Strength training has become a game changer for women, and there are now more apps than ever to help you get stronger and fitter. But with so many options out there, how do you choose the right one for you?
In this comparison, we’re looking into three of the most popular strength training apps for women: FHM+, Madeline Moves, and SWEAT.
Each of these apps has something unique to offer, but the best choice for you depends on your fitness goals, lifestyle, and what kind of support you need. Let’s break down the key features of each to match you up with the right app.
At A Glance
FHM+
The FHM+ App offers monthly strength training workouts specifically tailored for busy women, along with realistic, macro-friendly recipes to fuel your body. Created by Tami Smith, the founder of FHM+, the app also features quarterly fitness and nutrition challenges known as The TRIM – designed to kick start your weight loss journey. Tami’s approach is all about affordable, practical fitness and recipes that fit into a woman’s busy life. Plus, the workouts are fun and challenging, making it easy to stay engaged and push yourself. The value you get with the app is hard to beat.
Active members: 1,000+
Pricing:
- $20/mo for FIT & FUELED (new monthly workouts + recipes)
- $12/mo for FIT (workouts only)
- $12/mo for FUELED (recipes only)
- The TRIM: $100/one-time (4 week challenge, workouts and recipes)
Learn more about the FHM+ App
Check out Fit Healthy Macros Instagram page
The Madeline Moves App
Madeline Moves is a great choice for those who want a variety of workout programs. Known for her weekly workouts, Madeline’s app also includes recipes, but they tend to be more complex, requiring lots of steps and ingredients. Another downside? Her 30-minute workouts often stretch to 60 minutes, which can be tough to fit into a busy schedule. But if you’ve got the time, her workouts are fun and challenging.
Active members: 10,000+
Pricing:
- $20/mo
- $200/yr
- Tighter Together: $50/one-time (4 week challenge)
SWEAT App
SWEAT offers a broad variety of trainers and programs, giving it a Peloton-like feel. If you like having multiple trainers to choose from and enjoy the sense of variety, this might be appealing. However, the lack of personal connection and overwhelm of programs can be a turn-off for some. It’s a great app if you want options, but it may feel overwhelming if you're looking for a more focused approach to your fitness journey.
Active members: 100,000+
Pricing:
- $24.99/mo
Quick Comparison Table of FHM+ vs Moves vs SWEAT App
| App Feature | FHM+ | Moves | SWEAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workouts designed for women | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Premium Macro Friendly Recipe Membership | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Price | $20/mo (Workouts + Recipes), $12/mo (Workouts only) | $20/mo | $24.95/mo |
| Current members | 1,000+ | 10,000+ | 100,000+ |
| Workout durations | 30 or 45 minutes | 30 or 60 minutes (but they tend to go over that time frame) | Varies |
| Progressive Overload Focused | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Free 7-Day Trial | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ |
| More info | at FHM+ App | at moves app | at sweat |
Meet The FHM+ App (Fit Healthy Macros)
The FHM+ App is perfect for women who want to take a realistic, sustainable approach to strength training. Whether you're just starting out or you're already lifting regularly, FHM+ uses progressive overload to help you build strength and get stronger over time.
This app is designed for busy women who want flexible, time-efficient workouts that actually fit into their day. The goal is to make strength training manageable, effective, and enjoyable—without overwhelming you.
Key Features
- Progressive Overload Strength Training: The heart of FHM+ is the progressive overload method. This means you’ll gradually increase the weights and reps, challenging your muscles to grow stronger each week.
- Minimal Equipment: You only need dumbbells and resistance bands to get started. If you have access to a bench, that’s great, but it’s not a must. Everything is designed to be simple and effective with minimal equipment.
- Time-Efficient Workouts: Whether it’s a 30-minute or 45-minute workout, Tami ensures that the workouts are exactly what they say they are. No overrun, no wasted time—you’ll be able to fit them into your busy day and still feel accomplished.
- Progress Tracking: The app makes it easy to track your progress. You can log your reps, weight, and even take progress photos to visually see how far you’ve come.
- Favorite Recipes and Search Function: If you find a recipe you love, you can favorite it and easily search for others in the app. Filter by ingredients, type of meal, or nutrition needs to make healthy eating even easier.
- Quarterly Fitness Challenges: Participate in The TRIM, a 4-week fitness and nutrition challenge, to keep you motivated and help you push your goals further.
- Affordable Pricing: FHM+ offers great value for the content, making it a budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on quality.
Exercises You Can Expect to Perform
Since FHM+ uses progressive overload, expect to challenge yourself with exercises that help build strength and muscle.
