Reviews

FitOn Review: Is This Free App Too Good to Be True?

Fiton Review

I think most people will agree that the old adage “you get what you pay for” is mostly true. And never am I more suspicious of a product’s value than when it’s being offered for free.

You ask yourself, why is it free? Is it just not that good?

That’s why when I first heard about FitOn, a fitness app that gives you free access to it’s library of fitness videos, I was suspicious of its quality.

But the app is very highly rated, so I decided to check it out for myself and see what all the hoopla is about. Spoiler alert: I was pleasantly surprised!

I did end up springing some money for this app, but it’s not what you think. That’s why I thought would be a good idea to do this FitOn review to clear up any confusion on the free vs. pro version, and to help you decide if it is a good app for you.

I’ve also included a video at the end so you can check out what some of the exercises are like! (Spoiler alert, this makes it on my best fitness apps list!)

**I was not paid to write this review. However, this post does contain affiliate links, which means that I may earn a commission on purchases you make after clicking on those links. (At no extra cost to you!) These are my own opinions and honest thoughts after using the app. Full disclosure here. **

What is FitOn?

The FitOn App is a fitness platform that you can download as an app on your phone or stream from your computer. It was founded by Lindsay Cook in January 2019 and quickly rose to be one of the most popular free fitness apps on the market.

FitOn features full video workouts by a number of celebrity trainers, including Julianne Hough, Gabrielle Union, Cassey Ho, Kenta Seki, and many others. 

What is the Subscription Cost? (Is it Really Free?)

The coolest thing about the FitOn app is that you can access all the workouts and programs for free, which makes it the most robust fitness app on the market that you can access without spending a penny.

However, FitOn does offer a “Pro” version that gives you some added perks:

  • Customized meal plans
  • Over 500 recipes
  • Digital Coaching
  • Unlimited offline downloads
  • Fitness tracker integration
  • Premium music

These are some really nice add-ons but not something that you necessarily need to pay for in order to get results with the app. However, in my opinion, it’s still worth upgrading because the cost for the Pro version is quite reasonable. 

They have 2 payment plans – a 6 months and a 12 month – but it seems they are almost always having a sale. At the time of this writing, both plans are 70%:

  • 6 months for $19.99 USD (Instead of $69.99)
  • 1 year for $29.99 USD (Instead of $99.99)

The nice thing is that you can use the free version for as long as you want as a “trial” and then just upgrade if and when you want to get serious about nutrition. I went ahead and signed up for the 6-month plan since $7 a month seems reasonable for the extra features.

What Kind of Workouts Does FitOn Offer?

FitOn offers an impressive library of workout videos for just about any home-workout you can think of, including Yoga, strength training, HIIT, cardio, dance, pilates, and kickboxing.

You can also search for workouts based on certain preferences, like equipment-free, small space, low impact, and with kids. 

Equipment Required

The app is designed to be used at home so only minimal equipment is required for these workouts. Many use body weight only while others use 3 sets of dumbbells (light, medium, heavy). 

If you want to make sure you don’t get caught in a workout that requires equipment you don’t have, you can browse workouts that are specifically equipment-free. The only equipment I suggest you invest in is a good exercise mat (which is different than a yoga mat, by the way!)

Getting Started with FitOn

When you first sign up, the app will ask you a series of questions about your stats and workout preferences. You can choose from a number of fitness goals like “lose weight”, “be more active”, “stay toned” and “build muscle”. 

You can also let it know how many times per week you like to work out and how long you prefer your workouts to be.  From there, the app will put you on a plan based on your answers. The plans all seem to be about 4 weeks long.  

You can also choose from a series of Challenges like “Ab Camp” or “Total Arms & Abs”, but they are relatively short, usually between 1-3 weeks long.

You can also browse all the workouts on the app and choose one to do on demand at any time. 

The only thing I noticed is that none of the plans seem specifically tailored to your fitness level. For example, I don’t see that any workout are marked for beginners or for advanced athletes.

I do feel this is a flaw with the app as some people may not feel challenged enough while the same workout might be too hard for someone new to exercise. 

FitOn Parties

One unique feature that FitOn has (that I’ve never seen in another fitness app) is the ability to work out together with your friends by starting a video call while you work out. 

I haven’t tested this function (I have trouble finding people who want to work out with me, haha) but I wanted to mention it since those who are missing group fitness classes and the social aspect of exercise might perk up at this feature. 

However, this option is only available with the Pro plan.

Digital Coaching

Another interesting perk of the Pro membership is the “digital coaching” that you can access via the app. The setup is similar to text messaging, except you are chatting with a chatbot named Coach Jason. 

Truthfully? I thought this feature would be gimmicky but it actually is kind of fun to use and Coach Jason offers some pretty solid guidance for a chatbot. The feature alone isn’t worth the subscription but it’s a nice add-on when you factor in everything else you get. 

FitOn Workout Review

First impressions.

I really enjoy the fact that I can use FitOn on either my computer or via the app. When it comes to full exercise videos, I like to use my computer for the bigger screen.

One of the advantages to workout videos is that it’s a more personal touch than apps that have short video loops, and those who like constant coaching throughout their workout will like this. 

Getting my sweat on.

posing after my workout.
Pump after my FitOn workout – Do your rows, kids!

I fired up a workout by trainer Kenta Seki, whom I fondly remember as a character from Jillian Michaels’ Body Revolution and Bodyshred videos.

One thing I noticed right away was that there is no overview to show what exercises you will do throughout the workout. It’s a small detail but I did miss this feature because I like to look ahead and plan which set of dumbbells I will grab for each move, rather than figuring it out on the fly, which tends to waste a few reps as I hunt for the right dumbbells. 

