10 Easy To Follow Fitness Apps That Are Way Better Than a Busy Gym

Ah, January. The season of resolutions, lofty promises, and the unavoidable gym pilgrimage. If you've ever stepped into a gym on January 2nd, you know exactly what we're talking about: every treadmill occupied, weights scattered like relics of chaos, and an air of determination so thick it rivals the sweaty odour lingering by the rowing machines.

But by February? Those gym-goers begin their great migration home, defeated by crowded classes, time constraints, and, frankly, a lack of enthusiasm. Here’s the thing: staying fit doesn’t have to involve fighting for a locker or dodging that one guy who refuses to wipe down the equipment. Instead, ditch the gym stress altogether and take control of your fitness goals with these 10 game-changing apps. They’re smarter, easier to stick with, and the best part? You won’t even need to leave your house for most of them.

So this year, skip the crowded gym. Your living room, local park, or even your bedroom floor might just be the secret to smashing those fitness goals—no excuses, no drama, and absolutely no waiting for the next available treadmill. Here are the apps that will keep you moving well beyond the January hype.

If running has always seemed like an exclusive club, Couch to 5K is your all-access pass. Designed for beginners, this app will take you from reluctant jogger to confident 5K finisher in just nine weeks. With a mix of running and walking intervals, it makes running feel achievable—even enjoyable—while offering tangible progress. The best part? You can lace up, step outside, and tick off your workout without waiting for a treadmill to free up.

Cost: Free.

Want to take your running game up a notch? Enter Runna. This personalised running coach app provides structured plans for all abilities, from beginner 5Ks to marathon training. Runna integrates seamlessly with wearable fitness trackers, helping you hit paces and stick to plans while adapting to your schedule. It’s like having a personal trainer without the intimidating gym stare-down.

Cost: Subscription from £15.99 per month.

Founded by fitness influencer and entrepreneur Hayley Maddigan, GrowGirl has quickly become a go-to for women seeking an inclusive, empowering fitness community. Loved for her no-nonsense approach to wellness and her relatable presence on social media, Hayley’s app focuses on strength training, mobility, and mindset. With tailored programmes for every fitness level, GrowGirl encourages women to build confidence through consistency and celebrate their progress—no matter how small.

Cost: Subscription at £9.99 per month.

If you need a little competition to get motivated, Strava is your go-to app. It’s perfect for runners, cyclists, and walkers who want to track their routes, challenge their personal bests, and, most importantly, boast about their achievements. Strava’s community features—including leaderboards and challenges—add a healthy dose of peer pressure, while the heatmap function helps you discover new routes when you’re tired of pounding the same pavement.

Cost: Free with premium subscription options starting at £6.99 per month.

Sleek, stylish, and surprisingly free, Nike Training Club is the app for anyone looking to mix up their workouts. With guided sessions for all fitness levels, including strength, mobility, and yoga, the app offers high-quality training you can do in your own time. Choose from over 200 short workouts under 20 minutes or go all in with full-length training sessions—no fancy equipment required.

Cost: Free.

Imagine boutique fitness classes without the waitlist or steep fees. Fiit brings you live and on-demand classes led by some of the UK’s top trainers. Whether you’re into HIIT, pilates, or strength training, Fiit’s sleek interface and slick production make working out feel like an event. Connect to your TV, track your stats, and say goodbye to awkward gym class overcrowding.

Cost: Subscription from £10 per month.

For anyone leaning into yoga or barre this year, Alo Moves is the ultimate escape. With beautifully shot classes that range from beginner to advanced, it’s a zen-inducing alternative to squeezing into a packed yoga studio. You’ll find everything from power flows to meditative practices, all available at your fingertips whenever you need a stretch or a moment of calm.

Cost: Subscription at £12.49 per month.

Before you roll your eyes, hear us out: Peloton is not just for those lucky enough to own the sleek bike. The app itself offers an impressive variety of workouts—from yoga to HIIT and strength training—that you can do anywhere, anytime. Live and on-demand classes bring studio energy straight to your living room, minus the claustrophobic elbowing for space. It’s a full-body workout solution, minus the monthly gym chaos.

Cost: £12.99 per month (app only)

Love a high-energy class but hate fighting for a spot in the studio? Les Mills+ brings its signature classes—like BodyPump, BodyCombat, and GRIT—straight to your screen. With a focus on fun, powerful workouts, this app is perfect for anyone looking to sweat without the studio stress.

Cost: Subscription at £11.99 per month.

Cyclists and runners, meet your virtual training ground. Zwift combines fitness with gamification, letting you ride or run in immersive digital worlds alongside other users. Whether you’re cycling through virtual mountains or sprinting on futuristic tracks, Zwift makes cardio feel like a game you actually want to play. Ideal for keeping indoor workouts fresh when the weather (and motivation) are less than ideal.

Cost: Subscription at £12.99 per month.