"Do or do not. There is no try." Ah, if only all of us had Yoda beside us, then we probably wouldn't be waiting for the New Year to draft our resolutions about getting fit.
But what if I told you it is indeed possible to have a mentor to help us stick to our fitness goals? A "workout Yoda," so to speak. (Minus the green skin, long cane, and the sometimes confusing speech.) They'll help you maintain a consistent workout schedule and provide calendar reminders and push notifications to nudge you on.
If you ever felt like you needed a personal trainer, cheerleader, stat tracker, or drill sergeant, to help you in your fitness journey, the search is finally over!
I'll show you some of the best workout accountability apps in 2024 so you're always in the zone!
Why Do You Need An Accountability App For Working Out?
Why workout apps? Isn't it enough that you occasionally hit the gym to exercise? Well, let's face it. Regardless of how dedicated you are, the snooze button can sometimes be very enticing.
That "exercise-avoidance monster" invites you with a "You can skip a day. Don't worry." Then one day becomes one week, and one week becomes one month. Next thing you know, your gym membership has already expired and you've only used it for a couple of months.
A workout app is your sword (and shield) to slay this monster. A study conducted by Gabrielle Lindsay Smith found that social support significantly enhances an adult's adherence to exercise or physical activity, and a fitness app is a form of "social support."
So, before your "maybe later" drags you deep into the dark side of skipping workouts, consider trying the fitness apps we've prepared below and make sure to have a support system in place to stick to your workout routine, celebrate your victories, and track your progress.
Weight Loss Focused
1. MyFitnessPal
Price:
- Basic: Free
- Premium (Monthly): $19.99
- Premium (Annually): $79.99
Rating:
- App Store: 4.7★
- Google Play: 4.7 ★
One of the most important things you need to know about getting fit is that your eating habits are just as important as your workout routines. That's why some accountability apps go beyond just tracking workout progress.
This is where MyFitnessPal comes in. It's a powerhouse, free fitness app that tracks your calorie intake and calculates your macros (nutrient groups). MyFitnessPal also offers its users a vast food database so you can easily log your meals.
Do you think you're more committed to track progress and stick to your goals when you have friends who are also on their fitness journeys? MyFitnessPal lets you connect with friends! (Here's to friendly weight loss competitions and virtual encouragement!)
Even with the free version, MyFitnessPal makes everything so easy to understand. Its detailed charts, informative graphs, and user-friendly interface for setting nutrition (and workout) goals are so convenient for progress tracking wherever you are!
Pros:
- Free & Feature-Rich: Powerful free tier tracks calories, macros, and workouts with detailed charts and graphs.
- Massive Food Library: Log meals easily with a vast database that simplifies calorie tracking.
- Built-in Community: Connect with friends for virtual support and friendly competition, boosting motivation.
- User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive design makes setting goals, logging meals, and tracking progress a breeze.
Cons:
- Limited Features in Free Version: Some advanced functionalities might require a paid subscription.
2. Caliber
Price:
- Basic: Free
- Group Coaching: $19/month
- One-on-One Coaching: Starts at $200 per month
Rating:
- App Store: 4.9 ★
- Google Play: 4.3 ★
When was the last time you used a free version of a fitness app (or any app, for that matter) that doesn't play ads on every click? Surprisingly, Caliber's free-forever version is ad-free, and it provides you with a robust library of over 500 movements you can follow for your workout routines.
What makes that even better is that each of these on-demand workouts includes detailed step-by-step instructions and even a demonstration video (so you get the appropriate form!). Caliber would then log your workout sessions so you could revisit them at any time.
If your primary purpose for downloading an accountability app is weight loss, Caliber's group coaching should be perfect. You can choose from three coaching programs: beginners, intermediate, and advanced.
Taking it a step further, Caliber's whopping $200-per-month-program is even more customized for you. It's similar to having a certified personal trainer in person, except that you can track progress and revisit your milestones 24/7.
The premium version mainly focuses on strength training, but also includes tips and actionable steps toward addressing concerns related to hydration, sleep, mobility, and nutrition.
Pros:
- Free & Ad-Free: Generous free tier with a massive exercise library (over 500 movements!) and instructional videos, all without ads.
- Multiple Training Programs: Caters to beginners, intermediate, and advanced fitness levels with group coaching options.
- Detailed Exercise Guidance: Step-by-step instructions and video demonstrations ensure proper form and technique.
- Progress Tracking: Logs your workouts for easy revisiting and monitoring improvement.
Cons:
- Premium Price: The personalized coaching tier is significantly more expensive than many other fitness apps ($200/month).
- Limited Focus in Free Version: Focuses primarily on strength training, with other aspects of fitness addressed in the premium tiers.
Accountability & Habit Formation
3. GoalsWon
Price:
- Basic: Free
- Premium: $90/month
Rating:
- App Store: 4.9 ★
- Google Play: 4.7 ★
GoalsWon's accountability app is the best virtual companions you could have, not just for getting fit but also for any other goal you might have (personal or professional development). In other words, if you're looking to zoom in on your fitness journey, GoalsWon has you covered!
