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The best workouts are the ones you show up for consistently. Between work, family, and having a social life, it can be hard to find time to hit the gym. Personal training is a great way to get the guidance, accountability, and motivation you need, especially if you’re a beginner or have specific fitness goals. While in-person personal training can be expensive, online personal training is often easier on your wallet. Plus, it’s more flexible—you can fit your workouts in whenever and wherever makes sense for you. Our experts spent countless hours testing more than 60 online personal training programs so you can find the right fit for your budget, fitness level, personal goals, and desired level of support.
Our Picks for the Best Online Personal Trainers in 2024
- Best Online Personal Trainer For Beginners: Caliber
- Best Online Personal Trainer for Muscle Building: Future
- Best Online Personal Trainer for Running: Joggo
- Best Online Personal Trainer for Variety: iFIT
- Best Wearable Online Personal Trainer: Whoop
- Best Online Personal Trainer for Weight Loss: Noom
- Best Online Personal Trainer for Overall Wellness: Centr
- Best Live Online Personal Trainer: FlexIt
To learn what most users need from online personal trainers, we consulted Maurice Williams, C.P.T., assistant professor of kinesiology at Freed Hardeman University, and Emily Booth, C.P.T., member of the N.A.S.M. Scientific Advisory Board.
Best Online Personal Trainer For Beginners: Caliber
Men's Journal
At a Glance
- Price: Free basic version. Caliber Plus is $12/month or $72/year. Caliber Pro starts at $200/month for a three-month subscription
- Functions: Video coaching, weekly lessons, macronutrient tracking, nutrition coaching
- Available For: iOS and Android
- Equipment Needed: Your coach will plan workouts around the equipment you have access to
- Workouts Offered: Strength training and cardio
If you need help starting your fitness journey, check out Caliber. Caliber provides a comprehensive, science-based training program incorporating exercise and nutrition to help you form sustainable, healthy habits for long-term success. “It’s evident that Caliber seeks to identify a variety of critical elements to customize a plan for each user’s goals, lifestyle, and equipment availability,” says Booth.
I tested the free version of Caliber and designed a week’s worth of training for myself. After answering a few basic questions about the equipment I had, the number of days I wanted to train, and the amount of time I had to exercise each day, the app generated my four-day workout split: Legs, chest and triceps, back and biceps, and shoulders and abs. My leg workout consisted of four movements: the barbell squat, barbell Romanian deadlifts, dumbbell lunges, and seated leg press. As a certified personal trainer, I appreciated this simple yet effective workout. Each exercise includes a detailed description and video demonstration of proper form, which is beneficial if you’re new to resistance training.
Caliber also has two paid plans: Caliber Plus and Caliber Premium. For $12/month, Caliber Plus offers custom weekly workouts, as well as other tools like a workout library, calorie and macro tracking, and more. Caliber Premium provides the most customized support with one-on-one guidance from a virtual personal trainer. However, it’s also significantly more expensive. The three-month program starts at $200/month. Cory Kessler, C.P.T., C.N.C., tested Caliber Premium and was impressed by the workout guides and how much feedback he got from his coach. “I’ve tried a lot of apps, and the tutorials on Caliber are the most in-depth I’ve seen,” says Kessler. “The coaches strike a great balance of accountability and encouragement. Coaches are available for questions and can watch videos of your form to give you pointers.”
Caliber’s free version offers non-customized workout programs and nutrition plans better suited to users with more fitness experience who need less guidance. One downside noted by testers is the app’s interface, which is slightly clunky but still fairly intuitive.
Related Post: The Best Workout Apps for Beginners
Pros
- Connect with a responsive coach
- Thorough movement videos for each exercise
- A free (but less comprehensive) version of this app is available
- Options for personalized, one-on-one training
Cons
- The app asks for daily weigh-ins and weekly progress pictures, which may be triggering for some
- One-on-one coaching only available with premium plan ($200/month)
Best Online Personal Trainer for Muscle Building: Future
Men's Journal
At a Glance
- Price: $199/month for monthly plan; $149/month for annual plan
- Functions: Personalized workouts, daily check-ins, rep counting
- Available For: iOS and Android
- Equipment Needed: Your coach will design workouts around equipment you already have. Apple Watch or any watch that supports Android WearOS 3.0 or above.
