Since we’ve curated a list of the best fitness apps for men, it’s only fitting that we also round up the best iPhone and Apple Watch fitness apps for women. So if you’re one of our female readers who decided to start a fitness journey this year, the iPhone and Apple Watch apps now available on the App Store can help you achieve your goal. On the other hand, if you’re a seasoned fitness and health enthusiast who, like most of us, started exercising at the start of the pandemic, you might still find some of these apps useful. They might inspire you to do more to stay healthy and fit not just this year but for years to come. Read along to find out the best iPhone and Apple Watch fitness app for women in 2023.
The best fitness apps for women who run (or bike) Strava.
If you enjoy running more than any other exercise, Strava should be the first fitness app you install on your iPhone or Apple Watch. Whether you run indoors or outdoors, Strava can provide you with accurate running data to help you improve your overall performance. After each run, you can instantly review your performance metrics, compare them to your previous runs, and decide what you want to improve on the next run.
When tracking your weight loss, Strava provides information on calories burned after each run. To give you more inspiration to keep up your running routine, you can always find her in the Strava community, made up of more than 70 million running professionals and enthusiasts.
Now, should you decide to alternate your running routines with cycling, you can also track those activities with the Strava app, whether outdoors or via bike trainers. And if you have an Apple Watch, some of the workouts in the Apple Fitness app can also be tracked by Strava. This includes swimming, strength training and more.
Availability: Free, premium version offers via in-app purchases
Advantages
For runners, the apps offer new running routes to explore. With more than 76 million users, it’s easy enough to follow and get inspired by other athletes. Gradually expanding workouts, it can be tracked alongside running and cycling.
Disadvantages
Not intended for those who prefer more privacy as Strava is a fitness app that aims to build a community of athletes. No music app integration. Connects seamlessly with Apple Watch and health and fitness apps on your iPhone. Not too many female users are on board the Strava community yet. Second: Nike Running Club (NRC)
The Nike Running Club (NRC) app is the best alternative to Strava if you don’t care about other people’s running activities. Although it doesn’t offer as many metrics as Strava, you’ll love NRC because it motivates you during your runs and hits your weekly mileage goals. It’s like having a running buddy that you can hear even if you can’t feel their physical presence. At the end of each run, the app congratulates you on what you’ve achieved and motivates you to improve your performance.
Availability: Free
Best fitness apps for women who love HIIT workouts Workout Trainer
Another popular workout that most of my friends are doing or have started doing during the pandemic lockdowns is high-intensity interval training. I’m not sure how effective HIIT is for weight loss. However, I can certainly appreciate that it is an effective form of cardio exercise that will leave you drenched in a sweat after each workout.
Anyway, if you are interested in HIIT workouts, the Workout Trainer app is one of the best, if not the best, app available for monitoring these programs. It offers HIIT workouts suitable for all levels. If you also need a personal trainer, you can connect with one through the app. However, you have to pay extra for this service.
Availability: Free, premium version offers via in-app purchases
Advantages
The app offers an excellent 4-week HIIT program that will get you started right away. A good collection of ready-made workouts that are easy to follow.
Disadvantages
Better programs and advanced features are only available through a premium subscription. Second: Freeletics
This app probably gained a lot of popularity during the pandemic as it was specifically designed for stay-at-home fitness enthusiasts. Interestingly, however, Freeletics has been around since 2013. Since then, the app has gained a massive active user base. That’s because it primarily offers bodyweight exercises, a time-tested method for HIIT workouts.
One good thing about this app is that it’s highly customizable based on your fitness level. Even better, an AI will do the customization for you based on the information you provide. While the fit may not be 100% accurate, it’s still better than guessing your fitness level and what type of bodyweight training is best for you.
Availability: Free, premium version offers via in-app purchases
Best Fitness Apps For Women Doing Pilates Pilates Anytime Workouts
Many of my girlfriends are interested in Pilates simply because they thought it was the easiest and most effective way to achieve the six pack abs that not only men but women aspire to. However, like any other exercise, Pilates is still a form of exercise. As such, it requires hard physical exertion to be effective.
