Top 6 Fitness Apps and Websites for People Who Hate Working Out

Not everybody enjoys working out, but it's important for enjoying a healthy life and having the energy to do the things you love.

Regular exercise offers a wealth of mental and physical benefits, but not everybody enjoys the process of working out. Here’s a look at common reasons people hate exercising, as well as tips on how to find workouts that work for you. Hopefully, it will feel less like a chore—instead becoming an activity you look forward to each week.

1. "I Don’t Know What I’m Doing or Where to Start"

Watching rows of people lifting heavy weights, following complicated aerobics step routines, or sprinting on treadmills can feel intimidating. Instead, start off with beginner-friendly workout apps to get the basics down when it comes to gym workouts, running, Pilates, and more. Go at your own pace and enjoy learning some new skills.

For a huge library of workout videos, The Body Coach TV on YouTube covers all the basics in an upbeat, encouraging way. Follow along with Joe Wicks for plenty of strength training, cardio, and stretching routines.

This high-intensity interval training (HIIT) routine will help you work up a sweat in no time. Wicks demonstrates every move clearly, from shadowboxing to marching knees.

2. "I’m Super Busy, and Workouts Take Too Long"

Getting the recommended 150 minutes of weekly aerobic activity recommended by the American Heart Association doesn’t have to interfere with your schedule. In fact, even a few 10-minute walks throughout the week can add up.

In addition, an app like the J&J Official 7 Minute Workout can get your heart rate up in mere minutes. The app is as simple and streamlined as possible, with a home screen that offers access to a 7-minute workout, a smart workout, and the workout library.

For the 7-minute workout, complete simple exercises like jumping jacks, crunches, and push-ups. Videos demonstrate proper techniques, while a helpful voiceover offers tips (including reminders to breathe).

Smart workouts, meanwhile, get tailored to your experience level, whether that's total beginner, intermediate, or advanced. It can also pull data from your Apple Health app to dial in your fitness level with even greater accuracy.

Like and dislike exercises along the way to tailor your results. The app can also access your Apple Music account during workouts for motivational tunes.

Lastly, the workout library includes structured workouts of varying difficulty levels, as well as the option to create your own custom workouts. For the most part, the J&J Official 7 Minute Workout app offers a tremendous variety of workouts that can be completed in under 10 minutes, which is great news for busy people who want to stay healthy.

Download: J&J Official 7 Minute Workout for iOS | Android (Free)

3. "Workouts Bore Me"

Invite a friend to join you for a quick walk or bike ride. Chatting about your day can make the minutes fly by.

If you’re working out solo, listen to your favorite YouTuber, podcaster, or collection of audiobook apps. Sometimes keeping your brain occupied is the best way to make a long walk, gym session, or other activity even better.

If you're a Spotify fan, then check out the service's gigantic selection of workout music playlists. The right music can make all the difference in your exercise session.

4. "The Gym Is Not for Me"

Not everyone loves the gym, and that’s OK. Instead, try a fitness tracking app that works anywhere, whether you're hitting a hiking trail or working out in your living room.

A fitness app like Gentler Streak covers a huge range of activities, from dog walking to roller skating, so you're free to think outside the gym. With built-in rest days, the app helps prevent over-training as well.

5. "I’m Just Not a Sporty Person"

While plenty of people appreciate the motivation that competitive sports can inspire, not everybody likes to turn their exercise session into a competition. It's understandable.

Instead, live and on-demand exercise apps let you enjoy the fun, social side of workouts without the need to compete against anybody else. There's no leaderboards or score-keeping—just motivating trainers and a range of lively activities to try out.

To quickly join a virtual class, Mindbodyonline offers plenty of options with flexible pricing. Check out dance, yoga, Pilates, kickboxing, and many more classes.

6. "It’s Tough to Be Consistent"

Sometimes, the hardest part about exercising is sticking with a plan. Hectic schedules, lack of motivation, and even the weather can interfere with your plans to work out.

However, it's possible to build consistency over time. Start by setting yourself up for success.

First, experiment by working out at different times of day to find your preferred exercise time. Some people like to exercise first thing in the morning to get it out of the way, while others like to get in a post-work exercise session to de-stress and shake off the day.

Next, use an app like TracKit Daily to log your workouts and make exercising more of a habit. The app supports many types of habit tracking, from finances to personal development, and it has an entire section specifically for various workouts.

For instance, you can set reminders to complete cycling workouts a certain number of days each week, or lift a certain number of pounds during your strength sets. The app's simplicity is part of its strength, and you can set goals that are as broad or detailed as you like.

Over time, graphs display your progress. Try to keep a streak going or increase your reps and intensity over time for even more motivation.

Eventually, the workouts will become a regular part of your schedule. Keep track of your progress easily with the TracKit Daily app.

Download: TracKit Daily for iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

Make Workouts More Fun With Help From Apps, Websites, and Videos

By finding the right mix of exercises that appeal to you, it's possible to enjoy your workouts (or at least hate them a lot less). With so many options available, including streaming classes, habit-tracking apps, and instructive videos, you're likely to find the approach to fitness that suits you best.

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