As an avid Apple Watch user, I’ve discovered that this smartwatch is more than just a stylish accessory. It’s a powerful fitness companion that has revolutionized the way I approach my daily workouts and overall well-being.

In this article, I’ll share my personal insights into the top 11 fitness apps that I use regularly with my Apple Watch, helping me stay on track and motivated to lead a healthier lifestyle.

Get Fit with These 11 Top-rated Apple Watch Fitness Apps

1. FitnessView

FitnessView is an Apple Watch app that integrates seamlessly with the Watch Activity and Health apps. It presents health and fitness data in a dashboard style, offering a detailed and insightful view. This app is ideal for those who want to monitor their fitness progress comprehensively.

Main Features:

• Health & Fitness Dashboard: Displays Activity, Today’s Goals, and Recent Workouts.
• Health Statistics: Offers a snapshot of daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly health data.
• Workouts View: Allows users to view and analyze their workout data.
• Watch Fitness/Health App: Provides daily goal summaries and insights.
• Home Screen Widgets: Customizable widgets to display health and fitness data.
• PDF Report & CSV Export: Useful for sharing data with health providers or coaches.

Pros and Cons:

• Pros: Comprehensive health tracking, customizable widgets, and insightful reports.
• Cons: Limited editing options for workouts, occasional app pauses during activities.

Best for: Individuals who want a detailed and customizable view of their health and fitness data.

Pricing: Free with in-app purchases. Premium features include unlimited goals, view all stats, watch complications, and more. Prices: $14.99/yearly, $1.99/monthly, $29.99 one-time purchase.

2. BetterMe

BetterMe offers personalized workout and nutrition plans supported by real human coaches. It’s a comprehensive solution for those seeking guided fitness and dietary advice.

Main Features:

• Customized Workout and Nutrition Plans: Tailored to individual preferences and schedules.
• Varied Disciplines: Includes cardio, yoga, and more.
• Meal Plans: Created by certified experts with various dietary options.
• Coach Support: Access to certified coaches for guidance and motivation.
• Fitness Tracking: Integrates with Health Kit for activity tracking.

Pros and Cons:

• Pros: Personalized plans, diverse workout options, and real coach support.
• Cons: Some users report app crashes and desire more exercise variety.

Best for: Those looking for a personalized and comprehensive fitness and nutrition program.

Pricing: Free with in-app purchases. Subscription options include $19.99/month, $9.99/week, and other plans.

3. Planet Fitness Workouts

Planet Fitness Workouts is designed to make fitness accessible for everyone. It offers a range of features for both members and non-members, making it a versatile choice for various fitness levels.

Main Features:

• Digital Workouts: On-demand workouts for home or gym.
• Equipment & Exercise Tutorials: Guides for proper form and equipment use.
• Fitness Tracking: Activity tracker for gym and non-gym activities.
• Perks & Discounts: Offers for Planet Fitness members.
• Crowd Meter: Helps plan gym visits based on crowd levels.

Pros and Cons:

• Pros: Wide range of workouts, helpful tutorials, and member benefits.
• Cons: Some users desire more variety in exercise options.

Best for: Both gym-goers and those preferring home workouts, suitable for all fitness levels.

Pricing: Free with in-app purchases. PF+ Digital Membership available for $5.99.

4. MyFitnessPal

MyFitnessPal is a comprehensive health app that functions as a nutrition coach, meal planner, and food diary. It’s designed to help users learn about their eating habits, make smarter food choices, and achieve their health goals.

Main Features:

• Food Tracking: Easy logging of meals and snacks.
• Fitness Logging: Record workouts and steps.
• Customizable Goals: Set goals for weight loss, gain, or maintenance.
• Nutrition Insights: Detailed analysis of nutrition intake.
• Healthy Recipes: Over 500 recipes for various dietary preferences.
• Community Support: Access to forums for motivation and advice.

Pros and Cons:

• Pros: Large food database, user-friendly tracking tools, and comprehensive health insights.
• Cons: Some users may find the app’s premium features necessary for full functionality.

Best for: Individuals seeking a detailed and holistic approach to diet and fitness tracking.

Pricing: Free with in-app purchases. Premium subscriptions are available at $19.99/month or $79.99/year.

5. InPulse

InPulse is a health app focused on monitoring heart health. It allows users to check their heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation using their iPhone and Apple Watch.

Main Features:

• Heart Rate Measurement: Using the fingertip and camera.
• Health Journal: Log blood pressure and oxygen saturation.
• Lifestyle Advice: Daily health assessments and tips.
• Habit Tracker: Develop healthy habits.
• Mental Health Tests: Manage emotional wellbeing.
• Integration with Apple Health: Sync pulse measurements.

Pros and Cons:

• Pros: Convenient heart rate monitoring, comprehensive health logging, and mental health support.
• Cons: Some users question the accuracy of measurements.

Best for: Those focusing on heart health and overall wellness monitoring.

Pricing: Free with in-app purchases. Premium subscription available at $6.99.

6. Sweatcoin Walking Step Counter

Sweatcoin is a unique fitness app that converts steps into currency, incentivizing physical activity. It encourages users to walk more by offering rewards for steps taken.

Main Features:

• Step Conversion: Converts steps into sweatcoins.
• Rewards: Redeem sweatcoins for goods, services, and experiences.
• Activity Tracking: Monitors walking, running, and outdoor activities.
• Health Integration: Uses HealthKit for step history data.
• Community Challenges: Participate in walking challenges for additional rewards.

