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Working out is tough. Working out without knowing what you’re doing is extra difficult at best and, at worst, a vessel for injuries. There’s a middle ground where most people who work out sans training knowledge fall: They spend hours upon hours exercising, without any real direction, ultimately spinning their wheels and getting no closer to their ultimate goals.
One-on-one personal training is the answer, but let’s be real: Not many people have the time or the funds to commit to in-person training sessions once a week, let alone more often than that.
Here’s where online personal training comes in. Thanks to technology, personal trainers now have the capability to provide tailored fitness programming through smart devices. One way trainers do this is through apps, which you can download on your smartphone or tablet, enabling you to benefit from individualized support right from home.
In our guide to the best personal training apps, we cover top-tier options ranging from apps that offer one-on-one live virtual sessions to more generalized apps that allow you to work out in a more a la carte manner.
I’ve been a certified personal trainer for more than five years and, since my original certification, have earned multiple specialty credentials in the fitness industry, including in corrective exercise, functional training, and nutrition. I’ve also trained many clients virtually through apps like TrueCoach and Tendon.
In this guide, however, I won’t be covering apps for personal training in that sense—I’m covering the best personal trainer apps for consumers, meaning, the type you can download and start working out with right away.
Top Picks for Best Personal Training Apps
- Best Personal Training App Overall: Future
- Best Personal Training App for Variety: SHRED App
- Best Personal Training App for Beginners: Caliber App
- Best Personal Training App for Powerlifting: JuggernautAI
- Best Personal Training App for Live Sessions: Peloton
- Best Yoga Personal Training App: Centr
- Best Personal Training App for HIIT: Train Hard
- Best Personal Training App for Fitness Classes: iFIT
Best Personal Training App Overall: Future
Good for: People who want genuine one-on-one personal training with a qualified coach and real-time communication capabilities
Best Personal Training App
Future

Pros & Cons
Pros
- Incredible user interface; very well designed and intuitive
- Choose your own coach based on your personal preferences and goals
- Lots of variety in your workouts
Cons
- $199 per month membership cost
- No real-time coaching from your trainer
Bottom Line
Although it costs about $200 a month, Future features a user-friendly interface, customizable programming, and excellent support from your personal coach.
Best Personal Training App for Variety: SHRED App
Good for: Those who like to change their training style from time to time
Best for Variety
Shred App

Product Highlights
- AI-powered fitness trainer
- Suitable for home and commercial gyms
- Able to integrate AppleHealth for easy data tracking
- Available on iPhone and Android
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Customized based on your fitness history and goals
- Connects to AppleHealth
- Can sync your playlist with workout classes
- Military, first responder, and teacher discounts
- Good for home and commercial gyms
Cons
- Glitchy
Bottom Line
The Shred app is an AI-powered virtual trainer that can be used to customize workouts in your home or commercial gym.
Best Personal Training App for Beginners: Caliber App
Good for: People looking for motivation from virtual and human trainers
Best for Beginners
Caliber Strength Training

Product Highlights
- Strength training and nutrition app
- Personalized, data-driven workout programs
- Expert habit coaching
- Free and paid versions
- Private 1:1 coaching available
- Weekly lessons, metric tracking, nutrition syncing
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Scientifically-based training plans
- Individualized coaching for both fitness and nutrition with paid subscriptions is reported to be very thorough
- Free version offers a library of curated workout plans
- Reportedly easy-to-use
Cons
- Personalized macronutrient goals only available with paid versions
Bottom Line
Caliber Strength Training is a fitness coaching program grounded in scientific principles designed to increase strength and improve body composition. The app offers both group and individual training plans which are written and modified by a certified coach based on progress.
Best Personal Training App for Powerlifting: JuggernautAI
Good for: Strength-focused athletes who want the quality of one-on-one training without having to do live assessments and communication
Best for Powerlifting
JuggernautAI

