Online personal training has revolutionized the fitness industry, offering a flexible, cost-effective, and highly personalized approach to achieving fitness goals. Unlike traditional in-person training, online personal training allows clients to work out on their own schedule, from any location, and often at a fraction of the cost. This method leverages digital platforms to provide customized workout plans, nutritional guidance, and ongoing support, making it accessible to a broader audience.
Whether you’re looking to lose weight, build muscle, or improve overall fitness, online personal trainers can offer the expertise and motivation needed to succeed.
In this article, we will explore the 7 best online personal trainers, highlighting their unique features, benefits, and what sets them apart in the crowded digital fitness landscape.
1. Virtual Personal Training
VirtualPersonalTraining.org offers online personal training with Samuel Parker. Samuel is an ISSA certified personal trainer based in Atlanta, offering comprehensive online personal training services through Virtual Personal Training. With over a decade of experience in the fitness industry, Samuel specializes in hypertrophy, muscle growth, cardiovascular endurance training, and HIIT. His online personal training program is designed to cater to individuals of all ages and fitness levels, providing personalized workout plans, nutritional guidance, and continuous support to help clients achieve their fitness goals. Samuel’s approach is holistic, focusing not only on physical fitness but also on building healthy habits and mental resilience.
Pros
- Personalized Plans: Samuel offers customized workout plans tailored to individual goals, whether for home, gym, or both. This ensures that each client receives a program that fits their specific needs and lifestyle.
- Nutritional Guidance: Alongside workout plans, Samuel provides detailed nutritional advice to complement the physical training, helping clients achieve a balanced and effective fitness regimen.
- Continuous Support: Clients have 24/7 access to Samuel through WhatsApp, along with weekly email check-ins and optional bi-weekly Zoom or phone calls. This level of support helps maintain motivation and accountability.
Cons
- Cost: The pricing for Samuel’s services ranges from $400 to $1,200, which may be considered high for some potential clients. This could be a barrier for those on a tighter budget.
- Virtual Limitations: While Samuel provides comprehensive virtual support, some clients might miss the hands-on guidance and immediate feedback that in-person training offers. This could be a drawback for individuals who prefer face-to-face interaction.
- Commitment Required: Achieving significant results requires a high level of commitment and consistency from clients. Those who struggle with self-discipline might find it challenging to stick to the program without the physical presence of a trainer.
Price
Samuel Parker’s online personal training services are priced as follows:
- 1-Month Plan: $400 for 4 sessions, each lasting 60 minutes.
- 2-Month Plan: $800 for 8 sessions, each lasting 60 minutes.
- 3-Month Plan: $1,200 for 12 sessions, each lasting 60 minutes.
2. Future
Future is a virtual personal training app that offers a highly personalized fitness experience. Launched in 2019, the app pairs users with certified fitness coaches who create customized workout plans based on individual fitness levels, goals, and available equipment. The app integrates seamlessly with Apple devices, particularly the Apple Watch, to track performance metrics and provide real-time feedback. Users communicate with their trainers through video calls, messages, and shared workout videos, ensuring continuous motivation and accountability.
Pros
- Personalized Training: Each user is matched with a certified coach who tailors workout plans to their specific needs and goals.
- Accountability: Trainers check in regularly via messages and video calls, providing motivation and feedback.
- Flexibility: Workouts can be adjusted based on the user’s schedule, location, and available equipment, making it suitable for home gyms or while traveling.
- Integration with Apple Watch: The app uses data from the Apple Watch to monitor performance metrics like heart rate and calories burned, allowing trainers to make real-time adjustments.
- High-Quality Coaches: Future employs highly qualified trainers, some with experience in top training facilities and professional sports teams.
Cons
- Cost: At $199 per month, Future is more expensive than many other fitness apps, though it offers a discount to $149 per month with an annual commitment.
- No Real-Time Coaching: While trainers provide feedback and motivation, there is no live coaching during workouts.
