16 Tai chi workout apps for Android (Fitness)

Tai Chi Apps for Mastering Movements and Boosting Health at Home

Author AndroidFitness Team

Updated Oct 9, 2023

The Magic of Tai Chi in Modern Fitness

Tai chi, an ancient Chinese martial art form, is now making waves in the modern fitness world. This low-impact exercise, which emphasizes controlled movements and deep breathing, is gaining popularity for its numerous physical and mental health benefits. Tai chi improves balance, boosts mood, reduces stress, and even contributes to a healthier heart and brain.

The Rise of Tai Chi Fitness Apps

Tai chi is not just found in group classes or peaceful park settings anymore. The digitization of fitness programs has paved the way for a new trend - tai chi apps. These apps enable anyone, anywhere, to learn and practice tai chi at their convenience. Regardless of whether you're a beginner or an experienced practitioner, tai chi apps provide easy-to-follow instructions, personalized routines, and progress tracking features, making your tai chi journey more accessible and enjoyable.

Do tai chi really work in sports and fitness ?

Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese exercise, has been shown to have significant impacts on both physical and cognitive functions, making it an essential part of sports and fitness routines. An fNIRS study has demonstrated that Tai Chi standing meditation improves prefrontal cortical hemodynamics and enhances functional network organization in the brain, which may potentially improve concentration and mental agility in athletes (1). Additionally, long-term Tai Chi practice in older adults is associated with younger functional abilities, indicating its effectiveness in enhancing physical performance and delaying the aging process, which is beneficial for maintaining physical fitness and prolonging sports careers (2). Moreover, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials have confirmed the positive effects of this traditional Chinese exercise on sleep quality (3). Improved sleep quality is crucial for optimal athletic performance and recovery, thus integrating Tai Chi into sports and fitness routines could be beneficial for athletes.

A quick look at the top tai chi apps

Most downloaded tai chi app: Tai Chi Chuan
Top rated tai chi app: Tai Chi Chuan
The tai chi app with most ratings count: Tai Chi Chuan

AndroidFitness's picks for the best tai chi workout apps for Android

Following is our list of the best tai chi apps for Android. Trusted developers like YMAA and AnthonyHow are known to create software that in theory will improve training and exercises routines. After extensive testing we've concluded that the best apps include Chen Tai Chi Forms Tai Chi Chuan Tai Chi Fit FLOW . To explore even futher, check our selection of the best martial arts Android apps.

1 Chen Tai Chi Forms

Chen Tai Chi Forms with Master Chenhan (YMAA)

The Chen Tai Chi Forms app for Android is a comprehensive guide to learning traditional Chen-style Tai Chi. The app offers step-by-step lessons taught by Master Chenhan, allowing users to stream or download the complete form lessons. The app includes the first three forms of Chen Tai Chi, starting with the First Form, Lao Jia Yi Lu. Each form can be purchased separately within the app, allowing users to progress at their own pace. The app provides detailed instructions and demonstrations for each movement, helping users understand the purpose behind them. Chen-style Tai Chi is a low-impact whole-body exercise suitable for all fitness levels, and practicing it can improve circulation, vitality, and mental alertness. By paying attention to the feeling within the movements, users can appreciate the profound essence of Tai Chi.

2 Tai Chi Chuan

Learn Tai Chi Chuan easily with video for free

The Tai Chi Chuan app for Android is a martial art app that offers both defense techniques and health benefits. It includes gentle physical exercise and stretching, which combines meditation and exercise. The app is suitable for all ages and offers gentle exercise that helps with weight loss, better sleep through moving meditation, improved balance to prevent falls for seniors, and enhanced breathing that has a positive impact on asthma. The app also provides tutorial videos for learning the full 24 form Tai Chi Chuan, breakdowns of each form for easy learning, and tips and video demonstrations for each form. Additionally, it offers new 3D interactive video forms in 360 degrees for a more immersive learning experience.

3 Tai Chi Fit FLOW

Tai Chi Fit FLOW Workout with David-Dorian Ross (YMAA).

Tai Chi Fit FLOW is an Android app that lets you stream or download Tai Chi video lessons. It has a small file size and offers free sample videos. With a single in-app purchase, you can unlock all the content. The app features mirror-view tai chi moves, which are low-impact exercises for the whole body. It is beginner-friendly and provides a follow-along workout. The emphasis is on continuity, connection, and the feeling of flow. This app is suitable for beginners who want to experience tai chi for the first time, as well as seniors and people with medical conditions like Parkinson’s, fibromyalgia, or diabetes. It is also useful for experienced tai chi practitioners to practice movements and continuity. The exercises in this app offer relaxation, full-body exercise, reduced stress, a stronger immune system, and improved breath and body coordination. Tai Chi, also known as Taiji, is an internal-style Chinese martial art that has a long history and can be traced back to various origins.

