Last year, I spent nearly one grand on my gym membership. Now, you might think I am a fitness enthusiast with a washboard abs who likes to chug protein shakes every day and avoid eating out. Well, I spent money on the membership but never went to the gym.
Shocked, right
Simply put, I just got ahead of myself and got a yearly membership for my gym, but was too busy to go regularly. Overworking every day, trying to make ends meet, and trying to get a good night’s sleep, I lost more money on curing my back pain.
That is when I discovered the fitness apps that can help you stay motivated and healthy without spending a lot of money. Also, if you want to stay fit without spending a lot of money on gym membership, here is a list of some of the best fitness apps that you can use.
Amidst a plethora of fitness apps, finding the right one that works on every possible platform, and caters to every audience is nearly impossible. While I won’t promise that the apps on this list will tick all the boxes, they surely will help you shortlist the one that works for you.
Before we dive straight into the list, make sure you have a reliable internet connection such as the one offered by Spectrum, so you can easily stream workout tutorials without interruptions. You can check Spectrum Internet prices to find the plan that suits your needs.
Now, without further ado, here’s a list of my top picks for fitness apps you can use on both iOS and Android.
Body by Blogilates
· Available On: Android and iOS
· Price: $3.99/Month
· Ideal For: Females working towards their body goals but don’t want to spend a lot of money
· Features: Workout videos, a calendar, challenges, journals, progress tracking and a social community
If you believe in celebrity influence, you need to try Blogilates. A YouTuber who is famous for her athleisure designs created the app. While the focus of her channel is sharing practical athleisure design, she is a true fitness enthusiast by heart, and the Body by Blogilates app is living proof of it.
| Pros | Cons |
| · Easy and free to download
· Most workouts require no equipment. · Some content on the app is also available for free on other platforms like YouTube. · The video workout library is free · Very affordable for people who don’t want to spend a lot of money |
· Beginners might struggle with the workout
· Advanced workouts might require equipment. · Mainly focuses on women |
Fitbit
· Available On: Android and iOS
· Price: Free (Limited Features)
· Ideal For: Beginner with no or basic prior knowledge
· Features: Daily readiness scores with premium subscription
If you are into fitness gadgets, there is a high chance that you are already familiar with Fitbit. The brand is famous for its fitness wearables, especially smart bands and watches. If you are a fitness enthusiast and trying to reach your fitness goal, this app can be great for you.
It offers simple, easy-to-follow exercise tutorials. With the help of a Fitbit band, you can track your vital, movement and more.
| Pros | Cons |
| · Sleep tracking and enhancing sleep quality
· Nutrition monitoring and calorie count · Motivation via achievement badges · Daily readiness scores features are available for a premium subscription |
· Requires Fitbit wearable for performance tracking
· Manual tracking is essential for some activities · Not ideal for professionals and experts. |
Gymverse
· Available On: Android and iOS
· Price: Free (Limited Features)
· Ideal For: Strength training beginners
· Features: Integrated video tutorials
If you prefer one-on-one workout sessions that are fully customized to your needs, Gymverse is the best app for you. This fitness app mainly focuses on weight loss and muscle gain, so if you want to get into shape, Gymverse will help you reach your goal.
| Pros | Cons |
| · Comes with a video tutorial integration feature
· User can create their own workout plan · wearable connectivity feature available |
· slightly more expensive than most of the other fitness apps
· most of the good workouts are offered on the paid subscription |
8fit
· Available On: Android and iOS
· Price: Free
· Ideal For: Guidance and instruction
· Features: Workout, meal prep, planning, progress tracking, daily motivation, personalization
8fit is perfect for people who are looking for an app that can help them reach their customized fitness goals. While signing up, the app requires the user to fill up a detailed form about the fitness goal and customize their workout accordingly.
| Pros | Cons |
| · Simple, easily accessible, and very user-friendly
· Covers 360-degree fitness with a very holistic approach · Offers an option to customize each workout plan · Wide variety of workouts · Meal planning features · Easy progress tracking |
· The free version comes with limited features
· Doesn’t offer advanced customization features · Access to advanced features requires a subscription cost |
Peloton
· Available On: Android and iOS
· Price: Free Trial
· Ideal For: People with access to gym equipment
· Features: Activity tracking, live metrics, peloton gym, Apple Watch and Google WearOS stats, heart rate monitor mcnnectivity
If you get bored of the same boring workout routine and need a different workout to stay motivated, Peloton is the perfect app for you. Following the workout on this app doesn’t require proper equipment and you can enjoy access to a wide variety of instructor-led classes with different styles i.e. cycling, strength training, yoga, running, meditation, etc.
| Pros | Cons |
| · Offers live classes
· Simple, functional, and easy safe workouts for everyone · Comes with a community feature · Equipped with in-built app music for easy engagement |
· Required peloton bike which can be an expensive investment for beginners
· The community is slightly less expensive and might make the user feel isolated |
Most of the apps on this list mainly focus on workout tutorials that you can easily try and practice at home, which is ideal for beginners.
However, some apps require specific equipment like peloton bikes, resistance bands, dumbbells, or wearable fitness gadgets for performance monitoring. I recommended analyzing each app based on your personal needs and fitness requirements.