Quick answer
Quick answer: Apple Fitness+ wins narrowly overall at 6.7 versus Les Mills+ at 6.1. Apple wins on Time Efficiency (the highest score I have tested for short-session stacking), Joint Friendliness (the dedicated modifier in every session is genuinely differentiated), and Programme Structure (the 3 Weeks of Strength programme delivers real progressive overload). Les Mills+ wins on Value for Money (Premium at $14.99 monthly gives access to 2,000+ workouts including iconic gym-floor programmes), instructor energy (handpicked from 140,000 global Les Mills trainers), and global reach without Apple ecosystem lock-in. The critical constraint: Apple Fitness+ requires an iPhone, iPad or Apple TV. Android users cannot access it. Neither has substantial perimenopause programming: Apple has none; Les Mills+ has a dedicated section with only 4 workouts at time of testing, which is thin.
Choose Apple Fitness+ if you:
- Already use Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV) and ideally an Apple Watch
- Want the best short-session stacking model tested (Time Efficiency 9 / 10)
- Need joint-aware training with a modifier visible in every session
- Want structured strength with logged progressive overload (3 Weeks of Strength)
- Value the Apple One Premier bundle (includes music, storage, news plus Fitness+)
Choose Les Mills+ if you:
- Are on Android, Windows or do not own Apple devices
- Have used BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT or BODYBALANCE at a gym and want the format at home
- Have a barbell and weight plates at home for BODYPUMP
- Prefer high-energy group-fitness instructor delivery over Apple’s calmer coaching
- Want martial arts (BodyCombat) or dance fitness as a core part of your training
Inside Apple Fitness+ and Les Mills+
Bottom line in 30 seconds
- Apple Fitness+ wins on time efficiency, joint friendliness and structured progression. 6.7 versus 6.1. The 9 / 10 Time Efficiency score reflects the best short-session stacking tested. The 8 / 10 Joint Friendliness score reflects the dedicated modifier in every session. The 3 Weeks of Strength programme delivers real progressive overload (4-6kg to 5-7.5kg dumbbells over five weeks in my testing).
- Les Mills+ wins on iconic programme access, instructor energy and global reach. 6.1 is held back by Programme Structure (5 / 10, fragmented across the catalogue) and Joint Friendliness (5.5 / 10, high-energy formats not modification-led), but the Value for Money score of 8.5 / 10 reflects 2,000+ workouts for $14.99/month Premium, including BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT, BODYBALANCE and others. The instructors are handpicked from 140,000 global Les Mills trainers and the production quality is high.
- Ecosystem decides this for non-Apple users. Apple Fitness+ requires Apple devices. Android users have only Les Mills+ as an option between these two. For Apple ecosystem users, Apple Fitness+ is the higher-scoring choice; for everyone else, Les Mills+ is the only option.
Apple Fitness+ requires Apple devices. The platform works on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV. Apple opened it to non-Apple-Watch users in late 2022 but real-time metrics and personalised features still need an Apple Watch. Android users cannot access Apple Fitness+. If you do not own Apple devices, Les Mills+ is your only option of the two.
Les Mills+ menopause programming is thin. A dedicated perimenopause and menopause section exists but contained only 4 workouts at time of testing. For a platform with 2,000+ workouts and the resources of a global fitness brand, this is sparse. Apple Fitness+ has no dedicated perimenopause content at all. For substantive perimenopause programming, look at Obe Fitness, Peloton Menopause Collection or Pvolve Menopause Strong.
