The Best Online Personal Training Platforms to Help You Reach Your Fitness Goals

If consistent, IRL personal training simplyisn’t your thing or isn’t possible (thanks, hectic work schedules!), online personal training platforms can be an approachable, accessible substitute.

For starters, they allow for flexibility and give you the ability to exercise wherever you feel most comfortable — whether it be at home, in a local park, or at the gym — while still providing guidance from a trained fitness expert. Just like in-person trainers, online training platforms offer personalized exercise programs. But virtual versions have a leg up when it comes to the variety of workouts available, as the pros can upload everything from HIIT sessions and strength training plans to mobility work onto their websites.

So, which online personal training companies are actually worth subscribing to? Here, you’ll find a round-up of the best online personal training platforms based on cost, availability, platforms used, and certifications held by the fitness experts.

Key Specs

• Pricing: Most popular plan is $759 for 3 months, with $199 per month afterward
• Platform: App
• Workouts Offered: Weight lifting

It was why we chose it.

Ultimate Performance Fitness helps people reach their fitness goals by addressing not only their current exercise program but also their sleep, stress levels and diet. When creating a training program and diet plan, all of these are taken into account.

There are pros and cons to them.

They are pros.

• Focused on exercise and nutrition
• Evaluates over 50 data points, including sleep, stress, health status, exercise history, dietary preferences, and more
• Creates a comprehensive diet plan

There are pros and cons to it.

• Primarily focused on weight lifting
• Not clear if trainers are certified
• Costly

There is a overview.

Exercising regularly is one thing, but if you want to improve your health overall, you need to consider nutrition, sleep and stress levels. Ultimate Performance Fitness provides its clients with a full audit of their lifestyles. An analysis of more than 50 data points, such as sleep quality, stress levels, health status, exercise history, and nutrition needs, will be used to create a personalized health and fitness plan.

Through the app, you’ll be matched with a personal trainer who will lead you through one-on-one sessions and conduct weekly check-ins through email or video chat. It’s not a requirement to send them photos of yourself to show your progress.

You will get a nutrition plan with supplement recommendations based on your suggested intake, as well as a weight lifting plan. Take it with a grain of salt because this calculation may not be completely accurate. If you want to meet your health and fitness goals, you need to meet with a registered dietitian.

The Ultimate Performance app allows you to track a number of health metrics, including body weight, body fat, hormone markers, blood pressure, and hunger, sleep, and energy levels. You can use the app to access recipes and other workouts.

The downside: The app could leave you feeling overwhelmed by all the metrics. So if trying to manage multiple health factors at once is intimidating, this fitness approach might not be the right fit for you.

Key Specs

• Pricing: $125 per month for basic plan, $175 for complete plan, $225 for premium plan
• Platform: App
• Workouts Offered: Strength training, cardio, balance, flexibly, and mobility

It was why we chose it.

With all three of its program packages, Forge has a custom meal plans. The recipes are provided by a registered dietitian, and there are also options for those who don’t want to eat meat.

There are pros and cons to them.

They are pros.

• A licensed and registered dietitian provides meal plans
• Workouts are a blend of strength, cardio, flexibility, and mobility
• One-on-one video calls with a trainer are available to review your form and keep you on track
• An in-app messenger allows you to communicate with your trainer

There are pros and cons to it.

• The trainer is assigned to you based on a fitness assessment you fill out
• Discounts or promotions are mainly for new and first-time members

There is a overview.

Forge believes in the importance of nutrition in healthy living. A registered dietitian on staff at the company can create a meal plan that’s either “balanced” (which includes a healthy blend of most food groups), or vegetarian.

“You cannot outwork poor nutrition with exercise,” says Michael S.Parker, the founder of Forge. You must discover your daily needs and build a system for planning, shopping, preparing, and storing meals in a reasonable manner.

Compared to other personalized online training programs featuring a designated personal trainer, Forge’s programs are considerably cheaper. A basic program costs $125 per month and includes one live video chat or phone call monthly. The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), American Council on Exercise (ACE), and the National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) certify trainers who are fully certified through them. The trainer may recommend you use props such as resistance bands and stability balls, so be sure to have those on hand.

It was easy to find answers to common questions on the company’s extensive FAQs section. However, one downside is you can’t pick your trainer; you’re matched with one based on a questionnaire you fill out when you first sign up. So if you’re particular about whom you’d mesh with, that may be a deal-breaker.

Key Specs

• Pricing: $15 per month, $39 for three months, or $72 for six months
• Platform: App
• Workouts Offered: Bodyweight training, weight lifting, dancing, cross training, and yoga.

It was why we chose it.

Nutrition and fitness are available for those who want to transform their health. The app is inexpensive for the features it provides, and was created by TV personalities and celebrity trainers.

There are pros and cons to them.

They are pros.

• Rated 4.5/5 with more than 1,200 reviews in the App Store
• App includes meal planning and food tracking features
• Offers a seven-day free trial

There are pros and cons to it.

• Website has a lot of content and may be hard to navigate
• Doesn’t include a designated trainer to work with you
• Relies on individual accountability

There is a overview.

