Smartphones 02 June 2023

Top 5 Workout Apps You Can Use at Home

home workout Photo by Valeria Ushakova from Pexels

Nowadays, we try to optimize everything. Usually, our main priorities are career, income, family, friends… Of course these are important aspects of our lives. But often our health is underestimated. We tend to not pay enough attention to it, and at some point without health…

We can’t have anything else.

That’s just one of the reasons to take care of ourselves as well. Working out at home can be as effective as working out in the gym. It depends on you. You’re in charge there. In fact, it can be even faster and more focused. And can be performed even at your living room without any equipment. We know this sounds easier than it actually is but… How it sounds to have 2, 3 or more personal trainers without paying each one separately? How does it sound to have the option to workout concerted to your busy schedule? Do you like the idea to be fit even when gyms are closed? The following apps have plenty to offer. So continue reading to discover which one will be best for you!

Top 5 Workout Apps You Can Use at Home

  1. Aaptiv
  2. Nike Training Club
  3. Asana Rebel
  4. Jillian Michaels Fitness
  5. Johnson & Johnson 7 Minute Workout

1. Aaptiv

Pros

  • More than 2,500 guided workouts, with more than 40 new classes added each week

  • Can download the workouts

  • No need to use a screen

  • Can save workouts for later (in the app)

Cons

  • Doesn’t offer much in the way of real-time feedback

  • High monthly fee

Available for Android, iPhone, Apple Watch

What to Expect When Login?

The first time you log in, you’ll be asked to set a goal.

For instance:

  • Running faster
  • Losing weight or
  • Just keeping fit

Then you’ll be prompted to type a little information about your current fitness level and exercise habits. Also, the platform will give you the option to choose what equipment you have access to. Thus, it will recommend you workouts that you can do with what you already have.

More About Workouts

With Aaptiv, you’re able to really focus on your body and its movements. The platform is audio-based, so there’s no video for you to follow along. That means you don’t have to pay attention to a screen while also trying to make sure you’re doing the workout correctly. You can do workouts at home, at the gym, or outside because all you need is your phone and some headphones. Besides, you have unlimited access to audio-based fitness classes. Certified professional trainers led these classes. And you can choose some great playlists during the workout as well.

There are more than 2,500 guided workouts and they come in categories like:

  • running and walking,
  • elliptical,
  • strength training,
  • indoor cycling,
  • stretching,
  • yoga & meditation,
  • and others.

Each one comes with:

  • Estimated duration
  • Difficulty level and
  • Star ratings based on other users to help you make your choice.

Moreover, the company has taken care of your interest. They add 40 new classes each week. That way if you feel bored from your routine you can always refresh it. You can choose a completely different workout from the previous one.

More About Trainers

All trainers featured in the app are very cheerful and positive. And they encourage you to push yourself harder. That is really important especially when you’re working out alone away from the atmosphere of a real gym.

Fees/Trials

You have 30 days of free trial. If you like it and want to continue using it you have to pay a monthly fee of $15. But if you want serious results you can take advantage of the discount available if you pay for a whole year up-front - $100 per year.

2. Nike Training Club

Pros

  • Over 190 home workouts to choose from
  • Completely free to use
  • Can check the correct form of the exercises before you start training
  • Celebrity-endorsed workouts

Cons

  • Must download workouts

Available for Android, iPhone, Apple Watch

What to Expect When Login?

Registration is the 1st thing you have to do when you install the app. Once you have a registration you’ll be prompted to answer a few questions. Questions are around how active you are. The app will use that info to recommend your initial workouts.

More About Workouts

You can find options by muscle group or workout types like:

  • Endurance
  • Strength
  • Mobility or
  • Yoga

Also, you can filter workouts by duration or by equipment requirements. Each workout has a level rating consisting of either beginner, intermediate, or advanced. This will help you to decide what to choose for each day depending on what you want to do that day. For instance, you might be an advanced level at HIIT training, but rather a beginner at yoga.The app also tells you what the workouts are good for.

For instance:

  • Strength
  • Speed
  • Agility or
  • Others
    • Whatever equipment you’ll need

In this platform, you can find a workout at your fitness level. And each workout is designed to make you sweat (a lot). And in the beginning, it’s better to choose an easy workout. Especially if you haven’t worked out from years start with baby steps. At the end of the workout, the platform will ask you how hard was the session. Based on your feedback it will suggest your next workouts.

Last but not least, if you are keen on your fitness goals, Nike has prepared useful content about:

  • Mindset
  • Movement
  • Nutrition
  • Recovery and
  • Sleep

Reading such articles will help you to know more about the process and stay motivated.

The only disadvantage that we noticed is that each workout has to be downloaded before you can start. They’re not included when you install the app.

More About Trainers

And the fact that workouts are coming from a well-known brand like Nike means instructors are carefully selected. They are certified and qualified. Another interesting benefit is that you have access to some celebrities’ workouts. Sometimes training like your favorite celebrity can be quite motivational.

Fees/Trials

And the best news: All this is FREE OF CHARGE at least for now. Nike decided to do that because of the quarantine.