Quick yes or no comparison
| Feature | Apple Fitness+ | Les Mills+ |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Android | No | Yes |
| Requires Apple Watch for full features | Yes (real-time metrics and personalised features) | No |
| Iconic gym-floor programmes (BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT) | No | Yes |
| Dedicated modifier in every session | Yes | No |
| Structured strength programme with logged progression | Yes (3 Weeks of Strength) | BODYPUMP cycles (no logged weights) |
| Time to Walk / Time to Run audio stories | Yes | No |
| Custom 4-week or longer plans | Yes (Custom Plans) | Programmes available but less personalised |
| Dedicated perimenopause content | No | Yes but only 4 workouts at time of testing |
| Family sharing included | Yes (up to 5 family members) | Limited |
| Bundled with broader subscription | Yes (Apple One Premier) | No |
| Free trial | 1 month (3 months with Apple device purchase) | 30 days |
| Barbell requirement for signature programme | No | Yes (BODYPUMP) |
At a glance
| Apple Fitness+ | Les Mills+ | |
|---|---|---|
| US monthly | $9.99/mo | $7.49/mo Base · $14.99/mo Premium |
| US annual | $79.99/yr | $59.99/yr Base · $119.99/yr Premium |
| UK monthly | £9.99/mo | Locally priced |
| Free trial | 1 month (3 months with Apple device purchase) | 30 days |
| Ecosystem requirement | Apple (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV) | None (iOS, Android, web, smart TVs) |
| Signature programmes | 3 Weeks of Strength, Custom Plans, Time to Walk, Time to Run | BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT, BODYBALANCE, BODYATTACK, BODYSTEP, LES MILLS GRIT, LES MILLS CORE, Les Mills Dance |
| Workout types | Strength, HIIT, Pilates, yoga, dance, treadmill, cycling, rowing, mindful cooldown, meditation | Cardio, strength, martial arts, dance, yoga, core, GRIT, mindfulness |
| Class lengths | 5 to 45 minutes | 15 to 75 minutes (varies by programme) |
| Library size | Hundreds of workouts (continuously added) | 2,000+ workouts (Premium tier) |
| Perimenopause programming | None | 4 workouts in dedicated section at time of testing |
| Personal testing | 5 weeks of structured daily use | 30-day free trial (BodyCombat and Les Mills Dance) |
| Overall score | 6.7 / 10 | 6.1 / 10 |
Full scoring breakdown
| Category | Weight | Apple Fitness+ | Les Mills+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time Efficiency | 15% | 9 | 6.5 |
| Muscle Potential | 15% | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Women Over 40 Specificity | 15% | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Joint Friendliness | 12% | 8 | 5.5 |
| Recovery Compatibility | 10% | 7 | 6 |
| Programme Structure | 10% | 7.5 | 5 |
| Value for Money | 8% | 7 | 8.5 |
| UX and Design | 8% | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Nutrition Integration | 7% | 0 | 4.5 |
| Overall | 100% | 6.7 | 6.1 |
Why these scoring categories matter more after 40
Three physiological changes during perimenopause shape what training should look like. Oestrogen decline accelerates loss of muscle and bone, which makes resistance training more important. Maltais 2009 documents the trajectory and the 2022 systematic review on resistance training for postmenopausal women confirms structured progressive loading as the most effective intervention. Baseline cortisol elevates, compressing recovery. Tendon and ligament elasticity decreases, which Watt 2018 documents as a primary driver of musculoskeletal pain across the menopause transition.
The category weights reflect that reality. Between Apple Fitness+ and Les Mills+, the biggest splits sit on Time Efficiency (Apple’s 9 vs Les Mills’ 6.5), Joint Friendliness (Apple’s 8 vs Les Mills’ 5.5) and Programme Structure (Apple’s 7.5 vs Les Mills’ 5). Les Mills+ pulls back ground on Value for Money (8.5 vs Apple’s 7.5) given the 2,000+ workout library. The aggregate score gap of 0.6 points reflects these weighted differences.
Time efficiency 9 vs 6.5
Apple Fitness+ scored 9 / 10 on Time Efficiency, the highest I have tested. The short-session stacking model (5, 10, 20-minute sessions you can chain together) makes it possible to build a complete 30 to 45 minute workout from blocks that fit any open slot in the day. Custom Plans give you a 4-week schedule built around your stated goals and available time. The Time to Walk and Time to Run audio stories let you train without screens during walks.
Les Mills+ scored 6.5 / 10 on Time Efficiency. The signature programmes (BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT, BODYBALANCE) are typically 45 to 60 minutes, which mirrors gym-floor class lengths rather than fitting around fragmented home schedules. Short-format options exist (15 and 30 minute versions of most programmes) but the platform is designed around the full-length class experience. For women with reliably available 45 to 60 minute slots, this works; for women managing variable energy and schedule, Apple is more flexible.
