7 Best Online Personal Trainers
Online personal training has revolutionized the fitness industry, offering unparalleled flexibility, accessibility, and affordability. As more people seek convenient ways to stay fit, the demand for online personal trainers has surged. These virtual fitness experts provide customized workout plans, nutritional guidance, and continuous support, all from the comfort of your home or wherever you choose to exercise.
Whether you’re a busy professional, a stay-at-home parent, or someone who prefers the privacy of home workouts, online personal training can be a game-changer.
In this article, we will explore the 7 best online personal trainers who are making waves in the industry, helping clients achieve their fitness goals with innovative and effective training programs.
1. Joggo
Joggo is a running-focused fitness app designed to help users achieve their running and weight loss goals through personalized training plans and nutritional guidance. Founded by Chris Zibutis, a former Ironman competitor, Joggo offers tailored running programs that adjust every two weeks based on user progress. The app also includes strength training workouts and meal plans to support overall fitness and health.
Pros
- Personalized Running Plans: Joggo creates customized running programs based on users’ fitness levels, goals, and preferences.
- Nutritional Guidance: The app offers personalized meal plans tailored to users’ dietary preferences and requirements.
- Progress Tracking: Joggo tracks users’ progress and adjusts training plans every two weeks to ensure continuous improvement.
- Educational Resources: The app provides a library of articles on running techniques, injury prevention, and nutrition to help users build healthier habits.
- Apple Watch Integration: Users can sync the app with their Apple Watch for convenient tracking and guidance during runs.
Cons
- Limited Device Compatibility: Joggo currently only integrates with Apple devices, which may be a drawback for users with other types of fitness trackers.
- Focus on Weight Loss: Some users have reported that the app emphasizes weight loss even when it is not their primary goal.
- No Free Trial: Joggo does not offer a free trial period, which might deter potential users from trying the app.
Price
- Two-Month Plan: $33 (approximately $3.80 per week)
- Four-Month Plan: $46 (approximately $3.05 per week)
- Six-Month Plan: $66 (approximately $2.53 per week).
2. Virtual Personal Training
VirtualPersonalTraining.org offers online personal training with Samuel Parker. Samuel is an ISSA certified personal trainer based in Atlanta. With over a decade of experience in the fitness industry, Samuel specializes in hypertrophy, muscle growth, cardiovascular endurance training, and HIIT training. His online personal training service 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 price for Samuel’s online personal training 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 prefer in-person training sessions for more direct interaction and immediate feedback on their form and technique.
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.
3. Future
Future is a high-end online personal training app that pairs users with certified fitness coaches to create personalized workout plans. Launched in 2019, Future aims to replicate the experience of having a personal trainer by offering tailored fitness programs, regular check-ins, and detailed feedback. The app is designed to cater to a wide range of fitness levels and goals, from beginners to advanced athletes. It integrates seamlessly with Apple devices, particularly the Apple Watch, to track performance metrics and provide real-time feedback.
Pros
- Personalized Training: Each user is matched with a certified coach who creates a customized workout plan based on their fitness level, goals, and available equipment.
- Regular Check-ins: Coaches check in with users via messages and FaceTime calls, providing motivation and accountability.
- Detailed Feedback: Users can record their workouts and send videos to their trainers for form critiques and suggestions.
- Flexible Scheduling: The app accommodates users’ schedules, making it easy to stay on track even when traveling or dealing with a busy lifestyle.
- Comprehensive Integration: The app works well with Apple devices, particularly the Apple Watch, to monitor heart rate, calories burned, and other metrics.
Cons
- High Cost: At $199 per month, Future is one of the more expensive online personal training options available.
- Apple Device Requirement: The app is currently only available for iOS devices, and users need an Apple Watch to get the most out of the experience.
- No Real-Time Coaching: While the app offers detailed feedback, it lacks real-time coaching during workouts, which some users might find less engaging.
Price
- Monthly Membership: $199 per month
- Annual Membership: $149 per month (with a yearly commitment).
4. iFIT
iFIT is a comprehensive fitness app that offers a wide range of on-demand and live workout classes. It integrates seamlessly with various fitness equipment brands like NordicTrack, ProForm, and FreeMotion, providing an immersive and interactive training experience. The app features workouts in stunning global locations and offers a variety of exercise types, including strength training, cardio, yoga, and HIIT. iFIT also includes features like automatic machine adjustments, personalized recommendations, and community challenges to keep users engaged and motivated.