For those on a budget, Transform gives guidance on nutrition and exercise for just$15 per month. The program features more than 1,500 total exercises that are suitable for all fitness levels and it provides modification suggestions for each exercise.

There are many different types of workouts to choose from, including at- home, gym-based, dance, and cross-training sessions. Chris and Heidi Powell are celebrity trainers who have years of experience helping people hit their fitness goals. Since Transform doesn’t provide a trainer to work with you, the built-in timer helps you stay on track. Some of the cons are that you don’t get access to a coach, virtual sessions, or in-app messaging.

The weekly grocery shopping list and recipe database can be used for meal planning. If you want, you can view how many calories and macros you consume each day. There are educational nutrition videos available, but there isn’t an expert on-hand to guide you.

The site can feel a bit spammy and busy (there’s a ton of graphics to take in on the homepage alone), making it difficult navigate. However, once you get your bearings, it does include helpful information about the program’s offerings, which overall makes for a well-rounded and affordable approach to getting healthy.

Key Specs

• Pricing: $13 per week
• Platform: App
• Workouts offered: Circuit training, interval training, and mobility

It was why we chose it.

Non Gendered Fitness is a virtual gym that is owned and operated by gender-diverse people. Helping members of the LGBTQIA+ community get fit, healthy, and build confidence is what it is focused on. The program is cheap, which makes the owner’s intentions seem even more authentic.

There are pros and cons to them.

They are pros.

• Focused on inclusivity
• Free seven- or 14-day trial
• No equipment needed
• One-on-one training sessions available

There are pros and cons to it.

• Only two trainers available
• Trainers are in Australia and not certified through NASM, ACE, or NESTA
• Geared toward beginners

There is a overview.

It’s clear from the start that the program has a genuine goal: providing fitness and health coaching for the LGBTQIA+ community. The owners give off a warm, welcoming vibe in their bios on the About page and offer online training sessions, which allow you to decide the pace of your workouts. If you don’t like meeting one-on-one with a personal trainer but want all the benefits of having a pro on your side, this may be the program for you.

You can get a free seven- or 14-day trial to see if you like the style. The training program for beginners is $13 per week and focuses on moving joints. Its workouts are designed to be completed in one to four days per week.

You can log into your training sessions, follow along with video exercise demonstrations, and track your progress with the app. You won’t get a live trainer for one-on-one support because it’s a pre-built, self-paced program. If you need to, you can contact one.

You can use the app to record yourself doing an exercise next to the video demonstration, so you can look back and see if your form matches the demo. Your coach will receive a copy of the video and send you feedback. Nutrition coaching is available in the app if you need some healthy eating tips.

If you care about credentials from personal training certification organizations in the U.S., Non Gendered Fitness might not satisfy. The owners are based in Victoria, Australia, and don’t hold credentials from NASM, ACE, or NESTA. However, Stovers holds a fitness certificate from FitNation and is a Russian Kettlebell Challenge Instructor, while Canters holds a Precision Nutrition Coaching Certification, according to the company website.

Key Specs

• Pricing: Sliding-scale model with two payment options — $40 per month or $60 per month
• Platform: App
• Workouts Offered: Barre, boot camp, and HIIT

It was why we chose it.

Lauren Leavell, the owner of Lauren Leavell Fitness, embraces body positivity and welcomes people of all shapes and sizes who wish to make positive changes through exercise.

There are pros and cons to them.

They are pros.

• Sliding scale with reasonable pricing
• Community-based app
• Body positive
• No contracts or long-term commitments

There are pros and cons to it.

• Doesn’t offer one-on-one sessions
• Only one trainer available

There is a overview.

Lauren Leavell Fitness is all about moving and embracing your body, no matter your shape or size. Leavell says that all bodies are welcome on the company’s website.

On the website, you’ll find a demonstration video that shows you how to navigate its app-based program, which includes how to view members’ notes, access recorded and upcoming class schedules, and sign up for workouts. The classes include barre and boot camp. Members can communicate easily with each other in the app and earn a gold star status on their profile once they invite others to join a class, which Leavell calls an ambassador program.

Leavell also has a pricing model. The Sustainer membership costs $40.00 per month and includes four live workouts a week, access to recordings with special guest instructors and educators, and community connection to other folks in the class. If you choose the $60-per-month Builder membership, you’ll get everything you get with the Sustainer membership, plus you’ll help fund scholarships for people who need assistance and make space for more people to join the community.

If you like to work with a variety of trainers, this may not be the best program for you, as Leavell is the sole fitness expert. Since all the workouts are pre-recorded, there isn’t much of a personal touch, either.

Key Specs

• Pricing: $235 per month for weekly workouts, $465 per month for twice-weekly workouts
• Platform: Online
• Workouts Offered: Slow-motion strength training

It was why we chose it.

If you’re dealing with a chronic condition or pain, exercising as you grow older can be hard. The Perfect Workout is for people 55 years old and older, who may need to make more modifications and take things slower.

There are pros and cons to them.

They are pros.

