In today’s fast-paced world, staying fit and healthy has never been more important. Fortunately, with the advent of technology, particularly the Apple Watch, staying on top of your fitness goals has become more accessible than ever. In this article, we’ll explore 7 best fitness apps for Apple Watch that will help you take steps toward a healthier life.
With health and fitness apps available for this wearable device, you will have a personal trainer on your wrist.
How to Pick the Best Fitness Apps for Apple Watch?
When looking for the best fitness apps for your Apple Watch, a few essential considerations can guide you toward making the right choice. One fundamental question to ask is whether you need to have your iPhone with you for the app to function seamlessly. The convenience of running, cycling, or working out without the burden of carrying your iPhone is a significant benefit. Thus, prioritizing apps that work independently on your Apple Watch is wise.
Cost is another factor that requires careful evaluation. Fitness apps vary in price, with some offering free access or affordable one-time purchase fees. In contrast, others opt for subscription models, entailing recurring monthly or annual expenses. It’s essential to weigh the app’s cost against the potential savings it may bring by eliminating the need for gym memberships or yoga class fees.
Moreover, consider the utility of Apple Watch complications offered by the app. Complications are valuable additions that display essential information from your health and fitness apps directly on your watch face. These can range from displaying heart rate data to quick access to workout tracking. Not all apps provide useful complications, so it’s advisable to investigate what each app offers in this regard before adding it to your Apple Watch collection.
7 Best Fitness Apps for Apple Watch
Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just looking to stay active, here are the seven best fitness apps for Apple Watch that can help you track and improve your day-to-day exercise routines.
Strava
Strava is not just a fitness app; it’s a community of athletes with a passion for staying active. Primarily known as a running app, this app excels in tracking essential stats like distance, pace, speed, elevation gained, average heart rate, and calories burned. If you love to move, Strava is the platform for you.
However, Strava can offer more than that. The app is versatile, allowing you to record more than 30 types of activities, catering to a wide range of fitness enthusiasts. Whether you’re into running, cycling, swimming, surfing, yoga, rock climbing, or weightlifting, Strava has you covered.
The free version of Strava is already impressive on its own. But, if you’re looking to take your fitness journey to the next level, consider upgrading to Strava Premium. For $59.99 per year, you gain access to customizable training plans and live feedback. This will make you feel like you have a personal trainer right on your wrist. Set goals, track your progress, compete against other athletes, and much more – Strava has everything you can find from the best fitness apps for Apple Watch.
MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal is a top-notch fitness app that connects to Apple Watch perfectly. This app does more than just count steps – it offers a comprehensive approach to health and fitness. With MyFitnessPal, you can track your progress in nutrition, hydration, fitness, and weight loss goals. It has gained widespread recognition, being featured in publications like the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Today Show, and the U.S. News & World Report.
One of the standout features of MyFitnessPal is its food-tracking capabilities. By logging your meals, you can gain valuable insights into your dietary habits. The app’s calorie count feature helps you stay within your daily caloric intake target, while its built-in macro trackers on the Apple Watch face make it easy to monitor your protein, carbohydrate, and fat consumption.
MyFitnessPal offers a free 30-day premium trial. The free trial grants access to exclusive food tracking, fitness logging tools, and expert guidance. After the trial period, you can opt for a premium subscription, which costs $9.99 per month or $49.99 per year. This investment is well worth it if you’re serious about achieving your fitness goals with the help of your Apple Watch.
FitOn
Among the best fitness apps for Apple Watch, FitOn is known as a comprehensive option that brings together athletes and even celebrity trainers like Lindsey Vonn, Jonathan Van Ness, and Gabrielle Union. It offers a wide range of fitness programming, nutrition plans, and educational content, making it an all-in-one solution for your fitness needs.
FitOn has a vast library of prerecorded exercise classes. These classes cover various fitness disciplines, including strength training, yoga, Pilates, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Whether you have just five minutes or a full hour to spare, FitOn has a class for you.
FitOn’s user-friendly interface makes it one of the best fitness apps for beginners. It allows you to filter classes by intensity level and target area. You can easily create custom workouts to meet your specific fitness goals. The app also offers a range of challenges and courses, such as the “10-Day Kickstarter” or “Ultimate 30-Day HIIT”. These courses group similar classes together for multiple weeks to keep you motivated and working toward a goal.
Another significant advantage of FitOn is its seamless integration with the Apple Watch. All you need is an Apple Watch suitable for physical activity, you can connect the app to your Apple Health data. Your FitOn workouts will then automatically sync to the Activity and Health apps. You can track your activity and close your daily activity rings, providing a holistic view of your fitness progress.
While the basic version is free, it’s worth considering the premium FitOn Pro membership for enhanced features. With FitOn Pro, you’ll receive personalized class recommendations, the ability to cast your workouts to your TV, access to meal plans, the option to download classes for offline streaming. You can even choose music during class from FitOn’s radio channels or your own Spotify or Apple Music account. FitOn Pro subscriptions are priced at $25 for a six-month membership or $30 for a year-long commitment.
