The 8 Best Online Personal Trainers of 2023

Working with a personal trainer can be a huge boost to your workout regimen, but also a huge hit to your wallet. The best online personal trainers offer some of the benefits of an in-person trainer, but for a fraction of the cost. Instead of meeting up at a gym, you can use some of our picks to connect virtually with a real coach who can create customized workout programs. An in-person trainer may be inconvenient, a bad personality match, or just too expensive. With many online options, you can get a similar level of custom programming to what you would get in person. 

While some online personal trainers provide a human — or AI — touch, others can simply create your program automatically based on your goals, fitness level, favorite types of exercise, or available equipment. If you have been scouring your app store for the best online workout programs and just need some guidance, we did the legwork for you and brought you our favorites. No matter what type of training and expertise you’re searching for — weight loss, cardio, strength training, or yoga, we have some online options for you.

The Best Online Personal Trainers

• Best Overall Online Personal Trainer: Future
• Best Online Personal Trainer for Weight Loss: Caliber
• Best Online Personal Trainer for Beginners: Aaptiv
• Best Online Personal Trainer for Cardio: iFIT
• Best Online Personal Trainer for Strength Training: JuggernautAI
• Best Online Personal Trainer for Variety: obé Fitness
• Best Online Personal Trainer for CrossFit: NCFIT
• Best Online Personal Trainer for Yoga: Down Dog

How We Tested The Best Online Personal Trainers

These 8 picks have been scrutinized by our team of certified personal trainers, nutrition coaches, competitive powerlifters, and CrossFit L-1 Trainers. All of these online personal trainers have been tested by experts using our testing methodology to evaluate their ease of use, quality of instruction, accountability, required equipment, value, and even customer service. 

Each tester experienced these online trainers just like you will, but with the trained and qualified eye of a fitness industry expert. We spent weeks and months — in one case over three years — getting to know these apps inside and out. Some testers used multiple apps, while others focused on specific ones. We completed individual workouts, along with full programs over a wide range of workout types, including cardio, strength training, HIIT, pilates, yoga, and CrossFit. Whether you are a beginner or just looking to add variety to your regimen, check out what we learned about the best online personal trainers.

Best Overall Online Personal Trainer: Future

Future is our pick for best overall online personal trainer because of how easy it is to find a compatible coach to build your personalized program and help you reach your fitness goals. In fact, we have three testers who have used Future extensively — one for over two years. Each tester gave Future nearly perfect scores in all of our key categories, like ease of use, accountability, interactivity, and instruction.

After creating your account, you’ll fill out a questionnaire that assesses factors like your current fitness level, goals, available equipment, and even preferred intensity levels and personality traits of your coach. Building a relationship with a real person is what sets Future apart. Our tester — a certified personal trainer, USA Weightlifting Level 1 coach, and CrossFit Level 1 trainer — said, “My greatest motivation was having my online fitness coach check in with me every day.” In fact, two testers rated the accountability that their coaches provided a 5 out of 5. 

A real-life coach will not be present during workouts, so if having someone barking in your ear is the best way for you to finish a set, Future might not be best for you. However, each movement has a video demonstration to help you with your form before starting a workout. One tester explained, “After every workout, I gave my coach feedback — mostly rated how I felt and sent videos. Then my coach made adjustments to my program.”

Dropping $199 per month is going to be tough for a lot of people — our team rated the pricing a 3.75 out of 5. Even with the 30-day free trial, Future may not be the best option for everyone. You can probably afford most boutique gyms for that price. However, as one tester put it, “We are talking about personalized workouts designed specifically for your goals and equipment.” Compared to an in-person trainer — which will run you between $25 and $100 per hour — we think Future is a good deal. (1)

No matter what type of exercise interests you, Future has coaches who can tailor programs for everything from cardio and HIIT to yoga and pilates — even the occasional hike. Billy Brown, BarBend Reviews Editor and competitive CrossFitter, put the app’s Olympic weightlifting expertise to the test, saying, “I specifically wanted an Olympic training program and they hooked me up with an Oly coach. In just two months, I added 25 pounds on both my snatch and clean & jerk.”

