The best workout apps to start your 2026 off right

While the seventh day of Christmas is supposed to bring seven swans a-swimming, I’m guessing that for a few of you it’ll bring a new fitness plan. January 1st marks the start of new fitness-oriented resolutions for many. But getting started isn’t always easy, especially if you plan to make it past January 2nd. Thankfully, there’s a slate of apps to lend a hand.

Cheaper than any gym membership, fitness apps make for one of the easiest ways to get sweaty. Using the tool already in your pocket, you’ve access to thousands upon thousands of workouts, tutorials, and logs to track them all in.

I’ve tried as many as I could get my hands on, and picked out the best that you can use to start your 2026 off the right way. Fill up that water bottle, lace those shoes, and start the new year off as intended – with workout apps helping you reach your fitness goals.

• Read more: Apple Watch fitness apps: great ways to stay in shape

1. Runna

If you’re a runner who thrives on structure, Runna might be your new drill sergeant. This app builds personalised training plans tailored to your ability, goals, and schedule – whether you’re new to 5Ks or planning an ultra.

The coaching feels surprisingly human, especially when you’re getting nudged to do speed work after a day of sitting like a gremlin. The plans don’t auto-adjust unless you tinker with them or sync data from another app, so don’t expect a completely hands-off experience.

Still, the focus on progression, strength training, and actual recovery guidance makes Runna feel like a proper coach in your pocket. Just beware: their marathon plans pull no punches. Long runs can be brutal, and some users say the pressure gets intense. But for £15 a month, it’s cheaper than burning out with guesswork.

Runna also does a stellar job at making you feel part of a wider community. You can browse training plans by event or club, which means whether you’re gunning for a local 10K or a big-city marathon, there’s likely a ready-made plan tailored to that. I used a training plan to get ready for the Manchester Marathon last year. It’s oddly comforting to know you’re suffering through tempo runs alongside hundreds of others on the same mission.

Another perk is the motivational push Runna provides without being overly chirpy. There are just enough reminders and nudges to keep you on track, but it never veers into “too much.” It feels like a coach who gets that some days you simply can’t be bothered – but gently encourages you to get out the door anyway.

2. Century AI

Like Whoop but for your Apple Watch, Century AI turns everyday health data into stats that actually mean something. It uses your heart rate, sleep, VO2 max and HRV to calculate your biological age – basically how old your body thinks you are – and how many years you’ve got left on the clock. Cheerful stuff, eh?

While that might only be a motivational estimate, you’ll also get a daily longevity score, which is actually useful. It sums up how your sleep, recovery, and workouts are affecting you each day, and how this may affect you going forward.

Unlike the more intense health wearables, Century lets you keep your current setup and just adds a layer of existential dread. The real motivation? Seeing your real-time life expectancy drop after a few pints and late nights. Or increase as you get more steps in each day. Knowledge is power. And maybe motivation.

3. Streaks Workout

Streaks Workout is for people who don’t have the time, energy, or willpower to make fitness complicated. You pick how long you’ve got – 6, 12, 18 or 30 minutes – and the app serves up a bodyweight workout you can crack straight on with.

It’s got a clean, intuitive interface and absolutely zero excuses built in. Hate burpees? Remove them. Prefer squats over lunges? Customise your own circuit. The goal is to keep your workout streak going, one day at a time.

It’s not pretending to be a personal trainer or smart AI coach – just a quick, no-nonsense app that nudges you to do something. For beginners or people who thrive on routine, it’s a genuinely brilliant way to get moving daily.

4. Fiit

Fiit is like having a proper fitness studio in your living room, minus the smell of sweat and overpriced smoothies. It offers hundreds of on-demand classes led by proper trainers who don’t shout at you.

You can choose from cardio, strength, yoga or mobility – all easily filterable by intensity and duration. Got a fitness tracker? Sync it up and you’ll get live stats on your screen. There’s even a leaderboard if competition’s your thing.

The production value’s slick, and the app connects to your TV for the full sweaty experience in your living room. If the thought of gym bros makes you cringe but you still want structured classes and motivation, Fiit’s polished and motivating without being annoying. It’s fitness made friendly and properly fun.

5. 8fit

8fit combines workout routines and meal planning into one tidy package, basically acting as a personal trainer and nutritionist in your pocket. Set your goal – be it weight loss, muscle gain, or general health – along with dietary preferences like vegan or paleo, and it’ll serve up workouts and meals tailored to your lifestyle.

The fitness sessions are short, equipment-free, and come with video demos to keep you from flailing. Meanwhile, the nutrition side includes detailed recipes, shopping lists, and portion control tips that make healthy eating less painful.

Unlike other fitness apps that slap on a meal plan as an afterthought, 8fit genuinely wants to overhaul your habits. It’s full-on wellness without being too woo-woo or preachy.

6. Sworkit

Sworkit is for the commitment-phobes and the easily overwhelmed. It lets you build fully customised workouts based on how long you’ve got, what gear you have, and whether you’re feeling strong or just barely functional.

You’ll find beginner-friendly routines, stretches, and more intense stuff too – all demonstrated by animated videos so you’re never guessing what to do. There’s no need to follow a rigid plan unless you want to, though premium users can access guided programmes and chat with real trainers for advice.

It’s a great pick if you’re starting out or coming back after a break. You’re in control, but not entirely on your own. Ideal for anyone whose fitness plan usually involves sitting very still.

7. CalAI

CalAI offers calorie counting for the terminally impatient. Or for those that just can’t seem to build the habit. Snap a pic of your food, and the app estimates calories, protein, carbs and fat using its own custom AI model. It’s fast and surprisingly decent, especially for rough tracking.

And rough tracking it is. It’s clever, though a bit overconfident – it doesn’t know how much oil you’ve used, and can’t see under items. But some idea is better than no idea. Want more precise numbers? You can also scan barcodes or describe meals manually, with access to a giant food database.

Add in hydration and exercise tracking, and you’ve got a minimalist but effective logbook. Still, if you want to save time and avoid manual logging, this could be your new best mate. Think of it as calorie tracking for the TikTok generation: point, shoot, track, repeat.

8. MyFitnessPal

MyFitnessPal has been around since the days when logging meals meant spreadsheets and sad salads. It’s a food diary, macro tracker, and accountability partner all rolled into one.

With over a million foods in its database, barcode scanning, and the ability to save meals and recipes, it’s still unmatched for sheer convenience. It syncs with wearables and fitness apps too, giving you one central hub for calorie burn and intake.

The interface feels a bit utilitarian compared to newer apps, but it works. The premium subscription unlocks detailed insights and macronutrient goals, though the free version might be enough at first. It’s old school in the best way – reliable, accurate, and still the gold standard in digital food tracking.

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