Movement

Centr Team

How to choose the best bodyweight workout app

Does getting fit seem out of reach? Break down the barriers with the 6-week, no-equipment Centr Unleashed workout program from Chris Hemsworth’s team.

6 key features of a good bodyweight workout app

The right features can make all the difference – not just in your results, but your motivation to stick with a fitness journey. Here are the key elements that set a great bodyweight workout app apart.

1. Exercise variety
A top-notch app should include a wide selection of bodyweight exercises that hit every key body target: upper body, lower body and core. There’s more to no-equipment training than push-ups and burpees, so whether you’re looking to build strength, burn fat, improve endurance or enhance mobility, a variety of exercises will ensure you’re getting a balanced full-body workout.

2. A mix of workout styles
As much as we love HIIT, it’s not the only bodyweight training style out there. Mixing it up with other modalities like plyometrics, boxing, Pilates, functional training, HILIT and MMA will help to keep you engaged and having fun.

3. A user-friendly workout experience
Workouts that are hard to follow are even harder to finish! Look for an app that is easy to navigate, allowing you to jump into workouts without frustration. On the workout itself, you want to see things like video demonstrations of exercises, clear instructions for each move (including timings or rep counts) and audio cues so you know when to start, when to rest… and when it’s over so you can lie on the mat in a puddle of sweat.

4. A personal trainer in your pocket
A great bodyweight training app should feel like the next best thing to having a personal trainer. This could be real-time workouts where the trainer is sweating it out with you, audio coaching, or detailed workout plans tailored to your individual goals.

5. Adaptable for different fitness levels
We’re all at different levels of fitness, and we’re all hoping to level up at some point. So an app that caters to multiple fitness levels is a game-changer. The ideal bodyweight workout app will offer different levels of difficulty, from beginner to advanced, so you can start where you’re comfortable and progress as you build strength and confidence.

6. Quick workout options
For those days you’re pressed for time, short and efficient workout options are essential. A great bodyweight workout app will have plenty of quick, high-intensity workout options – think 10 to 20 minutes – perfect for squeezing in a quick session when you can.

By focusing on these features, you’ll be able to find a bodyweight workout app with the tools and features you need to be consistent, challenge yourself and stay on track to achieve your fitness goals.

Burn, tone and build strength at home with the 6-week bodyweight workout program Centr Unlimited.

How to choose the best bodyweight workout app for you

Now that you know the key features to look for in a bodyweight workout app, it’s time to focus on what really matters to you. Here’s a straightforward guide to making the right choice.

1. Define your goals
Start with your personal fitness goals. Are you looking to build strength, lose body fat, improve endurance, or simply feel better overall? Maybe you’re aiming to get fit within a specific timeframe, or you’re just beginning and want a clear, simple plan. The best apps will help you customize your goals and adapt as you progress.

If you’re not entirely sure what you want to achieve – you just know you want to get stronger and feel better – the Centr FitQuiz will help you decide on a direction (and if your priorities shift, you can change your goals at any time).

Need some more help setting health and fitness goals? We’ve got you. Find the purpose you need to carry it through by setting smart goals. And forget those New Year’s resolutions you’ll have given up on by February: try habit hacks instead.

2. Consider your budget
Results are important, but sticking to a budget is too. Once you’ve narrowed down a few options, consider the costs involved. Some apps offer limited free content, while others have monthly or yearly subscriptions.

Also, consider which payment intervals work for you: are you better able to pay month by month, commit to quarterly payments, or will you save by paying for a full year in advance?

Don’t forget that investing in your health and fitness can have long-term benefits, including for your wallet. Many Centr members have come to us with concerns such as high blood pressure or lower back pain, then gone on to receive a clean bill of health from their doctor.

So think about what that good health and functional strength is worth to you – you may find cutting back on takeout lunches or one of a multitude of streaming services isn’t such a sacrifice.

Centr helps you fuel up and recover with tons of delicious recipe options tailored to your goals.

3. Check reviews
User reviews can be incredibly helpful for getting an inside look at each app. Check out the app store ratings and browse feedback on trusted review sites or in sports and fitness publications. Look out for insights on usability, exercise variety and how well the app supports different fitness levels.

4. Sign up for a free trial
After you’ve done your research, there’s only one more thing to do: try the fitness app for yourself with a free trial. Maybe a friend mentioned a workout program with short, sharp, stackable workouts like 28 Days of Core that you think sounds perfect for your goals. Sign up for the free trial with Centr to get in there and crush the first week of workouts.

If you love it, you can commit and take it all the way. If you’re not sure, you can cancel any time before the free trial is up without being charged.

With motivation from Centr trainers, Lácoln overhauled her lifestyle and fell in love with exercise again.

What results could you get using the Centr app?

When researching fitness apps, the reviews that count come from the real people who use them.

Lácoln has a sweet tooth and had always found it hard to stick to exercise – until she found Centr.

“I’ve always carried extra weight, not huge, but I was never satisfied with it,” Lácoln recalls. “My wake up call came when I was on holiday in Singapore with my mother. When I saw the photos that she took of me, I was finally driven to do something about it.”

