Running increases metabolism and burns more calories, and this app has specific plans designed by professional fitness coaches to make weight loss effective and fun. It tracks running stats in real time, records routes with GPS, and provides detailed analysis and insight graphs to improve your running performance. There are various training plans available for walking, running, increasing pace, and completing your first 5K. The app also allows you to sync your data to your account, set goals, analyze every run, track trends in your running performance, map your route, and get audio feedback during your runs. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just starting out on your fitness journey, utilizing a running app can enhance your training experience.

Runna creates personalized training plans for specific race goals (5K, half marathon, marathon) based on your current fitness and schedule. These stories aren’t just digital picture books, as you can actually see your route in a 3D landscape. Then, your photos will appear along the trail, and you can share them with your friends. Plus, you can sync Relive with other workout apps such as Garmin Connect, Polar, and more.

It has a nutrition function where you can track calories or gather healthy meal ideas. It doesn’t get better than this, except for being with an in-person trainer. And to be honest, this style of personal training kind of forces you to be held even more accountable because the trainer can really see what you’re doing all the time and check in with you regularly.

FAQs About the Best Workout Apps

Our best running shoes of 2026 will continue to evolve with new updates, but we feel pretty good about this list right now. The Abel Runner’s Club membership (around $39.99/year or $7.99/month) unlocks the entire catalog of missions and additional game modes. A strong core is one of the most overlooked tools in running performance. Discover why simple, equipment free core exercises can improve stability, efficiency, and injury resistance on any terrain. Discover why the “Grey Zone” is killing your fitness and how the 80/20 rule can help you run faster by slowing down.

Best Running App for Apple Watch: Nike Run Club

These classes range from beginner to advanced in terms of difficulty, and anywhere from minutes in terms of duration. With Pacer, you can track your runs, walks, hikes, and biking, as well as your weight and BMI. It automatically logs all your steps so long as you have your phone with you.

Best for iPhone Users

You can get sponsorships to raise money for the charity and some charities also have already agreed upon sponsors who donate a set amount. The main drawback of this app in my opinion is there are only large charities so many of the smaller ones are not on the app. Whether you’re a fitness novice seeking to establish healthy habits or a seasoned athlete striving for new performance breakthroughs, Garmin Connect is an invaluable companion. Its comprehensive features, personalized insights, and engaging social community empower you to take control of your fitness journey, uncover your hidden potential, and achieve your wellness goals. The best apps to track running distance pack more features than simple running apps and integrate with more devices and related fitness trackers.

#2 Strava – Best for the community

The interface is pretty clean, but I did have some initial issues finding my splits post-run. Audio stats were read every 0.5 miles, which was way too frequent for me, and it didn’t include the last 0.05 miles on my run (which is important). The Premium version gives you plenty of perks like Beacon, which allows people to watch you on your run (not creepy?) and gives you a more in-depth look at your data ($7.99/month or 12 months for $30).

Best for Free Calisthenics and Pilates Workouts

Essentially a territory-capturing game that encourages regular walking or running. Goal setting, score activity, and pace tracking can bring you in the right shape for the big day. Do you like to alternate cycling with running but don’t get to spend as much time outdoors? If you love games, a gamified app like Motera will keep you running longer than a spreadsheet of splits. If you really value discovering new routes, then you will really benefit from MapMyRun’s extensive route database.

Nike Training Club

More advanced apps like Strava break runs into segments, showing where you slow down or speed up. Some drain your phone quickly while tracking runs, so check user reviews about this if you plan long runs. Check if the app works with your devices and other fitness tools you use. Cadence was built with a user-friendly interface to make tracking your runs as simple as possible. Because of how customizable Cadence is, it’s perfect for beginner and elite runners alike. In our experience, the cost of an app doesn’t always reflect the value it provides, so don’t feel like you have to spend more than you’re comfortable with.

For those who don’t want to get friends on board at the start, you can easily share your progress and activities to whatever social media platform you wish. Whether you choose the free or paid version, Strava is easily the best running app for Android. If you’ve tried Strava before and weren’t too pleased, then RunKeeper is another fantastic app for tracking your runs and other workouts, all in a neat and simplified interface. Do you need workout recs, health reports, or just a place to log your miles? Emily Abbate is a freelance writer, certified trainer and run coach, and host of the podcast Hurdle. You can find her work in GQ, Shape, Runner’s World, and other health and fitness publications.

• Garmin Connect and Strava are often highlighted for their precision in data tracking, making them reliable choices for those who prioritize accuracy in analyzing their running activities.
• 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.
• While it’s not the cheapest option out there, the fact that it pairs you with actual trainers to ensure personalized workouts and ongoing accountability is a pretty big deal.
• Garmin Coach, Runkeeper, and Nike Run Club also boast reliable accuracy, particularly when paired with high-end fitness trackers or smartphones with robust GPS capabilities.
• Grab this app, take some steps outside, and the zombies will be breathing down your neck.
• Having used the Garmin connect app for many years I found it really useful to review stats and data insights in to my running.

Go To Easy Run Shoe – Nike Vomero 18

Users can set their own goals, take breaks when necessary, and choose their own coach. MapMyRun’s free version is a basic running app that brings to mind some characteristics of Strava. With a social component to share your effort with friends, and GPS tracking with pace, calories, duration, elevation, and distance metrics. You can also view your weekly analytics, comparing how your training fared from one week to another. “The only thing missing for me from the free app is the ability to see my heart rate, but that feature requires a membership,” says our tester. While there are many features available for free, the power of Strava comes with the Strava subscription.

Best workout app for personal training

Between hip hop intervals, Broadway-themed endurance runs, or 2000s throwback recovery jogs, you’re sure to find a class you love. AllTrails is ideal for trail runners as well as hikers and mountain bikers, says Sullivan. “It has the largest database of trail maps so you can find new paths and always know where you are, and you can follow others’ recorded routes or let the app track your own,” she explains. You’ll also get elevation profiles, directions, photos, and reviews of every trail. A good app should encourage you to improve your performance over time, whether that’s adding more weight to the bar, doing a few more reps, or running a little longer. Progressive overload is a key part of making progress, especially when it comes to strength training, according to Chris Mohr, PhD, RD.

The Runtastic running app was created by Adidas with the community in mind. Joggo is a running-focused app that includes a plethora of different training styles, including instructions on how to complete the trickier running types, such as fartleks and hill runs. Some are created specifically to assist users in losing weight or running more miles. Some simply serve as accountability coaches that prompt users to get off the couch and head outside for some fresh air and hopefully some calories burned. With the help of an app to keep you on track, this will definitely be the year that you knock all your fitness goals out of the park.

The Best Workout Apps of 2026: More Than 70 Tested by Personal Trainers

It includes great analytics with madmuscles review reddit charts and graphs to track your progress. Map My Run, by Under Armour, is a GPS route-finding and tracking app. Whether you’re training for a marathon or just running for fun, Map My Run makes it easy to track your running and keep your motivation high.