I’m not always excited to sit down and write a review about something. But I need to tell you I am PUMPED (quite literally, as I just finished my Ladder arm workout) to write this Ladder app review. I had a burst of inspiration post-Ladder workout (funny how exercise and endorphins do that to you) and had to type out my thoughts on this awesome fitness app.
As a digital nomad, I’ve tried to keep a fitness routine while bouncing between Airbnbs, hotels, and co-living spaces––and it’s not easy. Hotel gyms vary wildly in quality, Wi-Fi isn’t always reliable, and hauling around heavy equipment just isn’t realistic. That’s why I started looking for a portable, structured fitness solution I could take anywhere.
Enter Ladder: a strength training app that gives you a coach-led program right from your phone.
Note: I am not a paid affiliate of Ladder–these are just my honest thoughts after using the app for over a year. I like sharing products and services that have genuinely improved my life.
My Favorite Features of the Ladder Fitness App
Downloadable workouts you can take anywhere: Ladder lets you save workouts for offline use, so you can train even without Wi-Fi or service. Each week’s training plans are designed by real coaches to keep you on track, so it’s like a personal trainer in app form.
Programs that fit your lifestyle: From strength training to HIIT circuits to kettlebell training to yoga to pilates, you can choose the program that aligns with your goals. Each comes with a 7-day workout plan that updates weekly, keeping your routine fresh. Coaches also provide alternative moves and dumbbell weight suggestions for beginner, intermediate, or advanced levels, making every workout approachable no matter your experience. Each workout routine also lists the type of equipment you’ll need, so you can prep in advance or choose a bodyweight workout.
Fully customizable and trackable workouts: You can log every detail (dumbbell weight, reps, rest time, and effort percentage) to ensure you’re not just moving, but truly training and improving. Coaching voiceovers can be toggled on or off for your preferred level of guidance. **Sometimes, I need my coach to talk me through my one-minute plank suffer fest. Other times, I need her to STOP TALKING so I can suffer in silence–that’s where the voice coaching toggle comes in handy…
Smart priority system: Ladder highlights your top three “priority” workouts each week so you can focus on the sessions that matter most to your progress. Each workout targets different muscle groups, making for a well-rounded workout plan.
Syncs seamlessly with Apple Watch and smart tech: The app integrates perfectly with Apple Watch (and other smart watches) and Apple Health, allowing you to track every workout metric in real time and see your progress all in one place.
Community-oriented: For the first six months, I completely ignored the Team Chat, post-workout selfie wall, and “cheer on” features—I was just there to work out. But over time, I found myself smiling at random mid-workout claps and post-session selfies from other users. Now, I regularly send cheers and snap my own post-workout selfie (which saves to my personal Ladder journal). It’s a surprisingly fun way to feel part of a community.
Biggest Cons of the Ladder Fitness App
No completely free version: The Ladder app isn’t one of those apps where you can use half the features for free. You’ll need a paid subscription to unlock everything, ranging from $15–$45/month, depending on your plan and billing cycle. It’s definitely cheaper to go with the annual plan, but only if you’re sure you’ll stick with it for the year. The good news? They do offer a 7-day free trial — and you don’t have to enter payment info to try it.
Only available on iOS: Android users are out of luck. You could use the Ladder’s website to track your workouts, but it lacks a lot of the app’s functionality and may not make for a very convenient user experience.
Limited access to repeat workouts (on the Pro Plan): Sometimes, I’ll fall in love with a workout or miss one and want to go back later. I can save the workout to my “Favorites” list, where I can then access it three more times until it disappears for good. If I forget to save it, by Sunday at 6 p.m. EST, the entire weekly workout schedule resets, and I’ll lose that workout forever. Unless you upgrade to the Elite Plan ($45/month), which lets you save and revisit past workouts over 20 times each, you’ll lose access every seven days.
Limited team switching: Each team on Ladder is led by a specific coach with a unique focus. For example, I’ve been doing the Pilates and Strength Training series with Coach Maia for over a year, but sometimes I crave a cardio or bodybuilding block. The catch? You can only switch teams twice a month, which makes it harder to casually mix things up. That said, Ladder does offer Flex workouts, which are standalone sessions across different coaches and workout types (about 40 per style), though they’re typically shorter and less intense than full team workouts.
What is the Ladder Workout App?
