Fitness review -- FitStar app

Hot on the heels of the Superhero Workout review, here's a review of FitStar!

I've been using FitStar for more than half a year now, on and off. I put it on the back burner when I started running more as I needed the energy to spare, but it's really one of my favorite fitness apps of all time.

FitStar is almost like having your own personal trainer in your house, apart from the yelling and the slight embarrassment as you try to eke out your last pushup. As with Superhero Workout, all exercises are bodyweight-based circuits and the only equipment you may need is a chair and a pull-up bar at higher levels.

First of all, the cost. The app itself is free, and comes with 2 sessions a week as well as unlimited free Freestyle sessions a week. Only some Freestyle sessions are free, though they're enough to get you started and give you a taste of the full app. It's up to you how you spread out the 2 sessions, as the app will lock you out when you complete the second one in a week. You unlock the entire app by paying a subscription fee of $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year, which gets you all of the Freestyle sessions as well as unlimited workouts a week.

Just some of the Freestyle sessions available

There are a total of 4 programs for you to choose from as a paid subscriber. The free app comes with Get Moving (easy 2 sessions a week), and the rest are Get Strong, Daily Dose (conditioning), and Get Lean. Each are of varying lengths and have a different ratio of cardio to strength moves.

As you work out in your chosen program, the app will begin tailoring itself to you. You'll begin with a Fitness Test, which includes a couple of basic, easy to do moves. Although each separate move isn't customizable, when you finish a move, the app will ask you how many you completed and how hard it was for you to complete. Too easy, and the app will give you more time/reps for the move or bump you up to a harder move; too hard, and the app will ease off on that move. Unfortunately, you can't get rid of or substitute a move if it's impossible to do (no equipment, no space, bad joints, can't figure out how to do it); all you can do is skip it or do something else while the timer counts down.

Tap on a move for a video showing you correct form

Post-move rating screen

Note: Freestyle sessions do not progress/regress with you; they are there to provide some variety/targeted training. I believe the ratings you give during Freestyle sessions will carry over to your normal sessions, though.

The app works out with you by showing you a video of someone doing the move, with Tony Gonzales as your coach. The videos are great for teaching form and pace -- strength exercises are not meant to be done in a flash! You can opt to turn voice coaching off, but I like to be reminded of my form sometimes, as well as how to modify the exercise to be harder or easier. In the latest version, they've added audio ticks to help you count the reps in case you're not able to see the screen during certain moves. You can also play music during your session and can choose either the tracks included with the app, your own playlist, or silence.

Tony showing you noobs how to "Air Jump Rope"

They have also added a challenge mode so that you can challenge yourself or your friends to burn more calories, do more sessions, or complete more minutes in a month. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten it to work for me, so I can't really say anything about it. It's already a challenge for me to keep my "progress bar" full!

My sorry progress bar... (that red thing around my picture)

Challenge modes

In a nutshell:
This is probably THE best app for beginners wanting to work out at home or for people who don't have time or money to go to a gym. While $5 a month seems hefty for an app, it's really nothing compared to a gym membership. Form, rate, and coaching are all included even in the free version, which includes plenty for a beginner. One thing I do wish they would include is pre/post-workout stretches, but those are easy enough to find online. The paid membership also comes with email coaching regarding nutrition, which I don't personally follow, given that I'm on a ketogenic diet, but has some decent advice about sports nutrition.

PS. They're also coming out with a FitStar Yoga soon. For those of us who hate sticking our butts out during Downward Dog at the gym, rejoice!

If you'd like to try out FitStar Premium at no cost, just download the app and use my referral code Q3HCUE. You'll get a free week to try out all the sessions you like! When I started they didn't have a referral program, so I just took the plunge and subscribed, and I haven't looked back.

FitStar homepage

Questions? Comments? Hit me up below!

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