Movement

Centr Team

A guide to choosing the best fitness apps for women

Centr can get your fitness journey started with low or no-equipment workouts, then help you take it to the next level with dumbbell strength. Set up your home gym with the perfect set from shop.centr.com.

What makes a good fitness app?

With so many fitness apps for women out there, how do you pick one that truly works for you? Look beyond the flashy marketing and focus on features that genuinely support your goals.

Here’s what to look for:

• Personalised workouts: Your goals – just like your body – are unique. Find an app that tailors a plan to these goals, whether it’s shredding, improving mobility, building core strength, maintaining weight in menopause or running stronger.
• Variety in training styles: Your goals will evolve over time. A great app offers a range of effective and enjoyable options like yoga, HIIT, HILIT, strength training, Pilates… and don’t forget recovery! Low-impact workouts and mobility sessions are a must.
• Adaptable workouts: Your skills and home gym will evolve over time, too! From beginner to advanced, the app should grow with you, offering programs for all fitness levels and equipment setups.
• Flexible workout formats: Whether you’re hitting the gym or squeezing in a home workout, choose an app that adapts. Look for features like real-time coaching or workout videos that can be streamed to your TV.
• Habit-building tools: Stacking one good habit on top of another will get you to your goals. A weekly plan that maps out your workouts and rest days, and logs your progress, can make it easier to stick to your routine, even when life gets hectic.
• Nutrition support: Results are made in the kitchen, so choose an app with dietitian-approved meal plans plus quick and easy recipes that align with your tastes and goals. By the way, a shopping list feature can be a life saver!
• Community and accountability: We all need a support network – a good app will connect you with a member forum or exclusive groups, where you can find 24/7 motivation and like-minded people to keep you accountable.
• Mind-body connection: Apps that include mindfulness tools, stress relief exercises, or mood-boosting pep talks go beyond physical fitness to support your overall well-being.

One more thing: always be wary of unrealistic promises. If an app claims it will deliver a flat stomach in a week or insists on an all-juice diet, it’s likely too good to be true. The best apps help you build healthy habits that last.

Whether you want to burn fat or future-proof your body, strength training is the answer. Let Centr expert Ingrid Clay show you the way.

How to choose the right fitness app for you

Now that you know what to look for in a fitness app for women, it’s time to focus on what really matters to you.

Here’s how to narrow down your choices and find the perfect fit.

1. Define your goals
What’s your priority? Are you looking to change your body composition, build strength, boost your cardio for running, or something else entirely? Maybe you’re gearing up for a big event, like a wedding or vacation, or just want to feel healthier and more energized.

If you’re unsure where to start, the Centr app offers an onboarding FitQuiz to help you refine your goals and find training options to fit. And remember, priorities can shift – so you can change your goals at any time.

Need some more help setting health and fitness goals? Find the purpose you need to carry it through by setting smart goals. And make resolutions and false starts a thing of the past: try these habit hacks instead.

2. Consider your budget
Results don’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Compare prices, and think about any extra costs an app might require – like new equipment or upgrades. Look for payment options that suit your financial plan, whether that’s monthly or yearly subscriptions.

Also remember that this is a long-term investment in yourself. Many Centr members have come to us after long periods of illness or injury, or with concerns such as high blood pressure, then gone on to receive a clean bill of health from their doctor.

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

3. Read reviews
Check out app store ratings, trusted review sites, or recommendations from female-focused fitness communities. Look for insights into how well the app works for users with similar goals or lifestyles.

Want some real-world examples? Keep reading.

4. Get started with a free trial
Once you’ve done your homework, give the app a go with a free trial. Use this time to explore workouts, meal plans, or features you’re curious about.

Maybe you’ve spotted a workout program like 28 Days of Core and thought “Five minutes a day? I can do that!” Use the Centr free trial 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 without commitment.

Finding the best workout app for you is about choosing one that fits your life, goals and budget – because fitness should work for you, not the other way around.

Home workouts with Centr led to a total physical and mental transformation for member Nat. Now it’s your turn…

What results can you get using the Centr app?

Maybe you want to prove to yourself that you can do it. Maybe you’re making a comeback from injury or illness. Or maybe you’re ready to choose strong over skinny. Women of every age and every stage have achieved their goals with Centr.

If you’re thinking to yourself, “But what’s the best weightlifting app for females?”, Nat will give you the same answer: it’s Centr.

A single mother to two boys, one with autism and the other with a rare blood disorder, Nat has endured separation and uprooted her family to move closer to medical experts.

Now, in her mid-40s, she’s rocking the world of competitive powerlifting. And it all began with a 6-week Centr workout program that gave her a small taste of what strength training could do for her body and mind.

“I started out at home doing challenges and programs, and after doing the Centr 6 program I noticed that my strength had increased,” Nat explains. “So I decided to test myself and see what muscle building could do for me.”

