The best fitness apps for endurance, strength training and weight loss

To achieve sporting success through training apps? At least some of the hottest apps on the fitness market make this promise. But what exactly is behind it and is the digital subscription worth it?

Fitness apps now play a major role in many people’s everyday lives. From endurance and strength training to weight loss and yoga: the range of home training and training analysis options is huge and there is something for every fitness level. With a variety of functions, fitness apps promise diverse, inspiring ways to improve your fitness. But how can you tell how profitable a training app is?

What makes a good training app?

In order to be able to assess this, you first have to be aware of what makes a good training app. Not all apps keep what they promise and are equally suitable for everyday use. The differences in function, operation, personalization and the range of exercises are sometimes significant. It’s easy to lose track of things.

1. The most important feature of an app should be one Clear and simple operation be. You have to find your way around the app easily. Precise explanations and a clear design should help you understand the app better.
2. The possibility of Individual customization is also a crucial factor to evaluate the quality of the fitness app. They should offer a comprehensive personalization option in order to be able to specifically address special features such as physical limitations or the health of the person being used. In addition, apps also differ in the way they provide individual feedback. While some apps limit themselves to simple statistics when documenting progress, others use detailed analysis and personalized recommendations.
3. You should also have a good training app clear and precise goals formulate. This allows users to track their progress and thus keep their motivation high. Individual and realistic goals should be set in the app in order to achieve the desired goals. In addition, the training can also be adapted. High-quality apps offer structured programs that gradually increase the intensity of training sessions, thus enabling continuous improvement.

We will introduce you to eight training apps that meet these requirements and are therefore among the most popular apps.

The best training apps: Endurance

Are you a passionate runner, cyclist or trail runner and would like to train your endurance? These apps can help you:

Strava

Strava is currently one of the best-known fitness apps on the market. It is mainly used by cyclists and runners. But there are various other sport profiles such as for hiking, ski touring or CrossFit. The app offers the option of tracking runs or rides, but also keeping a training diary. But the extraordinary thing about Strava is another matter. Personal training methods can be published, liked, commented on and shared in the app, which creates additional motivation. This can also create competitions and challenges with friends. Direct networking with other athletes also provides information about the most popular routes in your area.

The basic version of the app is free, Strava Premium costs 10.99 euros per month. It is available on Android and also for iOS.

Download the “Fit for Hiking” training plan as a PDF here for free!

Adidas running

Adidas Running (formerly: Runtastic) is a popular training app that makes it easier for runners to track their training sessions. The app uses GPS to record the route, pace, calorie consumption and speed. The heart rate can also be measured. After training is complete, the Adidas Running app also offers the option to share and document your progress. Various training programs and training plans are available in the app.

Adidas Running is available in a free version, but also offers a paid premium version with extended functions for 9.99 euros and is available for Android and iOS.

Adidas Running accompanies me on every run. It’s great to have an overview of my routes and times. The GPS tracking is pretty accurate and I’m motivated to see my progress.

Runkeeper

With Runkeeper, runners can prepare for new challenges or track their routes. Exact information about the distance covered, pace, time and altitude can be provided. This extensive recording and analysis offers the possibility of accurately evaluating runs afterwards. In addition to running, other sports such as cycling, hiking and skiing can also be selected in the app. In addition, the “Live Tracking” function allows friends and training partners to follow their sports session in real time.

The basic version of the app is free and the upgrade with integrated training plans costs 9.99 euros. Runkeeper is available for Android and iOS.

Download the training plan PDF “Get up to speed – 12-week training plan for beginner cyclists” here for free in the PDF library.

The best fitness apps: strength training

Do you love strength training or want to improve your total body fitness? These apps can help you:

Freeletics HIIT fitness trainer

The Freeletics app promises users to achieve their personal fitness goal in twelve weeks. High-intensity training is used, which is supplemented by a digital training and mindset coach. The app is designed so that the units can be performed anywhere and without any aids (e.g. push-ups, planks, mountain climbers, burpees, pull-ups, squats), which makes its use very flexible. For a fee, a personal trainer can also be booked who offers individual training plans and focuses specifically on personal training goals. Achieving these goals within twelve weeks requires discipline and perseverance.