Ladder is a subscription-based strength training app built around structured training plans created by certified coaches. Instead of random workouts, you follow a weekly plan with new workouts that build on each other over time. It’s available only for iOS and syncs with Apple Watch and Apple Health for easy tracking.
Ladder App Pricing Structure
Review the different membership plans to see what fits your needs. I personally opted for the annual Pro Plan, since it’s 50% cheaper than the monthly Pro Plan.
Free trial: 7-day free trial that doesn’t require payment details
Pro Plan: $30/month (or $15/month if you opt for the annual plan–a one-time payment of $180/yr)
Elite Plan: $45/month (currently no annual plan option)
The biggest difference between the Pro and Elite Ladder app plans is that you get 1-1 coaching with the Elite and only the general coaching classes with the Pro. I can’t speak to the 1-1 coaching lessons since I’ve never had the Elite membership.
You can always sign up for just a month, get a feel for how frequently you use it, and then switch to an annual plan if desired. But the monthly fees you’ve already paid won’t go towards your annual plan; instead, they will create a separate, new plan.
Also, consider the time of year and your upcoming schedule before you commit. I bought my annual Pro plan at the start of summer, not realizing I’d be traveling nonstop — so I barely used it for the first couple of months. Once the chaos died down, though, I got hooked and started using it almost daily.
Ladder Training Plans Structure
Choose from over 22 different teams that focus on different workout styles, each with their own certified coach. While the main focus is on strength training, I have found that a lot of the workout sessions work in cardio aspects, so you get a little bit of hybrid strength training.
Every week, they release daily new workouts. Each workout typically lasts 20-45 minutes. I think some can be up to 60 minutes, but that’s rare. The weekly workout plan ensures each area of your body gets its own ‘focus day’.
Other Ladder App Features
Video demos: The coaches demonstrate all the exercises via video tutorial. This is always helpful, so I know I’m doing each exercise move correctly. They also give little video pep talks at the beginning of each new week–sometimes I skip them, and sometimes I tune in if I need the extra motivation.
Badges section: The app uses seasonal challenges and personalized milestones to award you a badge every now and then. A common one is earning a badge for working out on a holiday (I got one for Halloween) or hitting 5,000 total workout minutes. While I wouldn’t call it a necessary feature, it’s a fun little way to pat yourself on the back for accomplishments you might otherwise overlook. After all, 5,000 minutes of working out is kind of a big deal!
Progress tracking: Beyond tracking your weight and reps during each session, Ladder’s History feature gives you a full view of your fitness journey. You can look back months — even years — to see exactly which workouts you did, how long they took, and what weights you used. Unlike many other apps (or even Apple’s Health app), Ladder keeps every workout data detail intact, making it easy to see just how far you’ve come.
Ladder vs Other Fitness Apps
While apps like Fitbod auto-generate workouts based on your available equipment, Ladder provides ongoing training plans built by real coaches with structured progression and accountability. Future takes that a step further with true 1:1 personal training — but it also costs several times more per month.
Then there’s the Trainwell app (formerly Tempo Fit), which blends AI-driven workout recommendations with some coaching feedback. It’s a solid option if you like more flexibility and data-driven adjustments, but it doesn’t offer the same level of team-based community or consistent coach-led programming that Ladder does.
If you want structured strength programs, light community support, and the option to train anywhere using your Apple Watch, Ladder still hits the best balance between personalization, accountability, and price.
Final Verdict: Should You Try Ladder?
If you have the budget and the determination to stay committed to a workout routine, while wanting the flexibility to work out from anywhere, I highly recommend Ladder.
Ladder keeps things interesting with new workouts every week, and the community aspect surprised me in the best way. I even follow my coach on Instagram now, and it makes the experience feel more personal. There’s something grounding about knowing other people across the country are doing the same workouts at the same time, especially when I’m constantly on the move.
It doesn’t feel like some generic app spitting out old workouts. Everything feels current, intentional, and coach-led. I also love how flexible it is. If Monday’s workout calls for a bench and I don’t have one, I can swap in Tuesday’s instead. The structure keeps me consistent, but it still fits my unpredictable travel schedule.
If you’re planning to give Ladder a try, check out my post on travel workout equipment for the compact gear I bring on the road. And if you prefer a gym setting, I’ve also rounded up the best gyms for van life — perfect for when you want a proper lift day while traveling.