The app offers features like daily target setting, habit tracking, progress charts, and multiple-device access, so you're always on top of everything.
Okay. You're probably thinking, "But doesn't every other app offer that?" True. But here's where it gets interesting: GoalsWon is one of the few workout apps that actually offers a dedicated, human coach. This coach will help make sure you're on track with your training plan and provide you with the daily support you need (yup, even on those lazy weekends!).
These coaching sessions become a daily dose of motivation and accountability, ensuring you stay committed to your goals and focused on your targets.
Pros:
- Holistic & Supportive: Tracks goals beyond fitness and offers dedicated coaching
- All-In-One: Includes daily goal setting, habit tracking, and progress charts
- Dedicated Coaches: Offers dedicated, human coaches instead of AI.
- Affordable: Significantly more affordable than other apps, considering it's a holistic approach to personal development and not limited to workouts.
Cons:
- Limited Free Version: Free tier functionality might be restricted.
4. Routinery
Price:
- Basic: Free
- Premium (monthly): $3.99
- Premium (every 6 months): $18.99
- Premium (annually): $27.49
Rating:
- App Store: 4.7 ★
- Google Play: 4.5 ★
Are you getting tired of receiving notifications on your Apple Watch about having to do this task, then that task and then another? Well, I do recognize that accountability, although well-meaning, can be draining sometimes.
The good news is that you can bypass this by forming healthy habits (including basic workouts) to integrate into your daily life. These healthy habits will snowball into a routine, and following them becomes so much easier and smoother.
The best part is that you get to create these routines with specific actions. The app also includes features like meal preparation and sleep hygiene, so it's an all-around app for improving your physical health.
Finding it hard to remember the tasks you need to do? Don't worry. Aside from tracking progress, Routinery lets you set reminders for your scheduled workouts so you don't skip a session. (No more excuses to skip leg day)
If you think failure to establish healthy habits is the only thing holding you back from unleashing your true potential, you may want to check out our list of the best habit-tracking apps in 2024, too.
Pros:
- Habit-Building Focus: Integrates workouts and other goals into daily routines, promoting long-term consistency.
- Free Basic Plan: Offers a no-cost tier to experiment with core functionalities.
- Reminders & Progress Tracking: Sets reminders and tracks progress to stay on top of goals (no more skipped leg days!).
- Holistic Approach: Expands beyond fitness to include meal prep, sleep hygiene, and overall personal development.
Cons:
- Limited Workout Focus: Might lack advanced features compared to dedicated workout apps.
- Subscription for Premium Features: Full access to features might require a paid subscription.
Strength Training
5. Peloton
Price:
- Trial Version: Free (30 days)
- Peloton App One: $12.99 per month
- Peloton App+: $24 per month
Rating:
- App Store: 4.9 ★
- Google Play: 4.1 ★
One of the most common misconceptions about Peloton: you need a Peloton cardio machine to use the app. That's not entirely true. You can experience the upbeat, enthusiastic instructors from the workout app regardless of whether you have a machine or not.
Why? Well, the Peloton App One focuses more on outdoor running, yoga, strength training, and all sorts of gym workouts, all of which do not require Peloton equipment. The monthly subscription is absolutely worth it, considering the studio-quality videos and crisp audio you get from the instructional videos.
Most of these demonstrations and training happen in real-time, and the fitness instructors provide you with enough time to change weights and rest. Now, speaking of "fitness instructors." Here's the fun part about it: you can use the workout app as if you have a personal trainer.
Peloton allows you to filter the workout videos and demonstrations by instructor. So, if one coach's way of training and explaining the movements is effective to you, you can check out all of that coach's other videos to help you perform better during training.
Aside from the fitness instructors, Peloton also lets you filter the videos by difficulty level, workout duration, type of class, and even music. (Yep. Metallica fans and Swifties alike will both enjoy this app.)
Pros:
- Equipment-Free Workouts: Offers a variety of workouts (running, yoga, strength training, gym classes) that don't require Peloton machines.
- Studio-Quality Videos & Audio: Immersive experience with high-definition visuals and clear audio instructions.
- Real-Time Classes: Participate in live or pre-recorded classes with ample time for transitions and rest.
- Personalized Instructor Selection: Filter workouts by instructor to find your motivational match.
- Extensive Filtering Options: Refine your search by difficulty, duration, class type, and even music genre.
Cons:
- No Free Version: Subscription required to access any app features.
6. CENTR
Price:
- Free Trial: 7 days
- $29.99 (billed annually or every 6 months)
Rating:
- App Store: 4.7 ★
- Google Play: 4.9 ★
Ever dreamed of becoming Thor? Or, at least, that Christ Hemsworth-esque physique? Well, there's probably no better place to start with that journey than by using the app co-founded by the God of Thunder himself.
Its well-rounded approach ensures you have the strength (and muscle mass) to protect Asgard at any given moment. What do I mean by "well-rounded approach"? Glad you asked. CENTR's holistic coaching isn't limited to workouts.
The app will help you schedule your sessions, craft personalized meal plans, and, get this, generate a grocery shopping list based on these meals. It also comes with a handy logbook so it's easier to track progress.
