It's never a bad time to start doing more exercise. After a few short weeks of regularly working out, you'll feel more confident, start building habits that can contribute to weight loss, and have a greater zest for life.

Luckily, neither Android nor iOS users are short of options when it comes to workout apps. It doesn't matter whether you're an experienced triathlete or just beginning your fitness journey; there are apps suitable for your level. Keep reading to discover the best workout apps, free and paid.

1. btwb

btwb stands for "beyond the whiteboard," and this app is the official CrossFit workout tracker. Features include a massive workout library with more than eight million exercises, body progress tracking, worldwide leaderboards, macro tracking, and "squads" for monitoring your friends' results. You can even use the app to create your own workouts.

btwb requires an annual subscription, but new users can sign up for a free 30-day trial.

Download: CrossFit btwb for Android | iOS (Subscription required, free trial available)

2. Tone It Up

Tone It Up is one of the best workout apps for women. As the name suggests, the app's main focus is on body toning rather than cardio and endurance. Exercises revolve around yoga, cardio, barre, boxing, kettlebell, and strength training. There are even special pregnancy workouts.

Every day, you will receive a new workout routine. These routines are formulated by top fitness trainers. The app also has a vibrant community of women, all of whom are more than happy to offer advice and guidance for exercising newbies.

Download: Tone It Up for Android | iOS (Subscription required, free trial available)

3. Couch to 5K

If you'd prefer to focus on cardio rather than strength, check out the Couch to 5K app. According to the plan, you need to run for 30 minutes at a time, three times per week, for nine weeks. At the end of the nine weeks, you'll be ready to run a 5K race.

The app includes four virtual coaches, route tracking with GPS, workout tracking, and personal best monitoring. Unfortunately, although this is one of the best workout plan apps for Android and iOS, it is not free to download.

Download: Couch to 5K for Android | iOS ($4.99)

4. Workout Trainer by Skimble

Workout Trainer by Skimble is another of the best free workout apps. The app caters to a wide range of users—its workout library covers gym exercises, home exercises, and even workouts you can do while traveling.

The workouts on the app have adjustable difficulty levels. Photos and videos accompany each exercise, so you can make sure your form is correct. Additionally, there's a pro subscription for the app that provides access to multiple training programs and exclusive workouts. However, this isn't strictly necessary, as the free content is fairly wide-ranging.

Download: Workout Trainer by Skimble for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)

5. JEFIT Workout Tracker

JEFIT is one of the best gym workout apps. It is quite feature-rich: you can set your exercises, track the weights and reps you achieved, plan your training goals, log your body measurements, organize your gym schedule, add notes to your workouts, and a lot more.

JEFIT also includes useful integrations such as rest timers, interval timers, and support for supersets and circuit training. A pro plan adds advanced training reports and stat comparisons with other users. It also removes the ads.

Download: JEFIT Workout Tracker for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)

6. Aaptiv

Aaptiv brands itself as an "audio fitness app." In practice, that means that a music playlist accompanies each of the 3,000 individual workout routines on the app. The soundtracks are predominantly based on modern chart hits.

Despite the marketing gimmicks, Aaptiv is still a top workout app for Android and iOS. It's designed to let you work out anywhere. Some sessions are as short as seven minutes; others offer a complete routine that lasts an hour or more.

The classes themselves cover the full spectrum of workout routines; you'll find everything from cycling and yoga to HIIT (high-intensity interval training) and stretching for gamers and office workers.

Download: Aaptiv for Android | iOS (Subscription required, free trial available)

7. Freeletics

If you live in a cramped apartment, Freeletics is the best workout app you'll find. It has a special filter to find exercises you can perform in a space as small as a yard that's two square feet.

Aside from the space filter, you'll find all the usual fitness content. That includes 900 workouts, customized 10–30 minute routines based on your body weight, a workout planner, and a workout coach. However, the coach and some community benefits are locked behind a paywall.

Download: Freeletics for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)

8. Daily Burn

Daily Burn has a few unique features that make it an awesome workout app for men and women alike.

Most notably, there's a live daily workout that you can stream directly from your device. The live show starts at a specific time every day, but you can watch it at any time for the following 24 hours. It's also straightforward to access the content via Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, or Roku so that you can follow on your larger TV screen.

Daily Burn includes 150 workouts for all fitness levels. There are also audio workouts (in case you need musical motivation). The exercises themselves primarily revolve around yoga, high-intensity cardio, and strength training.

Download: Daily Burn for Android | iOS (Subscription required, free trial available)

9. Strava

Strava is the best workout tracker app for people who like cardio exercises such as jogging, swimming, and cycling. The app has three primary functions:

  • Tracking and analyzing your distance, pace, speed, elevation gained, and calories burned.
  • A map of jogging routes and cycling trails for thousands of locations around the world.
  • Monthly challenges and competitions to keep you motivated.

And if you log into the web app, you'll also have access to the vast community of members, route-building features, and local group workout activities.

Download: Strava for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)

10. Sworkit

Sworkit is the perfect app for people who often find themselves short of time for a full workout. You tell the app what type of workout you want to do and how long you want to do it for, and you'll get a list of personalized recommendations.

There are more than 200 workout exercises, many of which use your body weight for resistance. Thus, you won't need additional equipment. You can also create an unlimited number of your own custom workouts. The app offers monthly and annual subscription options. The app's content for kids is completely free.

Download: Sworkit for Android | iOS (Subscription required, free trial available)

Stay Fit With the Best Workout Apps, Free or Paid

Your smartphone can become a powerful workout companion when you're ready to get in shape. Apps offer plans, tips, and videos for all kinds of exercise—from CrossFit to running—and they're either free or relatively cheap, compared to many gym membership fees. When using your phone, you might find it easier to track your progress and continue progressing over the long run. These apps are the perfect starting point for becoming a healthier and stronger version of yourself.