4 Tai Chi at Home

Improve your fitness, balance and strength with tai chi and qigong

The Tai Chi at Home app for Android helps you improve your fitness, balance, and strength with tai chi and qigong. It offers easy-to-follow lessons that guide you through these ancient arts in a modern way. Tai chi is suitable for all ages and fitness levels, and it's recognized by the NHS as a way to reduce stress, improve posture, balance, and mobility, and increase muscle strength in the legs. The app allows you to enjoy unlimited streaming of lessons on your mobile, tablet, laptop, or TV, all from the same account. Mark Stevenson, with decades of experience in tai chi, qigong, and shibashi, shares his knowledge through professionally filmed lessons that you can learn at your own pace. There are various things you can learn, including all 66 moves of the White Crane Tai Chi form, ancient qigong forms, tai chi exercises for the office, standing meditation, footwork exercises, qigong meditation, an introduction to Shibashi, and more. New lessons are added every month, ensuring there's always something new to learn.

5 Tai Chi Fit STRENGTH

Tai Chi Fit STRENGTH Workout with David-Dorian Ross (YMAA).

The Tai Chi Fit STRENGTH app for Android is updated for Android OS 11. You can stream or download Tai Chi Fit video lessons with David-Dorian Ross. The app has a small file size and offers free sample videos. With a single in-app purchase, you can unlock all the content. The app features flowing tai chi, qigong, and yoga moves. There's a mirror-view workout for beginners, so you can easily follow along without needing to memorize anything. Master-Teacher David-Dorian Ross guides you through an invigorating STRENGTH workout that combines empty-hand and weighted tai chi ball movements. This routine strengthens your entire body, increases bone density, and improves cardiovascular performance. The workout also improves energy circulation and physical endurance. It's great for low-impact, whole-body exercise, especially for those with back pain or in need of core-strengthening. The app gradually rebuilds the health of your muscles, joints, and spine while helping you relax deeply. It offers a combination of relaxation and full-body exercise, reducing stress, boosting the immune system, and improving breath and body coordination. Tai Chi, also known as Taiji, is an internal-style Chinese martial art that can be traced back to ancient traditions. Practicing Tai Chi slowly for health is a form of Qigong, which means energy-work.

6 Tai Chi Ball Beginner

Perfect Tai Chi Ball for Beginners streaming video lessons (YMAA).

The Tai Chi Ball Beginner app for Android has been updated for Android OS 11. With this app, you can stream or download video lessons taught by master-teacher David-Dorian Ross. Tai Chi Ball is a fantastic exercise that improves your overall health. With just 20 minutes a day, you can enhance your circulation, balance, and more. David-Dorian Ross guides you through a series of easy-to-follow routines. The app includes three workouts: Workout 1 teaches you a short bare hand Tai Chi sequence, Workout 2 introduces lightweight Starter Tai Chi Balls to add resistance and strength, and Workout 3 offers a challenge with a larger Tai Chi Ball. The app helps strengthen your entire body and you can feel stronger with repeated practice. It's a great way to improve your health and fitness.

7 Tai Chi Qigong (YMAA)

Perfect Tai Chi Qigong for Beginners streaming video demonstration by Dr. Yang.

The Tai Chi Qigong (YMAA) app for Android is an updated video streaming app that offers demonstrations by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming on various Tai Chi Qigong exercises. The app includes Tai Chi stretching, warm-up exercises, standing still meditation, and different sets of stationary and walking Tai Chi Qigong. With a single in-app purchase, users can access the full-length video. These movements help loosen joints, warm muscles, stimulate energy flow, and improve concentration, making it ideal for preparing for Tai Chi practice. Tai Chi Qigong is an ancient Chinese exercise that enhances body strength, flexibility, vitality, and relaxation. Regular practice also accelerates the health benefits of Tai Chi, such as reduced stress, a stronger immune system, and improved breath and body coordination. Compatible with any style of Tai Chi Chuan, this app is a valuable resource for energizing the body and deepening understanding of practice and health.

8 Tai Chi for Women (YMAA)

Perfect Tai Chi for Beginners streaming video lessons (YMAA).

The Tai Chi for Women (YMAA) app for Android is a beginner-friendly workout designed specifically for women's health issues. It offers easy-to-follow instructions by Master Helen Liang, with the option to stream or download the workouts. The app includes mirror view demonstrations from different angles, such as side to side and front and rear view. It focuses on healing and preventing common ailments, helping women stay healthy, flexible, and youthful at any age. The low-impact moves of tai chi stimulate circulation and cardiovascular health, relieve arthritis, and promote calmness and relaxation through gentle stretching and deep breathing. The app features different chapters, including an introduction, warm-up exercises, energy exercises, tai chi stepping exercises, tai chi form instruction, and more. The form is based on traditional Yang-style Tai Chi movements rooted in ancient Chinese martial arts. Overall, this app empowers women to lead a healthier and more balanced life.

9 Tai Chi Fit OVER 50

Tai Chi Fit OVER 50 Workout with David-Dorian Ross (YMAA).

