Live and on-demand fitness classes are more popular than ever before—and for good reason. With this option, you can exercise in the comfort of your home and save a small fortune on workout gear. Plus, you no longer have to wait in line to use the squat rack or other gym machines.
Perhaps the biggest challenge of working out at home is persevering. For help on that front, choose a fitness app that features live and on-demand fitness classes to get you moving and keep you motivated.
Get Ready to Ditch Your Gym Membership
According to RunRepeat, one-third of fitness enthusiasts canceled their gym memberships due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
There are a variety of reasons people opt out of their local gyms, including the following:
- Exercise machines in most gyms are breeding for germs. The average treadmill carries 74 times more bacteria than a public bathroom faucet, according to FitRated.
- Exercising at home makes it easier to social distance.
- The commute is a motivation blocker.
- Gym memberships can be expensive.
When you exercise at home, you don't have to worry about these things. You can simply clean your equipment after each workout, take a hot shower, and get back to your daily routine.
A word of warning: it might not be easy to give up your gym membership. Be prepared to step outside your comfort zone, try new exercises, and tweak your workouts. But your efforts will pay off.
The truth is, at-home training can be just as effective as traditional gym workouts with consistency and planning.
Your diet and lifestyle habits matter, too. That's why some apps also feature meal prep hacks, recipes, and cutting-edge tools that make it easier to measure your progress and stay on track.
Now, here are some of the best apps for live and on-demand fitness classes.
1. Beachbody On Demand
Beachbody on Demand offers more than 1,500 workouts, recipes, and meal plans that can make it easier to reach your fitness goals. Members have access to over 75 training plans built around specific activities, like cycling, yoga, core work, cardio, and weight lifting.
This app appeals to fitness enthusiasts looking for an interactive experience. After you sign up, you'll get access to live workouts, one-on-one coaching sessions, and tracking tools. You can also stream workouts on your smartphone, laptop, computer, or smart TV. Plus, you'll become part of a thriving online community where you can engage with other members.
Each workout program has a dedicated page offering information on what you need to get started and what to expect. For example, the Beachbody #mbf program includes 21 workouts that can each be completed in 25 to 35 minutes and appeals to intermediate trainees who want to burn fat and build lean mass.
Some plans include a free trial, and many come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Download: Beachbody on Demand for Android | iOS (Free, subscription required)
2. Obé Fitness
Like Beachbody on Demand, Obé is a streaming platform featuring thousands of workouts and over 20 daily live classes for all fitness levels.
What makes this app stand out is the variety of classes offered.
Beachbody on Demand focuses on intense strength and performance workouts. Obé, on the other hand, appeals to those who are into Pilates, yoga, barre, dance, cardio boxing, and other activities that can improve your overall conditioning. Its strength training programs are lighter and more suitable for beginners.
Members can choose to pay monthly, quarterly, or annually. The quarterly and annual membership plans include special discounts and access to exclusive workouts.
Obé Fitness is available only in the U.S. and Canada.
Download: Obé Fitness for Android | iOS (Subscription required, free trial available)
3. Pilates Anytime
Obé Fitness has Pilates workouts, but there's an even better option for those who love this type of exercise. Pilates Anytime has thousands of classes dedicated to beginner, intermediate, and advanced Pilates practitioners.
Look for Pilates videos or training programs in the app that match your fitness level and jump in. You'll have access to an online community of Pilates enthusiasts and instructors who are ready to answer your questions.
Just like the previous apps, Pilates Anytime works on nearly all smart devices.
Download: Pilates Anytime for Android | iOS (Subscription required, free trial available)
4. Daily Burn
Daily Burn features about 2,500 streaming workouts led by professional instructors. These include kickboxing classes, barre classes, yoga classes, strength training classes, and just about everything in between.
Daily Burn is also one of the few fitness apps offering exercise classes specifically for moms-to-be. You'll find group fitness classes, post-natal classes, and conditioning programs.
Note that most workouts do require basic equipment, such as dumbbells, stability balls, or resistance bands.
Download: Daily Burn for Android | iOS (Free)
5. Fitness Blender
Featuring over 500 free workouts, Fitness Blender is the go-to choice for millions of exercise enthusiasts worldwide. The platform offers full-length workout videos, meal plans, and custom training plans.
Its programs are designed for every fitness level, from beginner to advanced. Plus, users can choose to train for strength and conditioning, hypertrophy, fat loss, or stress relief. There's also the option to build your own workout plan, save it in your personal library, and access it at any time.
FB Plus comes with additional features, such as workout challenges and interactive tools for tracking your progress. It also includes more recipes and expert articles on nutrition and training than the free plan.
If you're not ready to commit to a monthly membership, you can simply pay for individual workout plans. Most routines include at-home cardio exercises and bodyweight workouts, but you'll also find stretching, Pilates, and yoga programs.
Make the Most of Your At-Home Workouts
Training at home is anything but boring. From bodyweight exercises and heart-pumping HIIT workouts, there are plenty of ways to keep fit without stepping foot into the gym. You'll have the chance to learn from world-class trainers and connect with like-minded people who share your passion for exercise.
Whether you're a beginner or have years of gym experience, check out these apps for live and on-demand fitness classes at home.