• Designed for folks 55 years old and up
• Money-back guarantee if you’re not stronger after 12 months
• Live one-on-one virtual training

There are pros and cons to it.

• Expensive
• Only one type of workout is offered
• Personal trainers don’t have to be certified and are trained specifically in Slow-Motion Strength Training by the company

There is a overview.

The Perfect Workout began as a single studio in San Diego and now has more than 60 locations throughout California, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. It offers one-on-one virtual sessions with a fitness professional who is trained specifically in Slow-Motion Strength Training, which involves slower repeats to fatigue your muscles faster. They may not hold fitness certifications through other organizations.

The program consists of one to two live personal training sessions a week. The cost depends on the program you sign up for. It’s more expensive than other online training programs, but if you’re looking for workouts for older adults that don’t require a lot of time commitment, this company may be the perfect fit.

The program was developed to be safe for people who have low bone density. Kaila Grabot is a member support assistant at The Perfect Workout. It’s a high-intensity, low- impact style of training that focuses on building lean muscle and helps keep your bones and joints safe as you do the exercises. It’s a good option for people dealing with injuries or pain because the workouts are highly modifiable.

Additionally, the site offers an education hub with articles written by staff that are geared toward seniors, including topics like how to stay healthy after menopause, how to breathe properly during workouts, how to create healthy habits, and more.

If you’re looking to switch up your exercise program and diet with the help of pros, try Ultimate Performance Fitness for its well-rounded guidance on how to improve your diet and engage in a regular exercise program. The app keeps you accountable by providing in-depth methods to track your progress and educational information about nutrition, plus access to healthy recipes.

If a full audit of your lifestyle, diet, and exercise feels like way too much too soon, ease into your fitness journey with a budget-friendly option such as Transform. The Transform app program is inexpensive, coming in at $15a month, and offers all the same benefits of having a virtual personal trainer and nutritionist at your fingertips. Even though you are not able to talk with celebrity trainers Chris and Heidi Powell live, their motivating videos and weekly grocery lists will give you everything you need to ease into your new, healthier lifestyle.

Choosing an online personal trainer involves weighing your personal preferences for several factors, some of which you may not have considered if you’re new to personal training. Here, Parker suggests the following tips for finding a good fit.

Generally speaking, you’ll want to seek out trainers who hold well-respected credentials (think: certified personal trainers, certified strength and conditioning specialists, functional movement specialists). Make sure they have been certified through accredited fitness trainer organizations such as NASM, ACE, NESTA, the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Council on Strength and Fitness, the National Federation of Professional Trainers, and the National Strenght and Conditioning Association, and the International Sports Sciences Association. “Ask about their education, certifications, and experience as it relates to your condition level and goal” adds Parker. “It’s not recommended to hire uncertified ‘trainers’ or hobby fitness enthusiasts on social media.” While certifications don’t guarantee a trainer is the right fit for you and your goals, they are a good starting point.

Rather than picking a trainer based on before and after photos of clients, Parker suggests reading testimonials and even asking to chat with a former client. “Avoid online companies that exploit their clients by posting these pictures; look instead for written or video testimonials about the experience,” says Parker. “Your results are your own.”

Think about the fitness journey you’d like to take. If you want to start jogging for the first time, find a coach who specializes in running and has certifications to back it up. Or, look for a strength-focused coach if you’re looking to gain muscle. And if you prefer a specific type of workouts, such as yoga or HIIT, ask trainers if they are experienced in those areas.

Before searching for a trainer, decide how much you can spend per month on your workouts and how much time you can dedicate to your fitness per week. This might help narrow your choices of trainers down to those who fit your budget and schedule.

Online personal training works much like in-person training, but you connect with your trainer via phone, video, or other online formats. You might follow workouts that the trainer pre-records or complete sessions with them live. Many online trainers and programs develop an exercise regimen specifically for you, as well as provide guidance with a meal plan. The big perk? You can get your workouts in on your own time and at your place of choice.

Most trainers facilitate their sessions through an app where you can connect virtually, track your progress, and access recipes and other educational information. Many allow you to message your trainer through their app, as well.

Yes, depending on what you’re looking for. If you want the help of a professional but can’t get to a gym and prefer to engage in workouts on your own time in a location you choose (e.g., at your home, office, or hotel), then an online trainer may be worth it. You can even pick a program or trainer that allows you to stop their program at any time, so you’re not locked into a contract if you change your mind. You can also look for programs that provide a free trial before committing.

Program cost varies depending on what they offer. For instance, some provide access to their app for as low as $10 per month, while other programs with one-on-one training and other personalized benefits range from $15 to $450 per month.

For some programs, you won’t need any equipment, and many will work with what you have already, such as resistance bands and free weights. You can also work out at a gym and virtually connect with your trainer while you’re there.

Shape looked into 13 online personal trainers and programs and reviewed each based on its cost, reputation of its founders, and the trainers’ qualifications, experience, and variety of skill sets. Shape also considered the options available for users to communicate directly with trainers. Other offerings that were considered were app utility, nutrition guidance, programs that focused on body acceptance, and those designed for underserved groups, such as seniors and the LGBTQIA+ community.