Muscle potential 7.5 vs 7.5
Both platforms scored 7.5 / 10 on Muscle Potential. The route is different.
Apple Fitness+ delivers progressive overload through the 3 Weeks of Strength programme. In my testing I went from 4-6kg to 5-7.5kg dumbbells over five weeks and saw visible toning. The structured 3-week arcs are short enough to feel achievable and long enough to deliver real adaptation. Multiple strength programmes layer on top of each other (Strength for Runners, Strength for Cyclists, the standalone 3 Weeks of Strength). The format works for dumbbell-based home training.
Les Mills+ delivers strength primarily through BODYPUMP, the iconic barbell-and-weights programme found in 20,000+ gyms globally. BODYPUMP at home requires a barbell and weight plates, which most home setups do not have. Without a barbell, you have access to most of the Les Mills+ library except BODYPUMP. For users with a barbell, BODYPUMP is genuinely good strength programming with high-rep moderate-load periodisation. For users without a barbell, the strength gap is real.
For Apple ecosystem users wanting structured at-home dumbbell strength, Apple Fitness+ is the cleaner choice. For users with a full home gym setup (barbell, weight plates, bench), Les Mills+ BODYPUMP is excellent within that constraint. For users wanting maximum hypertrophy, neither matches Sweat’s PWR or BUILD progressive structure with logged weights.
The honest framing for a perimenopausal training goal: both platforms deliver enough to maintain muscle and prevent the default trajectory of decline. Neither will produce the kind of body composition transformation you might have seen in your 20s and 30s. That is not a limitation of the platforms; it is the physiology. Combine either with adequate protein intake (1.6 to 2.2 grams per kilogram of body weight daily) and you have the foundation for the structural training the evidence identifies as effective. Without adequate protein, the best programme in the world will not deliver hypertrophy after 40.
Why progressive overload matters more after 40
Progressive overload is the principle of gradually adding load over time. After 40, oestrogen decline accelerates muscle and bone loss. The 2022 systematic review on resistance training for postmenopausal women is clear: training works only if the load progresses. Apple Fitness+’s 3 Weeks of Strength delivers this within short arcs. Les Mills+ BODYPUMP delivers it through programme release cycles. Both work; the constraint is access to a barbell for Les Mills+.
Women over 40 specificity 4.5 vs 4.5
This is the category where both platforms are weak.
Apple Fitness+ scored 4.5 / 10 on Women Over 40 Specificity. There is no perimenopause or menopause content, no hormonal education, no pelvic floor or symptom-aware programming. The “Workouts for Older Adults” section is too basic for most women in their 40s. The platform is built for general fitness and ages 30 to 65 without dedicated life-stage targeting.
Les Mills+ has a dedicated perimenopause and menopause section that contained only 4 workouts at time of testing. For a platform with 2,000+ workouts and the resources of a global fitness brand, this is structurally thin. The instructor delivery is strong across the broader library and the BodyBalance content works for joint-aware training, but a dedicated section of 4 workouts is not enough to serve women who are actively looking for that content.
Neither platform wins this category meaningfully. Both work for women over 40 with the right programme selection (Apple’s 3 Weeks of Strength plus Yoga and Pilates; Les Mills’ BodyBalance plus low-impact options). For dedicated perimenopause programming, look at Obe Fitness, Peloton Menopause Collection or Pvolve Menopause Strong.
Joint friendliness 8 vs 5.5
Apple Fitness+ wins this category clearly.
Apple Fitness+ scored 8 / 10 on Joint Friendliness because of the dedicated modifier: a third trainer appears in every session demonstrating a lower-impact or modified version of the main movement. You do not have to find modifications; they are shown to you in real time. This is one of the most useful design choices I have seen in fitness app reviewing.
Les Mills+ scored 6.1 / 10. The high-energy group-fitness format does not lead with modification cueing. BodyCombat and BodyAttack are high-impact. BODYPUMP loads the spine through barbell work. BodyBalance and Les Mills Dance are lower-impact options but require selection rather than being the default. For women managing knee, hip or back issues, Les Mills+ requires careful programme selection.
