Fitness Gear Best Online Personal Trainers Forge Fitness is the best online personal trainer thanks to its personalized plans By Natasha Freutel, M.S., O.T. Natasha Freutel, M.S., O.T. Natasha is a writer and occupational therapist who has covered health and wellness topics for Healthline, Livestrong, and Fitness magazine. Her expertise lies in rehabilitation and therapeutic exercise, personal training, and geriatrics. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 19, 2023 Reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by nutrition and exercise professionals. Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by John Honerkamp Reviewed by John Honerkamp LinkedIn Twitter John Honerkamp is an RRCA and USATF-certified running coach, celebrity marathon pacer, and recognized leader in the New York City running community. Learn about our Review Board Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Sean Blackburn Fact checked by Sean Blackburn LinkedIn Sean is a fact-checker and researcher with experience in sociology, field research, and data analytics. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Online personal training is a flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional personal training and can help you reach your health and fitness goals faster than going it alone. Since you're not limited by location, you can explore more options and choose the trainer that is the best fit for you. Online personal training also can be as effective as traditional, in-person personal training programs. Most programs on this list offer in-app support, as well as video or phone calls with your trainer. To help you find the best virtual fitness trainer for your needs, our research team evaluated 16 of the best online personal trainers based on factors like price, availability, platforms used, and the accreditations and certifications they hold. Here are the ones that ranked the highest. Best Online Personal Trainers of 2023 Best Overall: Forge Fitness Best for Women: Girls Gone Strong Best for Yoga: Find What Feels Good From Yoga With Adriene Best for the Tech Savvy: Future Best Way to Find Independent Trainers: Trainerize Best Inexpensive: Transform Best Online Personal Trainers View All Best Online Personal Trainers Our Top Picks Forge Fitness Girls Gone Strong Find What Feels Good From Yoga With Adriene Future Trainerize Transform See More (3) Final Verdict Online Personal Trainers vs. In-Person Trainers FAQs Methodology Best Overall : Forge Fitness Forge Fitness Sign Up Now Key Specs Price: $125 to $225 per monthDuration: CustomEquipment Needed: Bodyweight only, or resistance bands, weights, or machines Why We Chose It Forge Fitness is designed for those who want personalized advice that can be executed at home, on the road, or in the gym. Plans include nutritional guides, one-on-one coaching calls, and unlimited text messages with your coach. Pros & Cons Pros Personalized workout program Unlimited in-app messaging with your coach Includes 1:1 video chat sessions Can enroll at any time Has a registered dietitian on staff No long-term commitment Cons No money-back guarantee Limited trainer choices and you are assigned a trainer based on your goals No free trial Overview Forge Fitness is a great option for beginners or those who do not have access to a gym. It is less expensive than other personalized online training programs and offers many of the same features, including video sessions and unlimited in-app messaging. We also liked that Forge has a registered dietitian on staff, which is important if you have special dietary restrictions or health concerns like diabetes or heart disease. The dietitian will ensure that you have an appropriate meal plan for your needs. The workouts are tailored to your fitness level and are designed to work with your home equipment. Only have a pair of dumbbells and a resistance band? No problem; your trainer will develop a program that works. All programs include video demonstrations and in-app messaging. Forge Fitness programs start at $125/month. For $175/month, the Complete plan includes two calls a month with a trainer, while the Premium plan includes weekly calls for $225/month. All plans include personalized workouts, as well as a choice from four nutrition plans. You can message your trainer anytime through the Forge app for free. Every Forge coach or dietitian is fully certified and licensed through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), American Council on Exercise (ACE), or the National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association (NESTA). You can cancel your program anytime with 10 days’ notice, but there is no money-back guarantee. Best for Women : Girls Gone Strong Girls Gone Strong Sign Up Now Key Specs Price: $299 per monthDuration: Varies Equipment needed: Varies (may include resistance bands, free weights, and gym equipment) Why We Chose It Girls Gone Strong focuses specifically on women’s fitness. It offers a variety of customizable plans based