As many of the country’s gyms and fitness voluntarily halt operationsÌýor face government-mandated closures, now might be the best timeÌýto try a fitness app. SomeÌýareÌýcurrentlyÌýoffering free trials for new subscribers, while others,Ìýlike ,Ìý, and ,ÌýareÌýintroducing new,Ìýcomplementary ways to keep subscribers moving beyond their go-to at-home workout during the pandemic. And many require little to no fancy equipment. Below areÌýnine of our favorite apps to keep you movingÌýduring this time ofÌýsocial distancing.Ìý
Down Dog
Good For: Those looking for customizable workouts
’s four apps are each tailored towardÌýa different activity: yoga, barre, high-intensity interval training, orÌýseven-minuteÌýfull-body workouts. Now all areÌýofferingÌýa free trialÌýthrough MayÌý1. (Students, teachers, and health care professionals can receive a free trial through July 1.) Workouts range from five-minute HIIT routinesÌýto 90 minutes of yoga. Each app provides the option to pick the type of music you want and the level of intensity—we particularly liked the uniqueÌýseven-minute workout app, which combines cardio and strength training. You’ll also never get the same workout twice, thanks toÌýnew exercise sequences generated every time you log in.ÌýAfter the trial, Down Dog costs $7.99 per month.Ìý
CorePower Yoga
Good For: AÌýmix of high-intensity and relaxing yoga classesÌýled by energetic instructorsÌý
After all of its studios across the country, CorePower is making its online classes free for everyone. includes the company’s most popular sessions, including Hot Power Fusion, which focuses on strengthening the core and upper body;ÌýYoga Sculpt, which combines free weights with yoga and cardio;Ìýand the Vinyasa-style CorePower Yoga 1 and 2. Each video ranges from 30 minutes to anÌýhour, and the app also provides four short meditation/breathing exercises. An on-demandÌýmembership typically costs $19.99 per month or $199.99 annually.Ìý
Peloton Digital
Good For: AÌýwide array of workouts coupled with fitness tracking
Primarily known for its stationary bike workouts, is extending its free trial for new subscribers from its normal 30 days to 90 days. Users will have access to the app’s full set ofÌýclasses—including yoga, strength training, and virtual running training—and can choose from on-demand, prerecorded workouts or take a liveÌýdaily class taught by a PelotonÌýinstructor. The app also allows you to set goals and track your progress,Ìýand it awardsÌývirtualÌýmedals and badges for the completion ofÌýeach milestone. A stationary indoor bike is required for cycling classes, and a treadmillÌýis neededÌýfor some of the running workouts (however, equipment need notÌýbe from Peloton). After the trial, the Peloton Digital Membership costs $12.99 per month.
Aaptiv
Good For: Intermediate to advanced athletes who want a more hands-off workout
’s seven-day free trial lets you sample a variety of classes, including strength training, yoga, and stretching. The only audio-based app of thisÌýbunch, all of Aaptiv’sÌýworkouts areÌýled by energetic trainers that guide youÌýthrough yourÌýheadphones. Many classes require no equipment, though some are tailored toward elliptical, treadmill, and cycling routines. Because you can’t see how the moves are done, this is more suitedÌýfor intermediate to advanced users. After the trial, Aaptiv costs $15 per month.ÌýÌýÌýÌý
Les Mills On Demand
Good For: A wideÌýrange of workouts, including options for new parentsÌýand young kids
Les Mills offers a 14-day free trial for access toÌýmore than 800 workouts , rangingÌýfrom 15 to 55 minutes long. We liked the variety, which includes high-intensity interval training, dance cardio, and martial-arts-inspired workouts, and the fact that many of the classes are offered in Spanish as well as English. For those with kids at home,Ìýthe appÌýalso has optionsÌýfor children that combine fitness education with easy-to-follow cardio moves.Ìý
If you’d prefer to access workouts through your computer, the company has also created a free (temporary)ÌýÌýloaded with over 100 at-home workouts, including Les Mills’ BodypumpÌýweight lifting, barre classes, and routinesÌýfor new parentsÌýthat focus on moves you can do while carrying a baby—like squats and shoulder work. An on-demand monthly membership costs $14.99, though prices vary with an annual subscription.ÌýÌý
Centr Fit
Good For:ÌýMind and body care,Ìýhigh-intensity workouts, and meal-prep inspiration
If you’ve ever wanted to train with a celebrity,ÌýthisÌýis your chance. , founded by actor Chris Hemsworth, offers a seven-day free trial through the company’s appÌýas well as a six-week free trialÌýif you sign up through Centr.comÌýbeforeÌýMarch 31.ÌýThe app featuresÌýHIIT, boxing, yoga, and strength training in 20-to-40-minute workouts led by Hemsworth’s personal-fitness team and accompanied by the actorÌýhimself, as well as guided meditations and ideas for healthy meal plans, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and pescatarian options. The app’sÌýweekly planner lets you organize your schedule so you have all your fitness goals and recipes in one place. A Centr monthly membership costs $29.99, though prices vary with an annual subscription.Ìý
Fitbod
Good For: PersonalizedÌýworkouts that don’t require video or audioÌý
typically offers three free strength-building workouts to new users, an option that hasÌýexpanded to includeÌýfree body-weight workouts until May 1. Each is easy to customize:Ìýchoose the muscles you want to target, the number of reps, and the length of the workout. FitbodÌýthen uses a training algorithm that takes your fitness level, past workouts, and available gym equipment into consideration to create a personalized routineÌýwith moves of varying intensities and repetitions. If you like watching a video or listening to audio training,Ìýthis app isn’t for you;Ìýwith Fitbod, you’ll follow written instructionsÌýoff the app. Fitbod typically costs $9.99 per month.Ìý
Unplug
Good For: Those new to a meditation practice who would like to set specific goalsÌý
’s one-week free trial helps new users practice daily meditation techniques like mindful breathing through videos divided intoÌýcategories that target focus points likeÌýsleep, stress management, and motivation. The app’s Meditation of the Day, which can include 16-secondÌýsessions based on setting intentions or finding calmness, is a helpful tool to encourage daily practice. After the trial, Unplug’s monthly membership costs $7.99. The company’s studio classes are also being livestreamed on its Ìýwhile its physical locations are closed.Ìý
ClassPass
Good For: ClassPass subscribers looking to get the most out of their membership
Although typically connects users with local fitness studios, global membership is temporarily suspended. NowÌýthe company is offering everyoneÌýfree access to 2,000 prerecorded video and audio workouts through its app,Ìýtaught by contributing fitness teachers from studios around the world. These classes range in style and intensity and include yoga, cardio, HIIT, andÌýstrength training, as well as workouts focused on specific areas of the body. ClassPass also offers livestreamed sessionsÌýfrom studio partners, but you’ll need to purchase those. For the next two months, 100 percentÌýof the proceeds from each livestreamed class will go directly to the local studio teaching the class.ÌýClassPass membership costsÌývary by city, rangingÌýfrom around $45 to $150 per month.