Product Highlights
Smart powerlifting and powerbuilding program from Chad Wesley Smith, an accomplished strength athlete and owner of Juggernaut Training Systems.
Uses information such as your weight, training history, current fitness level and training load, personal records, goals, and ideal training schedule
Suitable for any fitness level
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely intuitive app experience
- Super smart and responsive AI
- Offers a two-week free trial to see if you like it
Cons
- Not the same as working with a real coach
- Dashboard is a little confusing at first
- Only for strength training (no cardio workouts)
Bottom Line
JuggernautAI compiles your information to create a personalized powerlifting and powerbuilding workout experience.
Best Personal Training App for Live Sessions: Peloton
Good for: Home gym owners who have a Peloton machine and/or those who value real-time sessions with a live fitness coach, as well as a steady flow of new workouts
Best for Live Sessions
Peloton App

Product Highlights
- World-class workout classes
- Variety of fitness routines
- On-bike and off-bike workouts
- Don’t need a Peloton bike to sign up for the app
Pros & Cons
Pros
- World-class programming
- Not just bike workouts
- Can be used all over the world
- Keeps tracks of all training metrics
- Train from the comfort of your own home
- Seven-day free trial
- Two plan options
Cons
- Required to access Peloton Bike's features
Bottom Line
The Peloton app is one of the best training programs we've come across on any piece of exercise equipment.
Best Yoga Personal Training App: Centr
Good for: Yoga enthusiasts who also want to try new, healthy recipes
Best for Yoga
Centr Fitness App

Product Highlights
- Fitness, nutrition, and mental health app
- Vast library of workouts and programs
- Healthy recipe database
- Track both workouts and recipes
- Meditations guided by Chris Hemsworth
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable monthly price
- More than just workouts
- Ultra thorough instruction using text and photos
- Private Facebook community
- Easy-to-use app
Cons
- No interactive coaching
- No suited for beginners
Bottom Line
CENTR Fitness app is everything you need in one place: workout library, nutritious recipes, and mental health resources. The app is also easy-to-use well organized so you can keep track of your workouts and recipes. It’s also pretty affordable with all three billing options under $30 per month. You can pay monthly, quarterly, or annually.
Best Personal Training App For HIIT: Train Hard
Good for: People who have some experience with HIIT and CrossFit and want a large selection of follow-along workouts, plus daily skill and strength sessions
Best for HIIT
Train Hard App

Product Highlights
- Virtual training program designed by CrossFit champion Jason Khalipa
- Three programs to choose from
- Flexible payment options
- For iPhones only
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Three workout programs
- Designed by a CrossFit champion
- Flexible payment options
- Community feature for accountability
Cons
- Not the best for fitness beginners
- Not customizable
Bottom Line
Train Hard is a virtual training program designed by former CrossFit champion Jason Khalipa designed to help people get through training slumps and accomplish their fitness goals.
Best Personal Training App for Fitness Classes: iFIT
Good for: Exercisers who love fitness studio vibes and want the ability to choose between on-demand and live workout classes
Best for Fitness Classes
iFIT