on women’s bodies and capabilities, paired with accountability check-ins. We like the focus on nutrition, rather than diets and thinness. Pros & Cons Pros Designed specifically for women Incorporates nutrition, training, and mindset coaching Mobile app available Individualized, customized plans Message your coach at any time Weekly coaching check-ins Cons Only opens registration twice a year Expensive compared to similar programs No virtual sessions Most beneficial if you have prior exercise experience Money-back guarantee only after completing the 1-year program Overview Girls Gone Strong (GGS) uses GGS teaching principles to develop extensive personalized programs for clients. Programs include strength training and cardio workouts, mindset coaching, and nutrition guidance. There are no meal plans; instead, the focus is on teaching you the skills you need to make nutritious food choices. There is also a heavy emphasis on building a healthy lifestyle and practicing good habits. Molly Galbraith, certified strength and conditioning specialist and co-founder of Girls Gone Strong, leads the online training program. Trainers have completed the GGS women’s coaching specialist certification and are taught how to address common issues that many women encounter while working out. Plans start at $299 a month for 12 months or $199 per month when you buy during a pre-sale. Long-term commitments are encouraged; if you pay $1,999 for the annual plan, you can reduce your monthly cost to $166 per month. Girls Gone Strong has open enrollment twice a year, and the website states that spots are limited. It does not offer virtual sessions, just online programming and communication through its app. Lastly, GGS offers a money-back guarantee if you complete the 12-month program and are not satisfied with your results. Best for Yoga : Find What Feels Good From Yoga With Adriene Yoga with Adrienne Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: $12.99 per monthDuration: 10 to 60 minutesEquipment needed: Yoga mat, towel, blocks if desired Why We Chose It YouTube yoga star Adriene Mishler’s Find What Feels Good (FWFG) app offers more than 900 hours of yoga instruction suitable for all experience levels. Guest teachers, guided meditations, and other modalities such as Pilates and strength training add value. Pros & Cons Pros Well-rounded content, including nutrition and mindfulness Database searchable by length, program, or physical concern Accessible to all fitness levels Very little equipment needed Cons No one-on-one coaching Much of the content is available for free on YouTube Self-directed, so harder to plan a routine Overview Yoga with Adriene, led by Adriene Mishler, is one of the most popular yoga channels on YouTube, and for a good reason. Her relatable persona and come-as-you-are routines invite yogis to "find what feels good." That motto has evolved into an app that includes a huge database of yoga routines by both Mishler and guest teachers. While there is no one-on-one coaching in the Find What Feels Good program, there is guidance. Users can follow the monthly 30-day yoga plans, search by the physical symptom they want to work on, or connect to the FWFG community for inspiration. Subscriber-only content includes yoga for kids, guided meditations, Pilates, and practices focused on building strength. Find What Feels Good is perfect for someone who is interested in taking their practice a step beyond the free content available on YouTube and who wants to have access to guest teachers that align with Mishler’s brand of accessible practice. With a low monthly fee, the app offers value without a major commitment. Plans start at $12.99 per month or $129.99 per year. Best for the Tech Savvy : Future Future Sign Up Now Get your first month for $19 Key Specs Cost: $149 per month Duration: Varies Equipment needed: Bodyweight only, or whatever you have available Why We Chose It When you’re first starting out, accountability is key. Future uses a connected app to monitor your progress and fine-tune your program as you improve. Pros & Cons Pros Frequent check-ins with fitness coaches Plans change weekly to keep interest high No contracts Can pause membership for up to three months without losing your coach Cons Only available for iOS users Requires an Apple Watch for tracking No nutritional advice included Overview If you need a little more than just a suggested workout routine, Future is the solution. After you sign up and match with a coach through a Facetime call, your coach will design a weekly workout plan based on your favorite activities and goals. They will also track your progress through the Future app, which connects to your Apple Watch's health-tracking capabilities. This provides the ultimate accountability, and it also allows your trainer to see what’s working and what isn’t. As your endurance and skill increase, your trainer can change the plan to suit you. You’ll have access to frequent check-ins with your trainer too, so if you have questions or need