Freeletics: Workouts & Fitness Reviews

by ML316

Freeletics has been an extremely frustrating experience. I’ve used multiple workout apps and am a very experienced in training. I downloaded Freeletics and signed up for a training journey and told the coach I could work out Mon, Wed, Fri. Today is Wednesday and Freeletics will not give me access to my journey workout for today. It is only giving me the option to do a separate, unrelated workout. You can’t skip or shorten a rest period, only a workout set. So if I want to skip your last 2 sets you have to just stand around and wait for the rest timer. You also can’t customize how much weight you actually used verses what it asked you to do. It wanted me to warm up with a weight that was too heavy for a particular move I hadn’t done in years, but wouldn’t let me adjust it. I’m not going to just blindly do what the “coach” says if I already know it’s not gonna work for me. I also paid for the nutrition coach upgrade because the ad said there were dairy and gluten free diet options but when I set it up there were no options for gluten or dairy free. Only vegan and other meat preferences. Had I known I would not have gotten Freeletics . If you want any “say-so” or control over your fitness program this is not Freeletics to get.

by Maninho0087

I found a deal online for a this app fitness program and decided to sign up. The exercises and kind of ok (they’re the same exercises all fitness programs offer - even the free ones). I checked Freeletics to see if I had signed up for a subscription, so that I could cancel right away. There wasn’t a “cancel subscription” option, so I figured the fitness program I had signed up for was a 1 time deal - I thought I was all set then. But, just to be safe, I checked my subscriptions on my Iphone (under “manage subscription”) and this app was not there. Even small companies will show up under your subscription options - not this app. To my surprise I was charged $40 a few months later, even though they make it impossible to cancel and get a refund on recurring payments. You would think that a company trying to hide the “cancel subscription” button would make it easy to get a refund. NOPE! Never even got an email back from them. Let me make your life easier: don’t sign up. The exercises are the same you’ll see on youtube/instagram fitness accounts. I bet most of the revenue from this shady company comes from unwanted/unaware payments that are not refundable.

by Jhern418

The pros: has a large library of exercise movements.

The cons: too numerous to list them all.

The worst is the algorithm that doesn't adjust when weight is too heavy. It keeps the weight the same. Anyvlifter familiar with 5x5(which some of the workouts follow) understand what to do if you fail multiple times. Freeletics doesn't do it.

inability to edit workouts properly. I tried to tell Freeletics I didn't have the equipment and it kept insisting I do the exercise. I edited the exercise and it reverts back to the original.

Inability to do a completely different workout when you inform Freeletics you can't move a body part. I dislocated my shoulder and could only work legs. Freeletics won't account for that.

Freeletics does increments that my gym can't accommodate.

The workouts insist you do their cardio but I do my own cardio outside of Freeletics by way of sports and running. Freeletics doesn't allow you to input this or skip over those workout. It keeps pushing the workout to the next day.

You can't turn the screen off or it will pause or even skip your rest period. When you open your phone it counts down from 5 even if you had 1 1/2 a minute left.

I uninstalled and reinstalled and it still is full of bugs.

I can keep going but it's too much to type on a phone. The watch app is even worse than this if you can believe it.

by SkiNorthway

I bought my subscription through Freeletics Store (I have proof of that) and cancel 2 years later 5 days before renewal time again through Freeletics store. They still managed to charge me (6 days after renewal time?) and now won’t reimburse me!! They are being sneaky, maybe just don’t subscribe to make sure you don’t loose money in the end.

EDIT:
I had called Apple Store and they said they couldn’t do anything since they were not the one who charged me. Freeletic directly charged on my credit card, not through the Apple store. I did contact directly Freeletic afterwards who told me they couldn’t reimburse me for ??? No reasons. I was within their 7 days for cancellation but they refused to cancel and reimburse me. I then tried to file a complaint at the European Consumer protection but they couldn’t do anything since I do not live in Europe (it seems that Freeletic is based in Germany). Anyway, I called my credit card company (Capitol One) to say I had an unauthorized charge and they reimbursed me. A lot of hassle, not worth their exercises.

by Big.kahanna

I loved the idea at first. An AI powered coach that adjusts to my goals, performance, setbacks, etc. but that’s all marketing BS. There is no AI or adjustments or changes. If there is, it’s not evident as really not much has changed in the workout routines so question this benefit. Also, I find that swiping from exercise to exercise a little annoying instead of saying “Next” or having Freeletics track my completion via the camera or hand gesture. I also would like to be able to redo any Coach workout I’ve
Completed. So if I had a coach training on a Tuesday with a break on Wednesday, I cannot go back to my Tuesday session and redo if I feel like getting another session in. I have to wait for my training on Thursday or just do the single exercises. Why??? AI relies on data so Freeletics should let me do more exercises/repeat previous sessions. Sometimes Freeletics freezes and I have quit Freeletics and restart. Happens only once in awhile but annoying. Also. I would like to see a family option where my wife could also benefit so they should consider a family plan.