Here’s a sneak peek:
- Squats (with dumbbells, resistance bands, or bodyweight)
- Bulgarian Split Squats (with dumbbells)
- Push-Ups (modified or standard)
- Bent-Over Rows (with dumbbells)
- Overhead Press (with dumbbells)
- Lunges (weighted or bodyweight)
- Planks and core exercises
- Hip Thrusts (weighted)
Meet The Madeline Moves App
The Madeline Moves App is ideal for women who enjoy variety and fun in their workouts. Madeline offers a creative mix of strength training, HIIT, and other exciting exercises.
If you’re looking for fresh, weekly workouts that keep things interesting and enjoy trying out different styles, this app is for you. It’s a great fit for women who want a well-rounded fitness program with some flexibility and challenge, but don’t mind a bit of complexity.
Key Features
- Weekly Workouts: Madeline releases new workouts every week, providing variety and new challenges to keep you motivated. Expect a good mix of strength, HIIT, and full-body workouts that engage multiple muscle groups.
- Limited Recipe Options: While the app does offer some recipes, the selection is quite limited compared to other apps. The recipes that are available tend to be more complex with a lot of steps and ingredients, so it may not be the best fit if you’re looking for quick and easy meal ideas.
- Variety of Programs: The app features multiple workout programs, so you can switch things up depending on your goals. Whether you’re looking for strength training or overall fitness, there’s something to keep you engaged.
- Time Commitment: 30-minute workouts are promised, but in reality, many of these workouts take closer to 60 minutes. This can be frustrating for those with limited time, but for those who have more flexibility, the extended sessions provide a great intensity.
Exercises You Can Expect to Perform
Here’s a peek at the types of exercises you’ll encounter in the Madeline Moves App:
- Squats (bodyweight or weighted)
- Jumping Lunges
- Push-Ups
- Plank Variations
- Kettlebell Swings
- Deadlifts
- HIIT Intervals
- Core-Focused Movements for stability and strength
Meet The SWEAT App
The SWEAT App is perfect for women who enjoy variety and the motivation of working out with different trainers. With a large roster of trainers and multiple programs, SWEAT is ideal if you like to have options and enjoy switching up your fitness routine.
It’s a good choice for women who thrive on community and variety in their workouts, and who are looking for more of a group-class vibe with multiple trainers guiding you through different workout styles.
Key Features
- Variety of Trainers and Programs: The SWEAT App offers a wide range of programs led by different trainers, giving you a broad selection of workout styles, from strength training to HIIT and everything in between. If you like having choices and love seeing new trainers, this app delivers.
- Community Feel: One of the main draws of SWEAT is the community atmosphere. With a large number of users and trainers, the app creates an environment where you can feel like you’re part of a bigger fitness community.
- Wide Range of Programs: Whether you’re looking to improve strength, endurance, or flexibility, SWEAT offers something for everyone, from low-impact workouts to intense HIIT sessions. It’s a comprehensive fitness solution for those who like to keep their options open.
- User Interface: While SWEAT offers a lot of variety, the user interface can sometimes feel overwhelming with so many options. It’s not as streamlined as other apps, which could be a downside for those who prefer a simpler, more focused approach to fitness.
- Pricing: SWEAT is on the higher end in terms of pricing, especially compared to other apps like FHM+, but you do get access to multiple trainers and workout styles for that price.
Exercises You Can Expect to Perform
With SWEAT, you’ll find a wide range of exercises depending on the program you’re following. Here are a few examples:
- Squats (bodyweight or weighted)
- Lunges
- Push-Ups
- Kettlebell Swings
- Plank Variations
- Burpees (for HIIT sessions)
- Resistance Band Work
- Deadlifts (for strength programs)
Comparison Section of FHM+ vs Madeline Moves vs SWEAT App
Comparing Workout Programs
FHM+ App
Focuses on progressive overload strength training, offering monthly workouts that are time-efficient (30-45 minutes). Workouts are designed to gradually increase in intensity to help you build strength over time, with a focus on compound exercises like squats and deadlifts. The app also includes access to challenges and nutrition support.
Moves App
Offers a variety of weekly workouts, combining strength, HIIT, and other full-body movements. While the workouts are designed to be fun and varied, some sessions take longer than promised (e.g., 30-minute workouts often stretch to 60 minutes). The focus is on keeping things fresh with weekly updates and a mix of workout styles.
SWEAT App
Provides a broad range of programs with multiple trainers and workout styles, including strength training, HIIT, and more. However, with so many options, it can feel overwhelming at times. SWEAT’s variety is its strongest point, but if you’re looking for a streamlined, focused program, it may not be the best fit.
FHM+ is realistic and challenging for busy women, Moves is more for women who want intense workouts (and don't mind their workout going over the time limit), SWEAT is good for variety of workouts.