modifications, you can make those in real-time. There are two drawbacks to Future. One is the platform. Future is only available to Apple users since it uses iOS and the Apple Watch to track and connect. It also doesn’t offer any nutritional advice, so users may have to consult with a dietitian if they need help with healthy eating. The Future Training plan costs $149 per month and includes unlimited workouts. Best Way to Find Independent Trainers : Trainerize Trainerize Sign Up Now Key Specs Cost: FreeDuration: N/A Equipment: N/A Why We Chose It Trainerize isn’t a personal training business, but a third-party app that works like a fitness directory. You can search for trainers by specialty, location, online availability, and more. Pros & Cons Pros Lets you search many trainers to find the right fit Lists local trainers and specialized programs Option to incorporate nutrition and meal plans App connects with other health apps and tracks progress Cons Trainers are not vetted before joining Need to do your own research on individual trainers Trainerize is not responsible for client satisfaction No consistency between trainers Overview Trainerize is different from the other companies mentioned as it does not employ trainers but rather serves as a third-party app connecting trainers to clients. Users can search the Trainerize database for a trainer that fits their goals and personality. Once they connect, trainers can invite users to log into the Trainerize app. The app itself is very user-friendly and allows the trainer to upload your workouts to your calendar, provide exercise demonstration videos, and view photos and body stats. It also gives you the option to log your workouts and message your trainer at any time. You can sync the app with other health apps like MyFitnessPal and Apple Watch, so all your data is in one place for your trainer to see. Pricing is dependent on who you hire and can range from free challenges to $500-per-month specialized programs. The app has the option for in-app video calls and the ability to run group coaching programs. Unfortunately, trainers are not vetted before joining Trainerize; there is no guarantee that you are hiring someone as qualified as you believe them to be. It is important to do your research, check their social media, read their website, and look for honest reviews. Many highly qualified fitness professionals on Trainerize can give you the personalized help and support you need, but the online fitness industry has been diluted with fitness “experts” with no reputable certification, so make sure you know who you are hiring. If you are looking to support a personal trainer in your town, you can search by ZIP code and seek out virtual services from local small businesses. Best Inexpensive : Transform The Transform App Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: $14.99 per monthDuration: VariesEquipment needed: Ranges from none to free weights and machines Why We Chose It The Transform app offers a low-cost solution for customizable plans led by recognizable trainers. If you’re self-motivated but need instruction, the Transform app is ideal. Pros & Cons Pros Different programs to choose from depending on your goals Great app interface Excellent demonstration videos Workouts are easy to follow and can be done at home or the gym Cons No private messaging or trainer to keep you accountable Not ideal for specialized goals Meal plan can get complicated and requires a lot of planning Easy to fall off track Overview Brought to you by the extreme transformation trainer Chris Powell, the Transform app is an inexpensive online training program. The app, which is available on the App Store and Google Play, allows you to customize your workout plan and choose your meal plan, and offers an easy-to-use interface to help you reach your goals. You can choose your preferred workout (home, gym, dance, or cross-training) and set your calorie and meal plan preferences. The workouts are easy to follow, user-friendly, and have a built-in timer and the ability to track your stats after each workout. The app also has a nutrition feature where you can track your food and view macros and calories for the day. You can plan your meals for the week from the recipes database and put together a weekly grocery shopping list. The app subscription is $14.99 per month, with discounts for purchasing longer terms. Unlike the other programs, this does not include access to a coach, virtual sessions, or in-app messaging. If you simply need a great plan to follow, have some experience with exercise, and do not need someone checking in on you, then this app is a good fit. The meal planning feature is also helpful, with a database of more than 600 recipes, weekly meal plans, and the ability to create grocery lists and track macros. Chris Powell is a celebrity trainer with a great personality, making his workout demonstration videos the best we have seen. Final Verdict Finding an online personal trainer can be a time-consuming process. After reviewing