Its large 1.4-inch touchscreen and bright display made it easy to check my stats mid-workout and cycle through different health features (of which there are many). WH editors and our trusted Strength In Diversity (SID) trainers are constantly testing and trying new fitness apps throughout the year, so we polled them about their most-used and most-loved platforms. The apps on this list represent the ones that fast-tracked strength and performance gains, were user-friendly, and really delivered on the user experience, and kept us returning to our workout plan. Consider these picks the ones we will never delete (even if we are running low on storage!). ITOUCH offers smartwatches and accessories that blend fashion-forward design, health-focused features, and affordable pricing—making tech accessible to all.

This is also the only device I tried without a touchscreen, which I really liked. That meant that I wasn’t fumbling with the buttons with sweaty hands on hot days or cold, gloved ones in the winter. The buttons are large enough that I could press them to pause or restart my workout, even when the watch was hidden by a jacket sleeve. Garmin prioritizes a wind-down time, switching from a jam-packed interface to just a clock during the time you are typically sleeping (which you note during set-up). It’s worth mentioning that in order to be this rugged and durable, the Garmin Instinct 3 is also quite heavy at 53 grams. The standard-issue band, made of a mix of polyamide, polyester, and elastane, is comfortable to wear (even during sleep) and easy to adjust.

Strava App

There’s nothing wrong with trying a few fitness apps before settling on one. The most important thing is that it helps you reach your goals safely and effectively. This app brings the feel of a boutique group fitness class to your living room. It offers more than 20 types of classes, including HIIT, dance cardio, sculpt, and more. ¹Galaxy AI features track data and require compatible Samsung Galaxy phone, Samsung Health app and Samsung Account. Any Samsung enhanced Al features and all third-party Al features are subject to different terms and may be subject to fees.

Apple MacBook Neo Review

Xiaomi also adds swim tracking and heart-rate broadcasting, which opens the door for pairing with other fitness devices and covers more niche use cases than most budget bands attempt. At under $50, the Xiaomi Smart Band 10 is my top pick for anyone on a budget. The band-style tracker delivers impressive performance and features for a fraction of the price of others on this list, without comprising on design either. It’s lightweight and comfortable, and this generation’s larger 1.72-inch AMOLED display is a clear upgrade. The screen is brighter, sharper, and far easier to read outdoors than previous models, making everyday interactions and workout checks much more pleasant.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8

Heart rate variability has transitioned from a clinical cardiology metric to a mainstream consumer fitness signal in roughly a decade. Understanding what normal HRV looks like — and how it changes with age and fitness — is foundational for any application fitness app recommendations using HRV-based recommendations. JEFIT analyzes your strength and fatigue to build your perfect next week—you lift, we do the science.

Measures How Stress Impacts You Over Time

Our all-in-one walking workouts combine Cardio, Strength, and Flexibility for an easy, effective, and fun way to move. Metric VBT is so unique that it made its way into the WH 2025 Fitness Awards, so naturally, it deserves a shout-out here, too. If high-intensity workouts aren’t your thing, bust out zen moves like tree pose and downward dog using YogaRenew, an app for following virtual yoga classes. Multiple styles are offered, from vinyasa to restorative practices, with over 1000 live classes available to stream. And, if you’re a beginner, no worries— a variety of levels, intensities, and class lengths are offered. Aside from yoga, guided meditation and breathwork classes are also available in the app to get you super chill before or after executing child’s pose.

Learn how to manipulate training volume (sets x reps x load) within a microcycle to build strength, prevent plateaus, and optimize recovery. I started EMF Academy to share insights on EMF radiation after discovering its impact on our health during my time in the biotech field. Becoming a parent intensified my commitment to EMF safety, and since then, I’ve made it my mission to help others understand and reduce their exposure. This is a pretty common question if you’re at all concerned about FitBit EMF radiation, which is why I wrote an entire guide on Fitbit trackers. If you’re okay with sticking to the essentials, though, this tracker does its job well—and for a very reasonable price.

Other Fitness Trackers I Tested That Are Worth Considering

• With a gorgeous display, long battery life, and bountiful health insights, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is an excellent wellness-focused smartwatch.
• It turns your phone into an incident-detection, prevention, and easy-to-use near-miss-reporting device, and it’s gaining popularity among cyclists.
• The tone is realistic and encouraging, which can make a big difference during this stage of life.
• The side effects of exposure to low levels of electromagnetic fields can actually be fairbluely severe, which is why I don’t personally recommend using devices likes these.
• In addition to its outwardly masculine look and durable design, the technology here is super simple to navigate, which can’t be said for all fitness trackers.
• The watch also tracks your sleep duration, stages (awake, light, deep, and REM), and overnight SpO2.

Staying active and tracking your workouts does not have to come with a monthly bill. While many fitness apps lock their best features behind a paywall, there are still plenty of great options on Android that offer solid tracking, valuable insights, and goal-setting tools. The best part is that you can access most features without signing up for another subscription. Whether you are a runner, lifter, walker, or trying to build healthier habits, these are the best fitness tracking apps to help maintain your fitness regime without breaking the bank. Most of our testing involved assessing how the fitness trackers performed in real-world use. That means taking note of a watch’s battery life while using it in our daily lives, evaluating the performance of a fitness tracker during a long run, and considering all of the activities and metrics it can track.

How to choose the best cheap fitness tracker

Tester Sydney Samuels started using the Peloton app during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to use it to supplement her in-person gym and exercise classes. The iTOUCH AIR 5 and AIR 5 PRO are designed for individuals who want a smartwatch that seamlessly integrates into their lifestyle. As our everyday lifestyle watch, the AIR 5 and AIR 5 PRO deliver a balance of style, functionality, and affordability, making it the perfect companion for work, fitness, and social life.

Thousands of customers switched from weights to MAXPRO—and didn’t look back.

As you get stronger, you’ll need to invest in a regular barbell, such as the Rogue Ohio Bar or Bella Bar. The only real downfall to this dumbbell set is the short, 30-day warranty. However, we’ve had these dumbbells for a while and haven’t experienced any issues with durability. If no one else tells you this, I will––I’m proud of you for wanting to move your body. Exercise can add a lot of joy (and mobility) to your life, and I’m excited for you to experience the benefits. Even the most famous athletes like Tiger Woods and Tom Brady were once beginners at their respective crafts.

Which is the best full body workout app?

You also need a Google account to use the Charge 6, even if you already have a Fitbit account (you can still track workouts through the Fitbit app). Sometimes when flicking through the touchscreen, we pressed too hard, causing the Inspire 3 to activate a mode we didn’t want or bring up another screen that we had to swipe out of. Again, this may be a slight drawback to the tracker’s relatively minimalist design and smaller-than-most screen. Google purchased Fitbit in 2021, and the newest Fitbit devices are fully integrated with Google accounts.

The Best Fitness Trackers for 2026

Pretty much anyone who steps out of their front door for exercise has heard of Strava. Since its founding in 2009, it has become the dominant app for recording fitness activities, with more than 120 million users worldwide. The app lets you monitor your progress through charts and graphs, making it easy to see gains in strength and endurance. I also like cardio machines that include workout ideas or preset programs. This can make the exercise experience less intimidating because you’ll have an idea of where to start. Although you likely won’t find accountability or guidance in something like a set of dumbbells, you will in other equipment.