7 Online Personal Trainers to Help You Get Fit

As a middle-aged lawyer, I’ve always found it challenging to balance my demanding career with my fitness goals. Long hours at the office, endless case files, and the constant pressure of deadlines have often left me with little time or energy to hit the gym. But recently, I’ve discovered a game-changer in the world of fitness: online personal trainers.

These virtual fitness gurus have revolutionized the way busy professionals like me approach exercise. No more rushing to the gym during lunch breaks or sacrificing precious family time for a workout. With online personal trainers, I can now access expert guidance, personalized workout plans, and motivation right from the comfort of my home office or hotel room during business trips.

In my quest to find the perfect fit for my hectic lifestyle, I’ve explored numerous online personal training options. Today, I’m excited to share with you the cream of the crop – the 7 best online personal trainers that have caught my attention and could potentially transform your fitness journey, just as they’ve begun to transform mine.

1. Caliber

Caliber is a science-based fitness coaching program that offers personalized training plans designed to help users build muscle and lose weight with measurable results. The platform stands out for its unique combination of data-driven fitness and nutrition programming, one-on-one video coaching, and lifestyle optimizations tailored to each individual user.

At the core of Caliber’s approach is the pairing of users with certified personal trainers who curate well-rounded routines based on specific fitness goals. These coaches provide near-instant feedback on workout videos, helping to keep users accountable and ensuring proper form. The focus is primarily on strength training through progressive overload, a method proven to enhance muscle growth and performance.

One of Caliber’s strengths is its comprehensive approach to fitness. Coaches don’t just address workout routines; they also provide guidance on nutrition, sleep, hydration, and mobility. This holistic view helps users make sustainable improvements to their overall health and fitness. The app also features innovative progress tracking tools, including a “strength score” and “strength balance” metric, which helps users visualize their development across different muscle groups.

While Caliber excels in strength training, it may not be the best choice for those seeking primarily cardio-focused workouts. However, for individuals serious about reaching specific fitness goals and who appreciate the accountability and personalization of one-on-one coaching, Caliber offers a robust and effective solution.

2. Online Personal Training with Samuel Parker

Online Personal Training with Samuel Parker offers a comprehensive and personalized approach to fitness coaching in the digital age. Founded by Samuel Parker, an ISSA-certified personal trainer with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of Georgia, this service aims to bridge the gap between traditional gym-based training and the convenience of home workouts.

Samuel Parker brings a wealth of experience to his online training program. As an athlete who participates in triathlons, he combines his academic knowledge with practical insights to deliver effective and enjoyable fitness routines. His diverse clientele, ranging from youth athletes to seniors with osteoporosis, demonstrates his ability to adapt his training methods to suit various needs and abilities.

The core of Parker’s online personal training service is its customization. Clients receive tailored workout plans that can be executed at home, in a gym, or a combination of both. These plans are complemented by nutritional guidance, ensuring a holistic approach to health and fitness. The program’s flexibility is one of its key strengths, allowing clients to fit their workouts into busy schedules without the constraints of traditional gym hours or locations.

Communication and support are paramount in Parker’s training philosophy. Clients enjoy 24/7 access to their trainer through WhatsApp, enabling quick responses to questions or concerns. Additionally, optional bi-weekly Zoom or phone calls provide opportunities for in-depth progress discussions and plan adjustments. This constant line of communication helps maintain motivation and accountability, crucial factors in achieving fitness goals.

Parker’s approach is grounded in science-based nutrition and fitness coaching. He eschews gimmicks and quick fixes, instead focusing on proven strategies for long-term success. His program emphasizes education, helping clients understand the principles behind their workouts and nutritional plans. This knowledge empowers clients to make informed decisions about their health beyond the scope of their training sessions.

3. Obé Fitness

Obé Fitness takes a different approach, focusing on bringing the excitement and quality of trendy New York City workout classes to the masses through a digital platform. The app offers a wide variety of live and on-demand classes, ranging from 5 to 60 minutes in length, covering over 20 types of workouts including HIIT, dance, yoga, and sculpt.

What sets Obé apart is its emphasis on creating a fun and engaging atmosphere. The platform features bright, colorful backdrops and incredibly friendly coaches, making workouts enjoyable and motivating. This approach is particularly welcoming for beginners who might find other fitness apps intimidating.

Obé’s class schedule is thoughtfully designed, with live classes often flowing naturally into one another, encouraging users to participate in back-to-back sessions. The platform also offers specialized fitness programs designed around specific goals, which can be seen as mini-challenges to help achieve particular objectives.

One of Obé’s strengths is its community aspect. The platform has built a loyal following, with users feeling like they’re part of a fitness family. Coaches often interact with participants during live classes, shouting out encouragement and creating a more personal experience.

Obé also caters to a wide range of fitness levels and physical abilities. Users can filter workouts by impact level, making it accessible for those with injuries or limitations. Additionally, the ability to download classes for offline viewing adds to the platform’s flexibility.

While Obé is on the pricier side for a fitness app, many users find the engaging content and variety of classes worth the investment. For those seeking a fun, interactive workout experience with a strong sense of community, Obé Fitness offers a compelling option in the world of online personal training.