As far as the app itself, our testers all rated its ease of use a 4.5 out of 5. It was easy to start and stop workouts and communicate with their coaches. They also appreciated the pre-recorded voiceovers from their coaches that popped up during certain exercises. Every workout also has a visual to demonstrate each movement as you do it. 

One tester —also a CrossFit Level 1 trainer — emphasized that it was difficult to get in touch with customer service.“I couldn’t find an obvious live chat option nor is there a phone number to call.” She had to hunt through the FAQs just to find a way to email the company. And while this hopefully wouldn’t come up for every user — she still rated customer service a 3.75 out of 5 — she did say, “I just felt like it wasn’t easy to contact them.”

We think that your main consideration will be the price. As that same tester mentioned, “It’s going to be up to you to decide if the accountability of a real trainer is worth the extra cost.” However, taking into account the app’s ease of use, quality of instruction, and personalization, we made Future our pick for best online personal trainer.

Read our full Future App Review.

Best Online Personal Trainer for Weight Loss: Caliber 

We chose Caliber as the best online personal trainer for weight loss because it integrates nutrition with its personalized exercise programs. Your certified nutrition coach creates a nutrition plan that factors in your current eating habits, level of activity, and weight loss goals. Because exercise can have such a positive effect on weight loss, you’ll also receive a custom-built workout plan. (2)

Only registered dieticians can prescribe specific diets and meal plans, but your certified nutrition coach can provide general nutrition advice. Specifically, they will teach you how to track macronutrients and will set daily macro targets for you. (3) Your coach will help you learn how to build balanced meals to reach targets for specific nutrients, like protein and fiber. 

They also provide advice for selecting healthier options at the grocery store or at restaurants, as well as educating you about positives and negatives of different types of diets. Our tester — a certified nutrition coach and personal trainer herself — used Caliber premium for 21 days. She said, “My coach gave me sound advice and it actually helped a ton.” 

Our tester explained to her coach that she was hesitant to commit to a structured plan. “I shared that I had a history of disordered eating, but wanted to give the nutrition plan a shot,” our tester explained. “After I tracked my macros for a few days, I started to feel guilty about some food choices. I told my coach I wasn’t comfortable tracking my food and she was so compassionate and understanding — exactly what you want in a coach.”

“We agreed that I would send pictures of each meal to help keep me accountable,” she said. However, she was no longer worried about counting calories or tracking her macros. Our tester shared part of her story and her coach responded with compassion and flexibility. She later shared, “This was a highlight of my experience with the Caliber app.”

You’ll experience this same flexibility with your workout plan. According to Caliber, most of its users are gym members, but your coach can build a program with just bodyweight workouts. Our tester said, “I appreciated that the fitness plan is centered around weight training.” If you don’t at least have dumbbells, kettlebells, or a barbell with weight plates at home, joining a gym may be a good option for you, also.

For accountability, our tester rated Caliber a perfect 5 out of 5. She said, “My trainer held me accountable because she could keep track of all my activity,” she said. “The weekly asynchronous check-ins were my favorite part. My coach communicated regularly with me in the chat and sent videos, too. She recapped that week’s workouts, checked all my logged data, and gave me great feedback.”

Our tester rated the instruction 5 out of 5 because each exercise in your daily workout features a video to demonstrate proper form. She was disappointed that her fitness tracker wasn’t compatible with Caliber. It syncs with an Apple Watch, but would not with her Garmin, prompting a 4 out of 5 for ease of use. She wasn’t thrilled about it, saying, “I do have to manually input my workout data in the app after I’ve logged them on my watch, which is annoying.” 

Caliber Premium’s nutrition component — coupled with its exercise programs — makes it unique among the best online personal trainers. Our tester rated Caliber 4.68 out of 5 overall, despite the price tag, saying, “The difference with Caliber Premium that I loved is that you have a completely individualized training plan designed around your goals because you’re being coached one-on-one.”

