We’re reaching the end of 2025, which means that it’s that time of year when we reflect on how we’ve done on our 2025 New Year’s resolutions and start to think about our 2026 resolutions.
A common resolution that people tend to make is to improve their health, whether that involves losing weight, building muscle, or increasing physical activity. With evolutions in how we approach exercise, this resolution might actually become much more attainable, thanks to the rise of the best workout apps and fitness platforms.
A major reason why so many people have been reluctant to start the gym is because of just how daunting actually entering the gym can be, but that no longer needs to be a worry, thanks to the growth of home fitness apps. These apps have revolutionised the way people approach their fitness goals, offering convenience and accessibility like never before.
At POW8R, you might think we are biased when it comes to recommending home fitness apps, but we’re passionate about them because we know how effective they can be. In fact, many users find that the best workout app can be just as effective, if not more so, than a traditional gym membership.
In this blog, we will share our opinion in the debate of home workout apps vs gym memberships, exploring why the best fitness apps are gaining popularity in the digital fitness industry.
The Growth of Workout Apps
Thanks to their accessibility and convenience, workout apps have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. With the development of so many gym apps in 2025 alone, people now have more access than ever to top fitness apps. As the use of these apps continues to grow as a trend, it’s no wonder that more and more people are trying them out for themselves.
The figures also speak for the growth of workout apps, with the fitness app market estimated to reach a value of 395.8 million in 2035. These fitness app statistics show that the industry is likely to continue to grow at a rapid rate, with the best fitness app options leading the charge.
There’s now a large debate within the fitness community around traditional and home workouts, with the community split in half. Many are finding that a well-designed home fitness app can provide all the benefits of a gym membership, without the drawbacks.
The Impact of COVID on Gyms
To understand the surge in online fitness popularity, it’s important to consider the lockdown. During this time, gyms frequently opened and closed, pushing regular exercisers and those tired of baking banana bread to seek alternative options. Some enthusiasts stuck with Joe Wicks workouts, while others searched for more comprehensive fitness apps to stay healthy without gym access.
As people had no choice but to use these apps, they grew used to using them, and they quickly became a part of their daily routine. The best workout app options emerged as lifelines for those looking to maintain their fitness during uncertain times.
Now, in 2025, with the release of numerous apps for use, people have a plethora of options to choose from. Instead of trying to find just one decent workout app, they can select from several options and attempt to choose the right fitness app for them. This abundance of choice has further fueled the growth of the home fitness app market.
Why Workout Apps Are Gaining Popularity
If you are someone who isn’t currently on the online fitness train, you might be wondering exactly why these workout apps are gaining popularity.
Just some reasons why online fitness is growing in popularity include:
Convenience
One of the primary reasons the best workout apps have gained popularity is that they are incredibly convenient. We live in a busy world, and with the financial difficulties many people are experiencing, work has become a priority. As a result, it can be difficult to find time to head to the gym between work, juggling family responsibilities, and trying to get enough sleep.
Home fitness apps can be used wherever and whenever you want, which means that people can fit in a quick workout on a lunch break or when they simply have a free 20 minutes without having to worry about getting to the gym, navigating the locker rooms and waiting around for the machines you want to become available.
With their convenience, it’s no surprise they’re gaining so much popularity. Many users find that a good training app can provide a full-body workout in less time than it takes to drive to the gym.
Cost
Cost is a huge factor in why so many people are opting for home fitness apps. Through these apps, you can enjoy an experience similar to working with a personal trainer for a fraction of the cost, which means you get all the fantastic benefits of online fitness coaching without the high price.
If you go to a gym, you may need to pay extra to get involved in classes, but when you use an online fitness app, it’s all included, saving you money that you can better invest elsewhere. Many apps offer various fitness app monetisation strategies, allowing users to customise their experience based on their needs and budget.
When you download the POW8R app, you have access to a full catalogue of workouts, healthy recipes and fitness tracking for under £30 a month, which only shows how much you can save when opting for online fitness plans. This approach to fitness app monetisation makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious fitness enthusiasts, especially when compared to traditional gym memberships or even a gym booking app.
