The only workout partner you need is your smartphone.

Fitness apps have achieved something a bricks and mortar gym could never compete with: they’ve turned your home into an instant fitness studio and left you with no more excuses for skiving off. With an on-demand model akin to Netflix, they offer instant access to expert-led video workouts, alongside metrics, nutritional advice and training plans. For the time-poor and aerobic avoiders, they make fitness easier (and more accessible) than ever before. But with health and fitness apps already topping 250,000, how do you pick the right one for you? By reading our handy guide to the best five, of course.

If short, fast, calorie-burning workouts are your exercise of choice then Fiit should be your new fixer. The app streams on-demand fitness classes via your phone or TV, and workouts are split into cardio, strength and rebalance, with most sessions lasting 25 minutes. The classes, which take place in a colourful studio reminiscent of Mr Justin Timberlake’s video for “Rock Your Body”, are taken by one of Fiit’s 17 professional enthusiastic trainers and are most beneficial if used with Fiit’s wearable fitness tracker. On that note, Fiit’s basic service is free, but for access to the full class list, fitness device and training plans, you will need premium membership, which costs £45 for three months.

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Founded by Barry’s Bootcamp trainer Mr Louis Rennocks, Boxx Method streams boxing, yoga and strength training workouts to most devices. Unlike traditional boxing workouts that require punchbags and gloves, a Boxx class only requires two 1kg dumbbells, which are then used with shadow-boxing techniques and Hiit to create a gruelling seven- to 60-minute workout. Each boxing class is led by a trainer, often with assistant trainers in the background demonstrating alternative techniques. After an hour of pretending to repeatedly punch your boss in the face, you’ll find the yoga and mindfulness classes a welcome antidote. Prices start at £9.99 a month for access to all classes and training plans.

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Instead of gimmicky spin classes with lasers and party soundtracks, Peloton is cool, competitive and wildly expensive thanks to its custom-made bikes, which stream live spin classes, thus turning your home into a private cycling studio. If you don’t want to follow Messrs Hugh Jackman, Leonardo DiCaprio and David Beckham by installing a Peloton bike in your home, you can download Peloton Digital Membership, and use the app with a spin bike at the gym. Membership gives you access to 20 live classes a day and over 10,000 on-demand classes. Cycling is its calling card, but there are also strengthening, yoga, walking and running classes, too, all for £19.49 per month.

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Pegging itself as a “data driven workout plan”, Fitbod uses your weight, height, age and gender, plus stats from your previous workouts to personalise future training plans. The plans allow you to edit several variables, including what you want to achieve (workouts with no gym equipment, to get stronger and lift more, to increase muscle mass and so on), specific equipment to use, and the days you want to work out. Helpfully, you can also override your routine and edit it to suit your needs. And thanks to artificial intelligence, the training plans are responsive so if you’re meeting your goals, Fitbod will adjust your next session to push you that bit harder. Prices start from £6.99 per month.

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For comprehensive tracking and training, no running app beats the constantly evolving Nike Run Club. GPS tracking, audio feedback and a community leaderboard serve up motivation, while the integrated Spotify library (premium members only) and “power songs” help with pace. The My Coach feature creates highly personalised training plans, with plenty of digital nudges, back pats and evaluations to keep you engaged. And then there are the guided runs, which combine high-profile narrators (Mr Eliud Kipchoge, Ms Paula Radcliffe and steeplechaser Mr Evan Jager, to name but a few), interviews between Nike coaches and pro runners, and a collaboration with meditation app Headspace. The best part? It’s all free.

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