I am going to cancel my membership and try some of the more straightforward apps as this is more work than it needs to be. Would rather focus on exercising vs fiddling around trying to get Freeletics to work for me. Good luck to all of you on your goals.

by VCUstudentVCU

I used to love Freeletics but over the past few months the Coach doesn't seem to work as well in terms of responding to soreness feedback and your overall training (ie if you’ve taken significant time off it no longer adapts). I’ve been a paid subscriber for years and it’s just not what it used to be anymore. I reached out to support earlier this year and they brushed me off. I reached out again recently after Freeletics caused an old knee injury to flare up again with screen recordings of my issues and everything and it’s been over three weeks without a response. Disappointed after loving Freeletics for years and will probably look into other options.

Update: They responded to this review within days but I still haven’t heard back on my inquiry.

Another update: I followed up on both inquiries that were unanswered and never received a response on either but they continue to respond to this review asking me to email them. I have, repeatedly.

by Logiebones

Overall, I love Freeletics . The workouts are really fun and they make you look forward to them at the end of the day. They have a bunch of good programs and having a coach tailored to your needs is really helpful.

Unfortunately, there are a few flaws that I think need fixing.
1) Not being able to save your workout if you quit halfway through. The other day I wasn’t feeling great in the middle of a conditioning circuit so I decided to stop, but to my dismay non of my progress was saved. Now if I want coach feedback for future weeks, I have to go back and start all over. Having an option to save your progress would be a great feature to implement for people who know their bodies well enough to know when to quit.
2) Not being able to customize the workouts. This is the biggest issue for me. You can give very vague customizations at the beginning of every workout by tapping on the coach icon, but their only very basic things like “I can’t run today” or “I only have 15 minutes”. There is no option to swap out a workout with something similar or reduce/increase repetitions. Having this option would make the “tailored for your needs” part of Freeletics so much more effective.

by Keotyes

The only thing though is when I’m doing a timed exercise, before I do it, give me more time to be in position before you start the timer and show a seconds timer for that as well. And some of your exercise videos that are shown are freezed up that I had to press the camera button to see the videos in motion. Please do something to fix this!!! OH and please have a daily weight and calorie tracker in the way that each workout tracks my calories based on my weight I put daily. Another thing, when I put whether I could do less or more reps after each interval, I would like to readjust them after my workout just in case I thought I miscalculated myself the first time I adjust it. And you have some bugs. Please squish them. Thanks!!!

Update - Can you also make it a way where you can eliminate or change an exercise to another one in a workout anytime in the coach program? I really appreciate it.

by Marxalenina

I really like Freeletics. I use to do CrossFit and the fact that there are some set workouts were you can save your scores is really motivating. I love there is pretty much everything you would do without bars or equipment. It does have the muscle up/pull up option which is cool. What would make it perfect?
1. To add more optional inexpensive equipment (box, medicine balls, dumbbells)
2. The social aspect is great. I love to see my friends’ scores and try to beat them. But the problem is that when you click to see a workout they posted, there’s no way to see the workout itself. You have to go to workouts and look for it. That seems to darn cluncky to me.
It would be also nice to see everyone’s score once you click on a post to see the comparison not only with me but the rest of my friends.
3. I wish I could skip the cool down because I actually add a yoga lesson after this app. So that is my cool down.

by Misshatihati

I’ve used Freeletics for almost a year to complete at-home workouts, with and without minor equipment. You can choose different fitness ‘journeys’ to go on, depending on your goals. I did 12 weeks of a hybrid muscle/cardio journey twice, and 12 weeks of strength building once. In the hybrid workouts, there are a great number of high intensity workouts that incorporate plyometrics into shorter workouts; These workouts I loved. I looked forward to working out, even if the workouts do lean heavily on burpees, which never became fun.

For the strength-focused journey, the workout guides you through weight lifting repetitions. In between sets, Freeletics has you wait up to 3 minutes to start your next set. I found this entirely too long and would often find myself scrolling through the workout, trying to finish up in 30-40 minutes what Freeletics would have you take 60 minutes to do with the extended wait time between sets.