Pros
- Wide Variety of Workouts: iFIT offers over 16,000 live and on-demand classes, covering a broad spectrum of workout types such as strength training, cardio, yoga, and more.
- Integration with Equipment: The app integrates with popular fitness equipment, allowing for automatic adjustments to speed, incline, and resistance based on the workout.
- Immersive Experience: Workouts are filmed in beautiful locations worldwide, providing a visually engaging experience.
- Community Features: iFIT includes challenge groups and leaderboards, fostering a sense of community and competition among users.
- Personalized Recommendations: The app offers personalized workout recommendations based on user preferences and performance.
Cons
- Price: iFIT can be relatively expensive, with individual memberships costing $15 per month and family memberships $39 per month.
- Customer Service Issues: Some users have reported 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 live interaction.
Price
- Individual Membership: $15 per month or $180 per year.
- Family Membership: $39 per month or $396 per year.
- Free Trial: 30 days.
5. Caliber
Caliber is an online personal training platform that focuses on strength training and body composition improvement through science-based methods. The platform pairs users with certified personal trainers who create customized workout and nutrition plans tailored to individual goals and available equipment. Caliber offers both one-on-one coaching and group training options, with a strong emphasis on progressive overload and measurable results.
Pros
- Personalized Coaching: Users receive individualized workout and nutrition plans from certified personal trainers, ensuring a tailored approach to fitness.
- Science-Based Training: Caliber’s methodology is grounded in exercise science principles, focusing on progressive overload for muscle growth and strength improvement.
- Accountability and Support: Trainers provide regular check-ins, feedback, and motivation, helping users stay accountable and on track with their fitness goals.
- Comprehensive App: The Caliber app includes features like workout logging, video demos, and progress tracking, making it easy to follow and adjust plans.
- Flexible Options: Caliber offers both free and paid versions of the app, with the premium version providing more personalized support and resources.
Cons
- Price: The premium coaching plans can be expensive, starting at $200 per month, which may be a barrier for some users.
- Focus on Strength Training: The app primarily focuses on strength training, which may not be ideal for users looking for more cardio-centric programs.
- Nutritional Guidance Limitations: While trainers provide nutrition advice, they are certified nutrition coaches, not registered dietitians, which means the guidance may be more general.
Price
- Premium Coaching: Starts at $200 per month, with options for expanded packages that include additional features like weekly or monthly Zoom calls.
- Pro Version: Group coaching available for around $14 per month.
- Free Version: Access to a library of basic strength training and cardio workouts.
6. Aaptiv
Aaptiv is an audio-based fitness app that provides guided workouts led by certified personal trainers. It offers a wide range of workout types, including strength training, running, cycling, yoga, and more. The app features over 2,500 classes, with new ones added weekly. Aaptiv’s workouts are primarily audio-based, with trainers providing instructions and motivation through your headphones.
Pros
- Affordable subscription cost compared to in-person personal training or boutique fitness classes.
- Convenient and flexible, allowing you to work out anytime, anywhere without needing to attend scheduled classes.
- Wide variety of workout types and programs to choose from, catering to different fitness goals and preferences.
- Motivating and knowledgeable trainers who provide clear instructions and encouragement.
- Ability to download workouts for offline use.
Cons
- Lack of visual demonstrations, which may be challenging for beginners or those learning new exercises.
- No real-time feedback or form correction from trainers.
- Audio-only format may not be suitable for those who prefer video-based workouts.
Price
- $14.99 per month or $99.99 per year.
- 7-day free trial available.
7. Obé Fitness
Obé Fitness is an online fitness platform that offers live and on-demand workout classes across various disciplines, including strength training, cardio, yoga, and more. It features over 6,000 classes and 20 live classes daily, led by certified instructors. Obé Fitness aims to provide a boutique studio experience at home, with energetic instructors and upbeat music.
Pros
- Extensive library of on-demand classes and live options, catering to different fitness levels and preferences.
- Variety of class types, including strength, cardio, yoga, barre, and more.
- Engaging and motivating instructors with a focus on creating a community atmosphere.
- Ability to download classes for offline viewing and cast to TV for a bigger screen experience.
- Personalized workout recommendations based on fitness goals and preferences.
Cons
- More expensive than some other online fitness platforms.
- Some users report technical issues with the app or streaming quality.
- Limited free trial period (7 days) compared to competitors.
- May not be challenging enough for advanced fitness enthusiasts.
Price
- $27 per month, $65 per quarter, or $199 per year.
- 7-day free trial available.
