Best free fitness apps for beginners—what a tantalizing concept and, dare I say, a bit of a treasure hunt. But let me tell you, it’s not all glitter and gold when you’re wading into the wild world of fitness apps, especially when you’re navigating the labyrinth with a few extra conditions on your list. The main hurdle for me? Finding ones that actually work with disabilities. Yes, disabilities. The kind of thing that makes me appreciate exercises where you don’t even have to stand up, and which turns the idea of running into the most laughable suggestion since someone told me to try intermittent fasting while my fridge was already empty. I have found a few over the years and yet can I find them now? Nope. Maybe you have some hints?

Now, tai chi and dancing—oh, my sweet, wonderful tai chi and dancing—have been my saving grace. These are fitness options that don’t demand coordinated limbs or the sheer willpower of a gladiator. I mean, you can literally do tai chi sitting down. Sitting down! It’s like the ultimate cheat code for feeling like a flowing river while your legs just happily exist under you, doing absolutely nothing. Dancing, on the other hand, is my own personal chaos therapy. There’s something liberating about grooving to a cheesy pop beat in the confines of my living room while the cat stares at me like I’ve lost my last ounce of dignity. I haven’t, by the way; it’s just hiding somewhere under the couch.

But oh, the challenge of finding apps that cater to these joys while not costing me an arm and a leg—or, more accurately, an arm and my next rent payment. Let me paint you a picture: there I was, phone in hand, fingers swiping with the determination of someone navigating an entirely different kind of modern chaos—the app store. A budget of zero dollars and zero cents? Check. A need for accessibility? Double check. A deep, passionate hatred for paywalls that sneak up faster than a toddler with a permanent marker? Triple check. Into the depths I dove, swiping past what felt like a million apps, each promising fitness nirvana but rarely delivering anything more than frustration.

The first thing I learned on this quest was that there’s an absolutely absurd number of fitness apps out there. Some of them are designed for people who apparently have the physical prowess of Olympic athletes and the bank accounts of tech billionaires. Others seem to operate under the assumption that everyone has a personal gym, a trainer on speed dial, and an uncanny ability to contort themselves into yoga poses that look suspiciously like attempts at self-tied human knots. That’s not me. My joints creak, my motivation fluctuates between “Let’s do this!” and “What if I just took a nice nap instead?” and my budget is more “free samples at the grocery store” than “monthly subscription fees.”

Still, hope wasn’t lost. It turns out there are gems hidden in the chaos, like little nuggets of joy that don’t demand your wallet’s tears. Tai chi apps, for instance, are something of a revelation. There’s one I found that’s free, calming, and completely devoid of shouty trainers barking at me to push harder. Honestly, it feels like a gentle, supportive friend who’s just happy you’re moving at all. During one session, I found myself marveling at how peaceful it felt to follow along, seated in my well-worn chair, waving my arms like a wind-tossed willow tree. The app was simple, accessible, and adaptable to my pace, proving that fitness doesn’t have to be a high-octane ordeal to be effective.

Then there are the dance fitness apps, which, let me tell you, are an absolute riot. Who knew you could feel so alive while attempting to salsa with all the grace of a flailing windmill? The beauty of these apps is that many of them are designed to accommodate all sorts of movement levels. Whether you’re seated and bouncing along to the rhythm or standing and attempting a pirouette without tripping over a rogue sock, there’s something magical about losing yourself in the music. The laughter alone—mostly at myself, to be honest—burns calories, right? My cat remains unimpressed, but I choose to believe they secretly respect my commitment.

Now, here’s where things got hilariously complicated. Platforms. iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Firestick—honestly, trying to figure out which apps work where had my head spinning faster than my attempts at a living room pirouette. Some apps are stubbornly loyal to one platform, which is endlessly frustrating when you’re someone like me, constantly forgetting which device you last charged. But then, miracle of miracles, I stumbled upon a few cross-platform wonders that didn’t care whether I was using a phone, tablet, or maybe even a smart fridge (okay, not the fridge, but you get the idea). These beauties let me hop from device to device without needing to sell my soul—or my dignity—to the tech gods.

Of course, not every app lives up to its promise. Some boldly advertise “accessibility for all” but seem to forget that “all” includes people who might need to modify movements or take things slow. But perseverance pays off, and when you find that one app that feels like it was made for you, it’s like stumbling into a secret garden. You open it up, and suddenly, there’s a world of possibility that doesn’t cost a dime and doesn’t make you feel like you need to audition for Cirque du Soleil.

Then there’s the accidental comedy gold that some apps provide. Picture this: trainers with pre-recorded enthusiasm chirping phrases like “You’re doing amazing!” as you pause mid-workout to contemplate the existential crisis of whether you even like exercise. Or the absurdity of apps that cheer you on with motivational tips like “Visualize your goals!” while all you’re visualizing is your next snack break. It’s ridiculous, it’s chaotic, and it’s honestly kind of wonderful.

So yes, the world of free fitness apps for beginners is a wild, messy, occasionally absurd ride. But every now and then, amid the chaos, you find one that fits just right—like a pair of sweatpants you’ve worn so much they’ve practically become your second skin. And when that happens, you realize that fitness isn’t about perfection or even progress—it’s about finding joy in movement, however that looks for you. And if you can do it without spending a cent? That’s just the icing on the cake—or, in my case, the budget-friendly, store-brand frosting. Cheers to that! If you find some good free one’s please toss them up here, any help with this needle in a haystack task is appreciated.