7 Best Online Personal Trainers
In today’s digital age, achieving your fitness goals no longer requires expensive gym memberships or in-person training sessions. Online personal trainers have revolutionized the fitness industry, offering personalized workout plans, expert guidance, and motivation right at your fingertips. Whether you’re a beginner looking to kickstart your fitness journey or an experienced athlete aiming to take your performance to the next level, online personal trainers can provide tailored solutions to fit your unique needs and schedule.
This article explores the 7 best online personal trainers available, carefully selected based on factors such as program variety, expert credentials, user experience, and overall value.Â
1. Online Personal Training With Samuel Parker
Samuel Parker offers a comprehensive online personal training service through Virtual Personal Training. As an ISSA certified personal trainer with over a decade of experience, Samuel specializes in hypertrophy, muscle growth, cardiovascular endurance training, and HIIT. His program includes customized workout plans, nutritional guidance, and continuous support to help clients achieve their fitness goals. The training is designed to cater to individuals of all ages and fitness levels, focusing on both physical fitness and building healthy habits.
Pros
- Personalized Plans: Samuel provides customized workout plans tailored to individual goals, whether for home, gym, or both, ensuring each client receives a program that fits their specific needs and lifestyle.
- Nutritional Guidance: Alongside workout plans, Samuel offers 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, weekly email check-ins, and optional bi-weekly Zoom or phone calls. This level of support helps maintain motivation and accountability.
- Comprehensive Approach: The program includes habit tracking and access to an educational library of ebooks on various fitness topics, providing a holistic approach to fitness and wellness.
Cons
- Price: The cost of Samuel’s services ranges from $400 to $1,200, which may be considered high for some potential clients and could be a barrier for those on a tighter budget.
- Virtual Limitations: While Samuel provides comprehensive virtual support, some clients might miss the hands-on guidance and immediate feedback that in-person training offers. This could be a drawback for individuals who prefer face-to-face interaction.
- Commitment Required: Achieving significant results requires a high level of commitment and consistency from clients. Those who struggle with self-discipline might find it challenging to stick to the program without the physical presence of a trainer.
Price
- 1-Month Plan: $400 for 4 sessions, each lasting 60 minutes.
- 2-Month Plan: $800 for 8 sessions, each lasting 60 minutes.
- 3-Month Plan: $1,200 for 12 sessions, each lasting 60 minutes.
2. Joggo
Joggo is a personalized running app designed to help users achieve their fitness goals through tailored running programs and nutritional plans. Launched in 2020, Joggo provides customized running plans, strength training workouts, and meal plans created by certified nutritionists. The app is suitable for beginners and intermediate runners looking to improve their fitness levels, lose weight, or train for races.
Pros
- Personalized Training Plans: Joggo creates running programs tailored to the user’s fitness level and goals, adapting every two weeks based on progress tests.
- Audio-Guided Workouts: The app offers audio guidance during runs, providing motivation and instructions to help users stay on track.
- Nutritional Guidance: Joggo includes meal plans tailored to individual dietary preferences and nutritional needs, supporting overall health and fitness goals.
- Educational Resources: Users have access to a library of articles on running, nutrition, and injury prevention, helping them build healthier habits.
Cons
- Focus on Weight Loss: Some users have reported that the app emphasizes weight loss even when it is not their primary goal.
- No Free Version: Joggo does not offer a free trial period, which may be a barrier for some potential users.
- Limited Device Compatibility: The app does not connect with popular fitness devices like Garmin and Fitbit, which may be a drawback for some users.
- Initial Onboarding: The initial questionnaire may set unrealistic weight loss expectations, which can be misleading.
Price
Joggo’s pricing varies based on the subscription plan chosen:
- Monthly Plan: $33 per month
- Discounted Plans: Significant price breaks are available for three- or six-month billing cycles.
3. Girls Gone Strong
Girls Gone Strong (GGS) is a health and fitness platform specifically designed for women. It offers a comprehensive approach to fitness, combining exercise, nutrition, and mindset coaching. GGS provides a year-long online coaching program led by expert coaches, focusing on long-term lifestyle changes to improve overall health and wellness.
Pros
- Women-Specific Coaching: GGS tailors its programs to the unique needs of women, addressing various aspects of health, fitness, and wellness.
- Comprehensive Approach: The platform integrates exercise, nutrition, and mindset coaching, providing a holistic approach to health and fitness.
- Expert Coaches: GGS coaches are highly qualified and experienced in women’s health and fitness, ensuring high-quality guidance and support.
- Supportive Community: The platform fosters a supportive community of women, encouraging motivation and accountability.
Cons
- No Free Trial: GGS does not offer a free trial period, which might be a deterrent for some potential users.
- Long-Term Commitment: The year-long commitment may be daunting for some users who prefer shorter-term programs or more flexibility.
- Higher Cost: The comprehensive nature of the program comes with a higher price tag compared to some other online training options.
4. FlexIt
FlexIt offers live, one-on-one virtual personal training sessions through your computer, tablet, or phone. They connect users with certified personal trainers from top fitness brands for personalized workouts that can be done from anywhere.
Pros
- Live, personalized sessions with certified trainers
- No equipment required
- Flexible scheduling – train anytime, anywhere
- Option to work with different trainers and specialists (e.g., yoga instructors, physical therapists, nutritionists)
- Accountability and real-time feedback
- Suitable for all fitness levels, including those recovering from injuries
Cons
- Requires a stable internet connection
- May be more expensive than some pre-recorded workout apps
- Limited to scheduled session times
Price
As low as $30 per session, with various plans available
5. Aaptiv
Aaptiv is an audio-based fitness app that offers thousands of on-demand workouts across various disciplines, guided by expert trainers. It uses AI to create personalized workout plans and adapts to your progress.
Pros
- Wide variety of workout types (strength, cardio, yoga, etc.)
- AI-powered personalization (SmartCoach feature)
- Affordable compared to in-person training
- Flexible – use anytime, anywhere
- Regular updates with new workouts
- Option to train for specific events (e.g., 5K, marathon)
Cons
- No live interaction with trainers
- Audio-only format may be challenging for visual learners
- Limited for those focused on heavy weightlifting or specific strength gains
Price
$14.99 per month or $99 for a year
6. Obe Fitness
Obe Fitness is an online fitness platform offering live and on-demand workout classes. It provides a wide variety of class types including strength training, cardio, dance, yoga, and more. The platform is known for its colorful, energetic aesthetic and engaging instructors.
Pros:
- Wide variety of class types and lengths
- Live classes available daily
- Engaging, high-energy instructors
- Classes for all fitness levels
- Minimal equipment required for most workouts
- Specialized programs like pre/postnatal classes
Cons:
- May not be challenging enough for very advanced athletes
- Bright, colorful aesthetic may not appeal to everyone
- Requires consistent internet connection for live classes
Price:
$24.99 per month or $169.99 per year ($14.17/month)
7. Down Dog
Down Dog is a suite of fitness apps primarily focused on yoga, but also offering HIIT, barre, and meditation. The app generates unique workouts each time, allowing for endless variety in practice.
Pros:
- Customizable workouts tailored to user preferences
- New sequence generated for every session
- Multiple practice types available (yoga, HIIT, barre, meditation)
- Offline mode available
- Suitable for all levels from beginner to advanced
Cons:
- No live classes or real-time instructor feedback
- Limited community aspect compared to other platforms
- Primarily focused on yoga, with fewer options for other workout types