Obé Fitness is an at-home workout app that aims to bring the energy and variety of boutique studio classes right into your living room. With a massive library of over 10,000 on-demand workouts and a signature vibrant, energetic feel, it promises to make fitness fun and sustainable.
As a certified personal trainer, I’m always looking for platforms that keep people motivated. In this review, I tested Obé Fitness for several weeks to see if its fun-loving approach delivers real results. I’ll break down the features, pricing, user feedback, and how it stacks up against competitors like Peloton.
obé Fitness
Founded by Ashley Mills & Mark Mullett
- 10,000+ On-Demand Classes
- 20+ Workout Types
- iOS, Android, Web, TV
Obé Fitness Review: The Verdict in Brief
Obé Fitness is a digital platform designed primarily for women, with a core mission to make movement joyful and sustainable. Its biggest strength lies in its sheer variety: with over 20 class types from dance cardio and bounce to Pilates and strength, it’s nearly impossible to get bored. The instructors are consistently high-energy, knowledgeable, and feel more like workout partners than drill sergeants.
Based on my testing, Obé excels at helping users build consistency and find genuine enjoyment in exercise. However, its shortcomings in progressive programming and app performance are reflected in professional evaluations, such as Garage Gym Reviews’ score of 3.6/5. It’s a fantastic choice for variety-seekers but may not satisfy athletes with specific performance goals.
What I Liked
- Massive variety with 10,000+ on-demand classes across 20+ workout types (barre, bounce, strength, Pilates, yoga)
- Engaging, energetic instructors who feel like workout partners rather than drill sergeants
- Excellent filtering system by length (5-60 min), type, equipment, level, impact, and music style
- Over 4,500 no-equipment classes for maximum accessibility
- Unique mobile features: stack workouts, download up to 30 classes offline
- Female-focused features including prenatal/postnatal programs and cycle insights
- 4.8/5 rating on Apple App Store with 11,000+ reviews
What Could Be Improved
- Live classes discontinued—a major feature beloved by the community is now gone
- Lacks progressive programming: 3-4 week programs are too short for meaningful strength gains
- App performance issues: slow loading times and intermittent casting problems
- Difficult cancellation process often requires calling customer service
- Themed classes lose their unique soundtracks in on-demand replays due to music rights
✅ I Recommend Obé Fitness If You…
I recommend Obé Fitness if you thrive on variety and get bored easily with workout routines. It’s perfect if you love the energy of studio classes but need an affordable at-home option. Ideal for beginners or those returning to fitness who want a fun, non-intimidating environment. Great if you have limited time and appreciate shorter “stackable” workouts (5-28 minutes) or are seeking pre/postnatal-specific content.
❌ I Don’t Recommend Obé Fitness If You…
I don’t recommend Obé Fitness if you’re focused on serious, progressive strength training or powerlifting. It’s also not ideal if you want a platform that integrates with smart home gym equipment like Peloton, prefer a no-frills, tough-love coaching style, or absolutely need live, interactive classes as part of your daily routine.
A Closer Look at Obé Fitness
Obé Fitness was founded in 2018 by Mark Mullett and Ashley Mills. Their goal was to recreate the energy, variety, and sense of community found in boutique fitness studios and make it more accessible and affordable through a digital platform. The workouts are filmed in their signature set, “The Box,” a brightly lit studio known for its vibrant, pastel-colored lighting that gives the brand its unique and recognizable look.
Philosophy & Positioning
Obé’s core philosophy is centered on helping users, particularly women, “fall in love with movement.” The platform steers clear of quick-fix hacks and instead focuses on building sustainable habits by making fitness genuinely fun and exciting. This positions Obé as a tool for creating a joyful and consistent relationship with exercise, rather than a grueling, short-term challenge.
Exploring Obé’s Features
Workout Programs & Class Variety
The platform’s main draw is its vast library of workouts. You can choose from over 20 class types, including Sculpt, Strength, Dance HIIT, Pilates, Yoga, Cardio Boxing, and Bounce (mini-trampoline). Classes range in length from 5 to 60 minutes, with the signature length being 28 minutes. The shorter “express” classes (5-15 minutes) are perfect for stacking together to create a customized full-body session.
For those who want more structure, Obé offers “Programs” and “Challenges,” which are curated workout calendars that typically last between 7 and 30 days. However, from a trainer’s perspective, while these programs are fun, their 3-4 week duration is insufficient for driving meaningful physiological adaptations like significant hypertrophy or strength gains.
Tracking and Personalization
When you sign up, you take an in-depth quiz that Obé uses to create a personalized plan and suggest workouts. The app can integrate with Apple Health to track metrics like heart rate and activity, providing a more complete picture of your fitness. A standout feature is the “cycle insights” function, which can suggest specific workouts tailored to the different phases of your menstrual cycle. There is also a helpful toggle that allows you to hide workouts you have already completed.
Content and Unique Formats
Beyond the standard video classes, Obé’s library includes unique formats. One of the most practical is “Obé On the Go,” a collection of audio-only workouts designed for screen-free walks, jogs, and meditations. This lets you take the motivational coaching outside or to the gym. In some on-demand classes, you also have the ability to control the instructor’s voice and music volume independently, allowing you to customize your audio experience.
The Live Class Situation
It is critical to note a fundamental pivot in Obé’s business model. Historically, the platform was known for its massive schedule of daily live classes, which fostered a strong sense of community. However, this feature has been discontinued. This isn’t just a feature removal; it’s a strategic shift away from being a community-based live platform.