Product Highlights
- Over 16,000 live and on-demand classes
- More than 60 types of workouts
- Immersive experience
- Classes filmed worldwide
- Live races and events
- World-class trainers
- Syncs with Nordictrack and ProForm equipment
Pros & Cons
Pros
- At-home training
- World-class coaches
- Immersive training experience
- Vast library of workouts
- Record and track workout metrics
- Individual and family memberships available
- Free trial
Cons
- Pricey for some
- No true path for progression
Bottom Line
iFIT offers fitness lovers versatility with machine-based classes and classes that do not require anything more than a towel or mat. Anyone looking for a home-exercise program will be hard pressed to find a more technology forward, expansive and inclusive platform than iFIT.
Other Personal Training Apps We Tried And Researched
The above nine apps are far, far from the only workout apps out there. There are quite literally hundreds, if not thousands, of apps that can support your fitness goals in one way or another. Here’s a look at some popular apps that we’ve researched but didn’t make the cut for our list of the best personal training apps.
MyFitnessPal: This is more of a tracking app where you can log your meals and exercise; it’s not so much an actual workout app.
Life Time Digital: Life Time’s digital offering is pretty robust, with a la carte on-demand and live studio classes, as well as fully built out programs targeted at specific goals. We don’t dislike it, but feel our top picks offer a little extra oomph.
SWEAT: Founder Kayla Itsines is obviously doing something right with the SWEAT app—its popularity is through the roof. We do like the SWEAT app, and we think it’s a good option for people who prefer low-impact exercise. The newer pre- and postpartum plans are great for expecting and new mamas, too.
obé Fitness: This app seems similar to Aaptiv in terms of variety and similar to Peloton in terms of its live class offerings. We don’t know enough about it yet to recommend it as one of the best.
CoPilot: CoPilot claims that its clients are nine times more consistent than they are on their own. This app offers 1:1 training and costs $129 per month after a free seven-day trial.
Nike Training Club: We love NTC and recommend it as the best free online workout program. (And we think it’s super cool that it’s now on Netflix!).
Keelo: Keelo specializes in HIIT workouts that take 30 minutes or less. It’s a simple, no-frills app and would be a good choice for people who want a simple, no-frills workout routine.
Fitbit App: The Fitbit app is great if you have a Fitbit watch. Of course, you can download and use the app even if you don’t have a Fitbit, but you won’t enjoy full functionality.
Apple Fitness+: Apple Fitness+ is an awesome addition to the Apple ecosystem, but obviously, it’s optimized for iPhones and Apple Watches. We think it’s a great choice for Apple aficionados who want a simple workout routine.
RELATED: What is Cardio?
Street Parking: This app is great for CrossFit aficionados who just want to see the workout, do it, and be done. We recommend Street Parking as one of the best online training plans for CrossFit. We also have more details about our personal experience with the app in our in-depth Street Parking review.
Walking and running apps: Check out our guides to the best running apps and best walking apps, which include apps like MapMyRun, MayMyWalk, Nike Run Club, Couch to 5K, and Runkeeper.
Cycling Apps: We also have a guide to the best cycling apps, which includes Zwift, Komoot, MapMyRide, Bikemap, and more.
RELATED: Marathon Training Plan
How We Picked and Tested the Best Personal Training App
Longtime GGR readers know that our team is picky, to say the least, about which products we recommend. If you’re new here, this is a quick peek into our process.
Research and Crowdsourcing
Everything we do starts with research and crowdsourcing among our team members. As credentialed fitness professionals and longtime fitness enthusiasts, our product testers already have years of experience with various fitness apps, programming, and training styles.
The first step for this article was asking: “What training programs have we used, and which ones do we love?” The answers largely informed our final guide.
Additionally, we took to the depths of the Internet to research other personal training programs we may not have heard of yet and to get more details on ones that looked intriguing, but we hadn’t tried.
Hands on Testing
We personally test the vast majority of what we recommend. If we recommend something that we haven’t personally tested, it’s because we have extensive experience with other products from the brand and/or with similar products and feel that, as fitness professionals, we can confidently make an educated decision about its quality. In the case of personal training apps, eight of the nine top recommendations have been used by someone on our team and scored using our in-depth fitness equipment testing methodology.
We also consider the price of subscription plan and what you get with it. Ideally, using an app won’t cost you more than an average gym membership. And if you use an app that is personalized, we compared it to the cost of working with a coach in-person.
