As women enter their 40s, fitness goals often shift. It’s not just about aesthetics anymore—it’s about longevity, strength, bone health, flexibility, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Hormonal changes, slower metabolism, and increased risk of injury mean that exercise routines need to be more mindful and supportive. Fortunately, today’s technology makes it easier than ever to stay active and healthy.
Fitness apps have evolved to offer personalized workouts, age-specific recommendations, and holistic wellness tracking. If you’re a woman over 40 looking to maintain your fitness, lose weight, build strength, or simply stay active, here’s a curated list of the best fitness apps that can help you achieve your goals safely and effectively.
1. FitOn
Best for: Variety and expert instruction
FitOn offers a wide range of free workouts—from strength training and yoga to HIIT and dance cardio. What sets it apart is the quality of the instruction. Classes are led by celebrity trainers and fitness professionals, many of whom tailor sessions for different age groups and fitness levels.
Features to love:
- No subscription required for most content
- Customizable plans and progress tracking
- Low-impact workouts ideal for joint care
Why it’s great for women over 40: FitOn provides flexibility and personalization without overwhelming users, making it perfect for beginners or those easing back into fitness.
2. MyFitnessPal
Best for: Nutrition and fitness tracking
Staying active is only part of the health equation. MyFitnessPal allows you to log your meals, track workouts, monitor your weight, and analyze nutrient intake. As metabolism slows with age, understanding how your body responds to food and activity becomes even more important.
Features to love:
- Massive food database for easy logging
- Integration with popular fitness trackers
- Macro and micronutrient insights
Why it’s great for women over 40: It supports informed decision-making and encourages a balanced lifestyle—essential for hormonal health and energy maintenance.
3. Centr by Chris Hemsworth
Best for: Holistic wellness and age-inclusive workouts
This app is more than just workouts. Centr combines fitness routines with mindfulness, stress management tools, meal planning, and guided meditations. It’s designed to offer a complete wellness experience.
Features to love:
- Access to meal plans and recipes
- Meditation and mindfulness sessions
- Training plans that include mobility and recovery
Why it’s great for women over 40: With an emphasis on recovery and stress reduction—key concerns at this age—Centr helps manage cortisol levels and supports overall health.
4. Alo Moves
Best for: Yoga, Pilates, and mindful movement
Alo Moves offers high-quality streaming classes led by world-class instructors. You’ll find yoga flows, barre, pilates, meditation, and even strength-focused sessions.
Features to love:
- Beginner to advanced classes
- Programs targeting flexibility, posture, and strength
- Option to download sessions for offline use
Why it’s great for women over 40: Focuses on body awareness and core strength, reducing the risk of injury and promoting healthy aging.
5. Jillian Michaels: The Fitness App
Best for: Personalized training plans
Jillian Michaels’ app offers targeted programs with adjustable difficulty levels. From beginner-friendly weight loss plans to advanced strength training, this app adapts to you as you progress.
Features to love:
- Dynamic training plans that evolve with your goals
- Integration with Apple Health and Google Fit
- Comprehensive meal planning options
Why it’s great for women over 40: The app takes into account different starting points and fitness histories, making it effective for those returning to fitness or just beginning a consistent routine.
6. Walking for Weight Loss by Leap Fitness
Best for: Low-impact cardio
Walking is one of the most underrated yet effective exercises—especially for women over 40. This app offers guided walking plans, some of which alternate intensity to maximize fat burn and heart health benefits.
Features to love:
- Voice-guided audio cues
- Indoor and outdoor walking options
- Personalized progress tracking
Why it’s great for women over 40: It provides an easy, joint-friendly way to stay active, improve cardiovascular health, and manage weight.
7. Sweat by Kayla Itsines and Team
Best for: Progressive strength and cardio training
Originally designed for younger audiences, the Sweat app now includes workouts for all fitness levels, including programs created specifically for women over 40 by trainers like Kelsey Wells.
Features to love:
- Progressive overload structure to build strength safely
- Postpartum and low-impact workout options
- Weekly workout planners and recovery days
Why it’s great for women over 40: Offers safe strength training to combat muscle loss and improve bone density—key health concerns after 40.
8. 8fit
Best for: Short, effective workouts + nutrition support
8fit combines personalized meal plans with time-efficient workouts that can be done at home. The workouts are designed to be effective without being time-consuming—perfect for busy women juggling family, work, and self-care.
Features to love:
- Customizable fitness plans
- Guided meal planning with shopping lists
- Workouts as short as 7 minutes
Why it’s great for women over 40: Helps maintain muscle and energy without needing hours in the gym. Ideal for managing weight and staying consistent.
9. BetterMe: Health Coaching
Best for: Beginners and lifestyle tracking
BetterMe is more than just a fitness app—it acts like a personal health coach. It covers everything from hydration and step tracking to stress management and sleep. The workouts are beginner-friendly and range from low-impact routines to more advanced exercises.
Features to love:
- Tailored plans based on your goals
- Reminders for healthy habits
- Emotional wellness and self-care prompts
Why it’s great for women over 40: Encourages a lifestyle change, not just quick fixes. The holistic approach addresses physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Integrating Fitness with Nutrition and Lifestyle
While these apps can significantly enhance your fitness routine, don’t forget the importance of nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices. Many women over 40 are exploring dietary strategies like intermittent fasting to complement their workout routines. Understanding the benefits of intermittent fasting for beginners—such as improved metabolism, reduced inflammation, and better blood sugar control—can further support weight management and overall health when used in combination with a balanced fitness plan.
Final Thoughts
Turning 40 doesn’t mean slowing down—it’s an opportunity to train smarter. The right fitness app can make a huge difference in how you approach your workouts, stay motivated, and track progress. Whether you prefer strength training, yoga, walking, or holistic health coaching, there’s an app designed to meet your needs, your goals, and your lifestyle.
Fitness in your 40s is about feeling strong, mobile, and confident in your body. With these top-rated apps, you can maintain your momentum, build healthy habits, and enjoy a long-lasting, active life.