- Workouts Offered: Strength and cardio
Future matches you with your own fitness coach for completely personalized training. The fitness app is a great choice to gain muscle and build strength because your coach will design a workout plan tailored to your specific goals and the equipment you have. To get started, users complete an intake questionnaire. Future recommends a trainer based on your answers, or you can select your own coach. (If you decide your trainer isn’t the right fit, you can swap coaches at any time.) Your coach will schedule a video call to discuss your fitness goals, ideal workout routine, and personal preferences and then design your workout plan. “I told my coach I like to hit the gym four times a week, so he built me a four-day program alternating between upper and lower body workouts, each twice a week. He also included warmups, which I mentioned was important to me,” says tester Scott Richardson, who used Future for one month. “I’ve tested lots of fitness apps, and Future has the most comprehensive workouts.”
Press play on your workout for the day, and the app walks you through each exercise rep by rep, including videos on how to complete the movements and tips for getting the most out of each set. You can film yourself completing a move and send it to your coach for form analysis or input on weight adjustment. While your coach won’t provide real-time feedback, they typically respond to questions within 24 hours. Coaches are also there for motivation. “I sent my coach a video of one of my single-arm cable row sets so he could check my form. I appreciated his guidance,” says Richardson. “The coaches hold you accountable to the training program. They can message you at any time to check in and help you stay on track.”
Williams gives Future a stamp of approval for its ease of use. “The app is clean and inviting, and the setup process only takes a few minutes,” says Williams. While Richardson says his overall experience using Future is positive, he didn’t love that he waited almost a week between signing up for the program and his initial call with his coach. “I burned the first nine days of my trial just waiting to get started,” says Richardson.
Related Post: The Best Weightlifting Apps
Pros
- Quality coaching, individualized training program, and helpful feedback, including video check-ins and form guidance
- No equipment requirements
- Tons of online fitness coaches to choose from, each with different training specialties
Cons
- Smartwatch required
- Android users report the app freezes and can be buggy
- No real-time form correction, you’ll have to send a video to a trainer and get feedback at a later time
Best Online Personal Trainer for Running: Joggo
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At a Glance
- Price: $33/one month, $46/three months, $66/six months, and optional strength training for $2/week
- Functions: GPS tracking and audio guidance for your runs, optional nutrition plans
- Available For: iOS, Andriod
- Equipment Needed: Running shoes
- Workouts Offered: Running and strength training
Running with the Joggo app playing in your headphones is like having a personal trainer alongside you. While you run, a pre-recorded coach guides you from warm-up to cool-down, providing encouragement and cues. “I often run too fast to sustain my speed for the entire workout, so I like the reminders to slow down (or in some cases speed up),” says tester Grant Smith. “I also found the breathing techniques helpful.”
After an initial survey to ascertain your starting point, Joggo creates your custom workout plan with runs two to four times a week and plenty of rest days. “As a newer runner, those first few workouts were pretty challenging, but eventually, the program felt more tailored to my running level,” Smith says. The app displays a chart of your pace and distance metrics to see your improvements over time.
Another feature that sets Joggo apart from other running apps is its nutrition coaching. Joggo offers grocery lists, healthy recipes, and snack ideas. “This is probably my favorite feature of the app,” says tester Rachel Pasche, an avid runner. “Not only does Joggo offer ideas for pre-and post-workout meals, but it also gives you a grocery list for those recipes, making food shopping a breeze.”
Joggo’s subscription price varies based on the number of months you purchase, which is convenient. For example, if you are using the app to train for a 5k, you can choose a subscription to match the length of your training period. While Joggo pairs with an Apple Watch, it does not sync with any other smartwatches or apps.