Best Online Personal Trainer for Beginners: Aaptiv 

Aaptiv is a solid launch point for beginners because its huge library — over 8,000 classes and workouts — allows beginners to gain experience in different types of exercise. What set it apart as the best online personal trainers for beginners was its educational resources. Our tester — a certified personal trainer and NASM-certified nutrition coach — rated the value a 4.5 out of 5. She said, “I think $15 per month is such a good deal for this app.”

The app’s “Magazine” resource can help get you up to speed on the why, what, and how of personal fitness. With articles like, The Beginner’s Guide to Navigating the Gym Floor, or Why Form Matters and How to Improve Yours, beginners can find expert answers to specific questions that they might ask a live personal trainer. Our tester was impressed, saying, “I think this is easily the best value of all the apps I have tried.” This separates Aaptiv from other apps with on-demand workouts. 

Since there are no live personal trainers, you won’t see much interactivity. Our tester rated this just 3 out of 5, and she said, “I could pretty much just see other people’s workouts and interact within a community feed.” We don’t feel like Aaptiv is the place to come for personal interaction, but for beginners, it’s a great place to start without breaking the bank for a personal trainer in a gym. The workout variety earned a 4 out of 5 from our tester. “There’s a lot to do in Aaptiv. I think it would keep most people satisfied for at least a year or more.”

Another defining feature is its emphasis on audio-only workouts. Some types of workouts are best suited for video. Learning a strength training movement — like how to do a deadlift — definitely needs a visual. But if you’re on a treadmill, stair climber, exercise bike, or meditating, it can be distracting to watch a studio full of people working out, too. 

Aaptiv does offer video classes — for barre, yoga, pilates, strength training, and stretching — but having so many high-quality audio-only classes makes it a great pick for beginners. The instruction overall — for audio-only and video workouts — got a 4 out of 5 from our tester. She pointed out, “Some of the workouts have a small animation to demonstrate the movements that include a voice-over of the trainer. I think this could throw some people off.”

In terms of the actual workouts, you’ll find most classes are around 15 to 30 minutes, but they range from less than 10 to 60 minutes. There are also plenty of bodyweight exercises if you don’t have any equipment yet. For beginners, picking up some wins can boost your confidence and motivation, so you might want to go after some of Aaptiv’s challenges and set up reminders to keep you on track. Our tester loved that integration saying, “It was helpful that I could join periodized, structured workouts and add them to my calendar as ‘appointments’ inside the app.”

For a beginner, the combination of Aaptiv’s educational resources and workout types can jump-start your fitness journey. Even without a dedicated personal trainer in the app, our tester raved about the quality of instruction, saying, “I thought the trainers who created the workouts were clearly knowledgeable.” We chose it as our best online personal trainer for beginners because you can learn, practice, and experiment without the investment of a live trainer.

Best Online Personal Trainer for Cardio: iFIT 

iFIT is our choice for best online personal trainer for cardio because of its huge offering of cardio workouts like HIIT, cycling, and rowing, no matter what equipment you have. Our tester rated the app’s ease of use a 4.5 out of 5, saying, “There were so many, I just browsed by type of workouts — active recovery, cross-training, strength, beginner, walk-run, hiking, mind, walking, and running.” 

Most of the workouts on iFIT range from around 10 minutes to 50 minutes and, with so many options, we found it was best to just use the filters. You can search by type of equipment, duration, trainer, intensity, target area, and class environment, to find exactly what you want. 

In iFIT, you can start a running workout and take your phone with you, prop it up on your own treadmill, or head to the gym to find an integrated machine. Our tester shared, “The outdoor runs and rides were my favorites when I tested iFit, so the person was right there with me.” While this is not like having an in-person trainer running with you, the cues and music certainly boost your experience. You can travel the globe — virtually, of course — and boost your cardio on the way. Some of our favorites were a pilates class on the beach in Aruba and a total-body stretch in Antarctica.

Accountability earned a 3.5 out of 5 — our tester’s lowest-rated category — because, as she put it, “I only found programming that was self-guided.” You won’t find one-on-one training in iFIT, but there are some basic features like challenges to hit and congratulatory emails when you reach certain milestones. She also enjoyed the instruction — 4.5 out of 5 — but said, “I wasn’t always sure exactly what equipment I needed until the workout started. Just make sure you check the description before starting.”

