Why People Are Switching to This Free Workout App Instead of Paying for Subscriptions
During COVID-19, fitness app downloads grew by 46 percent worldwide. Since then, the market has only gotten more crowded and watered down, making it difficult to distinguish which ones are actually worth your time. Plus, many popular workout apps come with pricey subscriptions, which makes sampling multiple options unrealistic. Rather than dishing out the big bucks for workout plans, most of us just want something that works and doesn't cost a fortune.
For that, Caliber is a fitness app well-worth considering thanks to its structured, science-based approach and flexible programming. The app offers free features with optional upgrades, so you can try it on for size and decide if it’s something you want to invest in before spending any money. We recently named it the best free workout app in our Men’s Journal 2026 Fitness Awards, where we’ve tested everything from workout apps and protein powders to cross-training shoes and wearable fitness trackers.
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Key Features
Caliber is a science-based workout planner and tracker designed with all fitness levels in mind. It offers personalized training programs built from a library of 600+ exercises, with routines that adapt to your goals, schedule, and available equipment. The app offers a free version without ads, but doesn't provide access to a trainer. Still, upgrades are available.
After you input details like your fitness goals, experience level, body stats, and workout preferences, Caliber creates a customized training plan with recommended days per week. The vast exercise library comes complete with demo videos, along with step-by-step written instructions, information on primary and secondary muscle groups, and exercise history. The app is easy to use and also tracks daily activity, steps, body metrics, and nutrition.
Caliber offers a free seven-day trial of its paid features, giving users a chance to test its coaching tools before fully committing. The app is available on both iOS and Android, making it easy to train from any device. Pricing starts at $72 per year for Caliber Plus, while those who want full one-on-one coaching can upgrade to Caliber Premium for $200 per month. All plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, and users can cancel anytime before auto-renewal to avoid being charged.
Pros
- Seamless to navigate
- Builds a plan based on your main fitness goal
Cons
- High cost for premium coaching
- The free version is limited
Final Verdict
The word on the street is that yes, Caliber is worth it. The strength-focused workout app uses evidence-based training plans to help you achieve whatever fitness goal you're after. It also has a user-friendly interface that makes tracking progress and following programs simple. Even better, the free version is surprisingly robust. Intermediate and advanced lifters can really benefit from Caliber’s free version, making it a great option if you are trying to push past a plateau without paying for coaching. As with any fitness app, preferences vary, but users who train with Caliber speak highly of it.
"Learned how to move about the gym with this app. Helped me lose 30lbs," said one Reddit user. "All the historical data is free to you. This app, plus a good calorie counter like cronometer are a great duo for weight loss."
"I love Caliber. Been using it for about three years," another Reddit user said. "To this day, everything about it is free except the personal coaching. The catalogue of exercises they have is awesome. If they don’t have it, then you can just create it yourself. It’s easy, and they actively listen to feedback that they use to enhance the app. I have no reason to stop using it at this point."
Why You Should Trust Me
I’m a health and fitness staff writer for Men’s Journal and previously wrote for Men’s Fitness, covering training trends, workouts, and gear reviews. I’m also an ACE-certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor, with experience teaching multiple training modalities, including HIIT and indoor cycling. Along with my career experience, I’ve spent years using workout apps like Peloton, Nike Training Club, and Strava, so I have a pretty strong sense of what actually works and what doesn’t.
I personally test all products I review and have spent quality time with countless pieces of fitness equipment, from HYROX shoes to Lagree reformers and watermelon-flavored creatine. My goal is to give practical, experience-driven feedback that helps you decide what’s worth your time and money in the gym, while elevating your workout experience.