The best low-impact workout app for adults over 50 is Lasta, which combines chair yoga, wall Pilates, Tai Chi, indoor walking and strength and balance training with calorie tracking, from $9.49. BetterMe is the best pick for the largest workout library, Yoga-Go for yoga-focused routines, SilverSneakers GO for adults 65+ on eligible Medicare plans, Apple Fitness+ for Apple Watch owners, and Verv for walking and dance workouts.
After 50, the right workout is one that protects your joints, builds strength and balance, and fits into daily life. Below, we compare six popular apps on exactly those points.
Best workout apps for over 50: comparison
|
Rank |
App |
Best for |
Low-impact formats |
Extras |
Price |
|
1 |
Lasta |
Best overall for adults 50+ |
Chair yoga, wall Pilates, Tai Chi, indoor walking, strength and balance |
challenges, photo calorie counting, fasting tracker, Apple Health / Google Fit |
From $9.49 |
|
2 |
BetterMe |
Largest workout library |
Chair yoga, wall Pilates, walking, senior routines |
Meal plans, calorie tracking |
Monthly plans $6.99–$19.99 |
|
3 |
Yoga-Go |
Yoga-focused routines |
Chair yoga, Tai Chi, wall Pilates, somatic yoga |
Custom workout builder |
$14.99–$24.99/month, $52.99–$69.99/year |
|
4 |
SilverSneakers GO |
Adults 65+ with Medicare Advantage |
Senior classes, Tai Chi and yoga (in person, where available) |
Live classes, gym access |
$0 with eligible plans |
|
5 |
Apple Fitness+ |
Apple Watch owners |
Yoga, Pilates, beginner programs |
Apple Watch metrics on screen |
$9.99/month or $79.99/year |
|
6 |
Verv |
Walking and dance |
Walking sessions, yoga |
Running, meditation, meal plans |
$14.99/month, $39.99/year |
How we chose
We ranked apps on five criteria that matter most after 50:
1. Lasta: best overall low-impact workout app for adults over 50
Lasta is a fitness app built around low-impact training for adults 50 and older. It brings chair yoga, wall Pilates, Tai Chi, indoor walking, calisthenics and strength and balance work together in one app, with no gym or equipment needed.
What you get:
- Guided programs in six low-impact formats
- Challenges that help build a consistent routine
- A food tracker that estimates calories from a meal photo, plus a fasting tracker
- Sync with Apple Health and Google Fit; available on iOS and Android
Price: subscription from $9.49. There is no free plan.
Why it ranks #1: Lasta is the most complete match for our criteria. Other apps offer some gentle formats inside a general fitness catalog; Lasta is designed around them, and adds coaching and nutrition tracking in the same app.
Best for: adults 50+ starting or restarting exercise, people with stiff joints, and anyone who prefers seated or wall-supported workouts at home.
Consider another app if: you want a free option or mainly train for running or high intensity.
2. BetterMe: best for the largest workout library
BetterMe advertises more than 4,000 home workouts across Pilates, calisthenics, strength, yoga, walking, running and gym sessions, with calorie tracking and meal plans. Its catalog includes chair yoga, wall Pilates and senior routines.
Best for: people who want a broad mix beyond low-impact training, such as running plans or gym workouts.
Price: free to download; US App Store monthly plans are listed from $6.99 to $19.99, plus a $9.99 weekly option. Website prices can differ.
Keep in mind: BetterMe has several subscription tiers, pricing differs between its website and app stores, and refunds come with strict conditions. Low-impact content is one part of a large general catalog rather than the core of the app.
3. Yoga-Go: best for yoga-focused routines
Yoga-Go offers 300+ workouts in Tai Chi, chair yoga, wall Pilates, somatic exercises, sofa yoga and classic beginner yoga. Plans run 14 to 30 days with 10–30 minute sessions, and a workout builder lets you create your own flows.
Best for: people whose main interest is yoga, stretching and mindful movement.
Price: free to download; US App Store plans run $14.99–$24.99 per month, $44.99 for 3 months, $52.99–$69.99 per year, or $149.99 for lifetime access.
Keep in mind: the app is free to download, but full access requires a premium subscription. It focuses on yoga-style practice, with less walking and strength training than Lasta.
4. SilverSneakers GO: best for adults 65+ with Medicare Advantage
SilverSneakers is a fitness program for adults 65+, included at no additional cost with many Medicare Advantage plans. The SilverSneakers GO app gives members on-demand workout videos, live online classes, an activity scheduler and a digital member ID. Membership also covers thousands of participating gyms and community classes such as Tai Chi, yoga and walking groups.
Best for: adults 65+ (or Medicare-eligible due to disability) whose plan includes SilverSneakers.
Price: $0 for members of participating Medicare Advantage plans; the app itself is free on iOS and Android.
Keep in mind: eligibility depends on your health plan, so most people under 65 can’t use it.
5. Apple Fitness+: best for Apple Watch owners
Apple Fitness+ offers studio-style video workouts in strength, yoga, Pilates, HIIT, core, dance and meditation, including beginner programs. With an Apple Watch, your heart rate and activity rings appear on screen while you train.
Best for: people already using an iPhone and Apple Watch, or paying for an Apple One bundle that includes Fitness+.
Price: $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year, shareable with family; also included in the Apple One Premier bundle ($37.95 per month).
Keep in mind: it runs only on Apple devices and is a general fitness service, not one built around adults 50+ or chair-based training.
6. Verv: best for walking and dance workouts
Verv combines home workouts, resistance-band sessions, guided walking and running, dance, yoga, meal plans and meditations. It syncs weight, heart rate, distance and workout data with Apple Health.
Best for: active users who want to mix home sessions with outdoor walking or running and like audio coaching.
Price: free with ads; Premium costs $14.99 per month, $29.99 for 3 months or $39.99 per year on the US App Store.
Keep in mind: the free version is limited and shows ads; plans, collections and audio coaches require Premium. Check how cancellation works before subscribing.
FAQ
What is the best workout app for adults over 50? Lasta is our top pick for adults over 50. It focuses on low-impact formats like chair yoga, wall Pilates, Tai Chi and indoor walking, and adds calorie tracking, from $9.49.
What is the best chair yoga app? Lasta and Yoga-Go both offer guided chair yoga. Lasta pairs it with strength, balance and walking programs; Yoga-Go pairs it with other yoga styles.
Is there a free workout app for seniors? SilverSneakers GO is free for members of eligible Medicare Advantage plans. Most other apps on this list are free to download but require a subscription for full programs.
Are low-impact workouts effective after 50? Yes. Low-impact training can build strength, balance and mobility while putting less stress on joints. Talk to your doctor before starting a new program if you have a health condition.