The other critique I have is on the flow. For each workout, there’s a warmup and cool down. It is best to do all the laying movements, then move into sitting exercises, then standing, etc. Instead, Freeletics will have you sitting to do glute bridges one minute, standing to do arm windmills the next, then back on your back for leg raises. A more thoughtful flow would have been appreciated.

by Ak4-1

Honestly this is one of the best Apps ever. In my line of work I already workout every week Day in the morning but I decided to give Freeletics a try for my evening workouts when I am bored with nothing else to do. I was super impressed after the first workout. Every workout or exercise will have you sweating if you actually put in the effort. For someone such as me who feels in shape Freeletics makes me want to do better because it changes my perspective of what being in shape is.
I was kind of disappointed when I found out that I needed to sign up for a coach to use the workout daily plan function but to my surprise it was unlocked today when I opened Freeletics . I am actually happy that even without signing up for a coach there are still plenty of workout sessions to choose from or you can go with the single workouts. Thank you guys for offering this awesome app thumbs up.

by EbsFromIllinois

I’m not paid for this at all yall I just love a good invention and this is it. I’ve tinkered with big brands like Nike and noom…some random running/exercise app I can’t remember the name of for a long while…and they just didn’t do it for me. This one? I read about it. Downloaded. Looked around and didn’t think twice about subbing. NOW I have a workout routine. I absolutely appreciate what you’ve done here and I thank you so much for helping me get my health back to the top of my priorities, Freeletics makes it much easier to do and omg do I love working out with a virtual trainer. This is an off day for me and I’m literally looking around for anything at all to be able to use as an excuse to use Freeletics . Not even kidding and no I didn’t get paid for this!

by Jtrenton

I’ve been using this app steadily for a year. The scale says I’ve lost 23 pounds, but it’s more about inches than weight—I now need a completely new set of clothes, and have a new perspective on health.

Also, several reviews say you won’t “gain” muscle. Let’s be frank, you’ll get muscles you didn’t know you had, but you won’t get bulky, which is not the goal of this type of program. You will gain muscle as long as you are eating correctly and following an appropriate program.

My suggestion is similar to what others have stated: save progress in case of app crashes. Also, would it be possible to include the option for resistance bands with wall mounts and handles instead of free weights?

by FedoCasillas

And this is the best one, by far. I’ve tried Adidas Training & running, Nike Run Club, Fitbod & Shred. From all these, i find this app the most complete. The one feature i was really missing was the ability to use with my watch and leave the phone behind, and just when i thought it wasn’t possible, boom, I found the setting for that (still in Experimental mode). Anyway, After trying the most popular fitness apps, I think I’ve found what i was looking for (u2 ref). I love the interface, the user interaction (you can decide what you want to hear, so no more annoying countdowns from 20)and the sample videos are really well produced... there’s quality and much thought all around, for what I can see, in Freeletics. Love it.

by Yzelaya

I workout often 5-6 days a week and have tried various different training plans and apps. this app is above and beyond. If you’re l ok’ing to get stronger, faster, or just change your training routine, you have to get it. The prices are incredible and Hwy you can even do the workouts with actually paying.

The paid app offers the timer, active gps tracking for runs, with auto complete once you have reached the desired distance. I have been using for over three months and have had an incredible experience. So good that I signed up for a year after having a 3 month subscription. You will sweat more, do more, and be more sore than you have in a long time! In a good way!!! Take it from someone who trains often and intense. You need to try this!

by Creativevol

I use this app as well as this app Gym. I have had paid subscription for personalized coaching for more than a year. Here are pros and cons.

What I like:
- Precise movement instruction
- 12-week personalized program called “journeys”
- Each week’s training program adjusted for your feedback (for example, if you rate certain workout too easy, they will bump it up. If you rate something was too much, they will find you an easier version of it.)
- Programs reflect what you have at home. Whether you have blank walls, bars, etc. Plenty of options even if you have no equipment at all.
- Each day’s workout begins with a warmup and ends with a cool down routine. Minimize injuries.
- Points system
- Overall, a cool looking app!

What I dislike:
- Way too much jumping!! It makes me do jumping jacks every day. Terrible for women over 40, I’d say. Too much burpee, also.
- Rep counts are confusing. Each side counts as one repetition? Or one each side counts as one repetition? It says the former but the latter would make more sense, especially when the reps are in odd numbers.
- I am setting tighten and tone as my goal but it has more cardio effects than toning and strengthening.
- No option to add dumbbells to body weight workouts.

by Thesilverlight28

I’ve been using Freeletics for the past 6 months and I’m honestly happy to say that this is the best shape I’ve ever been in. I look in the mirror and I’m just happy with what I see. I’ve still got a ways to go but with Freeletics along with eating clean this is the most progress I’ve made.