If joint sensitivity is a primary consideration, Apple Fitness+’s dedicated modifier is the cleaner choice. For women without joint issues who want high-energy group-fitness training, Les Mills+ works.
Recovery compatibility 7 vs 6
Apple Fitness+ has a Mindful Cooldown section with short post-workout recovery sessions, plus meditation content. The Recovery Compatibility score reflects functional recovery support integrated into the platform.
Les Mills+ has BodyBalance (yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi blend), Stretch and Mobility content, and dedicated mindfulness sessions. The recovery library is broader in volume but less integrated with the workout flow than Apple’s Mindful Cooldown.
Both work for active recovery. Apple’s integration is cleaner; Les Mills’ volume is greater. Neither matches FitOn’s meditation library depth or Alo Wellness Club’s restorative content.
Programme structure 7.5 vs 5
Apple Fitness+ scored 7.5 / 10 on Programme Structure. The Custom Plans feature builds a 4-week schedule around your stated goals and available time. The 3 Weeks of Strength programme has a defined progression arc. Multiple short programmes (Yoga for Climbers, Pilates for Runners) layer on top of standalone sessions. The structure is competent and personalised.
Les Mills+ scored 5 / 10 on Programme Structure. The 2,000+ workouts are organised by programme type (BODYPUMP releases, BODYCOMBAT releases) but the platform does not assemble a weekly schedule for you. You pick what to do each session. For women who know the Les Mills format from gym classes and want to recreate that experience at home, this works. For women who want structured weekly planning, it is less complete.
Apple Fitness+ wins this category clearly. The Custom Plans and 3 Weeks of Strength structures remove decision fatigue in a way Les Mills+ does not.
A closer look at Apple Fitness+
Value for money 7 vs 8.5
Les Mills+ wins this category.
Les Mills+ Premium at $14.99/month or $119.99/year gives access to 2,000+ workouts across BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT, BODYBALANCE, BODYATTACK, BODYSTEP, GRIT, CORE and Les Mills Dance. Base at $7.49/month is cheaper but materially limited. The 8.5 / 10 Value for Money score reflects the volume per pound.
Apple Fitness+ at $9.99/month or $79.99/year is cheaper monthly than Les Mills+ Premium but the library is smaller (hundreds of workouts versus 2,000+). Family sharing is included (up to 5 family members), which makes it exceptional value for households. Apple One Premier ($37.95/month US) bundles Fitness+ with music, news, storage and arcade, which can be the better choice if you use multiple Apple services.
The honest read: Les Mills+ is better value per workout if you can use the full library. Apple Fitness+ is better value if you use Apple’s broader ecosystem and want the family sharing. Neither is expensive at this price point.
UX and design 7.5 vs 7.5
Apple Fitness+ has the polished Apple aesthetic, tight integration with Apple Watch and Apple Health, music selection per workout, and seamless casting to Apple TV. The 7.5 / 10 UX score reflects the strongest integration of any platform within its ecosystem.
Les Mills+ scored 6.1 / 10 on UX. The app is competent, the production values on individual workouts are high (genuinely cinema-quality lighting and camera work), and the platform works across iOS, Android, web and smart TVs. The library navigation is competent but less personalised than Apple’s.
Apple wins on ecosystem integration. Les Mills wins on cross-platform reach. For Apple users, Apple Fitness+’s UX is the more polished experience.
A closer look at Les Mills+
Nutrition integration 0 vs 4.5
Neither platform leads on nutrition.
Apple Fitness+ does not include meal plans or dedicated nutrition content. Apple Health integrates with third-party nutrition apps (MyFitnessPal, Cronometer) but the platform itself offers no nutrition guidance.
Les Mills+ scored 4.5 / 10 on Nutrition Integration. Some nutrition content exists but it is not a focus of the platform. For users who want meal plans bundled with their fitness subscription, Jillian Michaels App (3.5 / 10 Nutrition) or Daily Burn are better-equipped.
For perimenopause-specific nutrition (audio courses on protein for women over 40, hormone-aware nutrition framing), neither platform offers it; Obe Fitness’s audio courses are the differentiated content there.