Pros
- Step-by-step coaching in your headphones and GPS tracking as you run
- Run-specific nutrition coaching geared toward weight loss
- Tailors your running plan as your fitness level progresses
Cons
- All pre-recorded coaching, not personalized
- Not compatible with any smartwatches or wearables other than the Apple Watch
Best Online Personal Trainer for Variety: iFIT
iFIT
At a Glance
- Price: iFIT train $15/month, iFIT Pro $39/month
- Functions: Live events, studio classes, virtual global workouts, progressive series, challenges
- Available For: iOS, Google Play
- Equipment Needed: Optional Nordictrack or Proform connected treadmill, rower, exercise bike, cross-trainer, or home gym
- Workouts Offered: Running, strength training, yoga, cycling, HIIT
As the saying goes, variety is the spice of life. And adding variety to your exercise routine may help you achieve your fitness goals. Health experts say switching up the type of workout you do can prevent injury, help you push past plateaus, and avoid burnout. A recent study found that people who varied their workouts exercised more often. If you want to add variety to your routine, check out iFIT. It’s different than other apps we tested because it doesn’t offer one-on-one coaching or a personalized routine. Instead, the app gives users access to thousands of workouts across different categories led by motivational and engaging instructors. “My favorites are the global workouts,” says tester Taylor Rojek. “You follow your instructor on a run or walk through scenic places like the streets of Paris or beaches in Hawaii.”
With iFIT you can do a HIIT class on Monday, strength training on Tuesday, and yoga on Wednesday. The app also offers cycling, running, and rowing classes, live events, and training programs for different goals. “I like the progressive workouts, which incrementally get tougher over a series of weeks as your fitness level improves,” says Rojek. You can download iFIT on your smartphone or tablet or upgrade to the Pro membership to pair iFIT with your Proform or Nordictrack elliptical, treadmill, or home gym equipment. On compatible equipment, your speed and incline adjust automatically according to your instructors’ programmed workout.
Related Post: NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Review: Pros, Cons, Specs, and More
Pros
- Thousands of classes across different categories
- Live events, studio classes, and training programs add variety
- Can workout anywhere
Cons
- No personalized plan or one-on-one coaching
- Need access to fitness equipment to get the most out of your workout
Best Wearable Online Personal Trainer: Whoop
Men's Journal
At a Glance
- Price: $30/month, $240/year, $400/two-year subscription
- Functions: Tracks activity, sleep, strain, and recovery and provides suggestions for how users can improve their routine
- Available For: iOS, Google Play
- Equipment Needed: App and wearable
- Workouts Offered: n/a
The fitness tracker Whoop is unlike many other online personal trainers we tested. Rather than utilize a coach to design a personalized plan or give you feedback, Whoop uses your own metrics to help step up your fitness. The wearable logs your activity and offers suggestions on how to improve your training. “I like using a smartwatch to track my exercise and overall activity. Whoop 4.0 stands out because it logs my metrics and interprets them.” says tester Pete Gonzalez. “This helps me know when I can push myself or when I should dial it back.”
Most habit trackers keep tabs on your exercise and steps, but Whoop also monitors your sleep, strain, and recovery. The recovery score describes how rested your body is, and the strain score measures your heart rate increase over the day. This tells users how much rest their body needs or how much exercise they are ready for each day. “Whoop 4.0 helped me understand how my sleep, activity, and stress impact my fitness routine,” Gonzalez says. “With Whoop 4.0, I improved my sleep quality, increased recovery, and boosted my CrossFit performance.”
Whoop has a portable battery, so the device doesn’t need to be removed to charge. “I only took it off to shower,” says Gonzalez. There is no watch face on the wearable. All of your data is displayed in the Whoop app. If you prefer to watch your workout metrics or monitor your heart rate on your wrist, another smartwatch may be a better choice.
To learn more about this fitness tracker, read our in-depth Whoop Review.