“I tried a couple of fitness apps but always felt like the jump from beginner to intermediate was too big. I’d tried to exercise three times a week, but I always felt lethargic and it was just hard to get motivated.”

It finally clicked when a post from Chris Hemsworth encouraged her to try Centr.

“The first thing I noticed was how relatable all the trainers were. They’re so charming and encouraging and they all have their own style. It really felt like they were in the room with me when I trained and that made a huge difference,” Lácoln says.

“And I love all the different ways to train. When there’s so much variety, it just keeps things so interesting. In any given week, I could be shadow boxing with Michael, getting stronger with Ashley, doing yoga with Tahl or Pilates with Sylvia.”

In just a year, Lácoln went from 171lb (77kg) to 141lb (63kg).

“Exercise used to feel like a chore. Now it’s completely part of my lifestyle,” she says. “If I don’t train, I don’t feel right anymore.”

Centr member Christine is down 80lbs (36kg), eight pant sizes and is running Spartan races like a true warrior.

Christine is a Centr member who had to rebuild herself from the ground up after illness caused her health to crumble.

“This was never about ‘weight loss’ for me, it was about getting my health and my life back. Then becoming better than ever before,” Christine says.

What was it that kickstarted Christine’s journey back to health? The 6-week bodyweight program Centr Unleashed.

“I had just transitioned from long-term physical therapy and had been doing workouts at home when I first found Centr,” she explains. “I loved that Unleashed did not require any equipment and could be done anywhere. It gave me an amazing total body workout and, best of all, incredible results. I love the strength that I feel in my whole body thanks to Unleashed. It’s my go-to.”

If you’re struggling with health, recovering from injury or facing physical challenges, let Christine’s story inspire your own epic comeback.

Your bodyweight fitness app FAQs

Still have questions about finding the best bodyweight workout app? We’ve answered some of the most common queries here.

1. Do bodyweight workout apps really work?

Absolutely. A well-designed bodyweight workout app can deliver impressive results – if you’re committed to using it. Like any fitness tool, its effectiveness depends on your consistency.

A good app like Centr will make it as easy as possible for you to be consistent: putting expert trainers and workout plans at your fingertips and offering workouts that slot right into your day (even when you’re short on time or can’t make it to the gym).

Whether it’s a quick 10-minute core routine or a 30-minute full-body session, having options at your fingertips removes a lot of the usual barriers to staying active.

And all your hard work is backed by nutrition and recovery advice to lock in results.

2. Do I need to change my nutrition to see results?

Whether you want to lose body fat, build muscle or run a marathon (yes, aim high!), good nutrition is key. We don’t believe you need to follow a strict diet, but focusing on balanced meals that support your workouts will make a big difference to how you feel and perform.

The Centr app offers meal plans designed by nutrition experts and tailored to your goals, making it easier to fuel your body without overhauling your lifestyle. Remember, good nutrition isn’t about restriction – it’s about balance, enjoying what you eat, and finding foods that energize you.

Centr meal plans include quick and low-ingredient recipes, treats, and options for various dietary needs, so you can enjoy food while supporting your fitness goals.

3. Can you really build muscle doing bodyweight exercises?

Yes, bodyweight exercises can be highly effective for building muscle. Take it from Chris Hemsworth’s personal trainer Luke Zocchi.

“When you talk about bodyweight, big weightlifter guys will be like, 'Oh, that's not that hard. You need to lift heavy!',” says Luke. “But, some of the hardest workouts I have ever done have been bodyweight training. If you slow down the movements and really put in the hard time under tension, it can be really challenging and drive big results.”

As Luke pointed out, exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, squats and planks may seem simple, but with good form and high intensity, they can be challenging enough to promote strength and muscle growth. If you need help getting the hang of it, Luke’s HIIT HIRT Strength workouts on Centr are a great place to start.

4. Is a 20-minute bodyweight workout enough?

A 20-minute bodyweight workout can lead to serious results, especially if it’s high intensity and working multiple muscle groups at once.

Luke Zocchi is the king of short, sharp and effective 20-minute workouts that spike your heart rate up and challenge your muscles. On the Centr app you’ll find his high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts, as well as functional circuits that allow you to maximize effort in a shorter amount of time.

On the busiest days, these quick workouts will slot into any time you do have to ensure you’re still making progress. Remember, it’s the consistency that adds up to results – so squeezing in multiple 20-minute workouts a week will take you further.

5. Who are the trainers on the Centr app?

Centr features a team of elite trainers, nutritionists and mindfulness experts, each bringing a wealth of experience to your fitness journey.

Chris Hemsworth’s personal trainer, Luke Zocchi, specializes in strength and HIIT workouts, while Bobby Holland Hanton, Chris’s stuntman, incorporates agility and plyometrics. If you’re a total fitness newbie, our cardio and strength expert Maricris Lapaix and foodie-meets-fitness favorite Dan Churchill can help you start right with the 3-week beginner strength and cardio program Centr Begin – no equipment required.

With experts in bodyweight training styles, as well as weight training and cable machine workouts, Centr experts have all facets of fitness covered. Whether you’re looking for guidance on technique or inspiration to push harder, the Centr team will help you nail the basics and achieve real results.