Who wins for…
Best for Apple ecosystem users
Apple Fitness+. Tight integration with Apple Watch, Apple Health, Apple TV, and the music ecosystem. Family sharing for up to 5 members.
Best for Android users
Les Mills+. Apple Fitness+ does not work on Android. Les Mills+ is the only option of the two.
Best for short-session training
Apple Fitness+. The 9 / 10 Time Efficiency score is the highest tested. Short-session stacking makes complete workouts achievable in fragmented schedules.
Best for iconic gym-floor programmes
Les Mills+. BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT, BODYBALANCE, BODYATTACK, BODYSTEP are the formats most women have done at a gym. The at-home version preserves the format and instructor energy.
Best for joint sensitivity
Apple Fitness+. The dedicated modifier in every session is the cleanest joint-aware design tested.
Best for structured strength progression
Apple Fitness+ via 3 Weeks of Strength, narrowly. Les Mills+ BODYPUMP also delivers structured strength but requires a barbell.
Best value per workout volume
Les Mills+ Premium. 2,000+ workouts at $14.99/month is exceptional volume per price.
Best for family sharing
Apple Fitness+. Family sharing for up to 5 family members at $9.99/month is unmatched.
Best for users with a barbell home setup
Les Mills+. BODYPUMP is the iconic barbell strength programme and Les Mills+ is the only way to access it at home.
Best for users with only dumbbells
Apple Fitness+. The 3 Weeks of Strength programme works with dumbbells and the broader strength library is dumbbell-based. The dumbbell strength sessions are also where the visible modifier and progressive load structure most consistently apply.
Best for martial arts fitness
Les Mills+. BodyCombat is the strongest martial arts fitness programme available at home.
Best for walking and running audio coaching
Apple Fitness+. Time to Walk and Time to Run audio stories with celebrity hosts and music. Les Mills+ does not offer this.
Best for women in their 50s and 60s
Apple Fitness+, narrowly, via Custom Plans and the dedicated modifier. Les Mills+ BodyBalance works for this demographic but requires programme selection rather than offering it as default. Neither is the strongest entry for this group; Daily Burn’s True Beginner, Melissa Wood Health or Obe Fitness Menopause Program are gentler on-ramps.
Best for cycling, rowing or treadmill at home
Apple Fitness+. Dedicated treadmill, cycling and rowing sessions that work on any equipment (no Apple-branded hardware required). The Time to Run audio coaching is particularly strong. Les Mills+ has Sprint indoor cycling but the format is less developed.
Best for dance fitness
Tie. Les Mills Dance is energetic, choreography-led group dance with high production values. Apple Fitness+ has dance sessions that are more individually-pitched and varied in style. Both work; the format preference depends on whether you want gym-floor energy or studio variety.
Screenshots from our full reviews
Decision tree for women over 40
Start here. Do you own Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV)?
- No (Android or other): Les Mills+. Apple Fitness+ is not available to you.
- Yes: continue.
Do you have a barbell and weight plates at home?
- Yes and you specifically want BODYPUMP-style training: Les Mills+ Premium.
- No (dumbbells only): continue.
Do you have any joint sensitivity, injury history or recovery concerns?
- Yes: Apple Fitness+. The dedicated modifier in every session is the safer choice.
- No: continue.
Is short-session stacking (5 to 20 minute blocks chained together) how you train?
- Yes: Apple Fitness+. The 9 / 10 Time Efficiency score reflects this format strength.
- No (you want longer 45-60 min sessions): Les Mills+.
Default if multiple factors tied: Apple Fitness+ for Apple ecosystem users for the higher overall score, structured strength, joint friendliness and family sharing. Les Mills+ for everyone else or for users who specifically want BODYPUMP or BODYCOMBAT at home.
What I did not test
- Apple Fitness+ with Apple Watch. Tested on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV only. Real-time metrics and personalised features require Apple Watch.
- Les Mills+ BODYPUMP. No barbell setup at home during testing.
- The full Les Mills+ library beyond BodyCombat and Les Mills Dance.
- The Les Mills+ perimenopause section in depth. 4 workouts at time of testing.
