The Best Fitness Apps for Android, iOS and Apple Watch in 2025

Reddit's fitness communities are some of the most brutally honest places on the internet. No sponsored posts, no paid reviews, just real people talking about what actually works in the gym. So when thousands of threads on r/Fitness, r/bodyweightfitness, and r/gainit keep recommending the same handful of apps over and over, it's worth paying attention.

This list pulls from those recurring Reddit conversations to highlight the free workout apps that lifters, runners, and gym beginners genuinely swear by. Whether you're logging sets at the squat rack or following a bodyweight routine at home, there's something here for you.

Why Reddit Recommendations Actually Matter

Most "best apps" lists online are written by people who've spent 20 minutes with each app and never actually trained with them. Reddit threads are different. When someone on r/Fitness says they've been using an app for two years and just hit a 405lb deadlift PR while logging every session in it, that's real-world validation.

The apps below appear consistently in these communities. They're recommended not because they have fancy marketing, but because they solve real problems that real lifters face.

The Best Free Workout Apps Reddit Keeps Recommending

1. Setgraph

Setgraph shows up repeatedly in threads asking for simple, no-nonsense gym logging apps. The core appeal is straightforward: it's built around tracking sets, reps, and weight without burying you in features you'll never use.

The app lets you log exercises, track progressive overload over time, and review your training history. Reddit users in strength training communities frequently mention it as a cleaner alternative to bloated apps that push premium subscriptions in your face every time you open them.

If you want to dig deeper into what other users think, the Setgraph app reviews page has collected real user ratings focused specifically on the gym tracking experience. For general training tips that pair well with any logging app, the Setgraph fitness and workout tips hub is worth bookmarking.

Best for: Gym-goers who want clean, fast workout logging without distractions
Free features: Exercise logging, workout history, set and rep tracking

2. Strong

Strong is a perennial favorite in Reddit's lifting communities. It's been around long enough to have a loyal following, and the free version is genuinely functional. You can create custom workouts, log sets with rest timers, and see basic progress graphs.

The interface is clean and the app loads quickly, which matters more than people realize when you're mid-set and trying to log before you forget your numbers. The paid version unlocks additional features, but most casual to intermediate lifters find the free tier more than sufficient.

Best for: Intermediate lifters who want solid free features without hitting paywalls constantly
Free features: Custom workout builder, rest timer, basic progress tracking

3. Jefit

Jefit gets recommended constantly in threads from beginners looking for workout plans because it comes with a large library of pre-built routines. If you don't know what program to follow, Jefit solves that immediately.

The social features let you connect with other users, which some people find motivating and others find unnecessary. The free tier has ads, which is a common complaint in Reddit threads, but the core tracking functionality works well enough that people stick around.

Best for: Beginners who need a structured program and don't know where to start
Free features: Exercise database, pre-built workout plans, basic logging

4. Nike Training Club

For people who prefer guided workouts over pure logging, Nike Training Club is one of the best free options out there. It made its full workout library free in 2020 and hasn't gone back.

The workouts are well-produced, range from beginner to advanced, and cover strength, cardio, mobility, and yoga. Reddit users on r/bodyweightfitness and r/xxfitness mention it regularly as a solid pick for people who want to follow along rather than program their own training.

Best for: People who prefer video-guided workouts, home training, beginners
Free features: Full workout library, multiple fitness categories, no subscription required

5. Strava

If your training involves running, cycling, or any cardio-heavy activity, Strava dominates Reddit recommendations. The social layer is genuinely useful here because it creates accountability without being annoying about it.

GPS tracking, segment comparisons, and activity history are all solid in the free version. Serious runners do note that the free tier has become more restricted over the years, with some analysis features moving behind a paywall. Still, for basic tracking and the community element, it remains the top recommendation for endurance athletes.

Best for: Runners, cyclists, and endurance athletes
Free features: GPS tracking, activity logging, social feed, basic route mapping

6. Workout Tracker by Leap Fitness

This one gets brought up in threads specifically asking for completely free, no-ads options. Leap Fitness makes several workout apps and they're known for keeping them accessible without aggressive monetization.