With a compatible machine, the interactive workouts will adjust your machine in real-time, like raising and lowering a treadmill. But even without one, you can still use the app to follow on-demand cardio workouts. Our tester — a CrossFit Level 1 trainer — said, “Even though I actually have access to several of these machines, I love that I can just use the iFIT app on the go.” We think some of these machines are worth the investment — or at least the investment in a gym that has them — but they can be expensive.

Another tester — a certified personal trainer and CrossFit Level 1 Trainer — tried out an interactive running treadmill workout and said, “When we started climbing the hill, and the machine raised up, I thought it was slightly jarring — in a good way!” The app integrates with lots of machines, and you can find ellipticals, rowing machines, and treadmills with iFIT in many commercial gyms. 

iFIT used to offer live classes, but discontinued them in May 2023. Our tester was disappointed about this, but still said, “I think iFIT has emerged as a real competitor with Peloton.” Even without those live classes, she also said, “It’s great for a casual exerciser because it has so many different on-demand classes.”

Even without integrated equipment, the app earned a value rating of 4 out of 5. Take advantage of the 30-day free trial before committing to a subscription. At $15 per month for yourself or $39 per month for a family plan, our tester said, “I think it’s a great value.” 

Read our full iFIT Review.

Best Online Personal Trainer for Strength Training: JuggernautAI 

The AI system that JuggernautAI has built made it our top pick for best online personal trainer for strength training. If paying a human being to build you a personalized strength program is too expensive, we think paying a robot is almost as good. As our tester said, “I thought the AI was the standout feature of the app and is just so smart. The whole experience was so thoughtful compared to apps with just pre-recorded workouts with no personal element.”

She spent six weeks training with the app and — being a personal trainer herself — was impressed by how specifically it could build and adapt her plan. It even adjusted her workout in real time. Once, during her second set, she said, “I reached an RPE 10 (max effort) on the second set, so the AI deleted the third set it originally planned. So, it just stopped me at 2×10.” For both beginners and experienced strength athletes, JuggernautAI can help you find those limits and prevent possible injury.

Setting up the app is a breeze. You’ll enter basic information — height, weight, current fitness level, and goals — and the AI goes to work. The app’s ease of use earned a 4.5 out of 5, but our tester did say, “It was easy to use after I explored a little bit. At first I felt kind of overwhelmed. I felt like there was just a lot going on in the app, but it didn’t take long to settle in.”

After you receive your initial powerlifting or bodybuilding program, you have some flexibility to modify it based on your equipment. Our tester rated the equipment demands 4 out of 5, saying, “I’d say that a squat rack, weight bench, barbell, weight plates, are necessary to get your money’s worth. But, you can swap out daily exercises or even a whole block depending on what you have handy.” She added that, on some days, she needed to head to the gym.

Accountability and instruction received her lowest ratings — both 3.5 out of 5 — because, after all, your trainer is not a human being. She said, “I thought it was nothing like having a live coach — either virtual or in person — but it does provide better instruction than most fitness apps.” She typically programs her own workouts, so using the app was an improvement for her, but as she pointed out, “I felt there wasn’t as much accountability as having a live coach, but the app is definitely a step up from what you’ll get from most online fitness programs.”

The developers seem to be aware of this fact and worked in many ways to help the AI get to know you as a real person would. There are daily ratings to submit — calories consumed, quality of sleep, rate of perceived exertion — and every time you give it feedback, the app gets a little smarter and more precise. As our tester described it, “I think the app offers a good level of interaction that isn’t annoying or overwhelming but holds you accountable.”

JuggernautAI scored a perfect 5 out of 5 for value because, as she said, “This is like getting the insights of a true personal trainer for almost nothing. I think it’s an incredible value.” It’s our pick for the best online personal trainer for strength training for exactly that reason. While it isn’t quite like having an in-person trainer, you are getting custom workouts with some interaction and flexibility for a fraction of the cost.

