Nota bene: If you buy through the links in this article, we may earn a small share of the profits.
Your gym is closed and your outdoor exercise options are limited to solitary pursuits and porch marathons.
But you can still stay fit, and do so for far less money than a Crunch membership and without leaving your apartment. You just need a workout app.
I’ve been using workout DVDs and fitness apps exclusively for a few years, and I certainly work out more knowing I can get started in seconds and do what I need from my living room (note: I have purchased a cheap exercise bike, a mat and some free weights to broaden my options, but those are not necessities).
Unfortunately, there are something like 320,000 workout apps in the Apple store. Add in Android-exclusive apps and additional fitness services exclusive to smart TVs or Roku channels, and that number grows even larger
Our picks below:
For celebrity fitness: Centr
Each day, guys like Luke Zocchi (Hemsworth’s personal trainer), or Da Rulk (a movement specialists who trains special forces personnel) post new workouts, while a rotating cast of characters in Hemsworth’s fitness hemisphere — ex-Navy SEALS, yogis and Michelin-starred chefs — dish bespoke recipes, advice on proper form or tips for achieving mindfulness.
Deal: Free for the next six weeks.
For short-term gains: Gymshark
The UK-based activewear brand has a Conditioning app that offers 1-to-5-day workout plans (HIIT, full-body, etc.) for all expertise levels.
Deal: Free at-home workouts via their app (which usually requires a monthly subscription fee) “through the foreseeable future.”
For obstacle course fanatics: Daily Ruck PT
You won’t even need a separate app for this. GoRUCK partnered with former CrossFit Games Champion Jason Khalipa to offer up obstacle-course workouts via IGTV and Facebook.
Deal: 30 days of free workout programming.
For quick hits: Beachbody
Over 1,200 workouts across several disciplines are available for this on-demand service; a home shadow boxing program starts up on April 6th. The nice thing about these workouts is that they’re often short (around 30 minutes) and they set up clear goals (they suggest you can lose up to 9 pounds in 14 days).
Deal: Besides their standard two-week free trial, you can now do some of trainer Shaun T’s workouts for free.
For helping the mind and body: Gympass
While usually offering both gym access along with online options, Gympass just launched a new, at-home digital wellness platform with thousands of virtual workouts, nutrition programs and mental health support. It’s a collaboration with digital fitness providers 8fit, NEOU and Zen.
Deal: It’s free for 60 days. Plus, they’ll be hosting live hosting from studios like Y7, Swerve and Flywheel every Wednesday on Instagram.
For having a plan for everyone: Openfit
Its on-demand fitness videos, interactive classes and personalized daily meal plans that cover pretty much anything, from Tough Mudder workouts to pilates.
Deal: Two-week free trial.
For gettin’ ripped: BodyFit
The bodybuilding site offers thousands of workout videos for building muscle — note, you may need some dumbbells for some of these classes.
Deal: Besides a seven-day free trial, the site just put up a week’s worth of free workout videos.
For zen and fitness: YogaDownload
Beginner through advanced at-home yoga classes, and you can download and keep the videos when you’re done.
Deal: Several 20-minute video yoga classes and audio yoga classes are absolutely free.
For wingin’ it: Orangetheory
This fitness class/studio has had to pivot quickly to an online format. But thankfully, they’re offering up 30-minute home workouts that only require “something heavy” (not necessarily weights, and not “a dog” as they admonish) to accomplish.
Deal: One free workout is being added each day.
For commercial-ready workouts: Peloton
For the Peloton app, you don’t necesarily need the brand’s expensive bike or treadmill, as you’ll be able to do everything from weights to running to meditation sans equipment (while also being able to join live classes).
Deal: The free trial’s been upped to 90 days, though you will have to leave credit card info.
We've put in the work researching, reviewing and rounding up all the shirts, jackets, shoes and accessories you'll need this season, whether it's for yourself of for gifting purposes. Sign up here for weekly style inspo direct to your inbox.