From HIIT to yoga: The best online workout programs of 2025 for every exercise preference
Raise your hand if you've ever bought a gym membership with big dreams ... only to ghost it after two weeks. Yeah, me too. Here's what nobody tells you about gym memberships: They often end up being expensive guilt subscriptions. But online workouts? That's where the magic happens. You can sweat it out at 6 a.m. or 11 p.m. — whenever your chaotic life allows.No more sprinting to make that 7 p.m. yoga class. No more hovering around the squat rack like a vulture waiting for Brad to finish his bicep selfie session. Just you, your living room and all the gains your heart desires.If you've been thinking, "But home workouts aren't as good as the real thing!" Plot twist: They actually are. While studies tend to be small, researchers have found that virtual workouts can be just as effective as gym sessions. Plus, there appears to be a mental health boost from online workouts similar to that of other exercise sessions — you may find yourself feeling happier and more energized after each workout.Want to build muscle? There's an app for that. Need to torch calories? Covered. Just want to move your body without feeling like a sweaty mess in public? We've got you. HIIT, yoga, strength training, dance workouts — it can all be right there on your phone. As Jenny Liebl, a certified trainer and senior product developer at the International Sports Sciences Association, puts it: "There's a wide variety of online fitness professionals offering an even wider variety of programs, guidance and coaching in the online format — there's someone out there for everyone!"We had two writers test a total of 22 online fitness programs for this piece — one, a personal trainer herself, and the other a fitness "dabbler." Together, they talked to four fitness specialists and tested a range of workout platforms to figure out what actually works. Ready to ditch the excuses and turn your living room into a sweat sanctuary?
Let's dig in.
Table of contents
Best overall online workout program
More online workout programs we like for 2025
Factors to consider when choosing an online workout program
How we chose
Other online workout programs we tested
FAQs
Meet our experts
Update, July 16, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability and tested a wide range of new options. Our No. 1 pick for the best online workout program changed due to Centr's increased programming options and expanded library of healthy living tutorials. We also added new categories, including "Best for hypertrophy," "Best for busy lifestyles," "Best for circuit training," "Best for prenatal and postpartum fitness," "Best for Pilates," "Best for beginner strength training," "Best for running," "Best for women's health" and "Best free online workout program."
Best overall online workout program
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More online workout programs we like for 2025
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Factors to consider when choosing an online workout program
Before starting your search for a fitness program, it's essential to take time to reflect on what you want in a program to ensure it's the right fit. "Clearly define your own fitness goals and consider what you want to achieve in a specific timeframe," says Kyrie Furr, director of performance fitness at Athletic Lab.
Liebl agrees, emphasizing that users should select a fitness platform that suits their individual needs. She says, "If they prefer a live class with a specific training style, they can likely find that option. For those who just need a plan to follow at the gym and then provide feedback, that's easily available too." It's all about finding a program tailored to your preferences, whether it's live interaction or independent workouts.
Liebl continues: "Online clients should find a fitness professional they connect with or an app they like the functionality of. The training style, philosophies, personality and expertise should align." She also explains the importance of reviews, advising, "Try performing an online search of the trainer or application name for reviews, or, if you have a hard time finding any, ask the fitness professionals themselves for any reviews or client testimonials they can share!"
Here are some other factors to consider when selecting the best online workout programs:
Variety: Ensure the platform offers a wide range of workouts such as strength training, yoga or HIIT to keep it interesting.
Qualified trainers: "Certification indicates that a trainer is familiar with best practices in fitness, including proper form, technique and programming tailored to different fitness levels and goals. Certified trainers have undergone formal education and training in fitness principles, exercise physiology and injury prevention, which helps ensure that the programs they create are safe and effective," says Furr.
Progression levels: "Choose a program that matches your current fitness level — beginner, intermediate or advanced," says Furr.
Cost: Evaluate subscription fees versus the value provided.
Community support: "Some platforms offer community features, like forums or social media groups, which can provide motivation and accountability," says Furr.
Flexibility: Opt for programs that offer on-demand or live classes to fit your schedule.
Coaching and feedback preferences: Liebl notes that understanding how you like to be coached and receive feedback can influence your decision. Perhaps you need continual motivation from a coach or you prefer a more independent approach. Also, consider your comfort level with doing a program on your own. Are you self-motivated enough to follow an online workout, or do you need the structure and guidance of a live class or personal trainer? Tailoring these factors to your preferences will help you choose a fitness program that really works for you.
Michelle Ditto, VP of training and technique at Pure Barre, suggests experimenting. "Allow yourself to trial-and-error fitness concepts you like, and don't be afraid to avoid what you don't; there is no rule that you have to run or do yoga or HIIT or even barre to be fit! You are an experiment; find what works for you with the goal to find a program that you can stick with long term. Give yourself six months. Break it up into smaller chunks if you need to, and commit to one month or even one week at a time. You are worth the effort to find something that you both enjoy and that is also health promoting. And luckily, myriad modalities fit both of those parameters."
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How we chose
We collaborated with four fitness professionals to identify the best online fitness programs and conducted a detailed review. They included certified personal trainers (CPTs), a certified high-performance coach and a doctor of physical therapy.
Two testers — a relative fitness newbie and a personal trainer — personally tested 20-plus platforms, exploring various workout styles and formats from each. This in-depth analysis allowed us to evaluate the quality, user experience and effectiveness of different digital workout programs.