She locked down her technique with coached workouts from Chris Hemsworth’s personal trainer Luke Zocchi on the Centr app. Next thing you know, Nat had entered her first powerlifting competition.

“It was an amazing experience. I was happy to be standing on the platform surrounded by awesome athletes – everyone was very supportive and encouraging. It’s the same feeling I get being part of the Centr community.”

She’s gone from deadlifting about 132lbs (60kgs) to 209lbs (95kg) and counting. But one of the biggest things Nat has taken from Centr is the power of routine – for her own goals, as well as her boys.

“We have a bedtime routine and morning school routine for the kids, so why not our own fitness routine?” she says. “As parents, we need to prioritize our fitness, mental health and physical health. If we are strong in mind and body, we are able to look after our loved ones better. So set the days, set the time, write it down and stick with the routine and it will become a habit. Don’t look for fast results, just focus on the routine and the results will come.”

Check out Nat’s full journey for mindset tips and non-stop strong woman inspiration.

Did you know that women get greater benefits from exercise than men do? It’s just one of the things no one told you about women’s fitness.

Your women’s fitness app FAQ

Still have questions about finding the best workout app for women? You’re not alone! We’ve answered some of the most common questions women ask about fitness apps, to help you get started.

1. Do fitness apps really work?
Yes, but choosing a quality app that suits your goals, you can achieve the results you’re looking for. But just like finally organizing a catch up with your old school friends, you need to follow through and show up for yourself!

We’re all busy, but fortunately having the tools you need right there on your phone removes a lot of the obstacles that can stop you working on your health and fitness.

Late leaving work? Jump onto the Centr app for an 8-minute toning session with Alexz Parvi – whatever you can fit in. Struggling to get to the gym consistently? We have plenty of workouts like this 10-minute bodyweight session with Chris Hemsworth you can do at home.

Bonus: when you train at home, it doesn’t matter if you’re wearing your saggy, baggy, see-through workout clothes!

Getting results is all about consistency. So start small, keep showing up, enjoy the challenge and the results will come.

2. Do I have to change my nutrition to get results?
Whether you’re aiming to lose body fat, boost your cardio fitness or build strength, nutrition plays a huge role in reaching your goals. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up your favourite foods.

The Centr app has personalized meal plans, quick and easy recipes, plus expert tips on everything from meal prep to eating low carb – all of which will help to make eating for your goals easy and enjoyable.

Take it from our resident sports dietitian Angie Asche: “A balanced diet includes treats you love. What is life without chocolate?” Focus on whole foods, listen to your body, and let nutrition support your fitness journey – not complicate it.

3. Can my cycle impact my training or results?
Research is only just beginning to scratch the surface when it comes to understanding how your menstrual cycle impacts physical performance. Check out our guide to cycle-based training and nutrition for tips on tracking your cycle and picking the right workout. For instance, on low-energy days you might prefer a lower-intensity training style like yoga or Pilates over strength training or HIIT.

While making adjustments based on your cycle can be of benefit, keep in mind there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

We also know from our members that their needs and priorities change when they reach perimenopause and menopause – which is why we created a specialized guide for those stages, too.

4. How many times a week should I work out?
There’s no magic number. It depends on your goals, fitness level and lifestyle.

If you’re just starting out, begin with 2-3 sessions per week and be sure to allow for rest days. That’s exactly how we’ll get you moving with our 3-week Centr Begin program. If you’re more experienced, a mix of strength training, cardio and mobility work over 4-5 workouts weekly will keep you firing on all cylinders.

Remember, how you recover is just as important as how you train. A built-in weekly planner can help you balance your schedule and avoid burnout.

5. How long should my workouts be?
Workouts don’t have to be long to be effective. Research shows that even 7-minute routines can deliver benefits. Luke Zocchi’s Classic Tabata Burner will set fire to your core in just 6 minutes!

Centr is packed with quick, high-intensity workouts for days when you’re short on time, alongside longer sessions to drill down on your goals.

The best workout app for women is one that adapts to your schedule, offering options for all time frames without compromising results.

6. What’s the best way to tone my body at home?
A strong and toned body is a major goal that we’re here for! And the good news is, you can definitely do it without going to a gym.

Your focus should be on a combination of strength training (to build lean muscle) and cardio (to burn fat and boost aerobic fitness), paired with a nutritious diet to support your training and muscle growth.

One of our favorite ways to tone up at home is with high-intensity strength training: Centr Sculpted is a 6-week program designed to get high-definition total-body results. It’s for all fitness levels and all you need is dumbbells.

7. What should I look for in an app community?
Motivation and accountability are easier with support. Many fitness apps for women include forums or exclusive groups where you can share progress, swap tips and celebrate wins with like-minded people.

A supportive community can be truly empowering and make all the difference if you hit a plateau.

Whatever your goals, whatever your current level of fitness or experience, you’ll find what you need to get started, then take it all the way, on Centr.