iFIT for Beginners: Heart-Pumping Programs for Starters

iFIT offers a premiere fitness experience with loads of choices and bonus features for $15 monthly.

The iFIT experience is designed to be paired with compatible exercise machines, but you can still get great value without one. Like Peloton, iFIT’s claim to fame is its high-energy cardio classes. You can choose an individual class or participate in one of their exercise series, such as Train Like a Pro taught by world-famous American soccer star Alex Morgan.

When starting an exercise routine, you need quality exercise instruction and simplicity, but you also need exercise to be fun.

Where iFIT towers above the competition is just how much flexibility, variety, and novelty their classes offer as well as the extra bonus features.

iFIT App Features

iFIT offers stellar cardio workouts like running, cycling, rowing, elliptical, and HIIT, as well as strength and yoga. But where else can you get a circuit training session live on top of a mountain? Or build a virtual run through your own neighborhood via Google Maps on a rainy day?

Check out all of the unique iFIT app features.

Live Class Options

You can enable auto-machine adjustment so your coach has control, or enter the waiting room before a live class where you can send the instructor questions, and they answer them live. Live classes usually have multiple times throughout the day, so you don’t miss a session with your favorite coach.

Global Workouts

Climb a mountain or sweat on a beach with these classes filmed at different locations across the globe, led by your favorite fitness coach.

Google Maps

Choose your route by tracing a custom path via Google Maps and immerse yourself in the location with detailed street view images.

Cooking Classes

Bring your fitness to the next level by learning to cook. These classes offer various lessons, including information on nutrition, hormones, food and stress, and much more.

iFIT Mind

iFIT knows that your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and that’s why they offer iFIT Mind, a meditation program that will help you fight stress and find your center.

Challenges

iFIT offers fun monthly challenges where you can compete with fellow users and get fitter together.

Live Events

Virtually join events worldwide, such as a real 5k occurring in a mountain village or participate in a 26-mile cycling race down the street.

Progressive Series

Choose a progressive workout series that will prepare you for your goal event over many sessions, such as a 5k or even a marathon.

Top Notch Trainers

Unlike some apps on the market that don’t guarantee their instructors' credentials or education, iFIT employs qualified instructors and former athletes to lead their classes.

Fun Extras

Earn high-quality magnets that get shipped to your house for free for completing monthly challenges and prizes for workout milestones.

Beginners can enjoy iFIT in three ways:

1. Purchase one of their branded exercise machines
2. Use your exercise machine and follow along on your tablet, tv, or phone.
3. Or use the app for off-machine workouts such as strength, pilates, Bootcamp, etc.

iFIT is partnered with the following brands:

• NordicTrack
• ProForm
• Freemotion
• Weider
• Matrix

If you purchase one of these machines, you get a family subscription to the iFIT app with up to five member profiles for one year, a $396 value.

You can stream workouts at home, at the gym, or on the go with the iFIT app, and a few different payment options are available.

If you just want the iFIT app without purchasing a machine, you’ll pay $180 per year for a single account profile. In addition, you can pay for a family plan subscription at $39 monthly or  $389 yearly.

You can try iFIT free for 30 days for iOS and Android devices, as well as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, and Android TV.

Benefits of iFIT for Beginners

This app offers numerous class options that cover most aspects of fitness, including cardio, strength, and flexibility. If you’re looking for one training platform to cover most of your fitness requirements, iFIT is a good choice.

However, you may want to invest in additional equipment if you use their app for strength. Most people soon outgrow bodyweight movements and require more resistance to remain challenged.

The benefits of regularly participating in iFIT cardio classes like running, rowing, cycling, and elliptical include:

• Decreasing your risk of heart disease
• Improving your cholesterol (Increasing the good, decreasing the bad)
• Lowering your blood pressure
• Fighting chronic diseases like hypertension, stroke, and heart attack
• Improving your mood
• Burning calories
• Fighting aging

The benefits of participating regularly in strength and flexibility such as those offered in the iFIT app include:

• Increased muscle mass and strength
• Burning more body fat
• Improving your mood
• Fighting aging
• Improving your flexibility and coordination
• Preventing injury

iFIT is best if you want all your workouts on one platform, you value the qualifications of your instructors, and you love variety and nuance in your workouts.

How to Get Started with iFIT

Getting started with iFIT is relatively easy, and you can create a profile and view your class options in just a few minutes.

After you download the app you’ll be asked to input your information, including height, weight, workout goals, and your personal fitness preferences.

Once you set up your profile, you can access the dashboard and sign up for classes or series, build your workout schedule, and explore the app's many features. While setup is a breeze, it may take you some time to discover the extensive class options and app features available to you.

Preparing Your Space

If you buy one of the iFIT-connected exercise machines, you’ll need to take some time to prepare your space. Check the machine's exact space requirements before buying it, but understand that most home exercise equipment requires 2050 square feet of space.

If you plan on using iFIT for all of your exercise needs, you may also want to invest in a few additional items, such as dumbbells, kettlebells, or exercise bands. These resistance training tools will help you continue to progress with your strength training workouts.

Other helpful workout tools include a yoga mat and blocks, a water bottle, and some comfortable gym clothes. You don’t need to spend your whole paycheck on gym gear, instead, prioritize pieces that fit well and allow you the freedom to move comfortably.

Jumping in with iFIT

Start by choosing an activity that interests you, such as rowing, then filter classes based on class length, trainer, difficulty level, area of the body targeted, class location, equipment needed, language, and more.

Next, remember to always make time for a proper warm-up and cool-down after each training session. This does not have to be lengthy, but it’s important to help you prepare your body for movement and may help prevent injury.

As a beginner, you have hundreds of classes options in iFIT that are designed for those new to exercise. Give yourself permission to feel silly and awkward in the beginning–everyone does when they’re learning a new movement.

You can try different class lengths to find what feels right for you but remember that any activity is better than none, so don’t agonize over the specifics, especially in the beginning.

Instead, experiment with different classes and movements, and try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily.

Lastly,  make sure you are prioritizing rest-both as needed during the sessions and between workouts. Our body can only grow if we give it the proper time to recover.