The Best Fitness Apps for 2024

The Future app is unique because it connects you to an elite personal fitness coach who checks in regularly, gives you feedback and customizes the workout for you. They take into account your fitness level, goals and even what equipment is available to you. The creators of the app believe that connection is the best way to stick to your goals. That's why they set you up with a partner who can hold you accountable.

To get started on this app, you have to take a short quiz about the type of workouts you like or dislike, what type of coach you work best with, and your goals. There are plenty of coaches on this app with numerous years of experience in their respective fields. 

To get the most out of the experience, users are recommended to wear an Apple Watch or a compatible Android wearable, which gives detailed information to your coach so they can see your progress and edit your plan as you go. At $199 a month, Future isn't the most affordable app on the market, but compared with a standard personal training session, which can cost more than that, it's worth the price. Future often offers promotional discounts on your first month.

If you're looking for an app that tracks your running mileage, Strava is your best bet. As an avid runner who's tried various running apps throughout the years, the Strava app remains my favorite. Although I mainly use it for running, it can interchangeably be used for cycling and other workouts as well. The app is GPS powered and turns any Apple or Android phone into a detailed performance monitor. It connects to heart rate monitors and various popular GPS devices, such as an Apple Watch, Garmin, Fitbit or a Suunto watch.

It also connects you to friends on the app who can cheer you on or comment on your posts that get uploaded to your Strava feed after your workout. If you prefer to keep your data and running routes private, you can also make those changes through your settings via the app. One of the newer safety features on the Strava app is called the Beacon, which lets you share your location in real time with an emergency contact. 

I've found the free version of the app to be sufficient for my purposes, but you can upgrade it to receive more detailed data and other perks, such as building your own routes, accessing new routes in your area and more. The paid version of the app will run you $12 a month (or $80 a year). Strava is offering a free 30-day trial to users who want to try out their upgraded features before committing. 

If you're worried about how to maintain your gains outside of the gym, then you'll love the Ladder app. Ladder is specifically designed for strength training and connects you to many strength coaches who specialize in various fields. To find the coach that's the best fit for you, you'll have to answer questions such as your preferred training style, what your goals are, how often you'd want to workout and the type of equipment available to you. Ladder takes the guesswork out of planning your workout because the coach for your designated program will provide a weekly workout plan that you receive Sunday nights to prepare you for the week ahead.

Currently, the app works only with Apple mobile or iPad devices and can be used with an Apple Watch or cast to a TV screen using Apple AirPlay or Screen Mirroring. However, the developers are working on creating an Android app. 

When I tried this app out, I signed up for a kettlebell class called Body & Bell, and what's great is you get video demonstrations for the different exercises you'll be doing. The videos also tell you the type of weight you should be using (light, medium, heavy) and the length of time of the exercise.

You can also connect with your coach via the chat in the app if you ever have questions on your training or want to chat with other members on your team. Ladder offers a free seven-day trial, and afterward you can pick from a Pro plan for $30 a month or the Elite plan for $45 a month. The difference between these two is that the Elite plan gives you one-on-one coach help, which helps if you need a form check. The app also has the option to upgrade for an extra $5 a month so you can have access to all teams and workouts and unlimited replays for workouts. 

If yoga is more your speed, the Alo Moves app is a favorite among yogis. The Alo Moves app was created by the athleisure line Alo, and it connects you to various types of workouts beyond yoga, such as pilates, barre, meditation and more. The yoga option on the app lets you pick from various practices, including hatha, ashtanga, vinyasa, restorative and even prenatal yoga. You can customize your yoga practice also based on your experience level, your goals and how long you'd like your sessions to be. 

This app is accessible only to Apple users and connects you to world-class instructors and new classes every week. If you're trying to achieve a specific skill, such as a handstand or other yoga poses, the app also has a series to help you improve those positions. 

If you're ready to dive into improving your flexibility or mastering crow's pose, the Alo Moves app is currently offering a free trial for 14 days. If you choose to commit, it's $13 a month or $130 for the year.