Additionally, Pilates is an excellent stretching exercise to improve your flexibility. To maximize this effectiveness you need a good app like Pilates Anywhere. What makes this app stand out is the fact that the included exercises can be done practically anywhere.
If you’re new to Pilates, the app also offers educational content that can either convince you to do Pilates or find other exercises instead.
Availability: Free, premium version offers via in-app purchases
Advantages
Provides professional videos with knowledgeable and authoritative instructors. Health-related educational content. Highly flexible and customizable. Allows you to train with a trainer in real time.
Disadvantages
No meal planning feature. Missing calorie counting feature. Second: Alo Moves
Alo Moves is one of the most popular and widely used Pilates and Yoga apps for iOS. It offers a wide variety of classes that are constantly expanding, with new ones being added every week. The Pilates workouts are also varied and suitable for all levels. Alo Moves offers high quality videos with highly qualified trainers. In addition, you can download Pilates videos so you can watch and follow them even when you’re not online.
Availability: Free, premium version offers via in-app purchases
The Best Workout Apps for Women Who Dance The Sculpt Society (TSS)
Another type of exercise that many women enjoy and practice regularly is dancing. One of the best iPhone dance training apps available today is The Sculpt Society (TSS). If you’re a dance fan, you’ll appreciate the app’s dance-based workouts, designed for fitness and athletic improvement, not just weight loss.
If you’re one of those people who thinks you don’t have the moves, don’t worry, TSS simplifies dance cardio moves so anyone can easily follow along. Another notable feature of the TSS app is that its workouts help you get your heart rate up while toning your muscles. Who doesn’t want to achieve that while having fun dancing?
Availability: Free, premium version offers via in-app purchases
Advantages
High Quality Videos. User-friendly control panel.
Disadvantages
No customization feature. Has more room for improvement and additional features. Second: DanceBody
Next to The Sculpt Society, DanceBody would be the best option for a dance training app. Well, that’s if you don’t mind streaming live dance sessions and joining in real-time. As with any type of dance routine, all the sessions included in the app are fun and entertaining to ensure you will enjoy following them.
DanceBody’s app also offers paid time-based programs for a not-so-expensive subscription fee.
Best Audio Workout App Aaptiv
The perfect gadget combination when using this app would be your iPhone or Apple Watch plus AirPods. You don’t really need your iPhone when installing it on your Apple Watch as the app only needs an audio output device. That’s why it’s called an audio-guided workout app.
Aaptiv offers audio-based instruction from certified personal trainers. Like many other fitness apps, Apptiv adapts to your fitness level. Even better, it schedules your workouts based on your current fitness goal. Whether you want to run faster, lose unwanted weight, or just stay fit, Aaptiv has the best workout for you.
Additionally, Aaptiv lets you track your exercise-related metrics, including duration, frequency, running distance, and more. And yes, calories count too.
Availability: Free, premium version offers via in-app purchases
Advantages
Training trainers are certified. Personalization features. Extensive community support ready to motivate and encourage you. Post new workouts and exercises regularly.
Disadvantages
Switching between audio and video workouts tends to get uncomfortable. Background music sometimes drowns out the teacher’s voice. Not too much attention is paid to diet. Second: WithU
As an audio-based workout app, WithU will definitely keep your focus and attention on the exercises you’re doing, minus otherwise distracting visuals. For many fitness-loving women, this approach yields better results in maintaining exercise programs.
WithU has energetic and highly motivating fitness trainers who encourage you to push your workouts even though you can’t see them. When you listen to these trainers, it seems like they are right next to you as you train. Another notable feature of WithU is the personalized, highly engaging programs and workouts.
Availability: Free, premium version offers via in-app purchases
Final words: How to choose the best fitness app for you
As I pointed out in my roundup of the best fitness apps for men, choosing the best fitness apps for women depends on what you love to do. If you are interested in multisport, you can download any of the multisport tracking apps on this list. However, if you are more interested in a specific workout like running, you have the best option above.
However, remember that if your goal is to lose weight and get fit at the same time, exercising alone will not get you where you want to go. Don’t forget to consider something just as important as training. This is a good, healthy and balanced diet.