Gymaholic
Gymaholic is a fitness app that stands out from the rest by offering a comprehensive set of tools to help you achieve your health and fitness goals. Whether you’re a seasoned gym-goer or just starting your fitness journey, Gymaholic has something for everyone.
Gymaholic stands out as one of the best fitness tracker apps for Apple Watch. With the ability to track nearly 400 different exercises, this app ensures that you can monitor your progress meticulously. From cardio to strength training, the app allows you to log every aspect of your workout routine. With Gymaholic, you can easily keep track of your weightlifting achievements and cardio milestones.
But Gymaholic doesn’t stop at just tracking workouts. What truly sets Gymaholic apart is its commitment to personalization. The app leverages science-based principles to create individualized training programs tailored to your specific goals, body type, fitness level, and more. This personalized approach ensures that you get the most out of your workouts and stay motivated.
Gymaholic is available for free. However, for those looking to unlock additional benefits, there’s Gymaholic PREMIUM priced at $4.99 per month. With a 7-day free trial, you can explore its features before making a decision. And the best part? You can cancel anytime!
Runance
Runance is one of the best free fitness apps for Apple Watch users. Why? That’s because there’s no registration required. Just download the app from the app store and you can start enjoying its features.
Runance offers a comprehensive array of features that make it a standout choice for runners of all levels. One of them is its ability to provide real-time metrics. As you hit the pavement, you can keep tabs on your heart rate zone, training zone, distance covered, tempo, and much more. Everything will be displayed on your Apple Watch screen. This wealth of data empowers you to fine-tune your workouts and reach your running goals more efficiently.
Moreover, Runance also allows you to access your workout history and track your progress over time. You can effortlessly switch between rolling and tempos, adapting your workout to your preferences and goals. Additionally, the app makes it easy to control your music while you run, keeping you motivated every step of the way.
Unlike some fitness apps that hide behind annoying in-app purchases, Runance is completely free. It offers a comprehensive set of features without any hidden costs. You can make the most of the app without feeling pressured to spend more.
Pocket Yoga Best
Yoga is renowned for its ability to enhance flexibility, strength, and mental well-being. If you’re looking for a yoga companion that fits on your Apple Watch, look no further than Pocket Yoga.
Pocket Yoga is the perfect solution for anyone seeking quick and effective yoga sessions. With this app, you gain access to a comprehensive library of nearly 20 different yoga flows. It allows you to choose from various practices, durations, and difficulty levels to cater to your specific needs and preferences. The app adapts to your skill level and time availability, ensuring that there’s a suitable yoga practice for everyone.
Pocket Yoga can recreate the ambiance of a real yoga studio. Guided audio and visual instructions accompany your practice, with a soothing voice leading you through each pose. Additionally, the app provides cues for when to inhale and exhale, helping you maintain proper breath control throughout your session.
Pocket Yoga doesn’t require a constant network connection, making it an excellent choice for practicing yoga wherever you go. Whether you’re at home, in a park, or traveling, you can immerse yourself in a tranquil yoga session with ease.
What’s even more exciting is that Pocket Yoga seamlessly integrates with your Apple Watch. While practicing on your iPhone, you can receive extra information and guidance directly on your wrist. This allows you to stay focused and in tune with your practice.
Pocket Yoga is incredibly affordable, with a price tag of just $3. For the cost of a cup of coffee, you can have a personal yoga instructor at your fingertips, ready to guide you on your journey to improved flexibility, balance, and inner peace.
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness, renowned for its inclusive and welcoming environment, brings its fitness expertise to your Apple Watch through the PF App. This is one of the best fitness apps for Apple Watch Ultra and all other models, designed to make your fitness journey more enjoyable and efficient.
One of the standout features of the PF App is its on-demand virtual workout classes led by certified trainers. These classes provide motivation, guidance, and a sense of community, all from the comfort of your wrist. No need to worry about class schedules; you can work out whenever and wherever suits you best.
With hundreds of exercises that you can do at home or in-club, the PF App acts as a comprehensive exercise database. It offers easy-to-follow routines and equipment tutorials, making it an excellent resource for both beginners and those looking to diversify their workouts. A particularly handy feature is the QR code scanner, which provides video guides on equipment usage, ensuring you get the most out of your gym session.
The Apple Watch is already an adept activity tracker, but when paired with the PF App, it becomes even more powerful. The app integrates seamlessly with your Apple Health data, allowing you to keep tabs on your fitness progress effortlessly. You can also use the Activity Tracker to log your movements and workouts, providing you with a comprehensive view of your fitness journey. This feature helps you stay accountable and motivated, crucial elements in achieving your fitness goals.
Planet Fitness has successfully translated its signature Judgement Free Zone® philosophy into the digital realm with the PF App. Whether you’re a Planet Fitness member or not, this app can be your loyal workout companion.
Achieve Your Fitness Goals with These Apple Watch Apps
Your Apple Watch is more than just a timekeeping device – it’s also a powerful fitness tool that can help you achieve your fitness goals. The 7 best fitness apps for Apple Watch discussed here offer a diverse range of options to cater to your specific needs. Whether you’re a runner, yogi, or weightlifter, these apps are here to support you every step of the way. So, explore these apps now and make the most of your Apple Watch for a healthier, more active life.