Best Online Personal Trainer for Variety: obé Fitness

With over 10,000 total classes — including 31 class types, 51 instructors, and 22 equipment variations —  obé Fitness was an easy pick for the best online personal trainer for variety. It’s the only program we’ve tested that offers power training alongside classes like “Kids Halloween Trick-or-Treat Dance HIIT” in the same app. Whether you’re looking for high-intensity or low-impact workouts, boxing or dance class, or a barre or meditation practice, obé Fitness can help you out.

To wade through all the options, the app starts you with an in-depth quiz to get a sense of what you’re looking for. Our tester rated its ease of use 4 out of 5 because, as she said, “They populated my personal fitness plan with suggestions based on the quiz, but it wasn’t super clear how to change those if I wasn’t interested in what they suggested.” Sometimes she ended up just searching using their specific filters.

She singled out the live class offering by saying, “I loved the huge variety of exercise types and workouts available — especially including the daily live classes.” In a typical week, there are anywhere from 4 to 9 live classes, with most offered in the mornings in Eastern Standard Time. This could be an issue for users in the Mountain or Pacific time zones because if you’re looking at a 6:00am EST class, you’ll be dancing and bouncing at 3:00am PST.

Accountability was one of the lowest ratings from our tester — 3 out of 5 — but you can add those live classes or other workouts to your personal calendar. Our tester also said, “I set up push notifications to remind me when I had a workout, but you can also do email reminders.” Since you aren’t connected with a one-on-one fitness trainer, and it lacks a social feed or leaderboards, this is it for accountability.

Overall, our tester felt that for the price point, she was expecting more in terms of interactivity, which she rated just 2 out of 5. This also affected her rating on the app’s overall value — just 2.5 out of 5 — saying, “I don’t know that you’re getting that much more than you could get from a more affordable app. The app does have a lot to offer, but I feel like it’s a bit expensive for what you get.”

As far as variety goes, obé Fitness is a no-brainer. We think it’s worth exploring during the 7-day free trial or committing short-term — even just to experience the “Kids Easter Egg Hunt Strength” class. Being able to create your own schedule from its offering of over 10,000 unique classes helped make it our pick for the best online personal trainer for variety.

Best Online Personal Trainer for CrossFit: NCFIT 

The NCFIT app is actually an extension of several gyms and programming created by CrossFit legend Jason Khalipa. We made it our choice for best online personal trainer for CrossFit because it offers four options that range from introducing beginners to functional fitness, to preparing athletes for CrossFit competitions. The daily workout has two versions, then there are two independent tracks.

After entering your information — height, weight, current fitness level and goals, and where you work out — and you’ll get the daily workouts created by the NCFIT coaches. The workout plan arrives one week at a time so you can look ahead and plan your schedule. 

The Fitness version is more accessible to the average person. You’ll see lighter weights and more moderate skills. As our tester described it, “In NCFIT, you’ll find everything from a metcon to bodybuilding to choose from each day. That meant I could change up my training depending on how I felt that day.”

In 2020, NCFIT, along with many CrossFit gyms, actually unaffiliated with CrossFit following controversial statements by then-CEO Greg Glassman following the death of George Floyd. (4) Then in January 2023, Khalipa announced that NCFIT would re-affiliate with CrossFit, explaining in an interview with Morning Chalk-Up, “We are aligned with CrossFit on a shared mission to impact more people’s lives, and we have the same interests and goals in mind, and it makes sense for us to align there.” (5)

No matter which option you choose in the app, you can always adapt your workout. Our tester did just that, saying, “I saw options that use minimal equipment — dumbbells and bodyweight — and much like CrossFit, everything can be modified to fit what you have. However, I often found that there was at least one piece of equipment that not many would have, like a rower or a squat rack.”

Accountability was a weak point for NCFIT and it earned a 3.5 out of 5 because, as our tester put it, “I was able to check how many days I had been active and how many workouts I completed, but that was it.” You won’t interact with a live fitness coach, so its interactive features rated just a 2 out of 5. Our tester noted, “I liked following the prerecorded classes, but those are really just interacting with the app.”

According to our tester, those classes are very thorough, prompting a 5 out of 5 for instruction. The daily workouts feature a 3-minute video that walks through the movements for that day. In the full classes, he said, “The instruction is top-notch. While I was able to take full classes with the NCFIT coaches, it was limited to guided sessions, like a lot of other apps.”

