According to the Global Health & Fitness Association, pre-pandemic health club memberships in the U.S. reached 64.2 million at a total of 41,270 facilities in 2019. But when gyms and fitness centers shut down in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus, those memberships languished. As many as 15% of such facilities had closed for good by the end of last September.
Unfortunately, we got pudgier because we had no place to work out. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association estimated that Americans gained an average of nearly two pounds per month during 2020’s lockdown.
Nevertheless, many Americans took advantage of their time at home and battled the bulge with the help of their smartphones. If they couldn’t make it to the gym, they could at least download weight-loss and exercise apps. Here are the most popular exercise fads every year since 1956.
24/7 Tempo determined the best of these by reviewing all the fitness- and diet-related apps on the Apple Store and Google Play. To appear on our list, an app needed to have had at least 10,000 votes and a rating of 4.9 or higher by mid-June.
The list includes some of the most popular programs available in these areas. Some, like Oh She Glows and Lose Weight Fast at Home, are aimed at women. One, Lose Weight App for Men, which promises weight loss in 30 days, is male-focused. Others can be followed by both sexes.
Although most are geared to exercise programs, there are apps — like Food & Macro Tracker by Fittur and Fasting App – Fasting Tracker & Intermittent Fast — that provide dietary tips and guidelines. For more pound-dropping strategies, see 18 best ways to keep weight off if you’re over 40.
Click here to see the best fitness and weight loss apps.
As COVID-19 restrictions ease, gyms and fitness facilities will open and pandemic pounds will be shed. However, for some, the use of at-home exercise and weight-loss apps may be a good habit they won’t break.
Source: Rossella De Berti / Getty Images
20. Pedometer & Step Counter
> Avg rating on App Store: 4.9
> Votes: 10,457
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Oh She Glows
19. Oh She Glows
> Avg rating on App Store: 4.9
> Votes: 11,303
24/7 Wall St.Source: Fly View Productions / Getty Images
18. Workout for Women: Fit at Home
> Avg rating on App Store: 4.9
> Votes: 11,994
Source: VioletaStoimenova / Getty Images
17. Lose Weight at Home in 30 Days
> Avg rating on App Store: 4.9
> Votes: 14,997
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtesy of 30 Day Fitness at Home
16. 30 Day Fitness at Home
> Avg rating on App Store: 4.9
> Votes: 21,583
Source: Courtesy of Lose Weight Fast at Home - Workouts for Women
15. Lose Weight Fast at Home – Workouts for Women
> Avg rating on App Store: 4.9
> Votes: 25,549
Lose Weight Fast at Home – Workouts for Women
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Happy Scale
14. Happy Scale
> Avg rating on App Store: 4.9
> Votes: 32,914
Source: Courtesy of HIIT | Down Dog
13. HIIT | Down Dog
> Avg rating on App Store: 4.9
> Votes: 33,063
Source: Courtesy of Rally Coach
12. Rally Coach
> Avg rating on App Store: 4.9
> Votes: 34,371
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtesy of Home Workouts - No Equipment
11. Home Workouts – No Equipment
> Avg rating on App Store: 4.9
> Votes: 45,488
Source: ljubaphoto / Getty Images
10. Yoga for Weight Loss – Yoga Daily Workout
> Avg rating on App Store: 4.9
> Votes: 53,155
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of StrongLifts Weight Lifting Log
9. StrongLifts Weight Lifting Log
> Avg rating on App Store: 4.9
> Votes: 59,870
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Strong Workout Tracker Gym Log
8. Strong Workout Tracker Gym Log
> Avg rating on App Store: 4.9
> Votes: 70,152
Source: Courtesy of Workout: Gym Workout Planner
7. Workout: Gym Workout Planner
> Avg rating on App Store: 4.9
> Votes: 82,236
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Delmaine Donson / Getty Images
6. Home Workout for Women – Female Fitness
> Avg rating on App Store: 4.9
> Votes: 91,954
Source: Courtesy of Pacer Pedometer & Step Tracker
5. Pacer Pedometer & Step Tracker
> Avg rating on App Store: 4.9
> Votes: 142,607
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Plank Workout at Home - 30 Days Plank Challenge
4. Plank Workout at Home – 30 Days Plank Challenge
> Avg rating on App Store: 4.9
> Votes: 186,368
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Fasting App - Fasting Tracker & Intermittent Fast
3. Fasting App – Fasting Tracker & Intermittent Fast
> Avg rating on App Store: 4.9
> Votes: 303,565
Source: BartekSzewczyk / Getty Images
2. Lose Weight App for Men – Weight Loss in 30 Days
> Avg rating on App Store: 4.9
> Votes: 1,029,716
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtesy of Food and Macro Tracker by Fittur
1. Food & Macro Tracker by Fittur
> Avg rating on App Store: 5.0
> Votes: 48,062
Sponsored: Attention Savvy Investors: Speak to 3 Financial Experts – FREE
Ever wanted an extra set of eyes on an investment you’re considering? Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply
clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help guide you through the financial decisions you’re making. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
