You Can’t See Your Phone From Plank Position
Following a workout video on your phone while you’re face-down on a yoga mat is an exercise in frustration. The screen is tiny. You can’t read it from across the room. You pause, crawl over, squint, get back down — and by then the rest interval is over.
A 10-inch (25 cm) tablet on a shelf, propped against the wall, is visible from anywhere in the room. That’s the whole pitch. Bigger screen, better workout. Works with any old iPad or Android tablet.
The Setup
- Download your workout apps (see below)
- Put the tablet on a shelf, stand, or propped against the wall at eye level
- Connect to a Bluetooth speaker if you want better audio
- Start the workout
That’s the whole setup. The tablet’s bigger screen is the feature — everything else is just app selection.
Best Workout Apps for Old Tablets
YouTube (Free — iPad & Android)
The single best source of home workout content. Thousands of free workout videos, every type and difficulty:
- Yoga with Adriene — the most popular yoga channel, beginner-friendly
- POPSUGAR Fitness — full-body workouts, dance, HIIT
- Fitness Blender — no-equipment home workouts, huge variety
- Blogilates — Pilates-focused, fun and energetic
- Jeff Nippard / Athlean-X — strength training, form-focused
YouTube Premium ($14/month) lets you save videos offline and skip ads mid-workout (nothing kills momentum like a 30-second ad during a plank hold). On Android, YouTube Vanced alternatives exist for ad-free viewing.
Nike Training Club (Free — iPad & Android)
Completely free, no premium tier. Hundreds of workouts from 5-45 minutes: strength, endurance, mobility, yoga. Video-guided with clear form demonstrations. Works well on older tablets.
Peloton App ($13/month — iPad & Android)
You don’t need a Peloton bike to use the Peloton app. It includes guided workouts: strength, yoga, cardio, meditation, stretching. The production quality is high and the instructors are genuinely good.
Down Dog (Free / $10/month — iPad & Android)
Generates a unique yoga sequence every time. You pick the type (Vinyasa, Hatha, Restorative), duration, difficulty, and focus area. The tablet screen shows each pose clearly with a timer.
Samsung Health (Free — Android)
If your old tablet is a Samsung Galaxy Tab, Samsung Health comes pre-installed with guided workouts, step tracking, and exercise programs. No subscription needed.
Apple Fitness+ ($10/month, iPad)
Apple’s workout subscription service. High-quality video workouts across every category. Integrates with Apple Watch for heart rate display on-screen. Requires a relatively recent iPad (iOS 16+).
Setting Up the Space
Screen Positioning
The tablet needs to be at eye level for the workout you’re doing:
- Standing workouts (HIIT, dance, strength): Put the tablet on a shelf or mount at standing eye level — about 60 inches (150 cm) from the floor
- Floor workouts (yoga, Pilates, stretching): Put the tablet on the floor, propped against a wall, or on a low shelf. You need to see it from lying and seated positions — about 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) from the floor
- Mixed workouts: A shelf at about 36 inches (90 cm) splits the difference
A simple tablet stand ($12) on a shelf works for most setups. If you have wall space, a flush-mount bracket at the right height gives you a clean, permanent workout display. See our guide to tablet mounts and stands for options.
Audio
The tablet’s built-in speakers are adequate for quiet workouts (yoga, stretching). For anything with music or energetic instruction, connect a Bluetooth speaker. A JBL Flip or Anker Soundcore on the floor near the tablet gives you room-filling sound.
Using It Outdoors
If you work out on the patio, in the garage, or in the backyard, the old tablet goes anywhere your phone goes — but with a screen you can actually see:
- Prop it on a patio table for outdoor yoga
- Put it on a shelf in the garage for strength training
- Bring it poolside for stretching
Sunlight readability: Old tablets are harder to see in direct sunlight than newer models. Position the screen in shade or increase brightness to max. Android tablets tend to get dimmer with age — a shade spot helps a lot.
As a Timer and Rep Counter
If you don’t follow videos but do your own workouts, the tablet is a great interval timer:
- Tabata Timer (free, both platforms) — customizable intervals for HIIT
- Seconds (free with premium, both platforms) — interval timer with voice announcements so you don’t have to look at the screen
- Strong (free with premium, both platforms) — workout logger with rest timers
The bigger screen means you can see the timer from across the room during a set. No squinting at a watch.
Quick Checklist
- Download YouTube and/or a workout app
- Put the tablet on a shelf at the right height for your workout style
- Connect a Bluetooth speaker (optional)
- Queue up a workout
- Press play and follow along
Free workout screen. No squinting. Your phone stays in your pocket. That’s it.