Comparing Challenges
FHM+ The TRIM
Price: $100
The TRIM challenges are more intimate and personalized, with a 25-page getting started macro guide and a focus on individual progress. Tami takes the time to connect with members, offering personal support and a structured approach to both fitness and nutrition. The challenges are designed to provide personal motivation and accountability to help you reach your goals.
Madeline Moves Tighter Together
Price: $50
The Tighter Together challenge is more affordable and attracts a large number of participants. This means the experience can feel more impersonal, and there’s not much additional value beyond the brand name and the workouts. It’s more about mass participation, so if you’re looking for individual attention and guidance, this might not be the best fit.
SWEAT Challenge
Price: Not listed
Offers various challenges, but again, because of the large user base and the number of trainers, the challenges may feel less personal. The community atmosphere might help with motivation, but the lack of focused, individualized guidance means you might not get the personal connection found in FHM+ or Madeline Moves.
Tighter Together is great, but it's losing it's touch, The TRIM will give you more of a personalized feel, SWEAT will be a lot of women in it, but they do a great job.
Comparing Recipe Offerings
FHM+ App
Offers realistic, macro-friendly recipes that are easy to make and designed to fit into your lifestyle. Recipes are updated monthly and include a variety of meals that are quick, healthy, and nutritious. Perfect for women who want simple, practical meal options that complement their fitness goals.
Moves App
Offers a small selection of recipes, created by third-party recipe creators. They tend to be complex, with many steps and ingredients. These meals are great if you enjoy cooking and want something more involved, but they may not always fit into a busy woman’s lifestyle.
SWEAT App
Offers hundreds of recipes, with a decent selection for a variety of meal types. While the app does a solid job offering healthy meal options, some of the recipes are not as quick and easy as they may seem. Many require a bit more time and effort, making them less ideal for women on tight schedules looking for quick meals.
FHM+ has the best recipes that are realistic to make, followed by SWEAT and then Moves. The thing with Moves, is it isn't Madeline's recipes, they come from third-party sources.
Comparing Price and Value
FHM+
$20/mo for Workouts + Recipes, or $12/mo for workouts only
Affordable pricing for the value it offers—monthly workouts, recipes, and support. The quarterly challenges add extra value without any hidden fees, making it the best option for women on a budget.
Moves App
$20/mo for workouts
A mid-range priced app. While it provides weekly workouts, the value may not be as strong when compared to FHM+, especially if you’re looking for a comprehensive, all-in-one solution.
SWEAT Challenge
$24.99/mo for Workouts + Recipes
Higher-priced, but offers a lot of variety with access to multiple trainers and programs. However, the interface and the number of options can feel overwhelming, making it harder to navigate compared to the more focused experience offered by FHM+.
$20-$25 per month for any of these apps is worth it. FHM+ offers the most value at $20 per month, while SWEAT offers great value, too at $24.99 per month. The Moves App does provide value, but you're mainly getting workouts only.
Which is Better? SWEAT, Moves, or FHM+
FHM+ is the best option if you're looking for personalized support with progressive overload strength training and time-efficient workouts that fit into your busy schedule. At just $20/month, you get monthly strength training workouts and realistic macro-friendly recipes. FHM+ offers the most value for the price with a comprehensive approach to fitness and nutrition, all tailored to busy women.
SWEAT is ideal if you enjoy variety and the community aspect of working out with multiple trainers. It offers a wide selection of programs, including strength, HIIT, and more. If you're someone who thrives on having different trainers and enjoying variety, SWEAT is a great choice. However, at $24.99/month, it’s a bit pricier than FHM+ and may feel a bit overwhelming with its many options and busy interface.
Madeline Moves is a good option if you enjoy fun and varied workouts and want something that challenges you each week. Madeline’s weekly updates keep things fresh and engaging, though the Tighter Together challenge can feel impersonal since it attracts a large number of participants. It's also priced at $20/month, but the limited recipe selection and lack of personal support might not be ideal for those seeking a more structured, ongoing fitness experience.
Conclusion
Choosing the right strength training app ultimately comes down to what you value most in your fitness journey.
If you’re looking for personalized support, progressive strength training, and a holistic approach that includes both fitness and nutrition, FHM+ is the clear winner. At just $20/month (or $12/mo for workouts only), it offers the best value with time-efficient workouts, high protein recipes, and quarterly challenges to keep you on track.
If you thrive on variety and enjoy working with different trainers, SWEAT might be the right choice for you, although the higher cost and overwhelming interface may be drawbacks for some.
For those who enjoy fun, weekly workouts with new challenges, Madeline Moves provides a fresh experience, though it lacks the personalized guidance and in-depth support that FHM+ offers.
Ultimately, it all comes down to your personal preferences and fitness goals, but if you're looking for affordable, effective, and personalized strength training, FHM+ is the best choice for most women.