- Equipment Requirement: Users need access to their own exercise equipment, which may limit the app’s utility for those without a home gym or gym membership.
- Platform Limitation: The app is primarily designed for iOS devices, limiting accessibility for Android users.
Price
- Monthly Membership: $199 per month
- Annual Membership: $149 per month (with a yearly commitment)
3. Down Dog
Down Dog is a yoga-focused fitness app that offers a highly customizable yoga practice experience. The app provides over 60,000 possible configurations, allowing users to select the type of yoga, session length, instructor voice, music, and focus areas. It is designed to cater to all levels of yoga practitioners, from beginners to advanced users. Down Dog also includes additional fitness options like HIIT, meditation, and barre, making it a versatile choice for various workout preferences.
Pros
- Customization: Users can personalize their yoga sessions by choosing from various styles, session lengths, music genres, and instructor voices.
- Affordability: At $9.99 per month or $59.99 per year, Down Dog is significantly cheaper than many other fitness apps.
- Variety: The app offers a wide range of yoga styles, including Vinyasa, Hatha, Ashtanga, and more, ensuring that users can find a practice that suits their needs.
- Offline Access: Classes can be downloaded for offline use, making it convenient for users to practice yoga anywhere.
- Beginner-Friendly: The app includes beginner levels and clear instructions, making it accessible for those new to yoga.
Cons
- Lack of Accountability: Unlike apps with personal trainers, Down Dog does not offer features for accountability or progress tracking.
- No Live Classes: The app does not provide live online yoga classes, which may be a drawback for users seeking real-time interaction.
- Limited Free Version: The free version of the app has limited access, requiring a subscription for full functionality.
Price
- Monthly Membership: $9.99 per month
- Annual Membership: $59.99 per year
4. Caliber Fitness
Caliber Fitness is an online personal training app that offers personalized fitness and nutrition coaching. The app pairs users with certified personal trainers who create customized workout and nutrition plans based on individual goals, available equipment, and fitness levels. Caliber focuses primarily on strength training and progressive overload, which is a highly effective method for muscle growth and progression. The app is available on both iOS and Android platforms and includes features such as chat and video call capabilities for constant communication with your trainer.
Pros
- Personalized Training: Caliber provides one-on-one coaching with certified trainers who tailor workout and nutrition plans to your specific needs and goals.
- Accountability: The app includes features like weekly check-ins, progress tracking, and video demonstrations to ensure proper form and consistent progress.
- Flexibility: Workouts can be done at home or in a gym, and the app adjusts plans based on the equipment you have available.
- Comprehensive Support: In addition to fitness training, Caliber offers nutrition coaching to help you meet your dietary goals.
Cons
- Cost: Caliber is one of the more expensive options, with the premium one-on-one coaching plan starting at $200 per month.
- Limited Wearable Compatibility: The app currently only syncs with Apple Watch, which may be inconvenient for users with other fitness trackers.
- No In-Person Support: As an online service, it lacks the immediate, real-time feedback that in-person trainers can provide.
Price
- Free Version: Access to a library of basic strength training and cardio workouts.
- Pro Version: Group coaching for around $19 per month.
- Premium Version: One-on-one coaching starting at $200 per month, with additional packages that include more frequent video calls available at higher prices.
5. CoPilot Fitness
CoPilot Fitness is an app-based personal training service that offers tailored workout plans and nutrition coaching. Users are paired with certified trainers who provide step-by-step guidance and live feedback on exercise form and pacing. The app is designed to be flexible, allowing users to work out at home or in the gym, and it includes features like video demonstrations and consistent communication through messaging and video calls.
Pros
- Affordable: CoPilot is one of the more cost-effective options for online personal training, with plans starting at $99 per month.
- Personalized Plans: Trainers continuously adapt workouts to fit your goals, schedule, and any injuries you may have.
- Live Feedback: The app provides real-time feedback on your form and pacing, which is particularly useful for beginners.