Integration of Wearable Tech
These days, almost everyone owns a smartwatch, which helps them monitor their daily movements and stay active throughout the day. One of the most valued features of workout apps is their ability to seamlessly integrate with wearable technology, enhancing the user’s fitness tracking experience. The best fitness app options often include robust integration features, allowing users to get a comprehensive view of their health and fitness data.
Personalisation
One of the best parts of using workout apps is the added element of personalisation that you can get from the apps. The best fitness apps are designed with you in mind, and there is a level of customisation that you can enjoy that you don’t get from standard workouts.
This personalisation allows you to focus your workout on movements that will help you achieve your desired goal, whether that is building muscle, losing weight, or improving your form. Many apps now incorporate AI technology, with AI fitness apps offering even more tailored experiences based on user data and preferences. This level of personalisation is often difficult to achieve with a standard gym membership.
The Benefits of Using Workout Apps Instead of Gym Memberships
Though you now likely have a better understanding of why workout apps are growing in popularity, you may not be quite convinced that you should start using workout apps in place of your gym.
Some benefits of using workout apps instead of gym memberships include:
Motivation and Accountability
When you’re in a large gym with limited interaction, it can be easy to become unmotivated or distracted, unless you invest in a personal trainer.
You might enter the gym with the best intentions of working out, but then find yourself staring at TikTok on the leg press for twenty minutes. We’ve all been there. When using a fitness app, you’re given the full workout, so you don’t have to worry about planning your own. Thanks to push notifications, you’ll receive reminders to continue your workout. The best workout app options often include features designed to keep you motivated and accountable.
Diverse Workout Options
If you’re not someone with a lot of experience in the gym, something that you may struggle with is planning out a routine that targets the areas that you want to work on. The best part about home workout apps is that they take care of that for you, so all you need to do is press play and follow along.
It can be challenging to branch out when you exercise, but when you have an industry professional guiding you through the process at a pace that works for you, it doesn’t need to be so difficult. Many apps offer a variety of workout styles, including bodyweight training, which requires minimal equipment and can be done anywhere. This versatility is a key advantage of using a training app over a traditional gym membership.
Targeted Workout Plans
If you’re not someone who has a lot of experience when it comes to working out at the gym, you can have a goal in mind, but struggle to know what to do to achieve that goal. Say you’d like to grow your glutes, you need to do particular exercises to make sure that you’re growing them in the most effective way possible.
It can be a learning curve to put together the right routine for the areas you wish to target, but with a workout app on your side, you don’t need to worry about planning your workouts; you simply need to load up a preplanned workout and enjoy it, all while still targeting your desired areas. The best fitness app options often include a variety of targeted workout plans to suit different goals and fitness levels.
Access to Experts
Sure, you could work out alone and figure it out along the way, but who has the time for that? There is nothing worse than doing an exercise for months, only to find that your form was incorrect or you’ve been using the wrong equipment.
On the POW8R app, every workout that we make not only shows you how to do an exercise correctly, but it also explains the rationale behind every movement and makes sure that you know exactly why you’re doing a certain exercise.
Through our live workouts, we also have a live chat room where you can ask questions about the workouts we are doing, receive advice, and make adjustments in real-time. This level of interaction is a key feature of on-demand fitness platforms, bridging the gap between home workouts and gym experiences. It’s like having a personal trainer in your pocket, something that’s hard to achieve with a standard gym membership or even a gym booking app.
Uncover Your Potential With POW8R
Through this guide, we hope to have provided you with a deeper understanding of how the growth of home workout apps has revolutionised the fitness industry. At POW8R, we are passionate about the power of home fitness apps, and we have seen firsthand how our app has transformed lives.
Want to find out how the best workout app can change your life? Download the POW8R app today and join the digital fitness revolution. Experience for yourself why so many people are choosing home fitness apps over traditional gym memberships.