The Best Fitness Apps for 2020

Trying to lose weight, exercise more consistently, or push yourself to do higher-intensity workouts?

- Jill Duffy

Fitness apps can help by reminding you of your goals and prompting you to follow through on them. And they can give you at least some of the tools you need to achieve success.

We’ve tested dozens of fitness apps, and these have emerged as the best. Some are great for people who are already quite athletic, and others are perfect for beginners. Some have one area of focus, such as nutrition or music for workouts, while others take an all-in-one approach. Some are simple, and others make sure you have all the information you need to keep working toward your health and fitness goals. And many of these apps can work with heart rate monitors and fitness trackers to gather data about your workouts.

In general, the apps fall into a few specific categories: short workouts, workouts on demand, nutrition, activity tracking, and workout music.

7 MINUTE WORKOUT (BY WAHOO FITNESS)

Android, iOS; free with optional in-app purchases

Wahoo’s 7 Minute Workout is a no-fuss approach to fitness. You can launch the app and do this quick set of exercises nearly anywhere, no special equipment required. The app offers the standard seven-minute workout—12 high-intensity bodyweight exercises in cycles of 30 seconds each followed by a very short rest—as well as variations on that routine. Some of the variations cost a small fee (around $0.99 at the time of this writing), and some are free. This app for quick workouts is even better when you use one of Wahoo’s heart rate monitors along with it, to be sure you’re elevating your heart rate. The Wahoo Tickr X is among my favorite chest straps on the market.

8FIT

Android, iOS; free with limited workouts, $59.99 a year or $29.99 for three months for Pro