Pros
- Tracks activity, sleep, strain, and recovery and interprets data
- Doesn’t have to be taken off to charge
- Comfortable, low-profile design
Cons
- No watch face or data screen
- No personalized workout plans or feedback from a coach
Best Online Personal Trainer for Weight Loss: Noom
Men's Journal
At a Glance
- Price: Varies by subscription length. A single-month subscription costs $70/month, and an annual auto-renew subscription costs $209/year
- Functions: The program encourages users to make healthy habits around nutrition and physical activity
- Available For: iOS, Google Play
- Equipment Needed: n/a
- Workouts Offered: App offers a few suggested workouts
While most of the online personal trainers we tested focus on fitness, Noom’s focus is nutrition. It’s our pick for the best online personal trainer for weight loss because the app educates users on how to make healthy changes for long-term, sustainable success. “I was a little skeptical when I started Noom,” says Kessler. “But it worked for me.”
To begin, you’ll take a questionnaire about your weight loss goals, eating and exercising habits, and more. From there, Noom provides an eating plan categorizing food by caloric density. “The color code system was my favorite part of the Noom experience because it let me see where I was eating too many calories and where I could adjust,” Kessler says. Using the app, you’ll log your meals, activity, and other metrics. Noom stands out from other weight loss apps because it incorporates daily lessons in behavioral science to help users improve their relationship with food. “The lessons are based in psychology and helped me understand my eating habits, partially around dieting and weight loss.” For even more support, Noom coaches are available via chat to answer questions and provide encouragement.
Check out our Noom review for more information on this popular weight loss program.
Pros
- Offers a holistic approach to weight loss, including nutrition, physical activity, and stress management
- Easy-to-use, color-coded food system simplifies dietary choices
- Coaches are available for personalized support and guidance
Cons
- Doesn’t offer specific meal plans
- Not recommended for anyone with a history of disordered eating
Best Online Personal Trainer for Overall Wellness: Centr
Courtesy Images
At a Glance
- Price: $30/month, $60/three months, or $110/year
- Functions: Workout plans, meal planning, mindfulness training, and progress tracking
- Available For: iOS and Android
- Equipment Needed: Many workouts don’t require any equipment, but others utilize a variety of gym equipment (you can filter the workout videos in the app by equipment need)
- Workouts Offered: HIIT, strength, cardio, yoga and Pilates, and more
Centr is our pick for the best online personal trainer app for overall wellness because it provides nutrition coaching, mindfulness practices, and exercise guidance all in one tool. “What makes Centr stand out from other apps I’ve tried is its balanced and holistic approach to fitness, whereas other programs focus on a specific goal,” says Kessler, who used Centr for two years.
Unlike Future and Caliber, Centr’s workouts aren’t designed specifically for users. Instead, the app offers pre-programmed plans for different goals, such as weight loss or building muscle. Each program includes workouts, a meal plan, and mindfulness exercises. Experts say weight loss is as much about diet and mindset as it is about working out. “There are at least 20 programs to choose from. The workouts in each program are assigned to a specific day of the week, making it easy to follow,” Kessler says.
If you’re looking for an online personal trainer to provide accountability on your fitness journey, Centr probably isn’t the app for you. However, if you’re looking for detailed guidelines and in-depth assistance with meal planning, Centr is a wealth of practical support and resources. “The nutrition component is my favorite part of Centr. I really like how the app focuses on healthy recipes and habits rather than restrictions,” says Kessler. “The app provides a full grocery list making it very convenient to shop, plus all the suggested meals were delicious.”