Now there’s a couple things. Freeletics is for if you’re trying to get toned/lean. Don’t expect to become a body builder using Freeletics. You will however notice yourself getting meaner, more athletic build, more vascular, etc. What I would do sometimes if I was looking to gain muscle would be to use Freeletics in the morning then finish up with light weightlifting at the gym. But if you don’t care about losing muscle don’t worry about that.

The other big thing is how important diet is. I’ve been trying to lose weight for a long time, and it wasn’t until 6 months ago that i got consistent with eating clean and saw all the progress that I’m seeing now. But eating clean I mean I just ate stuff that was natural (chicken, rice, eggs, pasta, fruits, veggies). I still indulged every now and then, it was 80% healthy stuff, 20% whatever I wanted).

True permanent change doesn’t happen overnight. If you eat clean, use Freeletics, and just be overall patient you’ll see results.

by Peter_JL

It’s an app that can provide up to high-intensity customized workout. It’s nice that you don’t really have to do the thinking since the algorithm does it for you. I don’t know about the algorithm being perfect, but it grows to be accurate in general if you keep providing feedback to it. Keep in mind that this is just an app, not an actual trainer that watches you. It doesn’t know if the workout it has given you is the right one for you until you tell it. Actively giving feedback to the AI seems to be the key. It’s a good workout app, but maybe don’t set your expectations too high from the beginning. Oh, and I heard the weightlifting plans are worse than the bodyweight ones, but I can’t say for certain since I’ve only tried weightlifting plan like once and stopped.

by AtownDown

I’ve used Freeletics in the past and I’m glad it has improved. First I love the community and social networking behind Freeletics . The UI is ok but you have to constantly be near your phone . I miss the Apple watch app where I could set my phone down and switch exercises from the watch. Also the health intervention is quirky. It loads each exercise individually instead of the entire workout. I would like to see that changed to include just the main workout. I find it easier to just turn off the Genard integration and just start a HIIT or Other workout on my watch. I think the developers are missing an opportunity with the health integration and the lack of a good Apple watch app. BTW the last one was glitchy. With all that said these programs will challenge you and are designed to get results. 👍🏾🏋🏾‍♂️

by Captain Ken

I’ve been physically active most of my life. Skateboarding in the early years and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as of late. To supplement my Bjj training I started using this app with the “coach” years ago. It was good but the workouts were a bit too much so I stopped using it. I downloaded it again at the beginning of this year when the pandemic left me out of shape. I have to say, the “coach” has been greatly improved and seems to more accurately tailor the workouts based on my feedback. With 5 workouts a week (give or take with other obligations), intermittent fasting and almost zero drinking, and at 6ft tall, I’m down from 220lbs to 198lbs in 7 months. I travel for work frequently and it was really great to use Freeletics when most gym locations were closed.
Your miles may vary and this may not be for everyone but it’s been really good for me.

by Theejuls

Overall it’s not a bad concept for an app, but it worth noting that if you’re trying to make some serious gains I would not recommend buying Freeletics. First thing, the “coach” just refers to Freeletics and no actual person is helping you. It’s kind of strange though because after each exercise you get the chance to write down how you’re doing with your work out, putting up this facade that somebody is actually taking into consideration how you’re doing with each exercise. What’s actually happening is that you’re rating whether or not an exercise is difficult and then Freeletics calculates whether or not to give you more reps after the second week. Second to that, the exercises are actually really lame and basic. My first week athletic assessment legit had me doing 5 knee push ups (aka girl push ups) as a whole work out!!!

by HuaTham

After almost 2 years of this app I have found that this app workouts are very effective for losing fat, but not so much in building muscles.

For example, I got stuck at doing Archer Pull-ups and I could never progress past that no matter how much I ate / how many weeks I tried, and yet this app Coach kept giving me those Archer Pull-ups, for months, instead of something else that would build up strength toward it. There are similar examples where the gap between the Hard and the Moderate exercises is huge and yet the Coach doesn’t suggest exercises in between.

However, cutting with this app had been very effective with those Burpees and other cardio exercises. For bulking, just like some reviewers out there, lifting weights is a better choice for me.

by McKJay

But I can’t. My number one and only complaint is that I cannot run Freeletics if the this app can’t see the internet. Being deployed in a “austere” location I am often subjected to limited to no internet or cellular connection. Without those, Freeletics freezes or won’t load. I have had internet drop in the middle of a timed workout only to have my progress lost or I am forced to restart the workout, which loses my progress. The mental struggle is already real, little things like this get huge quickly.