As one analyst put it, “they no longer do live classes… instead they’re doing this personal training thing.” The company’s new focus is on its on-demand library with a clear upsell path to one-on-one personal training. This jarring change is a potential dealbreaker for anyone who valued Obé for its live, interactive community.
User Interface and Experience
The Obé user interface is clean and visually appealing on both desktop and mobile. Its most powerful feature is the filtering system, which is exceptionally well-done and makes it incredibly easy to narrow down the massive library to find the exact workout you want. The mobile app has exclusive features that enhance the experience, including the ability to download up to 30 classes for offline use and create a “stack” of workouts that play back-to-back.
However, throughout my testing, I experienced some of the bugginess users report, particularly slow loading times in the on-demand library and intermittent issues casting from my phone to my Fire TV.
Expert Tip: When signing up for any on-demand workout service, I recommend using a computer rather than your mobile device. As one reviewer aptly noted, “there are so many features and fine print that you will miss out on” when using a small screen. This ensures you can see all the plan details and features before you commit.
Obé Fitness Pricing and Plans
Obé offers monthly, quarterly, and annual subscription options. All plans start with a 7-day free trial.
| Plan | Billed | Price per Month | Key Perk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Every Month | ~$24.99 | Maximum flexibility |
| Quarterly | Every 3 Months | ~$21.67 ($65 total) | Access to Level Up classes |
| Annual | Once a Year | ~$14.17 ($169.99 total) | Best value + Level Up classes |
Note: All plans begin with a 7-day free trial. Prices are based on the latest available information and may vary.
What Do Other Users Say About Obé Fitness?
Obé holds a high rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 11,000 ratings on the Apple App Store. Positive feedback consistently praises the fun and motivating instructors, the incredible workout variety, and the positive, encouraging atmosphere.
However, common complaints balance out the praise. Many users express frustration with the difficult cancellation policy, app bugs, and slow performance. Most significantly, many long-time users have shared their disappointment about the removal of key community features, such as the daily live classes, the closure of the community Facebook group, and the platform no longer encouraging direct communication with instructors.
User Testimonials
“The instructors make you feel like you’re bff’s just hangin’ out while you both power through a workout. They’re funny, friendly and real.”
One Strong Southern Girl
“The class instructor is performing all the exercises with you and explaining them as you do them. I thought it was a good balance of encouraging and motivating without being obnoxious. And the exercises were simple but effective.”
Frieda Johnson, GGR Editor
“Although the app provides plenty of variety, we found that the quality of the workouts themselves to be poor and not challenging enough… we also felt like the instructors focused too much on community engagement… and not enough on instruction and guidance.”
We The Well
“Update: …They no longer offer Live classes, only upload 3-4 classes a day… closed their community Facebook group, no longer encourage communication with instructors… I miss the old obé.”
CheerBoo – App Store Reviewer
Obé Fitness vs. Peloton App
Here’s how Obé compares to one of its major competitors, the Peloton App.
| Feature | Obé Fitness | Peloton App |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Variety, fun, studio-style classes (Barre, Pilates, Dance) | Equipment-based cardio (cycling, running), strength |
| Pricing (App Only) | ~$24.99/month | ~$12.99/month* |
| Live Classes | Discontinued | Yes, a core feature |
| Programming Style | Mostly stand-alone classes, short programs | Structured programs, progressive classes |
| Equipment Demand | Many no-equipment options; uses small home accessories | Optimized for Peloton equipment, but has many bodyweight options |
| Target Audience | Women seeking joyful movement and variety | Data-driven users, competitive fitness enthusiasts |
*Peloton App-only membership. All-Access membership for Peloton equipment owners is $44/month.
Frequently Asked Questions About Obé Fitness
Is Obé Fitness good for beginners?
Yes, Obé is great for beginners. It offers many “open level” classes, a beginner-specific program, and the instructors provide a fun, non-intimidating environment that makes getting started easy and enjoyable.
What equipment do I need for Obé?
You don’t need any equipment to start, as there are over 4,500 bodyweight-only classes. Many other classes use small, optional equipment like light dumbbells, resistance bands, sliders, and ankle weights.
Can I use Obé Fitness offline?
Yes, on the mobile app, you can download up to 30 workout classes to your offline library to use when you don’t have an internet connection. This is perfect for travel or outdoor workouts.
Does Obé still have live classes?
No. According to recent user reports and platform analysis, Obé has discontinued its daily live classes. The library is now exclusively on-demand, which represents a significant shift from its original community-focused model.
How do I cancel my Obé subscription?
The cancellation process can be difficult. Some users report having to call a customer service number to cancel, rather than being able to do it easily within the app or website. Be prepared for potential friction.
Does Obé offer a nutrition plan?
No, Obé Fitness does not include a specific diet or nutrition plan with its membership. The platform’s focus is solely on exercise and movement.
My Final Verdict on Obé Fitness
After extensive testing, my verdict is clear: Obé Fitness excels at its mission to make fitness fun. Its strengths—unmatched variety, charismatic instructors, and a genuinely joyful approach—make it a standout option for beginners or anyone looking to break free from a workout rut.
However, its weaknesses are significant. The lack of progressive programming makes it unsuitable for those with specific strength goals, and most importantly, the recent business pivot away from live classes has dismantled the vibrant community that many users loved. The monthly price is justified if you prioritize variety and motivation above all else, but for those who valued the live experience, the platform may no longer be worth the investment.