- Long-term adherence beyond my test windows on either platform.
Personal testing and observations
Apple Fitness+ testing
I tested Apple Fitness+ across five weeks of structured daily use, on iPhone projected to TV and computer monitor. I completed the Custom four-week plan plus the 3 Weeks of Strength programme. I tested Dance, Pilates and treadmill sessions. No Apple Watch used during testing.
The standout was the 3 Weeks of Strength programme. Over five weeks I progressed from 4-6kg dumbbells to 5-7.5kg dumbbells and saw visible toning. This is structured progressive overload working as intended within a short programme arc. The dedicated modifier in every session was the design choice that mattered most for my testing; with my previous meniscus injury I could see the lower-impact version of any movement without breaking focus.
I tried the Time to Walk audio stories with Mel B and Rita Ora during outdoor walks but they were not for me; I prefer to walk with music or in silence. My mum (68, regular walker and Pilates doer) tested Time to Walk separately and found it engaging. The Custom Plans feature gave me a 4-week schedule that removed daily decision-making in a way that worked across patchy-sleep weeks.
Les Mills+ testing
I tested Les Mills+ on the 30-day free trial. BodyCombat and Les Mills Dance were the two programmes I committed to. BodyCombat was high energy and effective for cardio, with instructor delivery that genuinely matches the gym-floor experience. Les Mills Dance was unexpectedly enjoyable, similar to my experience with Daily Burn’s Dance & MOVE!.
I did not test BODYPUMP because I do not have a barbell setup at home. This is a meaningful gap because BODYPUMP is what most people associate with the Les Mills brand. The 30-day free trial allowed me to thoroughly test what I could access without making a long-term commitment.
When I checked the dedicated perimenopause and menopause section, it contained 4 workouts. Four. For a platform with 2,000+ workouts and the resources of a global fitness brand, this is sparse. The broader library has joint-aware options (BodyBalance, dance, stretch) but the dedicated section was not enough to make Les Mills+ a perimenopause-specific recommendation.
Which is better for women over 50?
For women over 50, Apple Fitness+ is narrowly the better choice, with caveats.
The dedicated modifier in every session is the design choice that matters most for over-50 training. Joint sensitivity, recovery compression and the need for clear modification options are all served by Apple’s three-trainer format. The Custom Plans feature also removes decision fatigue, which matters at this life stage.
Les Mills+ BodyBalance and Les Mills Dance work for over-50 training but require deliberate programme selection. BodyCombat, BodyAttack and the GRIT programmes are high-impact and recovery-heavy in a way that does not suit most women over 50.
For women in their 60s and 70s starting fresh, neither platform is the strongest entry. Daily Burn’s True Beginner, Melissa Wood Health or BODi’s 4 Weeks for Every Body are gentler on-ramps. Obe Fitness Menopause Program is also a strong option for US and Canadian women in this group, validated by my own mum’s testing in her late 60s.
Why instructor style matters more after 40
One of the under-discussed dimensions of fitness app adherence is whether the coaching style matches your physiology and your nervous system on a given day. Perimenopause produces variable energy patterns. Some days you can absorb high-energy group-fitness instructor delivery and it lifts you. Other days you cannot and that same delivery wears you out faster than the training does.
Apple Fitness+ defaults to calmer, more measured coaching. The instructors are professional and warm without being performative. The Mindful Cooldown sessions are deliberately low-stimulation. For women on patchy-sleep weeks or managing elevated baseline cortisol, this matters more than it sounds. The platform does not add to your stress load to get you through a session.
Les Mills+ leans into high-energy group-fitness delivery. The instructors are handpicked from 140,000 global Les Mills trainers and the production values match a packed gym studio. For women whose adherence comes from being motivated by external energy, this works. For women managing recovery compression who want training to be a calming part of the day rather than another stress input, Apple Fitness+ is the cleaner fit.
Honest self-assessment about what helps you train consistently matters more than the feature comparison. If high-energy coaching is what gets you moving, Les Mills+. If calmer guided structure helps you show up on hard days, Apple Fitness+. Either can work; mismatching to your nervous system is what drives early cancellation.