One feature that helped make NCFIT our choice for the best online personal trainer for CrossFit was its extensive movement library. Movements that are used in the daily workouts have a ten- to 20-second demonstration, so you can always make sure you are using the proper form. 

Our tester did note an ease of use issue, saying, “The daily workouts were more difficult because I found myself pausing the workout to check the movement library to make sure I was doing the movement correctly.” This could be annoying until you get comfortable with the movements over time. The app also froze up several times, making it difficult to get into a flow in your workout — especially if you have to look up multiple movements in the library.

Overall, our tester rated the app a 4 out of 5, but at just $20 per month, he gave the value a 5-out-of-5 rating, saying, “I really think NCFIT is great for anyone trying to get in shape or maintain a healthy lifestyle at minimal cost.” We made NCFIT our pick for people trying to learn the skills and movements to hit their CrossFit fitness goals, as well as experienced athletes.

Best Online Personal Trainer for Yoga: Down Dog 

For those looking for control over their yoga practice, Down Dog features a library of specific movements and practice types, including Vinyasa, Cardio Flow, Hatha, Gentle, Restorative, Yin, Ashtanga, Chair, Yoga Nidra, Hot 26, and Sun Salutation. It was our choice for the best personal trainer for yoga because, although you won’t interact with a coach or trainer, the app can create a custom plan for you. 

After selecting your preferences, the app generates personalized workouts for you. With over 60,000 possible configurations, you can also create the exact session you need. “I loved that the app had such a high level of customization,” our tester said. “I don’t anticipate being bored on Down Dog.”

Once you sign up — unfortunately, there is no free trial — you’ll complete a quick assessment where you can specify your practice preferences. As our tester laid out, “The assessment asked me about all sorts of things, including session duration, type of music, and even which voice you prefer for your prompts.” In fact, she rated both the setup process and ease of use 5 out of 5. Down Dog is a simple app, but its power lies in its depth of movements and customization.

A feature our tester wished she saw was some form of accountability, stating simply, “I couldn’t even set up push notifications.” There also aren’t any interactive features like a community feed, so accountability and interactivity each earned a 1 out of 5 from her. However, for $10 per month, the value scored a perfect 5 out of 5. Down Dog does offer you ultimate control over your practice, just without external motivation or interaction.

Our tester rated the quality of its instruction 4 out of 5. She easily followed the instructors, saying, “I loved having a video of each of the movements, as well as audio instructions describing the movements. I also liked the breathing cues and tips along the way.” Required equipment also earned a 5 out of 5 rating because you can do most practice with just a yoga mat. However, depending on the movements you choose, she did say, “I saw some classes that required yoga blocks or a strap, but that would be the most possible equipment needed.”

While it won’t feel like you have your own personal yoga instructor beside you, Down Dog is unique in the control you have over your practice. If you’d rather not have that responsibility, it may not be for you, but as our tester summed it up, “I like how easy it is to customize based on what you want on any given day. You get to pick what you want for an impressive number of categories.” It’s this level of customization and control that made Down Dog our top choice for the best online personal trainer for yoga.

How We Chose the Best Online Personal Trainers

After testing over 50 apps and online programs, we know what to look for in a quality online personal trainer. In fact, many of our testers are personal trainers themselves. We made sure to include options for various price points, training types, equipment, and levels of accountability.

Value

Part of the reason many people look for an online personal trainer is because finding a trainer in their gym or one to come to their home is way too expensive. As we conducted our testing, we made sure to not only include a wide range of price points, but to prioritize the value that each one provides. From $10 per month to $200, we only chose online personal trainers that bring value to the user.

We also wanted to be completely transparent about whether we believed the features offered by each were worth the price. The pricier options will connect you with a real-life personal trainer, and while they won’t physically be with you during a workout, they will build and adjust a unique program just for you. We also included picks that cost less but still offer a high level of value. With these, you won’t have that personal connection, but whether it’s an AI or a simple social feed, these options will still help you move toward your fitness goals.

