There’s a lot of hype around home fitness workouts lately. By now, you’ve likely seen or heard of the fitness app Aaptiv. What you may not know is that this app isn’t as fresh and new to the game as you might think - it used to be known as “Skyfit.”
Whether you know it as Skyfit, Aaptiv, or you’ve never heard of either, we’re bringing you a complete review of this app. As veteran home workout pros, we saw ads for Aaptiv enough that we were compelled to check it out.
Aaptiv was one of the first workout apps on the scene, but dozens have followed suit. For example, if you're looking for low-intensity workouts, MyCurves On Demand (read review) has you covered. On the other hand, if strength training is your thing, you'd want to check out Jefit and Fitbod strength training apps. My point is, Aaptiv paved the way for many fitness apps, and now there's a variety to choose from.
So, let’s dive in and see what this app is all about and let you decide if it fits into your fitness goals and style.
What is Aaptiv?
Aaptiv is an audio-only app that features a whole range of different fitness classes. The concept is great: a certified fitness coach is in your ear while you work through your workout. They’re coaching you, encouraging you, and pushing you more than you’d ever push yourself.
Be honest, how much harder do you push yourself and try to perfect your form when you’re in a class as opposed to at home? I’ll be the first to say that I work a little harder to impress the instructor when I’m in a live class as opposed to my basement.
There are hundreds of different workouts to choose from, so there’s literally something for everyone and every fitness goal and style. Not only is there a full library of classes to choose from, but they add over 30 new classes each year. No boredom here!
Wait, Audio-Only?!
Since this is an audio-based app, all the workouts our guided through audio-only. This caught me off guard at first because I am used to watching a video of a workout. I’ll admit I was definitely skeptical - I mean how will I know I’m doing the workout correctly without a visual aid?
Luckily, each move is demoed in the app so you can take a peek if it’s something that’s unfamiliar to you. Also, the instructors do such a good job cueing you and making sure that you have the proper form that you almost feel like they are right there with you.
And then there are the running workouts. Of course, there’s no such thing as watching a video while you run. I had used other workout programs to guide me through my runs before so I was excited to lace up and head out with an Aaptiv instructor in my ear - it was awesome!
Each workout features awesome, motivating playlists and a pro in your ear keeping you moving the whole time. If you’re a runner and you’ve never tried running with a choreographed playlist and workout - it’s a game-changer, trust me! You’ll run faster, farther, and exert so much more effort and energy.
How Does it Work?
Workout Categories
The first time I took a look inside the Aaptiv app I was impressed to say the least. There are so many different categories of workouts to choose from that anyone at any level could find something they enjoy. And for those of us who love to mix it up, it’s like you died and went to fitness variety heaven.
Here are the workout categories available:
- Outdoor running
- Treadmill
- Elliptical
- Indoor Cycling
- Rowing
- Stairclimber
- Strength Training
- Stretching
- Yoga
- Walking
- Meditation
- 5k Training
- 10k Training
- Half Marathon Training
- Full Marathon Training
- Partner Challenges
- 7 Minute Quick Hits
Running Workouts
If you’ve been following along for a while then you know that I love running. Running has always been a challenge for me and I’ve always loved that feeling of reaching the proverbial finish line and how my body and mind feel when I do.
I was first introduced to audio running workouts with the Peloton app and I was instantly OBSESSED! They pushed me harder and allowed me to get an even better workout than I was doing on my own.
Fast forward a couple of months and I injured my hip. Big bummer. But it allowed me to slow down and focus on strength training for a few months. When my hip finally recovered I had heard about Aaptiv for running so I decided to give that a try.
Again, obsessed! One of the best parts about the app, in my opinion, is the stats it provides you. You can view:
- Duration
- Calories burned
- Miles
- Max speed
- And more
Additionally, there are awesome jams playing in your ear keeping you motivated and the trainer speaks directly to you, pushing you to go faster and further. It’s exhilarating! You can do the Aaptiv running workouts indoors on a treadmill or outdoors.