We also prioritized programs that provide progression and offer more than one track or style of exercise. For some app, this looks like a variety of cardio, HIIT, and kettlebell workouts while other apps offer separate tracks for beginner, intermediate, and experienced exercisers.
Shortlisting
Finally, we come up with our list of top picks based on our research and personal experience. All of this culminates in a guide like the one you’re reading right now.
Benefits of Personal Training Apps
The benefits of personal training apps include many of the same benefits as in-person training. A personal training app can provide you with a level of accountability and motivation that you may not have on your own (or even during a partner workout).
In fact, one study1 found that people who used apps during the COVID-19 lockdown were more likely to remain active than those who didn’t.
Personal training apps are not just for people who need accountability. These types of apps are also idea for beginners who need proper instruction, people who travel and want to stay active, or busy people who need efficient ways to workout.
Additionally, personal training apps provide you with either 100% individualized fitness programming or a selection of programming curated to your specific goals and needs. The best personal training apps help you reach your goals in a calculated, efficient way.
Buying Guide: What to Look for in a Personal Training App
As you browse your options, keep these considerations in mind.
Individualized Support
As the phrase “personal training” suggests, a personal training app will provide you with individualized support. Though most of our top suggestions do include this function, not all of them do. That’s because individualized support doesn’t have to mean 100% one-on-one coaching. That’s the fastest way to reach your goals, sure, but apps like Aaptiv, Peloton, and iFIT are also great options with elements of customization.
RELATED: Best iFIT Workouts
Live Coaching
If you prefer to work out with a coach in real time, make sure the app you choose has a live coaching function. Not all of them do.
Ability to Modify Plans
Every app on our list offers unlimited modification, which is important when it comes to reaching your fitness goals. Without the ability to modify—whether you do it yourself or your coach does it for you—you’d find yourself in a variety of unfavorable situations, including attempting to work through overtraining syndrome, exacerbating injuries, or pushing hard despite an increase in stress or lack of sleep.
Logging and Tracking Capabilities
Logging is a foundational part of making progress in the gym. Without learning how to use a fitness log, you’ll never know exactly what level you’re at nor how to frame your next cycle of programming. The easiest way to log consistently is to choose an app that automatically tracks your workouts.
Form and Technique Feedback
If you’re new to fitness, returning after a long break, or recovering from an injury, you’d be wise to choose a personal training app with live coaching. This way, your coach can monitor your technique and provide feedback to ensure your safety.
Progression
A personal training app should help you progress in one way or another, whether that means a live coach is fine-tuning your reps and sets, or an AI bot is serving up new programs to match your inputs. This is essential to progressive overload, which is the basis upon which most personal training is founded.
RELATED: What is Progressive Overload?
Pricing
As a personal trainer, I know that working with one is not cheap. It’s truly an investment in your health. That said, pricing for personal training apps is typically more cost effective than training in-person, especially when you factor in more than one session per week.
These types of apps typically have a monthly, quarterly, or annual billing system rather than billing you per session or for a pack of 10. If you’re someone who wants to train three or four times a week, you won’t have to pay more for more workouts. And same goes for anytime you miss a workout, because most in-person trainers have a cancellation policy.
Best Personal Training Apps FAQs
Let’s wrap up with some answers to common questions regarding personal training apps.
Is personal training worth it?
I answer most fitness questions with, “It depends,” but this question I can answer with a resounding yes. A good personal trainer—or a good personal training app—is well worth the cost. If you’re serious about improving your fitness, whatever that means to you, personal training is the No. 1 best way to do so.
How much does a personal training app cost?
The cost of personal training apps ranges from free-99 to several hundred dollars per month.
Is there a free personal fitness app?
Sure, there are free personal fitness apps available. One of our favorites is Nike Training Club, which offers many of the functions of other subscription-based apps.
References
- Tong HL, Maher C, Parker K, Pham TD, Neves AL, Riordan B, Chow CK, Laranjo L, Quiroz JC. The use of mobile apps and fitness trackers to promote healthy behaviors during COVID-19: A cross-sectional survey. PLOS Digit Health. 2022 Aug 18;1(8):e0000087. doi: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000087. PMID: 36812578; PMCID: PMC9931267.
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