- Comprehensive Approach: CoPilot combines fitness training with nutrition coaching and habit-building to support overall health and wellness.
Cons
- No Online Community: Unlike some other fitness apps, CoPilot lacks a community feature for additional support and accountability outside of your coach.
- Limited Nutrition Guidance: While trainers can help with meal planning, they are not registered dietitians and cannot provide medical nutrition advice.
- Potential for Technical Issues: Some users have reported initial bugs in the app, although these seem to have been resolved over time.
Price
- Monthly Subscription: $99 per month for personalized training and nutrition coaching.
- No Free Version: Unlike some other apps, CoPilot does not offer a free tier, although it is still relatively affordable compared to in-person training.
6. iFIT
iFIT is a comprehensive fitness app that offers a wide range of on-demand and live workout classes. It is particularly known for its integration with various exercise equipment brands like NordicTrack and ProForm, allowing for an immersive and interactive workout experience. The app features over 16,000 classes, including cardio, strength training, yoga, and more, filmed in stunning locations around the world. iFIT also provides personalized training plans and tracks user progress through advanced metrics.
Pros
- Variety of Workouts: iFIT offers a vast library of over 16,000 classes, covering a wide range of workout types such as HIIT, running, cycling, rowing, strength training, yoga, and Pilates.
- Immersive Experience: The app provides an immersive training experience with classes filmed in various global locations, making workouts more engaging.
- Integration with Equipment: iFIT syncs with popular exercise equipment brands like NordicTrack and ProForm, allowing for automatic adjustments to speed, incline, and resistance during workouts.
- Quality Instructors: The app features world-class trainers who provide expert guidance and motivation throughout the workouts.
- Community Features: iFIT includes challenge groups, leaderboards, and monthly fitness challenges to keep users motivated and engaged.
Cons
- Price: iFIT can be considered pricey, especially for the family membership plan, which costs $39 per month.
- Technical Issues: Some users have reported occasional glitches with the app, which can disrupt the workout experience.
- Customer Service: There have been complaints about poor customer service and difficulties with upgrades.
- No Live Classes: The app discontinued its live studio-style classes in 2022, which may be a drawback for users who prefer real-time interaction.
Price
- Individual Plan: $15 per month or $180 per year.
- Family Plan: $39 per month or $396 per year, which includes up to five separate accounts.
- Free Trial: 30 days.
7. Aaptiv
Aaptiv is an audio-based fitness app that offers a wide range of workout classes, including strength training, running, yoga, meditation, and more. The app is designed to provide a personal trainer experience through audio coaching, making it ideal for users who prefer not to look at a screen during their workouts. Aaptiv also features a SmartCoach AI that creates personalized workout plans based on user preferences and fitness goals.
Pros
- Audio-Based Workouts: Aaptiv’s audio-centric format allows users to focus on their workouts without needing to watch a screen, making it convenient for various settings.
- Personalized Plans: The SmartCoach feature uses AI to create customized workout plans tailored to individual fitness levels and goals.
- Variety of Workouts: The app offers thousands of classes across different workout types, including running, strength training, yoga, and more.
- Motivating Trainers: Aaptiv’s trainers provide clear instructions and motivational cues, helping users stay engaged and push through their workouts.
- Community Features: The app includes social features like team challenges, stat tracking, and unlockable badges to keep users motivated.
Cons
- Lack of Visual Demonstrations: Aaptiv’s audio-only format may not be suitable for visual learners who prefer to see exercise demonstrations.
- Technical Issues on Android: Some users have reported technical issues, particularly on Android devices.
- Not Ideal for Beginners: The lack of visual guidance and modifications may make it challenging for beginners to follow along with certain workouts.
Price
- Monthly Subscription: $14.99 per month.
- Annual Subscription: $99.99 per year, which reduces the monthly cost to approximately $8.33.
- Free Trial: 7-day trial with the annual subscription plan, and a 30-day free trial is available through certain promotions.