Strength Workouts
We all know that a well-rounded fitness program includes a mixture of strength and cardio and Aaptiv has it all! Strength training workouts were where I was the most hesitant about using an audio-only app, but I was definitely proven wrong.
Although you can’t see the instructor demoing the moves for you, they do an excellent job of cueing you and they don’t really make the moves all that complex. Most of the strength workouts feature the moves that you already know how to do but maybe wouldn’t feel all that motivated to put together and do without someone coaching you through it.
You can choose between a variety of workout types, durations, and levels, allowing you to choose the workout that you need for that day. I love the leg workouts and Jaime is by far my favorite instructor! Anything with her will kick your booty...in the best way possible!
Who is Aaptiv For?
Everyone! We say this about every workout program we try and review because most apps and programs are designed for a specific level in mind. That said, we can truly say that Aaptiv will work for anyone, whether they’re just starting out on a fitness journey or a seasoned vet looking to push through to the next level. There’s no doubt that everyone will be able to find a workout that’s appropriate for their fitness level and is enjoyable, too.
Here’s what we love about this platform:
- It’s great for all fitness levels
- There are so many options that you’ll never get bored or run out of workouts
- It’s super convenient to use right from your phone
- The instructors are real professionals who will push you and guide you to be your best
- It’s the perfect way to include a walking or running companion if you don’t have one
- You can get a FREE 30-day trial by using our exclusive link (their regular trial is only 7 days!)
Things to consider:
- You can’t choose your own music
- The cost can seem steep, but not when you do the math. After your free 30-day trial, your membership for the year comes out to be about $.27 per day and it’s worth every penny!
- Since this is audio-only, the instructors aren’t demoing the moves in real-time
How Much Does Aaptiv Cost?
To start, definitely take advantage of our 30-day free trial. Then, if it’s something that you love and enjoy you can choose to continue your membership on a paid basis. You will be automatically billed annually for 12 months of unlimited workouts. The cost comes out to be just $8.33 per month! And you can cancel your membership at any time with no hassle!
The other option is to go with a month-to-month payment option, this will cost $14.99 per month for unlimited workouts.
While the price of the full year may seem steep at first, it’s honestly a steal when you consider how many workouts you have access to and the fact that a gym membership costs many times that of Aaptiv.
The other option is to jump in with a month-to-month payment option. You will get access to unlimited workouts and pay a monthly fee of $14.99 - a bit more per month than the yearly option, but still a great deal and works well for those who are commitment-phobes.
Regardless, you get a full 30 days to try it out for yourself and decide if it’s something you’ll love, so we say what do you have to lose? If at the end of your 30-day trial you don’t like it, go ahead and cancel! Although, we’re pretty sure you’re going to love it.
Reviews of Aaptiv Fitness App: What Are Customers Saying Online?
As reported by Trustpilot, 72% of reviews about Aaptiv are excellent, 14% are great and 12% are average to poor.
Mainly all negative reviews have to do with users having trouble canceling their subscription. Many customers complain about being charged after they claim to have cancelled their membership. Most of these users have contacted customer support and have gotten 50% to 80% of their money back, which shows the company does care about their unhappy customers.
Overall, there are more people that love this app. Most men and women would agree that having an app that can help them get fitness workouts in at home is a life saver, and the aaptiv app offer just that. It's a professional service and they offer a free trial. Just remember to cancel if you don't want to continue.
Is Aaptiv Right For You?
If you’re the type of person who needs a little extra boost to actually get up and get through a home workout, Aaptiv just may be a great option for you. We especially think that runners and walkers will enjoy this app, however, we have become quite fond of the strength training classes, too.
Their normal trial length is just 7 days, so be sure to use this link to sign up so that you can get the full 30-days to decide if it’s right for you or not. If you try this app out, we’d love for you to come back and let us know what you think!