The Tai Chi Fit OVER 50 app is a popular Tai Chi video that you can stream or download. It's great for beginners and people over 50. The app offers mirror-view beginner Tai Chi moves that you can do sitting or standing. You don't need any experience, just follow along with the workout. The app is perfect for seniors or those with limited mobility. It combines Tai Chi moves and energizing qigong exercises for a gentle, whole-body workout. Tai Chi has many health benefits, including improved mobility, balance, strength, and flexibility. It also helps reduce stress and improves breathing and body coordination. Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art that is practiced slowly for health purposes. Qigong, which means energy-work, is a type of Tai Chi. The app is updated for Android OS 11 and offers free sample videos with a single in-app purchase to unlock the full-length 30 minute workout.

10 Tai Chi Sword for Beginners (YMAA)

Perfect Tai Chi Sword Yang 54 Form video lesson for beginners by Master Yang.

The Tai Chi Sword for Beginners app is designed to teach users the art of Tai Chi Sword step-by-step. The app includes free sample videos and a full-length program that can be unlocked with an in-app purchase. The main features of the app include a complete 54-posture tai chi sword form, tai chi sword qigong, and seldom-taught sword applications. Tai chi chuan is a type of moving meditation rooted in Chinese martial arts, and the tai chi sword is considered the highest achievement in tai chi training. Master Yang, Jwing-Ming, teaches the 54-form with front and rear views, and Nicholas Yang demonstrates the rarely-taught Sword Qigong form. Regular practice with the app can help improve body strength, mental sharpness, and overall well-being. The app is updated for the latest Android OS.

App Comparison

Here's a table of how our top 10 app picks compare:

Product	Free to use ?	Cost	Main Features
Chen Tai Chi Forms	Yes	In App: $9.99 per item	• Learn the form step by step, and understand the purpose of each movement. • Enjoy low-impact whole-body exercise, good for all fitness levels. • Master the popular 74-posture First Form for demonstrations and tournaments. • Master the powerful Cannon Fist 43-posture form for demonstrations and tournaments.
Tai Chi Chuan	Yes	In App: $3.49 per item	• Gentle exercise - Suitable for all age • Lose weight - Exercise would burn calories and fat • Better sleep - Through moving Meditation • Balance - Help balancing your body, less fall for senior
Tai Chi Fit FLOW	Yes	In App: $9.99 per item	• Mirror-view tai chi moves to the left and right. • Low-impact, whole body exercise. • A beginner-friendly follow-along workout.
Tai Chi at Home	Yes	In App: $12.99 - $79.99 per item	Improve your fitness, balance and strength with tai chi and qigong
Tai Chi Fit STRENGTH	Yes	In App: $9.99 per item	• Flowing tai chi, qigong and yoga moves. • A mirror-view workout for beginners. • Nothing to memorize; just follow along.
Tai Chi Ball Beginner	Yes	In App: $9.99 per item	• Follow along with three effective 15–20 minute Tai Chi Ball workouts. • Learn a basic Tai Chi sequence. • Feel stronger with repeated practice.
Tai Chi Qigong (YMAA)	Yes	In App: $9.99 per item	• Tai Chi Stretching • Tai Chi Warm Up Exercises • Standing Still Tai Chi Meditation • Stationary Tai Chi Qigong: Primary, Coiling, and Rocking Sets
Tai Chi for Women (YMAA)	Yes	In App: $9.99 per item	• Easy-to-follow step-by-step instruction, streaming or download • Mirror view demonstrations from side to side, front and rear view • Effective ways to heal and prevent the most common ailments • Introduction
Tai Chi Fit OVER 50	Yes	In App: $9.99 per item	• Mirror-view beginner tai chi moves to the left and right. • Low-impact, whole body exercise done sitting or standing. • No experience needed; beginner-friendly follow-along workout.
Tai Chi Sword for Beginners (YMAA)	Yes	In App: $9.99 per item	• Complete 54-posture tai chi sword form • Tai chi sword qigong • Seldom-taught sword applications

Why using Tai Chi Apps

The adoption of tai chi apps by the fitness community is not by chance. These apps offer the convenience of not having to adhere to a class schedule or travel to a gym - tai chi can be practiced right at home. They also provide a wealth of knowledge, with numerous routines and postures to learn and master. Lastly, these apps can cater to all fitness levels, breaking down complex movements into simple, step-by-step instructions for beginners, while offering advanced routines for the more experienced.

Tai Chi Apps and the Future of Fitness

In summary, tai chi and fitness apps are bringing the best of both worlds together. The benefits of tai chi, coupled with the convenience and accessibility of digital apps, are helping to shape the future of fitness. Embracing these tools allows everyone to reap the benefits of a time-tested, holistic exercise without barriers - all in the palm of their hand.

NOTE: Every app's APK file is manually reviewed by the AndroidFitness team before being posted to the site.