I started using the BetterMe app on holiday - now I never miss a workout

woman&home created this content in partnership with BetterMe. The contents of this article are entirely independent and solely reflect the editorial opinion of the brand.

I love going on holiday (who doesn’t?). Great weather, dips in the sea, and eating food someone else made? Bliss. However, I always come back wishing for one thing - that I’d been able to exercise on holiday.

Of course, we all need a break from our regular routine, and no one should feel pressured to work out on holiday - but I enjoy doing Pilates workouts at home, stretching out in the garden on my yoga mat to start the day. I always feel better for it, and I’ve always wished I could take the experience away with me. Until recently, I’d never found the right platform or equipment to make it possible.

Either the classes were live, meaning I’d have to plan out my day (which is not what I want to do on my holiday), or there weren’t options that fit with my set-up (which is limited to what I can get in my suitcase).

That’s until I found the BetterMe app. If you’re on social media regularly, you’ll likely have seen it too. It’s a health coaching app with hundreds of instructor-led workouts to choose from. Many of them involve Pilates home workouts. I’m talking Pilates with weights, Pilates using a chair, Pilates with lots of equipment, and some with none at all. All pre-recorded. Could this be my answer?

BetterMe app review

On opening the BetterMe app, I had high hopes. The first thing I did was answer questions on my goals and current fitness level, so I knew my plan would be optimised for me as much as possible. I gave my weight, height, decided on special programs (I’m recovering from a running injury right now, so I made sure to opt for the ‘Recovery’ program), and opted for my favourite workouts, which include Pilates.

At the end, I had a pre-designed program, which I followed for my holiday. It kept me on track and moving, without even having to think about it. Perfect.

I had slightly more options for workouts as I also took the BetterMe Power Kit with me. The set includes a Pilates ring, a soft ball, resistance bands, dumbbells, and socks for better grip. As I was going away in the UK, I could take the set in the boot of my car. If I were going abroad, I’d probably have gone for one of the brand’s smaller kits instead.

Since coming home, I’ve kept up my workouts - and kept my equipment out. The Power Kit, in the muted beige colour I opted for, is easy to store and blends in easily with the rest of my living space. Needless to say, while the kit may seem pricey, it’s significantly cheaper than a membership to many Reformer Pilates studios for the year.

Now that I’ve completed one of my pre-designed programs, I’ve been exploring some of the workouts in the 15+ Pilates collections on the BetterMe app, with my favourite being the mat Pilates sessions and 20-minute Pilates with Power Kit workouts. As I had never used a Pilates ring or ball before, my confidence was boosted by the dedicated series, and it meant I could move on to other workouts in the app very easily.

The sessions are simple to follow, with an animated AI video tutorial demonstrating every move, and a countdown timer to keep you on track.

I love Pilates, but I haven’t been doing it for that long, so the medium ability classes were perfect for me, offering the chance to stretch and challenge my muscles, without feeling too sore at the end. I’m looking forward to graduating to advanced in the next few weeks. For those interested in beginner's Pilates, there is an easier level, too.

Can you use the BetterMe app without equipment?

Yes, while the equipment pairs perfectly with the app, there are some collections that require no equipment at all - like the Home Workouts. This is a collection of 10 workouts where all you need is a yoga mat for full-body strengthening.

The app also has other non-Pilates workouts that don’t involve equipment. On sign-up, I said I was interested in other forms of exercise alongside Pilates, like walking, running, and going to the gym, so I had access to alternatives in my collection. These actually became some of my favourite workouts outside of the Pilates offering.

Amidst the treadmill workouts, indoor walking workouts (no walking pad required), boxing, and stretching, I found an impressive set of gym tutorials with options for in-gym sessions and at-home workouts.

A virtual instructor led each one from the warm-up through the cool-down, specifying the equipment you’d need to follow the session. For those new to the gym and not wanting the full-time help of a personal trainer, this is the next-best thing at a considerably cheaper price (£29.99 per month after a 7-day free trial). I’d recommend it as the sessions are easy to follow along with, pause, and rewind when needed. You can also filter them by experience level and body part.

What else do I need to know about the BetterMe app?

There are so many positive qualities about the BetterMe app, from the huge variety of versatile workouts on offer to ready-made meal plans and recipes to explore. If you’re looking to make healthier choices, exercise more, and get ahead of the ‘New Year, New You’ dread, this could genuinely make a difference.

However, it’s important to note the app places a lot of emphasis on weight loss - even if that’s not your chosen goal when you sign up. Your plan will automatically suggest you log your calories, work towards a daily calorie burn goal through exercise, and it will encourage regular weigh-ins, alongside more positive suggestions to track your steps or drink more water.

If you want to lose weight, this may be helpful as a rough guide (remember that calorie burn on your fitness tracker won’t always be accurate, and it’s easy to misjudge your calorie intake). If you think this focus wouldn’t be a positive thing for you, I’d recommend some other Pilates apps and workout apps instead.