The workout library covers common gym movements and bodyweight exercises. It's not the most polished app on this list, but Reddit users appreciate that it doesn't constantly push upgrades. For someone who just wants a simple log without friction, it does the job.

Best for: People who want zero cost, minimal ads, simple functionality
Free features: Exercise library, workout logging, basic routines

7. FitNotes

FitNotes is almost legendary in certain Reddit circles for being completely free with no premium tier at all. The developer has kept it free for years, which earns a lot of goodwill in communities that are skeptical of app monetization.

It's Android-only, which is a dealbreaker for iPhone users, but for Android lifters it's one of the cleanest logging experiences available. You get exercise tracking, workout history, and charts without ever being asked to pay.

Best for: Android users who want a completely free, no-strings logging app
Free features: Everything, because there's no paid version

8. Bodyweight Fitness (Reddit's Own App Recommendation)

The r/bodyweightfitness community has its own recommended routine, and there are companion apps built around it. The subreddit itself maintains resources pointing people toward apps that follow the RR (Recommended Routine), which is a structured progression-based program.

For people training at home without equipment, this community-driven approach is extremely popular. The core principles and techniques guide covers foundational movement patterns that apply whether you're using a dedicated bodyweight app or just logging manually.

Best for: Home athletes, people without gym access, minimalist training
Free features: Varies by app, but the core routine resources are free through the subreddit

What Reddit Actually Says About Free vs. Paid Features

One recurring theme across Reddit fitness threads is frustration with apps that have become more restrictive over time. Several apps that used to offer robust free tiers have shifted more features behind subscriptions in recent years.

The community consensus tends to be: the best free workout app is the one you'll actually use consistently. A simple app you log in every day beats a feature-rich app you abandoned after two weeks.

For strength training specifically, understanding how to optimize your training matters more than which app you're using. The app is a tool, not the program itself.

How to Choose the Right Free App for Your Goals

With so many options floating around Reddit threads, it helps to narrow down based on what you actually need.

You lift weights at the gym: Go with Setgraph, Strong, or FitNotes (Android). These are logging-first apps that stay out of your way.

You're a complete beginner: Jefit or Nike Training Club give you structure without requiring you to know what program to follow.

You run or do cardio: Strava is the clear recommendation from almost every running thread on Reddit.

You train at home without equipment: Nike Training Club or apps built around the r/bodyweightfitness recommended routine.

You want zero monetization pressure: FitNotes (Android) or Setgraph are frequently cited for not being aggressive about upgrades.

What Makes a Workout App Worth Using Long-Term

Reddit threads about workout apps reveal a few consistent patterns in what makes people stick with an app versus delete it after a month.

Speed matters a lot. If it takes more than a few seconds to log a set, people stop using it mid-workout. The apps that survive long-term in people's routines are the ones where logging is almost effortless.

Progress visibility keeps people coming back. Being able to look back and see that you benched 135 six months ago and now you're doing 185 is genuinely motivating. Apps that make this easy to see create stickiness.

Simplicity beats feature count. The most common complaint in these threads isn't "I wish this app did more." It's "this app has too much stuff I don't need and it's slowing me down." Simpler apps with tight execution consistently rank higher in community recommendations.

For anyone building out a structured training approach, Setgraph's training guides cover periodization and program design that pairs well with consistent logging regardless of which app you choose.

A Note on App Updates and Long-Term Support

One thing Reddit users frequently discuss is app longevity. Several popular apps have been acquired, changed pricing, or simply stopped receiving updates over the years. This is a real concern.

Apps with active development communities, clear business models, and responsive developers tend to stick around. When evaluating any free app, it's worth checking the last update date in the app store and whether the developer engages with user feedback.

The Bottom Line

The best free workout apps according to Reddit aren't the ones with the biggest marketing budgets or the most downloads. They're the ones that real people in fitness communities have used through actual training cycles and come back to recommend because they work.

For gym-based strength training, Setgraph, Strong, and FitNotes consistently appear in recommendation threads. For guided workouts, Nike Training Club stands alone. For running and cardio, Strava dominates. And for beginners who need structure, Jefit fills the gap.

Pick one that matches your training style, use it consistently for 30 days, and see if it sticks. That's the actual Reddit advice, and it's better than any top-10 list.

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