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Other online workout programs we tested
When searching for the best workout plan, we tested a range of platforms. Below are options we tested that didn't quite make the cut:
Muscle Booster: This app lets you customize workouts based on your location (home or gym) and available equipment, which sounds great in theory. You can target specific body parts and choose your focus areas. However, the onboarding process is pretty questionable — the "body type" options don't include being already fit, and the language around "target zones" feels outdated. Even after selecting "advanced" as my fitness level, the workouts were surprisingly basic, with just four exercises, including only two compound movements. The warm-ups and cooldowns were longer than the actual strength training, which doesn't make much sense. While it offers video demos and adjusts future workouts based on your performance, plus includes challenges and recipes, the workout programming just wasn't solid enough to earn a spot on our list.
FitFusion: If streaming is your go-to, FitFusion might catch your eye. The app runs smoothly across devices — from smart TVs and Rokus to your everyday phone — so it's easy to get your workout in, wherever you are. With big-name trainers leading sessions, you'll find everything from HIIT and dance cardio to barre and Pilates. There's also the option to download classes for offline use, which is handy when Wi-Fi's spotty. That said, the app lacks features to help you plan out a workout routine, doesn't include much in the way of strength training or more structured workouts, and the trial is just seven days. Still, at $15 a month, it delivers plenty of variety for the price.
The Floss: Bonnie Crotzer founded this innovative platform dedicated to fascia flossing, a practice designed to release tension, improve flexibility and promote better circulation by remodeling the fascia — your body's connective tissue. It offers comprehensive tools and guidance on using fascia flossing to relieve pain and improve function. However, because it focuses solely on fascia-based practices, there was little variety in workout styles, so it didn't make our list of finalists.
Peloton app: You don't need the iconic Peloton bike to enjoy its world-class classes. From cycling to strength training, yoga and more, there's a massive variety of enjoyable workouts led by motivating instructors, and you can use whatever equipment you have. The app tends to focus on workouts that require equipment (cycling, rowing, treadmill), and it lacks a broader selection of dance cardio options, so for me, it fell short.
8fit: If you're looking for personalized workout and meal plans in one place, 8fit is a solid option. Workouts include boxing, Pilates, HIIT and meditation, but there wasn't as much variety as with some similarly priced options.
CorePower Yoga: Known for its intense sculpt and hot yoga sessions, CorePower is a great pick for seasoned yogis looking to push their limits. The Yoga Sculpt classes blend vinyasa flow with strength training (expect to break a serious sweat). There are also gentler options like Core Restore, which focus on deep stretching and relaxation. You can access classes online, via the app or attend in-person at over 200 studios across the U.S. While the variety is impressive, the classes skew toward intermediate and advanced levels, which may not be ideal for beginners.
MapMyFitness: This Outside-powered app works more like a supercharged fitness tracker than a structured program. With GPS mapping, route planning and the ability to log everything from runs to strength sessions, it's great for those who like to build their own routines. You can track your progress over time, join monthly, seasonal, and yearly challenges, and even share milestones on the community feed. But since it's more of a data tool than a workout platform, it didn't quite make the finalist list for guided programs.
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FAQs
What are online workout programs?
"Online workout programs are fitness routines that are delivered through digital platforms," says Michael Masi, Doctor of Physical Therapy and personal trainer. "The key feature of online workout programs is their accessibility, meaning users can engage in workouts from anywhere, provided they have an internet connection," he continues.
What are the advantages of online workouts?
The best online fitness programs have many advantages. "First, online programs are generally more cost-effective, making them accessible to a wider audience," says Masi. "Second, they offer greater flexibility, allowing individuals to work out when and where it's most convenient for them. Third, online platforms typically provide a broad variety of workouts, from yoga to high-intensity interval training (HIIT), ensuring that users can find programs suited to their fitness levels and goals. Beyond that, some online programs allow users to work out in the comfort and privacy of their own home. This has a fairly large appeal, especially for beginners who may feel intimidated by a gym environment," he notes.
Are online fitness programs as effective as in-person training?
Research shows that online exercise classes are effective for increasing strength and muscle mass and improving cardiovascular health. A study comparing body mass-based exercises performed online via Zoom and in-person training showed similar results for both groups.
Our experts agree. According to Ditto, online fitness programs can be as effective as in-person training, though there are key differences.
"Online workout programs can offer a simple starting point to engage with physical activity from the comfort of anywhere you need to be," says Ditto. She emphasizes that these programs offer greater flexibility and convenience, allowing you to work out immediately from home without needing to travel.
However, she also points out that "in-person programs feature one-on-one, tailored interaction," providing personal accountability and a sense of community that many online programs might lack. She suggests balancing these aspects based on your fitness goals and preferences.
Liebl adds, "When created with a level of individualization for each client and with appropriate detail, online workouts and programs can be just as effective as in-person training." She elaborates that comprehensive instruction can take different forms based on the client's needs. For example, video demonstrations of movements can help visually guide the user through proper form and technique, making it easier for them to follow along. Alternatively, detailed written instructions can benefit those who prefer step-by-step breakdowns of how to execute a movement. These can include specific cues for body positioning, timing or modifications. Both methods are tailored to the client's learning style to ensure the successful performance of exercises.
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Meet our experts
Michelle Ditto, VP of training and technique at Pure Barre
Kyrie Furr, certified high-performance coach and director of performance fitness at Athletic Lab
Jenny Liebl, CPT and senior product developer at the International Sports Sciences Association
Michael Masi, doctor of physical therapy and a certified personal trainer at Masi Fitness
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Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
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