Accountability

Accountability can mean different things for different people. Some may only need a push notification or calendar reminder to hop off the couch and start a workout. Others might need daily messages and video calls to keep them moving. No matter where you fall on this spectrum, our team made sure to inform you of exactly what you can expect from each online personal trainer in terms of accountability and support. (6)

We looked for elements like leaderboards, notifications, calendar integration, daily reminders, or community feeds. If you choose a pricier option, you can expect daily interaction with a real human being. If you opt for a more affordable route, you’ll see a few more banners on your home screen or pings on your watch. Either way, you’ll know exactly what type of support to expect from your online personal trainer.

Interactive Features

Each of these picks offers different levels and forms of interactivity. People looking for an online personal trainer may want some level of guidance. Some in our list only offer daily or curated workouts, but some provide a one-on-one experience. One even leverages artificial intelligence to create a personal training program. With some, you may only interact with an app by scheduling your own workouts or modifying your plan. 

These apps offer features like in-app chat functions to communicate with your trainer, or social feeds to connect with other users. You’ll also see tracking methods that integrate with your smart devices to stay on top of your progress, along with leaderboards to compare your progress with other users. Features like these are how you can use an online personal trainer to reach your fitness goals.

Type of Training

One of the first considerations we make is the type of training you can expect from your online personal trainer. You may already know you are searching for a trainer to help you with strength training. It wouldn’t do you much good to sign up for or even read about trainers focused on yoga. 

In our list, we included a wide range of training types to meet your needs — functional fitness, cardio, mobility, powerlifting, and more. You’ll even see up front the specific workouts in each option. From rowing, running, and stair climbing to bodybuilding, boxing, and strength, we covered a variety of training styles to match what you need from your online personal trainer.

Required Equipment

We always keep in mind that different people will have different equipment available to them. Whether you have a decked-out home gym, two kettlebells, or zero equipment at all, there is a match on this list for you. Some picks require a full gym or specialized equipment like ellipticals and treadmills. Others don’t require anything at all. No matter your situation, you’ll find something here that works for you.

How Much Do Online Personal Trainers Cost?

The price of an online personal training depends primarily on the amount of customized training and interaction you have with your trainer. The different picks in our list offer different levels of personalization and that is reflected in the cost of each one. Connecting with a certified personal trainer who builds and adjusts your program while staying in consistent contact with you will be more expensive because you are getting more for your money.

Most of the online personal trainers in our list offer free trial periods ranging from seven to thirty days. We strongly recommend taking advantage of that time before investing your time and money to make sure that option is the best to support your goals. If you just need access to a library of cardio or yoga workouts and can build your own program, one of the more affordable options may work for you. If that’s the case, we found great online personal trainers for around $10 to $15 per month.

For those who know they need their own live coach for accountability and motivation, finding a true personal trainer to chat with daily might be the best way to reach your fitness goals. These programs will be pricier — around $200 per month — but are still a good value and far less than an in-person personal trainer. 

What to Consider Before Choosing an Online Personal Trainer

Choosing the best online personal trainer for you will depend on your specific situation. Making a plan ahead of time will boost the chances of meeting your goals. Take into account your budget, the accountability you need, your schedule, and the measurable outcomes you want to see.

Fitness Goals

Before investing time and money into an online personal trainer, establish why exactly you are doing it. Identify your primary goal. Is it building muscle, increasing your flexibility, building endurance, losing weight, or improving cardiovascular health? Then establish more specific goals — how much weight to lose, how much muscle to gain — and match those goals with a trainer that will help you get there. We picked the best online personal trainers for specific situations, so this list is a great place to start.

Cost

If you need to connect with a real-life coach every day to stay motivated, then expect to spend around $200 per month for a live personal trainer. If all you need is an expert-built workout or nutrition plan to follow, the self-guided options range from $10 per month to $35 per month.

The prices of the best online personal trainers vary primarily on the level of personalization they offer. We think all of our picks are a good value for their price, so the option you go with just depends on what will support your goals best.

Convenience

Before committing to a program, be honest about your schedule. These online personal trainers are convenient because you can complete your workouts on your own time. However, some may require a trip to the gym and that could conflict with scooping up the kids from school. If you plan on following your workout plan at home, double-check that you have the space and equipment necessary.

