Personal fitness apps in 2023 could be overwhelming. It’s all too easy to dive in, overtrain without proper guidance, and burn out once the optimism of the “New Year’s Resolutions” phase is over. So when I was looking for an at-home app to improve my strength and reach my 2023 fitness goals, I was overjoyed when Fitbod seemed to nail him in the head.
All of today’s best fitness apps want to justify their subscription prices by acting as overly picky personal trainers. They offer workout videos professionally filmed by trainers calling you friends. They expect you to log every calorie. We try to cover every fitness base, from
There are fitness apps out there that just log your workouts, but they require you to really know what you’re doing. I’ve tried gym memberships for cross-training in the past, but it’s all about maintaining a self-guided muscle-building rhythm without overdoing certain muscles or sidelining yourself out of necessity. was found to be difficult.
Fitbod is endlessly customizable, quickly learning your ability level and preventing you from overtraining some muscles while ignoring others.
I wanted something very simple and very unusual: something that would target specific body parts and muscle groups to help me get stronger, but also make me aware of my limits and at no real cost. is an at-home exercise app that offers exercises tailored to your needs. trainer. Video-based apps like Apple Fitness+ and Fitbit Premium cannot target only difficulty levels or general body areas.
A partner who does more HIIT and core work at home than I did introduced me to Fitbod, a fitness app available for Android/Wear OS and iOS/Apple Watch. It also had all the features I needed as a cross training tool with my main running workout.
When you open Fitbod, you can see your previous weightlifting experience, your workout goals (building muscle, losing weight, increasing endurance, improving your sport, etc.), where you usually exercise, and what kind of equipment you use. You will be asked if it is available. Access, current height/weight/age and other data.
From that point on, algorithms are used to generate customized workouts on your own equipment that match your goals and target muscle groups. Focus on Intensity), and in seconds, a new set of reps and exercises will play.
Also, unlike workout videos that contain pre-determined exercises, the app allows you to choose specific exercises and replace them with similar ones that target the same group, or choose them more or less often, depending on your preference. can be directed to If you find it difficult or disgusting, it’s more fun finding exercises that work for your speed than embarrassing yourself when you have to use “fixes.”
Or, if you’re a gym goer who knows what exercises work for you, the app can create workouts from scratch that spin off your own routines.
AI is a controversial topic these days, and it’s no exaggeration to say that a real personal trainer can do all of this and be more motivated than the humble Fitbod app.
It’s definitely a “DIY” experience. As you complete repetitions of the exercise, each one must be recorded as a completion so you can time it. You also need to tell Fitbod how difficult an exercise is for you, rather than pouring it directly into something new. It’s more appropriate for those who need guidance than having a house in the zone.
Compare that to using the Oculus Quest 2 for fitness.
Still, Fitbod made a difference, simply because it introduced me to exercises I would have struggled to find on my own. Instead of endless Google bookmarks for articles like this, we just point you to useful exercises accompanied by how-to videos demonstrating proper form.
Some fitness apps track fatigue and recovery, but few particularly notice when your calves and biceps are particularly tired.
it also pushes me stop Train your muscles before you overdo it. Garmin Body Battery or Fitbit Daily Readiness track my overall energy level, but don’t specifically warn me if my legs or back might get tired if I keep going.
Fitbod displays recovery percentages next to each muscle group, so you don’t overwork and stunt your muscle progress. Instead, it targets more refreshed (or neglected) muscle groups so you don’t feel like you’re just waiting around when your biceps or abs need a break.
I usually prefer simple cardio workouts tracked by my fitness watch for my daily workouts. So, I entered 2023 and focused on simple bodyweight-only exercises that I already knew, like push-ups and planks.
Fitbod has expanded my horizons far beyond the basics. Even if you eventually unsubscribe, move on with more knowledge about which exercises will help you bulk up or slim down in all core areas.
The app costs $80/year or $13/month after your first three workouts, so it’s about the same price you’d pay for a more detailed and balanced app like Apple Fitness+. But I prefer the Fitbod just because I want something focused rather than overwhelmed.