3. Asana Rebel

Pros

  • Over 100 home workouts to choose from
  • Helps for developing healthy habits
  • Create your daily plans

Cons

  • Doesn’t help for muscle growth

Available for: Android, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV

Asana Rebel is a yoga-inspired fitness app. It’s best for those of you who want to lose weight and increase flexibility. Besides, it will help you to build healthy habits. They share various nutrition tips like avoiding caffeine after 3 pm. It’s a nice mix of modern cardio-based workouts and traditional yoga moves.

What to Expect When Login?

First, you have to answer a few questions about your weight, height, and goals. Interesting here is they don’t focus so much on losing weight in a misery way just to see results. Instead, their goals are more general and gradual.

More About Workouts

You have access to 100+ workouts designed by yoga and fitness experts. All workouts are bodyweight only. So you won’t need any additional equipment. This is actually a good thing because the workout is going to tone you, instead of making you tired. All workouts are short. Their length is around 20 min (the shortest is 4min, and the longest 40+). But that’s great because they’re based on continuous movement with no breaks between. That’s what makes them effective! And for the people who say that they have no time for workout options to do just 5 min workouts can be very useful. Besides, you can preview the workout before actually starting it.

Workouts are scoped in 5 categories:

  • Fat burn
  • Strength
  • Flexibility
  • Balance + Focus
  • Relaxation

More About Trainers

While many yoga classes and apps are mainly focused on women, Asana Rebel has included a lot of guides from male instructors as well.

Fees/Trials

They offer 7 days free trial. Then if you would like to continue using it options are two:

  1. Quarterly subscription for $37.99 or
  2. Yearly subscription for $58.99

4. Jillian Michaels Fitness

Pros

  • Workout generator
  • Celebrity trainer
  • Over 20 fitness programs
  • Over 800 exercises

Cons

  • Only one coach
  • High monthly fee
  • Not good for beginner

Available for Android, iPhone, Apple Watch

What to Expect When Login?

Like other apps, it will ask for some basic starting information about you. Based on provided information the app will recommend workouts for you.

More About Workouts

One of their most preferred programs is 7-minute workouts because everyone can find 7 minutes a day.

  1. Abs
  2. Upper Body
  3. Legs
  4. Cardio
  5. Total body

Also, you can select which exercise to be included in the workout. If you have dumbbells or some equipment you can find workouts, which include them. And if you don’t there are workouts that don’t need anything more (expect desire). You have the option to generate a specific workout, which will meet your criteria.

Moreover, you can choose different music during workouts. Interesting here is that you can choose music, which beat is synchronized with the moves you do. It’s not pleasant to listen to slow music when you supposed to be doing high-intensity exercises, right?

More About Trainers

Your trainer will be the celebrity, Jillian Michaels. She’s a personal trainer, businesswoman, author, and TV personality from LA, California. You will hear her voice and every workout will be led by her. Interesting here is the fact that this app is not suitable for absolute beginners. Yes, you can choose a beginner fitness level. But even there the workouts are harder compared to other similar apps. On the other hand, if you’re not a beginner it will kick start your body faster. And you will get results faster.

Fees/Trials

7 Day free trial is available to decide if you like the program. Then you have 2 options:

  1. $14.99 monthly or
  2. $89.94 per year

5. Johnson & Johnson 7 Minute Workout

Pros

  • Completely free to use
  • Over 1000 variations workouts with various level of difficulty
  • Great customization options

Cons

  • Can’t use audio only
  • Not good for begginers

Available for Android, iPhone, Apple Watch

What to Expect When Login?

As its name says this app contains 7 minutes workouts. They are based on high-intensity interval training and circuit training. One of the first things you’ll be asked is your difficulty level and what types of exercise you prefer. The levels are from easy to hard and each level has different types of exercises.

More About Workouts

All exercises are with your body weight. So no equipment needed. You can choose a total of 22 workouts and 72 exercises. That means you can customize to create over 1000 variations with a few levels of difficulty. You can easily play your own music. In the middle of the screen, there are 3 red dots and you can start listening to music just with one swipe. Each 7-minute workout contains 12 exercises in total. In turn, each exercise should be performed for 30 sec with minimal rest between exercises. The idea is to hit one muscle and while it’s resting to hit another muscle. Thus you can put more energy and intensity in each exercise. This way of training is very intensive. That’s why they are appropriate rather for intermediate and advanced people. If you want to get full benefits of the workout you can do 3 circuits of 7 minutes (21 minutes). And after each workout, you will be asked about the difficulty. Besides, you can track your progress with the app and share it with your friends on social media. All you need is seven minutes, or about 11 if you add a warm-up and cool down. (2 min warm-up 2 min cooldown)

More About Trainers

Chris Jordan designed and implemented the exercises. Chris has a Master of Science degree in Exercise Physiology and tons of other certificates and real experience. On the whole, he knows his job. If you’re curious about his background and want to know more click here.

Fees/Trials

And all those benefits were free since the beginning (2014) and are still free nowadays.

Final words

Hiring a personal trainer for $8-$15 per month… Never going to happen. That’s why these apps are awesome and worth the risk. And most of them have a trial period, others are free. Give it a go… you’ve got nothing to lose but a few pounds and some bad habits. Push yourself hard when you want, but don’t forget to take recovery days as well. Rest is an essential part of the fitness journey. And don’t forget to enjoy it. In fact, that’s among main things. Everyone is different and the key to stick with a training routine is to find one that you enjoy. If you have a good time during and after a workout it’ll be much easier to make it a habit.