The workout I did with Kenta was 25 minutes long and involved 4 sets of different exercises that we cycled twice at 30 seconds per exercise.

Although this workout isn’t as high-intensity as I’m used to, I was still sweating and hurting by the end (in a good way). In a way I appreciate how the exercises really hammered certain muscle groups and emphasized form over calorie burn. My delts and traps definitely had a pump going after!

The finisher. 

I still had a bit of energy after 25 minutes, so I popped on another quick 11-minute workout called “OMG Abs”, also with Kenta, and that did me in. My abs were on fire after 2 minutes and I was crying for my mother after 5. I’m definitely going to feel that one tomorrow! 

At the end, the app asked me to rate the workout and its specific aspects such as the playlist, instructor, difficulty, and streaming quality. This always gets bonus points with me because I have respect for apps that are open to feedback and want to improve!

Overall summary.

I find the workouts on FitOn really satisfying. Although they are not tailored specifically to beginners or more seasoned athletes, the instructors seem to do a good job offering modifications.

And of course, if you need it to be harder you can always do faster reps, go deeper in your range of motion, or pick up heavier dumbbells. 

FitOn Pro Meal Plan Review

Likely the main reason you would spring for the Pro FitOn subscription is to partake in their meal plans and recipes. 

The app asks you a series of questions to determine your customized meal plan. You can tell it how many meals you eat per day, what kind of diet you follow (either standard, pescetarian, vegetarian, or vegan), what kind of foods you struggle with, and what troubles you have when it comes to sticking to a healthy diet.

After you answer the questions, you get a 12-week meal plan, complete with a weekly shopping list. You can see an overview of what you’ll eat each day for the upcoming week, and click on each meal for the recipe. 

If you don’t like what’s on the meal plan for the day, you can swap it out with another option from a list below the recipe. You can also “heart” your favorite recipes and print them out, which is awesome.  

You can also change the number of servings if you are cooking for more than just yourself.

Meal plan pros:

Fiton review of their almond banana muffins
I’m a big fan of FitOn’s Banana, Walnut & Date Muffins!

Overall, the meal plan is very easy to use. I did find some pretty stellar recipes, particularly in the breakfast category. The Vanilla Protein Chia Pudding, Banana, Walnut, & Date Muffins, and Banana Cinnamon Pancakes are definitely staples in my house now!

I also like that the meal plan takes a whole foods approach which is way more sustainable than nixing entire food groups or depriving yourself of carbs. 

Meal plan cons:

Some of the recipes seem a bit fussy for me; the lunch recipes, in particular, seemed to involve a lot of ingredients and prep which I just don’t have time or want for, especially during the workweek. 

My only other beef with the meal plan is that it’s missing calorie counts on each meal. Now, some people may prefer this because calorie-counting stresses them out, but the truth is being cognizant of your calories in vs. calories out is crucial to your success, especially as a beginner. 

However, this oversight can be worked around easily with a free calorie-tracking app like Cronometer

How Does FitOn Compare with Other Fitness Apps?

One of the most frequently asked questions about FitOn is how it compares to Beachbody on Demand. After all, BBOD offers workout videos for streaming but comes with a much higher price tag. 

It comes back to what you are looking for in a fitness app. If you like the idea of having a selection of structured programs with videos, then paying for Beachbody is probably worth it, but it’s quite a bit more expensive. 

FitOn’s Challenges aren’t as structured, but they will do in a pinch if you are on a budget.

Some other comparable apps include the Jillian Michaels app, Daily Burn, and the Sweat App. All are highly polished apps with reasonable subscription fees. But out of all of those, FitOn is the best in terms of full, high-quality workout videos. 

My FitOn Review Final Verdict

If you like doing full workout videos, FitOn is a fantastic free option that does not disappoint. The videos are very high quality and there’s a vast library of free workouts by great trainers for whatever you feel like doing that day. 

However, it’s definitely worth upgrading to the Pro so that you can get all the additional perks, particularly the meal plan and recipes. I definitely don’t regret going for Pro!

Whether you decide to go Pro or stick with the free version, FitOn is a great app!

That concludes my FitOn review; do you have any questions about it that I didn’t cover here? Let me know in the comments!

Pros

  • Access to all workouts is totally free
  • High-quality videos
  • Fun celebrity workouts
  • Can access workouts from phone or computer
  • Pro version allows downloads for offline viewing

Cons

  • Lacking structured programs, Challenges are more a collection of separate videos
  • Workouts aren’t customizable as they are on competitor apps
  • No fitness level indicate don the workouts

FitOn Review FAQ

What is the FitOn App?

The FitOn app is a fitness app for your phone that allows you to stream free workout videos featuring celebrity trainers. All the workouts, challenges, and programs are free, but there is a subscription available which offers additional perks like meal plans, recipes, premium music, and a “coach” chatbox.

Who owns FitOn?

Lindsay Cook is both the founder and CEO of FitOn, which was established in January 2019.

What is the best workout app for free?

I have tried a lot of fitness apps in my day and FitOn is by far and away the best free app in terms of value and quality. 

Is FitOn really free?

All the workouts are absolutely fee. However, there is a Pro subscription available that includes additional offerings such as premium music, recipes, meal plans, and digital coaching.

Can I get FitOn on my TV?

You can view the videos with the app on your phone or using your computer. You can also cast the workouts onto your TV using Chromecast or Apple TV.

Can I download the videos to use offline?

You can download videos for offline use, but this feature is only available with the Pro membership.

Corrie Alexander is a former ISSA-certified personal trainer, home fitness advocate, and founder of The Fit Careerist. A proponent of personal growth and a self-proclaimed fitness app-junkie, Corrie shares tips and product reviews with the goal of helping others on their own fitness journey.

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