I'm a bit of an app fanatic. If there's a fitness app or personal training app, I've probably tried it; at least for whatever free trial period is available. And it's not just workout apps, I've also tested weight-loss apps and apps in completely unrelated fields that catch my interest. One app that caught my attention early was Centr.
You've probably seen the ads on Instagram or other social media platforms. They feature Chris Hemsworth and some of the trainers he has worked with throughout his career as an actor. They're great ads because who doesn't want to train like the god of thunder? But does the app really work? In this Centr review I'm going to walk you through all parts of the app.
I have a little over a year's worth of experience with this app—some of it coming when the app was first released, and some of it more recent. We'll talk about the workouts, the nutrition, the meditation, and everything else you need to know to decide whether a subscription is right for you.
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What is the Centr App?
Centr is more than a fitness app. Centr was designed by Chris Hemsworth and his team of personal trainers, dieticians, and wellness coaches. The app will give you workouts and meals, plus tips and tricks to improve your mental health. So in that sense you can think of Centr as more of a wellness app that takes a holistic approach to health.
A Quick Look at Centr
SPECS
- Platforms: Apple and Android
- Features: Coached workout plans, meal plans with a shopping list, guided meditations
- Payment structure: Monthly, quarterly, or annual subscription
Centr is an all-in-one health app where you'll get workout plans, meal plans, yoga, guided meditations, fitness challenges, and more. All of the coaches are respected professionals in their fields, so the content is high quality across the board. Some of the content, like Da Rulk's functional training program, is unique to that specific trainer, which means you'll have trouble finding it elsewhere without paying a heavy premium.
Centr is also a well-designed app that is intuitive to use. The team updates fairly regularly to address bugs and user concerns, but the layout is organized. There is a lot of content, though, so it may take you a couple of weeks to get used to navigating some of the features.
What We Like
- Individual workout database or guided workout plans organized by skill level
- Daily informative blog posts and other resources to help you understand your health
- Large database of recipes you can choose from if you don't like a meal on a given day
- Affordable monthly membership compared to other apps that offer similar features
- There are plenty of workouts that can be done with basic home gym equipment
What We Don't Like
- Some of the recipes require ingredients that are hard to find
- There is a lot to do in the app, so it can feel overwhelming to new users
How Does the Centr App Work?
Centr Workouts
Centr workouts include HIIT, weightlifting, yoga, bodyweight circuits, functional mobility, and much more. Many of these workouts can be done with no equipment, but if you can get a set of dumbbells you'll be able to do most of the workouts. Best case scenario is you also have a gym membership.
You can access these workouts in three main ways. My personal favorite is the designed workout plans option. I'm a certified personal trainer, but I love testing out programming to see what works and what doesn't. I've tried multiple plans and have seen great results. I'm currently using the 13-week Centr Power in Gym plan that is three times a week with optional bonus workouts on rest days.
The other two ways to access workouts are on the homepage under the "Today's Workout" section, and in the workout database. In the homepage section, Centr suggests an individual workout from the database. I haven't noticed a particular pattern with these workouts, but they're good if you want to get your feet wet in different types of training.
Other Fitness Apps We Recommend:
Centr Recipes
Speaking of the homepage, there is also a "Meals" section just below the daily workout that has your breakfast, lunch, and dinner recommendations. When you sign up for Centr you'll select one of three goals: lose weight, build muscle, or get fit and toned. The recommended recipes will be tailored toward this goal.
If you click on these meals you can see the ingredients list, nutrition facts, and instructions to make the meal. You also have the option to choose a regular diet plan, vegetarian, pescatarian, or vegan.
Similar to the workouts, you can look through the recipe database and pick any meals you want to make. The best part is that once you select your meals for the week, the app will create a grocery list with all of the ingredients and quantities you need to buy. Some of the recipes have ingredients you may not be able to find at an average grocery store, but there are plenty of other recipes you can swap in.
Other Nutrition Apps We Recommend:
Meditation
One of my favorite things about Centr is that it promotes overall wellness. The third and final section of your homepage is called "Tools and Advice." Here you'll find different types of wellness resources from blogs to sleep visualizations.
In this section you'll commonly see daily, guided meditation sessions that can help you find your center. If you enjoy this part of the app there is also a database of meditations plus resources to help you learn how to meditate more effectively and make it a habit.
Other Meditation Apps We Recommend:
Centr Smartwatch Apps
Centr has an Apple watch app, but does not currently offer apps for other smartwatches. The smartwatch app lets you time your workouts and watch your stats on your wrist, but you will still need to start the workout in the phone app.
Who Should Try Centr?
In my opinion, Centr can work for anyone. But if you're a beginner, or someone like me who has been out of the gym for a while for one reason or another, Centr is a game changer. No other app has everything you need in one place, definitely not in this price range. And, since we're around the holidays, Centr is offering several promotional deals for first-time users.
Our Verdict
Centr is worth every penny, especially if you're looking for a holistic approach to your health. I highly recommend Centr for anyone who wants to get healthy but doesn't have the mental energy to devote to planning it out. Everything you'll need is in this app, and it works.
FAQs About Centr
Does Centr really work?
Yes. Centr is a wellness app that focuses on exercise, nutrition, and mental health. If you dedicate effort to following the plan you will see results.
Is the Centr App good for muscle building?
Centr has muscle-building workouts and plans to follow, plus it will give you a nutrition plan to support that goal.
Is the Centr App good for beginners?
Centr is one of the best (if not the best) apps for beginners. Everything you need to start a fitness journey is conveniently located in this app.
About the Author
Cory is a certified personal trainer and fitness nutrition coach. After spending six years as an educator and coach, Cory joined the ACTIVE team as a staff writer turning his passion for education toward helping ACTIVE readers live their best, healthiest lives.
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