Freeletics would get 5 star for the ease of use, the natural flow of the workouts from week to week, the highly customizable and hassle free setup from one week to the next.

Fix it so we can use Freeletics 100% offline. You are losing money, I have at least 5 other soldiers who won’t buy this because of the connectivity issues.

by Dustin_UT

Thank you for such a great app, I’ve just started to use it and so far I’m enjoying it. A few things I’d love to see

1. Fully independent watch app
2. Integration with Apple Activities - this needs some work. For one, I would like a whole day’s training to just count as 1 workout, or at least have an option in Freeletics to choose that for those that want it. I would also like to see general improvements with this. My workouts often say they are only 1-2 seconds, despite taking well over that time.
3. Autocomplete on runs should stop the activity at the set distance, I’m not sure why it’s required that I click “complete” - especially if someone isn’t holding the phone in their hand, this leads to highly inaccurate times.

by Jurdchapman

Freeletics has been one of the greatest tools for exercise that I’ve ever used! Have been working out consistently with it for 13 weeks now! I love the results and I love that it is simple to use and doesn’t require equipment other than the occasional chair or pull-up bar. Also, most of the workouts are between 25 and 45 minutes which is so helpful for my busy lifestyle! Even with how short the workouts are, they are really hard if you’re doing them honestly and following the counsel given by the coaching program. I highly recommend the coach. It’s pricey but nowhere near what a gym membership would be. I just wish there was an Apple Watch app! (Hint hint) All in all I love Freeletics and I’m looking forward to using it for a long time!

by Sksoicividksssdg

Have used Freeletics on and off over the past 2-3 years, both as a member and free user. Love the coach and feedback you get.

The reason for 4 out of 5 is I would love the option to create your own workout from the single exercises. You have the option of the premade God workouts for planned workouts. But if I wanted to do 3 rounds of push ups, squats and jackknifes for example and reps I would like to try, I couldn’t. I would have to go do single exercise for each of those 3 times each, so 9 total exercises, which is kinda annoying.

From someone with a strength and conditioning background I think this would give users greater use, creativity of their workouts, and freedom of an amazing app already.

by CDStudd23

I love Freeletics! It’s user interface is amazing and the coach monitoring is always evolving my workouts to keep me pushing. And the how to videos show you everything you need to know to keep proper form.
The workouts don’t take forever to do, it doesn’t feel like a burden to do. I do mine every day immediately after work. I have never been so excited to work out, especially after a long day of work.
I tried to do other workouts and always ended up unmotivated. Insanity gave me great results, but the workouts were too long and just made me feel miserable.
this app has everything you need to get in shape or to get into better shape. Worth every penny.

by Suzzy421

I broke my ankle. Previously, I walked 4 miles a day and thought that was enough. Going through PT and my own research, I realized that to age well, I needed to up my game. I tried Freeletics first because it sounded so great. But, it didn’t seem to offer the 5 minute workouts that the others did. So I tried all of those. Doing 14 moves for 30 sec just didn’t seem to be moving me toward any goal. So I tried some of the more serious apps. They seemed geared for folks that could already do the burpees and perfect pushups. So I reviewed this app again. This is so great!!! Perfect for me. No frills. Good guidance. Building upon what my current capabilities are. Thanks y’all

by Bluemoss2

So, I've had this app for over 2 and a half hrs Now... And I am about level 41 as of right now. And, what I can say is that it is an excellent app I use it in conjunction with other regular bodyweight workouts. And I've only used the free version, which consists of 10 workouts. For which I've done everyone except Zeus… this is a highly stellar app, for which I would highly advise you take advantage of. Even if you just use the free version, like me. I would like to buy the full membership. But just don't have a lot of money. So, long story short, I would highly suggest Freeletics!! ;) you won't regret it!! Trust me!

by Five Fngr DP

vid weightlifter but have completely changed and am t- love Freeletics! Two years ago at 48 yrs of age, having always lifted weights. I was looking for a workout that combined athleticism with strength and endurance training. Freeletics does a great job of getting you in shape and creating a superb challenge both mentally and physically. Super tough workouts that take very little time out of my busy days. Now at 50 yrs old and in superior shape! Awesome app that I can not recommend enough!! ddicted to body weight training. Great Product!! Get the coach for sure!!