Related Post: The Best Health Apps
Pros
- At least 20 goal-oriented workout programs to choose from
- More than 4,000 on-demand workouts, including HIIT, Pilates, strength training, and more
- Mental health programming includes breathwork, meditation, and soundscapes
- Over 1,000 recipes in categories including vegetarian, under 30 minutes, high-protein, pre-workout, easy, freezable, and meal prep
Cons
- No personalized workouts, just pre-recorded videos organized into different categories and programs
- No direct interactions with any trainers or dietitians, etc
Best Live Online Personal Trainer: FlexIt
Men's Journal
At a Glance:
- Price: Ranges from $44-$84/session based on length of training session and number of sessions purchased
- Functions: Live, one-on-one training sessions with a personal trainer and/or nutritionist
- Available For: iOS, Android, and web access
- Equipment Needed: Trainers will incorporate what you have available
- Workouts Offered: Cardio, meditation, nutrition, yoga, and more
FlexIt brings one-on-one personal training right to your home via your phone, tablet, or computer. With FlexIt, users are paired with a personal trainer for live, guided workouts over video chat. The biggest difference between FlexIt and apps like Future or Caliber is that your trainer gives you real-time feedback. “As I was doing the ab portion of a circuit workout, I mentioned some lower back tension,” says tester Colleen Quigley. “My trainer, Chris, told me to stop immediately and guided me through a modification so I could safely and effectively complete the exercise.”
Like many of the apps on our list, FlexIt begins with a questionnaire about your current fitness level and goals. From there you can book your first session with the trainer best suited to your preferred workout style. FlexIt has a long, diverse list of specialists to coach you through cardio workouts, strength sessions, yoga classes, guided meditations, and more. Once you pick the trainer you’d like to work with, you’ll book a time slot in their calendar. “I wanted to try a new experience so I booked a 30-minute guided meditation with Sarah, a yoga instructor,” says tester Joana Neziri. “I’ve taken many yoga classes, but never online or in my own bedroom. I liked how private and personal this was, and I felt calmer during our session than I typically do during in-person yoga class.” In addition to personal training, FlexIt offers various four-week-long programs, including HIIT, bodyweight strength training, and dumbbell strength training. You can complete these workouts on your own, or meet virtually with your “Connected Training” coach, who will customize the program for you.
After your session, your trainer can message you through the app to check in and remind you to book your next appointment. You can choose to book recurring sessions or pick individual sessions with different trainers. FlexIt also offers coaching from registered nutritionists to help you reach your health goals. It has a monthly plan and a pay-as-you-go option. With both plans, the more sessions you book, the greater your discount per session.
Pros:
- Interact with a real personal trainer for the entirety of your online workout
- Book the same instructor if you like them, or try a bunch of different trainers
- Offers a variety of workouts from resistance training to yoga, as well as nutrition coaching
Cons:
- You might not be able to book the same instructor on a consistent schedule
What Is an Online Personal Trainer?
An online personal trainer is a fitness professional or program that provides personalized workout plans, guidance, and support through digital platforms such as websites, apps, emails, or video calls. “Online personal trainers help people achieve their fitness goals because they are built in the digital space where a lot of us spend our day,” says Williams. Online personal trainers offer tailored exercise routines, nutrition advice, and accountability to help clients achieve their fitness goals.
There are a few key differences between working with a personal trainer face-to-face versus online. There are many benefits to online personal training compared to in-person training, namely the savings in cost, convenience, efficiency, and comfort. However, an online personal trainer cannot manually position your body or provide physical adjustments to improve your form and technique. Also, while some apps, like FlexIt, allow for real-time feedback and guidance, most personal training apps do not.
Related Post: Get Fit From Home With the Best Online Workout Programs
Who Is an Online Personal Trainer Best For
Many people may find online personal training beneficial, particularly if they want a custom workout plan, have limited access to fitness equipment, travel often, or feel uncomfortable in regular gym settings. In many cases, online personal trainers offer the same support and guidance as in-person training, but often at a fraction of the cost and on a more convenient schedule.
How to Choose the Best Online Personal Trainer for You
Compatibility
Most online personal trainers are accessible via apps for iOS and Android. If you have a fitness tracker, watch, or wearable, double-check the personal trainer app you’re interested in is compatible with your device.
Interaction
Consider the level of care or involvement you want from your online personal trainer and how much support you need to reach your goals. Some platforms, like FlexIt, offer live, virtual coaching. “I always appreciate when users have access to a real trainer who they can ask questions,” says Booth. Other apps, like Future, start with a video consultation and then rely on text and video messaging as you dive into the program. Some apps, like iFIT, let users choose from a selection of pre-recorded based on their goals but don’t involve any direct interactions with a personal trainer.