The basic version of Freeletics is free, a 3-month subscription with Coach costs 34.99 euros. The app is available for Android and iOS.

Push-up training plan for beginners: Download the PDF here for free

Are you ready? Then download the free training plan in our PDF library!

Seven – 7 minute workout

Fit in 7 minutes? At least that’s what the 7-minute workout app promises. The idea behind it: Fitness should be improved through twelve full-body exercises for 30 seconds each day in your own four walls. The order of the exercises is selected so that the muscle groups used alternate. Due to the short but intense muscle activation, this method of exercise is efficient and sweaty. This also ensures muscle activity and healthy muscle growth. In addition to the exercises, there are also voice prompts and timers.

The Seven app is free, for the Pro version you pay 8.99 euros per month. It is available for Android and iOS.

Ratiopharm back school

Ratiopharm back school offers a simple way to integrate back training into everyday life. A total of 24 exercises are provided in the app, which are divided into three categories: “At Home”, “In the Office” and “On the Go”. A full training session lasts 30 minutes. Optionally, individual categories can also be carried out without any problems. The app is suitable for beginners and therefore offers a good introduction to back training. Individual favorite exercises can then be put together in a personal training plan. In addition to important information on the subject of the back, the exercises are provided in clear videos by physiotherapists.

The “Ratiopharm Back School” app is free. It is available for Android and iOS.

The best fitness apps: weight loss

Do you want to reduce your weight healthily and lose body fat? These apps will help you lose weight and support you in changing your diet:

MyFitnessPal

The MyFitnessPal app helps you track your calorie intake. With over 11 million foods in the database, it is one of the most popular calorie counter apps. The integrated barcode scanner makes it easy to record the nutritional values ​​of food. In addition to counting calories, the app also motivates you with personalized workout suggestions. Progress can be clearly tracked on long-term diagrams. By collecting individual data, the app can be specialized to your personal requirements and goals. It is primarily intended for people who want to lose weight or improve their diet.

The basic version of the app is free, the premium version costs 9.99 euros per month. MyFitnessPal is available for Android and iOS.

I started using MyFitnessPal because I wanted to get better control of my diet. The barcode scanner and large database make it easy to track my meals. This really helps me to eat more consciously.

Also interesting: Building muscle and reducing fat: Avoid these common mistakes

Noom

With the help of the Noom app you can lose weight in a healthy way. This isn’t just about counting calories. Rather, a long-term change in behavior should take place. To begin with, you must fill out a detailed questionnaire that records your eating habits and forms the basis for a nutrition plan. In addition to the plan, the app has a large recipe bank and reminds you daily to take enough steps and drink enough water. With Noom, a long-term change in diet should finally be possible.

The app is for both Android and iOS and offers different subscription models. The 1-month subscription costs 49 euros.

Burn 500 calories in 30 minutes: jump rope workout as a PDF download

You can find the 30-minute jump rope workout for free download in our PDF library. All you have to do is register for our login service USER.ID. Have fun training!

Conclusion: Fitness apps as valuable training companions

Fitness apps have the potential to improve our workouts and help achieve personal fitness goals. With a variety of functions, individual adjustment and clear training objectives, some apps offer a varied alternative to the traditional gym visit.

If you prefer to train with a classic training plan instead of an app, you will find numerous training programs for free download in our PDF library – for example, for running, the 10-week training plan for beginners, with which you will learn to run 5 kilometers in a row run. Or you can start structured strength and cardio training with the gym training plan for beginners to lose weight.

Ultimately, success depends on perseverance, motivation and discipline – regardless of whether you choose an app or a classic training plan. Try different apps and programs and find the path that best suits your needs and goals.

Good luck on your way to better fitness and health!