CENTR incorporates the main principles of progressive overload through its thoughtfully designed programs. This means beginners, intermediates, and advanced fitness buffs can benefit from the app! However, its biggest strength is also its downside.
Most of its exercise options are focused on strength training, with little emphasis on bodyweight and other workout routines.
The equipment demands may also present themselves as a challenge to beginners, considering a lot of the exercise options require machines and other fitness tools.
Additionally, while the instructions are very easy to understand and follow (thanks to the text and photo demonstrations), the app lacks interactive coaching, which is vital in developing accountability.
Pros:
- Holistic Coaching: Expands beyond workouts to include meal planning, grocery list generation, and progress tracking for a well-rounded approach to health and fitness.
- Progressive Workouts: Offers structured programs based on progressive overload principles, suitable for beginners, intermediates, and advanced users.
- User-Friendly Design: Clear instructions with text and photo demonstrations make it easy to follow workout routines.
Cons:
- Limited Focus on Bodyweight Workouts: Primarily focuses on strength training, with less emphasis on bodyweight exercises or alternative workout styles.
- Potential Equipment Barrier: Many workouts might require gym machines or fitness tools, posing a challenge for beginners with limited equipment access.
- Lacks Interactive Coaching: Absence of real-time coaching interaction or personalized feedback may limit accountability.
Running and Cardio
7. Strava
Price:
- Basic: Free
- Premium (Monthly): $11.99
- Premium (Annually): $79.99
Rating:
- App Store: 4.8 ★
- Google Play: 4.8 ★
Getting fit is not always about strength training workouts. There are so many forms of exercise that there's not one single path everyone must take to get fit and optimize physical health. All we need to do is learn from one another what works and what doesn't.
That's Strava's goal. It's more than just a workout app. It's a social fitness app. Think of it like Facebook but for swimmers, cyclists, runners, and every other fitness buff out there. Strava helps you track your progress with your training programs and share your achievements with your network.
Alright. I know it sounds kind of intimidating, as if only those who have already developed healthy habits will enjoy the app. But that's not the case. It's beginner-friendly, too!
If you don't have a training program or workout routine yet, Strava offers pre-defined segments of the best cycling or running routes in your area.
I know how sometimes, it's difficult to find the motivation to work out, especially if you have no one to share your small wins with. Strava has a feature called "virtual kudos" (think, Facebook likes), allowing users to create a supportive atmosphere within the fitness app.
Pros:
- Social Fitness Platform: Connects runners, swimmers, cyclists (and more!) in a supportive, Facebook-like community.
- Motivation & Gamification: "Virtual kudos" and social features create a motivating environment, making workouts more fun.
- Beginner-Friendly: Offers pre-defined training segments and routes for various fitness levels.
- Tracks Progress & Shares Achievements: Monitor your improvement and celebrate milestones with your network.
Cons:
- Limited Sport Focus: Primarily caters to runners, swimmers, and cyclists. Other fitness activities might have less support.
- Subscription Required: Full access to features might require a paid subscription.
8. Joggo
Price:
- $33 per month
Rating:
- App Store: 4.5 ★
- Google Play: 4.4 ★
Sometimes, the starting line is more intimidating than the track. Because the truth is, once you get the ball rolling, sticking to your fitness routine becomes a piece of cake. So, if you ever need a pocket-sized cheerleader to initiate your workout journey, Joggo is here for you.
The app forgoes the generic training plans you often see in workout apps and replaces them with a more personalized approach. The "getting-to-know-you" stage is quite fun! It gives you a quiz to gather information about your running goals (think 5K fun run or full marathon glory).
Next, it asks questions about your current fitness level. Based on these responses, Joggo builds a personalized training plan and even throws in a few pieces of nutritional advice so you're fueled for your next run!
But here's the catch: it's a one-on-one coach, until it's not. The custom training plan makes you feel as though you have a personal trainer, especially since there's a degree of guidance embedded in it. However, when it comes to sticking to that plan, you're pretty much on your own.
Of course, there are some accountability features, like push notification reminders and earning streaks for completing workouts. But if you need the daily dose of motivation from a human coach to keep you on the jog, this workout app may not be the best option.
Nonetheless, it's still an excellent choice for beginners who need built-in guidance and a roadmap to their fitness journey. Just be prepared to be your own drill sergeant, because while Joggo will create the plan, it won't be there to virtually high-five you every time you hit the pavement.
Pros:
- Personalized Training Plans: Creates customized running programs based on your goals (5K, marathon, etc.) and current fitness level.
- Incorporates Nutrition: Offers basic nutritional guidance to support your running journey.
- Structured Guidance: Built-in guidance within the personalized plan provides a roadmap for your workouts.
- Progress-Based Adjustments: Training plans adapt to your progress through regular assessments.
- Motivational Elements: Includes push notifications and earning streaks to enhance user accountability.
Cons:
- Limited Accountability Features: Lacks real-time coaching, human interaction, or personalized motivational support from a coach.
- Subscription Required: No free tier available, requires a paid subscription to access features.
