Need the Finest Stretching App? This is a Coach’s Recs


I’m gonna be trustworthy: I hate stretching. However, as an authorized coach, I additionally know that engaged on my flexibility is a crucial counterpoint to all the working, weightlifting, and different intense forms of train I do.

So I made a decision to check drive a bunch of stretching apps to see if there have been any that may truly make me wish to persist with a constant stretching routine. Seems, there are 4 that I can actually get behind and suggest.

Finest general: StretchIt

As a aggressive athlete, StretchIt was my favourite stretching app as a result of it takes the pliability facet of health and makes it goal-oriented. You select your private objectives after which the app creates particular exercises and challenges for you primarily based on these targets.

I believe that one in every of my cling ups with getting myself to persistently stretch is that I typically overlook the worth of stretching and I don’t see lots of progress with it. By having to establish sure goals, after which feeling like I’ve a customized routine tailor-made to me, I felt extra motivated to truly do the stretching routines on this app.

After every stretching class or exercise, you’ll be able to price how the stretches felt and this data is used to assist personalize the subsequent instructed stretching exercises and challenges. (You’ll be able to even add progress footage to the app to maintain monitor of enhancements in your flexibility.)

Particulars:

  • Value: $19.99 per thirty days or $160 per yr after the free trial
  • Common buyer overview: 4.8 stars
  • Professionals: customized routines, user-friendly interface, lets you monitor progress
  • Cons: costly

Finest for learners: Stretch & Flexibility at Residence

In the event you simply wish to study the fundamentals of stretching, I’d suggest the Stretch & Flexibility at Residence app. There’s each voice and video steering for all the stretches, which makes it tremendous useful for studying the best way to stretch particular muscular tissues. (Although to be trustworthy, the audio directions are a bit creepy as a result of the voice is computer-generated.)

One other nice function of this stretching app is that there are particular routines primarily based in your wants. For instance, you’ll be able to select warm-up stretches, stretches to enhance flexibility, stretches that will help you calm down earlier than mattress, or stretches for particular muscle teams that really feel tight. This customization is a pleasant function for anybody who simply needs to get proper all the way down to the precise stretches they’ve the time and want for with out lots of filler. For example, as a runner, I significantly preferred that there are stretching exercises designed for cooling down after a run or loosening up tight muscular tissues from working.

Particulars:

  • Value: $4.99 per thirty days after a free trial (a free model can be accessible)
  • Common buyer overview: 4.8 stars
  • Professionals: Video and voice-guided stretches, centered routines, affordable worth
  • Cons: The free model is fairly barebones, voiceovers are computer-generated

Finest free stretching app: Begin Stretching

Many health apps might be pricey if you would like the premium options, however there are some respectable free stretching apps. My choose for the most effective free stretching app is Begin Stretching.

Whereas there are in-app purchases if you would like upgrades, you’ll be able to entry just about any of the stretching content material you want with out paying a penny. Plus, when you don’t have a lot time or curiosity in stretching, virtually all the stretching workouts are fairly brief and you continue to really feel like you might be conducting one thing.

That mentioned, in case you are in search of superior flexibility workouts, this may not be an applicable stretching app for you. The library is restricted and many of the stretches are pretty fundamental.

However, when you’re an absolute newbie who wants slightly extra instruction on the best way to stretch appropriately, this may not be the most effective introduction since there aren’t any movies, simply illustrations. Maybe when you study among the greatest stretches from different apps, you’ll be able to cancel a premium subscription after which use this free stretching app to maintain working in direction of your stretching objectives.

Particulars:

  • Value: Free with non-obligatory in-app purchases
  • Common buyer overview: 4.9 stars
  • Professionals: Free, beginner-friendly stretches, brief routines
  • Cons: Restricted library, no video or audio (solely illustrations)

Finest for stretching fanatics: Pliability

The Pliability stretching app (previously referred to as ROMWOD, which stood for vary of movement exercise of the day) is considerably distinctive. It was created particularly for athletes to enhance flexibility, and is especially standard amongst CrossFit fanatics.

A lot of the stretching exercises are pretty prolonged, which might be good or unhealthy, relying in your curiosity in stretching and the way a lot time you wish to commit to stretching exercises.

For me personally, I preferred the emphasis on mobility in addition to flexibility, as a result of I really feel like mobility is equally, if no more vital, than flexibility for my very own wants as an athlete, in addition to for on a regular basis purposeful motion for most individuals.

You’ll be able to deal with a particular physique half or flexibility purpose day-after-day, and there are thorough movies that stroll you thru the stretches. That mentioned, it is a stretching app for athletes and CrossFitters so it’s a little bit extra superior and the video tutorials is likely to be sophisticated for somebody with a restricted understanding of physique elements and health usually.

For me, as a result of many of the stretching exercises on this app are 15 to twenty minutes lengthy, I felt slightly intimidated or unmotivated to make use of the app since I don’t at all times have that a lot time to commit to stretching. (Although to be truthful, that may simply say one thing about my priorities.)

Particulars:

  • Value: $13.99 per thirty days
  • Common Buyer Evaluation: 4.8 stars
  • Professionals: Combines mobility and suppleness, thorough movies
  • Cons: Not beginner-friendly, lengthy exercises, on the pricier facet

Verdict: What’s the greatest app for stretching and suppleness?

Name me “fundamental,” however my suggestion for the most effective stretching app is StretchIt. It has an easy-to-use interface, and you’ll type stretching exercises primarily based on the period of time you might have, physique half, purpose, and many others. I actually love the challenges, which make me extra inclined to truly use the app and stretch. Isn’t that the purpose?


Properly+Good articles reference scientific, dependable, current, sturdy research to again up the knowledge we share. You’ll be able to belief us alongside your wellness journey.

  1. Caldwell, Jacob T et al. “Preexercise intermittent passive stretching and vascular perform after treadmill train.” Journal of utilized physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985) vol. 135,4 (2023): 786-794. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00427.2023


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