the options, we believe that Forge Fitness is the best overall personal training app. We like that nutrition plans are included in each level of membership, one-on-one training calls help keep users motivated, and frequent check-ins allow trainers to modify plans to best serve their clients. Plus, at $125 for the basic membership, Forge won’t break the bank. For women looking for trainers, Girls Gone Strong is a great contender as well. Although pricey, its money-back guarantee offers some assurance of success. Its integrated approach to health promises to give women looking for a lifestyle change the results they want. Online Personal Trainers vs. In-Person Trainers Online personal trainers offer convenience, privacy, and portability. They also cost a lot less than in-person trainers. Plus, online training comes with a broader scope of professionals. If you look hard enough, you’ll find a trainer that meets most, if not all, of your expectations. Before signing on with an online trainer, make sure to ask about their credentials, experience, and education, which they should have posted online. To be on the safe side, contact the certifying agency and ask if the trainer’s certification is current and in good standing. In-person training usually requires meeting at a gym, fitness studio, or outdoor location. Some trainers do house calls, but that is significantly more expensive than meeting at other locations. If you’re new to exercise or prefer more hands-on help, an in-person trainer might be the better choice. Older adults or anyone with chronic health conditions, injuries, or other specific needs would benefit from working with a trainer in person. When in doubt, ask your doctor for guidance. Frequently Asked Questions Are Online Personal Trainers Worth It? Online personal training enables you to work virtually with a fitness professional to help you reach your fitness goals. Despite being less expensive than in-person training, many online personal training programs still offer a workout plan and nutrition coaching, as well as motivation and accountability. What Platforms Do Online Personal Trainers Use? Online personal trainers can use a variety of different platforms. Most companies use a third-party app like TrueCoach or Trainerize, while others have their own app. The app download is always free for the consumer. Online personal trainers may also use video call services such as Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom for one-one-one or group sessions. How Long Are Online Personal Training Programs? Most online personal training programs allow you to choose how long you wish to commit. Programs typically range from one to 12 months. Longer programs usually offer a discount for paying in full. Individual sessions might run 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the type of workout and your goals and schedule. What Types of Workouts Are Offered With Online Personal Training? Online personal training is individualized, so your trainer will create workouts for you based on your goals and the equipment you have available. Workouts might include strength training, endurance, mobility exercises, and other specialized workouts, depending on the program. Methodology We considered 16 online personal trainers to compile this list and reviewed those that ranked high on internet searches and were recommended by other reputable online fitness websites. We considered cost, the program’s reputation (who founded it, who oversees the program, and their qualifications), features included, coaching guidance, and the ability to customize the programs to fit user goals. Marko Geber / Getty Images Article Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Carlson L, Gschneider D, Steele J, Fisher J. Short-term supervised virtual training maintains intensity of effort and represents an efficacious alternative to traditional studio-based, supervised strength training. Physiol Behav. 2022;249:113748. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113748 By Natasha Freutel, M.S., O.T. Natasha is a writer and occupational therapist who has covered health and wellness topics for Healthline, Livestrong, and Fitness magazine. Her expertise lies in rehabilitation and therapeutic exercise, personal training, and geriatrics. Edited by Ally Hirschlag Ally Hirschlag Ally is a senior editor for Verywell, who covers topics in the health, wellness, and lifestyle spaces. She has written for The Washington Post, Scientific American, The Guardian, BBC Future, and more. Learn about our editorial process Updated by Grace Gallagher Grace Gallagher Grace Gallagher is a lifestyle expert and writer with five years of experience covering home furnishings, storage, and organization, as well as health, fitness, and beauty. She has also written for Greatist, Veracity Selfcare, Brit + Co, and Healthline. Grace also taught creative writing workshops in Portland, Oregon. Learn about our editorial process See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit