you connect the app to Apple or Google Health. Protect the app with two-factor authentication if it is offered. Also check the privacy policy to find out what the providers do with your data.
Community features
Let’s be honest: sometimes motivation is higher when you can train with others. Although community functions are not absolutely necessary, the ability to network with others and view leaderboards increases motivation immensely.
How to keep your motivation up
The best sports app is useless if you lack motivation. The points from our article on New Year’s resolutions therefore also apply here:
Set specific goals
Many resolutions fail because instead of concrete goals, vague targets such as “do more sport” are set. When do you want to exercise? How often? Set yourself specific but realistic goals. “Do 30 minutes of yoga once a week” or “One walk a week” are a good start to measure yourself against.
Start small and build up
Newcomers in particular tend to overdo it at the beginning and are then surprised at the lack of success. Rome wasn’t built in a day either. Any exercise is better than none in the beginning, even if it’s just 10 minutes a day of real exercise.
Develop a routine
It is also helpful if you get into the habit of a routine. Try to always exercise on a day of your choice at a time of your choice. Even if you don’t feel like exercising: The feeling of happiness is all the stronger when you have pulled yourself together and done it.
Train with friends…
Competing with friends and acquaintances and viewing their workouts can increase your motivation. Network with them and challenge them – if you lose, you have to give something to the winner 😉.
… but don’t compare yourself with others
A glance at Instagram or TikTok is a quick temptation to compare yourself with others. If you compare your progress with that of others, you can be disappointed very quickly. It’s okay if you still don’t have a six-pack after four weeks. It’s okay if the fat pad on your stomach is still visible after four weeks. The important thing is that you do your own thing!
Mistrust influencers!
Fitness influencers are one of the most popular influencer groups on the internet. On the way to the dream figure, unsuspecting people often leave four-figure sums lying around, for example by promoting dietary supplements that are often not only unnecessary but also extremely expensive. These influencers often advertise their own workouts and apps, which they pay dearly for. They often lack science and seriousness or the workouts are not suitable for beginners. Fitness influencers are not your friends.
Give yourself breaks and listen to your body
It’s okay to feel bad sometimes and not to train sometimes. Just as important as training are the breaks you need to give your body. Listen to your body – especially if you are in pain. Phases in which you only do the bare minimum and don’t feel like exercising are completely normal. If in doubt, always ask your GP or orthopaedist.
How to get more out of your fitness app
Get yourself a smartwatch
Admittedly, a smartwatch is not cheap. But many people already own one. And: they really do motivate. Not only that: with a smart watch, you can monitor your vital data during training. Although your cell phone can also record certain data such as steps, a smartwatch does this more accurately as it sits directly on your wrist. Depending on the watch, it is possible to leave your cell phone at home while running, for example. You also don’t have to reach for your phone if you need to pause your training.
Activate integration with Google Fit and Apple Health
Google Fit and Apple Health are the health hubs. Your health data and vital signs are stored in these apps. Activate the integration with the health apps in the sports apps so that they can save your training and vital data there.
Get yourself suitable equipment
Your equipment is at least as important as the app. At the very least, a yoga mat should be part of your basic equipment. This will protect your ankles.
Sport isn’t everything
If you don’t succeed, it’s not just down to the fitness app. Poor sleep, addictions and an unhealthy diet can ruin many successes. You can find out whether your sleep is restful with sleep tracking apps. And you can also find out how to get your addictions under control outside of the New Year in our article on New Year’s resolutions.
These are the fitness, workouts and sports apps
Nike Training Club: Fitness
Nike has a loyal fan community: the company’s limited-edition sneakers often change hands for four-figure sums. With Nike Training Club: Fitness and Nike Run Club, Nike has two fitness apps up its sleeve that are aimed at all athletes and those who want to become one. Over 300 workouts are available in the Nike Training Club: Fitness app. Yoga, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), strength and full-body workouts are available to help you build muscle. As your mindset and mindfulness are just as important as the training itself, the app offers mental exercises and meditations. The workouts are suitable for both beginners and professionals. A connection to Apple Health and Google Fit ensures that your vital data is synchronized.
The app is completely free.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Nike Training Club: Fitness | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Freeletics
Freeletics claims to be the number 1 in Europe with 56 million users. The fitness app focuses primarily on HII workouts, which are suitable for beginners and professionals alike. Strength training and running are also available in the Freeletics app. A personal trainer based on artificial intelligence creates an individual training plan in the premium version – this is particularly practical if you are on the go and don’t have any equipment with you. As with Nike Training Club: Fitness, Freeletics workouts can also be controlled via smartwatches and connected to the health apps.
You can download the app for free, but it only offers a limited range of functions. Unfortunately, subscriptions are only available for at least 3 months (from CHF 34), so you should test the 14-day trial period thoroughly.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Freeletics | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Asana Rebel: Yoga & Fitness
What Freeletics is to HIIT workouts, Asana Rebel is to yoga. With over 10 million users, Asana is one of the most popular yoga apps. Yoga can also be used to burn calories and train muscles. However, every yoga session involves a moment of rest and mindfulness, which is why people who want to start slowly and don’t yet know whether they have the stamina for proper workouts should start with yoga. Professionals can take a look at sweat-inducing HIIT workouts instead. Asana Rebel offers access to over 100 workouts that can be filtered by duration, goals, intensity and collections. Guided meditations and sleep sounds help you to relax and fall asleep in addition to yoga workouts, while recipes help you to build muscle and lose weight. There is also a connection to Apple Health.
The app is free, but you need a subscription for the full range of functions, which costs from CHF 12.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Asana Rebel:Yoga & Fitness | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
ASICS Studio
If you’re looking for a good all-rounder app with different sports, you should take a look at the ASICS Studio app, which offers yoga, running, cross-training, indoor cycling and more. 10 trainers will help you achieve your goals. These goals can be, for example, a 5 km workout or muscle building. Workouts can also be selected for specific muscle groups, which is handy if you only want to build up certain muscle groups. Each workout is accompanied by music – if you want, you can even train to your own music. There is also a connection to Apple Health, but not Google Fit.
ASICS Studio is initially free, but requires a monthly subscription of at least CHF 10 after the trial period.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| ASICS Studio | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
PUMATRAC
PUMATRAC is also an all-rounder among sports and workout apps. In the strength, HIIT, dance, endurance, Pilates, ballet and boxing categories, beginners, advanced and professionals alike will find countless workouts to suit them. Workout combinations from different training sessions work even the deepest muscle groups in your body. One of PUMATRAC’s strengths is its international trainers – no other fitness app offers this level of internationality. You can see the individual steps and their duration for each workout. Cooldown videos help you to wind down after completing a workout. Your music can be integrated via Spotify or Apple Music, and there are also integrations with Apple Health and Google Fit.
Puma’s sports app is completely free and does not require a subscription.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| PUMATRAC | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Honorable Mention: Apple Fitness+
If you are at home in the Apple cosmos, you should also take a look at Apple Fitness+. With a new Apple Watch, you get 3 free trial months. You can read our test report on Apple Fitness+ here.
Conclusion: Stay fit and healthy with these sports apps
Any exercise is better than none. And with Nike Training Club: Fitness and PUMATRAC, you even have two free apps at your disposal. Even the apps with the most expensive subscriptions on this list are still cheaper than two coffees to go. If you start slowly, show perseverance and take breaks from time to time, you will not only be rewarded with a better body, but also better health. However, it won’t always be uphill. Valleys and downhill stretches are also part of everyday training. But be aware: the feeling of happiness after a hard workout is one of the greatest moments in life.
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