Customization
The more interaction you have with your personal trainer, the more personalized the workouts usually are. However, some of the no-interaction platforms still offer a customizable experience because they offer a variety of workouts designed to meet different goals.
Focus
Make sure the app you chose offers the style of workout you enjoy, whether it’s yoga, HIIT, resistance training, or running. No matter how great the user experience is, you probably won’t use an app very often if it doesn’t have workouts you like. If you’re working with an online personal trainer, make sure they have the expertise needed to help you reach your goals.
Equipment Needed
Before selecting an online personal trainer, make sure you have the equipment required for that app. With some programs, like Future or Caliber, your coach will design the workouts around your equipment, whether that’s access to a full gym or no equipment at all.
Cost
Online personal trainers vary greatly in cost. Some apps cost around $15 per month and offer guided workouts. Other apps cost over $100 per month for private one-on-one training sessions or customized training plans. Consider what features are most important to you and which programs best match your budget.
How We Chose the Best Online Personal Trainers
To choose the best online personal trainers, we looked at the most highly rated virtual personal training platforms, online personal training apps, and individual personal trainers offering online coaching services. Each platform on our list offers credentialed, experienced experts or coaches ready to support beginner, intermediate, and advanced exercisers. Several fitness enthusiasts and professionals tested more than 60 workout apps and evaluated each for several features, including:
- User experience: Does the app deliver on its intended use during a full use period (i.e. a single workout or workout program)? Does it have a simple interface that’s easy to navigate? Are there any bugs that inhibit use?
- Tech capabilities: Does the app use your phone’s capabilities in a unique way? Does it integrate with other fitness tech, such as a heart rate monitor or wearable? Do these features function as designed, or are they finicky?
- Design: Is the app easy to navigate? Can you find all the functions you need quickly? Does it provide an intuitive user experience overall?
- Value: Does the app’s cost align with its features? Is it comparable to other products in its category?
- Customer reviews: What are customers saying about this app? Are there common issues/complaints among reviews? What rating does it have on consumer review sites, such as the App Store, Google Play, Trustpilot, etc.?
Learn more about our fitness and technology scoring methodologies.
Online Personal Trainer FAQs
How Much Should I Pay for an Online Trainer?
That depends on your budget and your goals. The cost of online personal training varies based on the features and services the app provides. Typically, costs range from about $15 per month to a couple hundred dollars per month ($100–$400).
Do I Need a Personal Trainer?
Not necessarily, but customized workouts may be beneficial depending on your goals. Trainers offer accountability, motivation, and personalized guidance, which can help minimize injury and maximize results. However, if you’re self-motivated with a solid base of fitness knowledge, a personal trainer might not be necessary.
How Often Should I See a Personal Trainer?
As often as you need to stay accountable. Beginners or those with specific goals may want to meet with a trainer a few times each week. But you might not need to see your personal trainer every time you work out. As you progress, you may transition to meeting with a trainer once a week for check-ins and program adjustments.
What Is the Difference Between a Fitness Coach and a Personal Trainer?
They are pretty similar, and the terms might often be used interchangeably. While both fitness coaches and personal trainers provide guidance and support to help you reach your goals, they tend to differ in approach. A personal trainer typically focuses on designing exercise programs, while a fitness coach generally takes a more holistic approach, addressing not only exercise but also nutrition and lifestyle habits.
The Takeaway: Is an Online Personal Trainer Right for You?
If you’re just starting your fitness journey or have a specific goal, an online personal trainer may offer the guidance you need. Working with an online personal trainer is a more flexible, convenient, and private way to get customized exercise and weight loss support than meeting with a trainer in person. Before choosing the best online personal trainer for you, consider the type of workouts you like, your budget, the exercise equipment you have, and, most importantly, the level of interaction you want with your coach.