Pros and Cons:

• Pros: Motivates physical activity, offers tangible rewards, and supports outdoor exercise.
• Cons: Some users report discrepancies in step counting and reward value.

Best for: Those who need extra motivation to stay active and enjoy earning rewards for walking.

Pricing: Free with in-app purchases. Offers various subscription options for enhanced features.

7. AllTrails

AllTrails is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream app, offering a comprehensive guide to over 400,000 trails worldwide. It’s perfect for hiking, biking, running, or walking, providing detailed reviews, trail information, and GPS navigation.

Main Features:

• Trail Discovery: Extensive database of trails with filters for dog-friendly, kid-friendly, and accessible paths.
• Route Planning: In-depth trail information including reviews, conditions, and GPS directions.
• Navigation: On-trail GPS tracking to stay on course.
• Community Connection: Share experiences and find inspiration from other trail-goers.
• Activity Recording: Log outdoor adventures with photos and stats.

Pros and Cons:

• Pros: Vast trail database, user-friendly navigation, and community features.
• Cons: Trail difficulty ratings may be inconsistent.

Best for: Outdoor enthusiasts looking for a reliable guide for hiking, biking, and running trails.

8. Peloton

Peloton brings a comprehensive fitness experience to your home, offering a wide range of workouts including strength training, yoga, HIIT, and meditation. It’s designed for flexibility and convenience, allowing users to exercise anytime, anywhere.

Main Features:

• Diverse Workouts: A variety of classes including cardio, strength, yoga, and more.
• Live and On-Demand Classes: Join live sessions or choose from a vast library of recorded workouts.
• Expert Instructors: Motivational guidance from world-class trainers.
• Workout Tracking: Monitor progress with the Peloton Watch App.
• Community Engagement: Participate in challenges and connect with other users.

Pros and Cons:

• Pros: Wide range of workout types, high-quality instructors, and engaging community features.
• Cons: Some features require a subscription for full access.

Best for: Individuals seeking a versatile and community-driven home workout experience.

Pricing: Free with in-app purchases. Monthly membership starts at $12.99.

9. Calm

Calm is a leading app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation, designed to improve mental wellness. It offers a wide range of guided meditations, sleep stories, and music to help users reduce stress, sleep better, and focus more effectively.

Main Features:

• Guided Meditations: Sessions for various experience levels and goals.
• Sleep Stories: Bedtime stories narrated by celebrities to aid sleep.
• Relaxation Music: Exclusive tracks for focus and relaxation.
• Mindful Movement: Videos for gentle stretching and relaxation.
• Breathing Exercises: Techniques to help calm the mind.

Pros and Cons:

• Pros: Extensive content library, high-quality sleep aids, and user-friendly interface.
• Cons: Full access requires a subscription.

Best for: Anyone seeking to improve their mental wellness through meditation, sleep aids, and relaxation techniques.

Pricing: Free with in-app purchases. Calm Premium subscription at $69.99/year.

10. Strava

Strava is a versatile fitness tracking app that caters to a wide range of activities including running, biking, hiking, and yoga. It’s designed to make fitness tracking social, allowing users to record their activities, share them with friends, and join a community of like-minded athletes.

Main Features:

• Activity Recording: Tracks over 30 sport types, including runs, rides, and hikes.
• Route Discovery: Uses Strava data to recommend popular routes and allows custom route creation.
• Community Engagement: Connect with friends and fellow athletes, share activities, and offer support.
• Training Insights: Provides data insights to track progress and improvement.
• Safety Features: Real-time location sharing for outdoor activities.
• Device Compatibility: Syncs with various apps and devices like Apple Watch, Fitbit, and Garmin.

Pros and Cons:

• Pros: Comprehensive activity tracking, strong community features, and route discovery tool.
• Cons: Some advanced features require a subscription.

Best for: Athletes and fitness enthusiasts who enjoy tracking a variety of activities and connecting with a community.

11. Noom

Noom is a health app focused on sustainable weight loss through a unique combination of psychology, technology, and human coaching. It aims to empower users to make healthier choices by understanding their behavior and providing a personalized weight loss plan.

Main Features:

• Food Logging: Extensive food database for easy tracking of meals.
• Healthy Recipes: Access to thousands of recipes.
• Interactive Lessons: Over 1,000 lessons on topics like mindful eating and weight loss psychology.
• Health Insights: Personalized insights to track progress and identify improvement areas.
• Community Support: Connect with others sharing similar goals.
• Activity Tracking: Syncs with health apps and devices for comprehensive activity monitoring.

Pros and Cons:

• Pros: Psychology-based approach, personalized plans, and extensive educational content.
• Cons: Full program access requires a subscription.

Best for: Individuals looking for a holistic and psychology-based approach to weight loss and healthy living.

Pricing: Free with in-app purchases. Premium subscriptions start at $44.99.

Unleash Your Apple Watch’s Fitness Potential

In conclusion, your Apple Watch is more than a mere gadget; it’s your gateway to a healthier and more active life.

These top 11 fitness apps have been my trusted companions, pushing me to new limits and helping me make better choices in my daily health journey. Whether you’re into running, yoga, weightlifting, or just want to maintain a well-rounded fitness routine, there’s an app that suits your needs.