Frequently asked questions
Is Apple Fitness+ or Les Mills+ better for women over 40?
Apple Fitness+ wins narrowly at 6.7 / 10 versus Les Mills+ at 6.1 / 10. Apple wins on time efficiency, joint friendliness and structured progression. Les Mills wins on value per workout and instructor energy. Apple ecosystem lock-in is the critical constraint.
Is Apple Fitness+ Apple-only?
Yes. Requires iPhone, iPad or Apple TV. Apple Watch unlocks real-time metrics and personalised features.
Which is cheaper?
Apple Fitness+ at $9.99 monthly is the cheapest full-library tier. Les Mills+ Base is $7.49 monthly but materially limited (no BODYPUMP, no TV streaming).
Does either have a dedicated perimenopause programme?
Les Mills+ has a dedicated section with only 4 workouts at time of testing. Apple Fitness+ has no perimenopause content. Neither is substantial. For dedicated programming, look at Obe Fitness, Peloton or Pvolve.
Which has better strength training?
Both scored 6.7 / 10. Apple Fitness+ for dumbbell-based at-home strength (3 Weeks of Strength). Les Mills+ for barbell-based BODYPUMP if you have the equipment.
Which is better for joint sensitivity?
Apple Fitness+. The dedicated modifier in every session is the cleanest joint-aware design tested.
Can I use Les Mills+ without a barbell?
Yes, but you lose access to BODYPUMP. BodyCombat, BodyBalance, dance and most other programmes work without equipment.
Which works on more devices?
Les Mills+. iOS, Android, web, Apple TV, smart TVs. Apple Fitness+ requires Apple devices.
Is Apple Fitness+ free with an Apple device purchase?
Three months free with a new Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad or Apple TV purchase. After three months, the standard $9.99/month rate applies. The 1-month free trial applies otherwise.
Can I share Les Mills+ with my family?
Les Mills+ family sharing is more limited than Apple’s. For households with multiple users wanting fitness app access, Apple Fitness+ family sharing for up to 5 family members at $9.99/month is unmatched value at this price point.
Which has better instructor coaching?
Different. Apple Fitness+ defaults to calmer, more measured coaching that suits perimenopausal recovery patterns. Les Mills+ leans into high-energy group-fitness delivery from 140,000 globally trained Les Mills instructors. Match the coaching style to your nervous system and adherence patterns.
Can I use Apple Fitness+ on a treadmill?
Yes. Apple Fitness+ has dedicated treadmill sessions and the Time to Run audio coaching content works on any treadmill. I tested treadmill sessions on a non-Apple treadmill and the coaching translated completely.
Research citations
- Maltais ML, Desroches J, Dionne IJ. Changes in muscle mass and strength after menopause. Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions. 2009;9(4):186-197. PubMed.
- Watt FE. Musculoskeletal pain and menopause. Post Reproductive Health. 2018;24(1):34-43. doi: 10.1177/2053369118757537. SAGE.
- Resistance training for postmenopausal women: systematic review and meta-analysis. 2022. PubMed.
- Physical activity and exercise interventions on menopausal symptoms: overview of reviews. 2024. PubMed.
About this review
Reviewed by Katy Cole. Apple Fitness+ tested personally across five weeks of structured daily use on iPhone projected to TV and computer monitor, including the Custom four-week plan, the 3 Weeks of Strength programme, Dance, Pilates and treadmill sessions (no Apple Watch). Les Mills+ tested personally on the 30-day free trial, including BodyCombat and Les Mills Dance programmes; BODYPUMP not tested (no barbell at home). Prices verified against apple.com/apple-fitness-plus and watch.lesmills.com in May 2026.
Katy is the lead reviewer at Her Daily Fit. Fifteen years personally testing online fitness platforms. Mid-forties, currently in perimenopause, UK-based. Every claim on this page is either personally tested or attributed to peer-reviewed research. See how we score every programme using 9 weighted criteria.
Medical disclaimer: The content on this page is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult your GP or a healthcare provider before beginning a new exercise programme, particularly if you are managing perimenopause, menopause, or any existing health condition or injury.
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