The workout apps actually worth the money

The $15 option certainly takes the $4000 package on a run for its money.

The $15 option certainly takes the $4000 package on a run for its money.

Trying to be thin is an outdated fool’s goal. Being as strong as you can be remains a worthy goal.

But, the best way to meet that goal depends on your budget, spare time, physical ability, and willingness to break down your muscles to build them back up again.

The important thing to remember when it comes to exercise and strength training is that something is always better than nothing. Doing 10 bicep curls with cans of beans followed by one half-hearted push-up, or just a walk around the block, is better than no exercise. All you need is a base and some motivation, and sometimes having a program you’re spending an amount of money on each month is good motivation.

If the gym isn’t your jam (because of an erratic schedule, budget, distance, or self-consciousness), there are heaps of tech ways you can get strong from home. I’ve road-tested three different online training programs, at three different price levels, and here’s my verdict on what’s good and what’s weak:

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The budget option: Apple Fitness+

Apple Fitness+

Price

$14.99 each month, plus you’ll need an iPhone. If you don’t already have an iPhone, you can get one from $719.

Equipment required

Weights of your choice and an iPhone (with or without Apple Watch).

What’s good

It is almost unheard of for a subscription workout program to upload 20-25 high-quality workouts each week. The Apple Fitness trainers are really motivating, give good levels to choose from if you have an injury or are new to strength workouts, and make good programs. You can choose workout lengths from 10-30 minutes and they’re put to a variety of music styles, so there will be something you like. I’ve been subscribed since the program launched, and it’s really ideal for when I’m travelling, or just too tired to go to the gym after a long day, but still want to get some reps in.

What’s bad

I would like it if sometimes the trainers could elaborate a bit more about which muscles you’re supposed to be feeling the exercises in, just so I can be sure I’m doing them correctly. Yes, there is a lot of guidance in beginner classes, but after a long day, it can be easy to get sloppy and forget to brace your core or do a variation of an exercise that works better to your strengths. However, this is such a nitpick that it hardly counts as a complaint.

Is it worth it?

Unless you’re doing one of the equipment-based workouts, like cycling or rowing, and you already have an iPhone, then it’s a really small investment to see if you like this style of exercise. Just do the free trial and nope out if it turns out it isn’t your jam. There are even body weight-based workouts if you don’t have weights at home. There really isn’t anything for Apple users to lose here.

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The medium option: Peloton Guide

The Peloton Guide.

Price

$445 for the Guide, then $35 for the Peloton monthly subscription

Equipment required

Peloton Guide, TV (or another screen with an HDMI input), weights of your choice, and an optional yoga mat.

What’s good

Some of the trainers are really motivating, and I like the little awards and points you get for a workout well done, which can really spur you on. Plus, the social aspect of the live workouts can make you feel like you’re a part of something, encouraging you to work harder. So that’s nice.

What’s bad

I do not see the point of the Guide. It’s so expensive but lacks the technology to analyse your form. All the Guide can tell is if you (or a cat, perhaps) is moving in the frame of the camera. It doesn’t know if you’re doing the exercise at all, let alone correctly. I discovered I could cheat it by just waving my hand. While the only person you’re cheating is yourself, it does drastically reduce the usefulness of buying the Guide over just downloading the app to your phone, laptop, or Apple TV, because you’ll get almost the same experience.

Is it worth it?

No. I really love the Peloton bike, it’s a fantastic piece of equipment that made me a better cyclist. The strength workouts themselves are pretty good, even if the production values are significantly lower than Apple Fitness+ (for more than twice times the price), but the Guide doesn’t even have the same smarts as the Xbox Kinect did around a decade ago and I don’t know why it exists.

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The $$$$ option: Vitruvian Trainer+

Vitruvian Trainer +

Price

$3,990.00 including a 12-month All Access Membership

Equipment required

Vitruvian Trainer+

What’s good

This is such an intelligent gadget that it really can replace a whole gym membership, while still (mostly) fitting under your couch. It works as an adaptive weight machine that can have up to 100kgs of resistance on each side, which should be more than enough for most people. Plus, it’s designed in Melbourne, which is a nice touch.

In some ways it’s even better than traditional weights because you can choose whether to just have the weight activate on the way up or way down, allowing you to really focus on the different muscle groups and make the most of your workout.

The video classes themselves are pretty good, more on the Peloton production values than Apple Fitness+ side of things (ie, not great), but they’re fine.

The best part is that you can choose whether to have the weight stay the same the whole time, or let the machine sense that you’re struggling and reduce the load a bit. This reduces the chance of injury if you try to lift heavier than you’re ready for, and can help you suffer through to the end of a workout a bit easier when you’re starting out and need some help.

Another good thing is that the purchase of the machine gives you access to a few virtual sessions with a personal trainer to make sure you’re getting the most out of your program and learning the machine, which is a nice added touch.

What’s bad

I sometimes find that the machine thinks I’m struggling and backs off too much on the weight when I’m just trying to work through the exercise and increase time under tension. I also don’t like that a lot of the exercise classes seem to assume you bought the premium accessories pack. I didn’t request the bench because my apartment is too small, but then that meant I had to lie on the uncomfortable machine when doing the benchmarking exercises and that was a bit off-putting.

Is it worth it?

It’s a big investment. The machine and first year’s subscription is roughly equal to two years membership at a premium gym. But, if you have sufficient budget and motivation, and this is a better fit for you than a gym membership, then go for it. It’s a good machine for strength training and the workouts will help you reach your goals if you stick with them.