Choosing an online option will eliminate some of the inconveniences of a traditional personal trainer because you won’t need to meet up with them or have to join a gym. Programming built through your online personal trainer may be all the convenience you need. No wondering about what to do that day. Just open your plan and get to work.

Benefits of Online Personal Trainers

Investing in an online personal trainer can be a convenient way to match the expertise of fitness professionals with your circumstances. It can cost less than an in-person trainer and can support people who just don’t know where to start. Below are a few of the reasons these training platforms can help you reach your goals.

Accountability

All of these options offer different levels of accountability. You may only need a notification or calendar reminder to get started each day. Or you might need someone messaging you every morning with encouragement or a community feed where others will see your progress. Either way, having your personal trainer on your phone is a great way to keep up with your plan.

Most online personal trainers leverage milestones, achievements, or badges to encourage you along the way. Having a positive relationship with your personal fitness is crucial to building new healthy habits. (7)

Another form of accountability is the money you choose to spend. If you’re paying for a subscription, you might feel more motivated to follow through. Seeing those dollars come out of your bank account might be all the accountability you need.

Expert Input

Seeking out a personal trainer — online or in-person – is akin to hiring an expert. You have specific goals you want to meet and need expert guidance. Some of these picks will have you meeting virtually with your own personal coach, while others offer access to plans and training services from fitness experts. If you’re done scouring the internet and social media for workout plans and nutrition advice, maybe it’s time to bring in an expert. (8)

Tracking Your Progress

An advantage of online personal trainers like these is that most integrate with your smart devices, but at the very least, your phone. That means a lot of the data tracking — weights, number of reps, rate of perceived exertion — can be done automatically or manually. Gathering your workout metrics gives you real information about adjustments that may need to be made or showing cold, hard numbers to update you on your progress.

Final Word

No matter where you are in your fitness journey, an online personal trainer can provide expert insight, accountability, and motivation. Maybe you have tried fitness apps and just need more structure or guidance. Whether you’re looking to connect with a live personal trainer and build a relationship or just need access to expert-designed programs, chances are you’ll find what you need here.

When making your choice, think about which types of exercise interest you, along with the structure of your program. Check that you have the equipment you need or can get access to it, then consult your budget. It’s important to consider that you are making an investment in your personal fitness, so plan accordingly. Lastly, take advantage of our own team of fitness experts who have done the research to help you make an informed decision. In just a few taps, you can get started with your new online personal trainer.

FAQs

References

1. Mahaffey, K. (n.d.). How much does a personal trainer cost & should you hire one?. NASM. https://blog.nasm.org/how-much-does-a-personal-trainer-cost
2. Volek, J. S., Vanheest, J. L., & Forsythe, C. E. (2005). Diet and exercise for weight loss: a review of current issues. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 35(1), 1–9.
3. Kaminski, J. (n.d.). Nutrition coach/nutritionist vs. Dietitian: What’s the difference? NASM. https://blog.nasm.org/nutrition-coach-nutritionist-dietitian
4. del Castillo, A. (2020, June 10). “It’s racism”: Bay Area Gyms cut ties with CrossFit after inflammatory comments about George Floyd. ABC7 San Francisco. https://abc7news.com/crossfir-ceo-tweet-crossfit-statement-founder-of/6240226/
5. Genetin-Pilawa, J. (2023, February 1). Why did Jason Khalipa’s NCFIT re-affiliate with CrossFit? Morning Chalk Up. https://morningchalkup.com/2023/02/01/why-did-jason-khalipas-ncfit-re-affiliate-with-crossfit/
6. Holcomb E. (2008). Accountability means quality physical activity. North Carolina medical journal, 69(6), 476–481.
7. Hagberg, L. A., Lindahl, B., Nyberg, L., & Hellénius, M. ‐L. (2009). Importance of enjoyment when promoting physical exercise. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 19(5), 740–747.
8. Couzens G. S. (1992). Personal Trainers: A Formula for Fitness?. The Physician and sportsmedicine, 20(11), 130–140.

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