4. Down Dog

Down Dog is a versatile and highly customizable yoga app that has gained popularity for its ability to provide a unique yoga experience with each session. Launched in 2015 by Yoga Buddhi Co., the app offers a wide range of activities beyond yoga, including HIIT, barre, and meditation, making it a comprehensive fitness tool for users of all levels.

One of Down Dog’s standout features is its extensive customization options. Users can tailor their practice by selecting from various yoga styles such as Vinyasa, Hatha, Restorative, Yin, and Ashtanga. The app allows for adjustments in session length, intensity, voice instruction, and even background music, ensuring that each practice aligns perfectly with the user’s preferences and goals. This level of personalization extends to the ability to focus on specific areas of the body or particular aspects of fitness, such as flexibility or strength building.

The app’s user-friendly interface and high-quality video and audio instructions make it accessible to beginners while still challenging enough for advanced practitioners. Down Dog’s ability to generate new sequences for each session keeps the practice fresh and engaging, preventing the monotony that can sometimes occur with pre-recorded classes. The app also offers offline functionality, allowing users to download classes for practice without an internet connection.

Down Dog has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, maintaining an impressive 4.9-star rating across various platforms. Users particularly appreciate the app’s ability to improve flexibility, strength, and mental well-being. The variety of yoga styles and additional workout types like HIIT and meditation are frequently cited as significant benefits, making Down Dog a well-rounded fitness companion.

5. CoPilot

CoPilot is an innovative remote personal training app that aims to bridge the gap between traditional in-person training and AI-driven fitness solutions. Founded by Matt Spettel and Gabriel Madonna, this Pittsburgh-based startup has recently secured $6.5 million in Series A-1 funding, highlighting its growing presence in the digital fitness market.

At its core, CoPilot’s unique selling point is its emphasis on human connection. Unlike many AI-powered fitness apps, CoPilot matches users with real, remote personal coaches who provide tailored fitness plans. This approach allows for a more personalized and adaptable fitness journey, as human coaches can understand and respond to the nuanced needs of each user.

The onboarding process for CoPilot is thorough, beginning with a detailed questionnaire to match users with the most suitable coach from their roster of fitness professionals. Following this, users engage in an initial 45-minute discussion with their coach to create a targeted fitness plan. The app encourages consistency through daily check-ins, progress tracking, and detailed workout feedback. Real-time audio prompts during workouts, which integrate with smart devices, further enhance the personalized experience.

CoPilot’s system, which has registered over 1.5 million workouts, offers a comprehensive approach to fitness. Coaches provide guidance not only on workout routines but also on nutrition and lifestyle factors, creating a holistic fitness experience. The app is available on both Android and iOS platforms, with a subscription cost of $99 monthly.

One of CoPilot’s strengths lies in its ability to foster accountability and consistency, which are crucial factors in achieving fitness goals. The combination of technology and human expertise allows CoPilot to offer a unique blend of convenience and personalization, making it an attractive option for those seeking a more guided and supportive fitness journey.

6. Joggo

Joggo is a specialized running app designed to cater to runners of all levels, from beginners to experienced marathoners. This innovative platform stands out in the crowded fitness app market by offering personalized running plans tailored to each user’s specific goals, fitness level, and lifestyle.

Upon signing up, Joggo users complete a comprehensive questionnaire that covers their running experience, current fitness level, goals, and any health concerns or injuries. This information is then used to create a customized running plan that adapts and evolves as the user progresses. The app’s AI-driven technology continuously analyzes user data to adjust workout intensity, duration, and frequency, ensuring that the training remains challenging yet achievable.

One of Joggo’s key features is its focus on injury prevention and overall wellness. The app includes warm-up and cool-down routines, stretching exercises, and strength training workouts specifically designed to support running performance and reduce the risk of common running injuries. Additionally, Joggo provides nutritional guidance tailored to runners, offering meal plans and recipes that support energy levels and recovery.

The app’s user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, featuring audio coaching during runs, detailed performance tracking, and progress visualizations. Joggo also incorporates motivational elements such as virtual races and challenges to keep users engaged and committed to their running goals. For those preparing for specific events like 5Ks or marathons, Joggo offers specialized training programs that gradually build endurance and speed.

While Joggo excels in providing a comprehensive running experience, it may not be the best choice for those seeking a more diverse range of workout types. However, for individuals focused on improving their running performance or looking to start a consistent running routine, Joggo offers a robust and personalized solution.

7. Future

Future is a high-end personal training app that brings the experience of having a dedicated personal trainer to the digital realm. What sets Future apart in the crowded online fitness market is its emphasis on building a strong, one-on-one relationship between users and their assigned trainers, all of whom are elite fitness professionals.

The Future experience begins with a detailed onboarding process where users are matched with a trainer based on their fitness goals, preferences, and schedule. This is followed by a video call with the assigned trainer, allowing for a more personal connection and detailed discussion of the user’s fitness journey. This human touch is a cornerstone of Future’s approach, differentiating it from AI-driven fitness apps.

Future trainers create weekly workout plans tailored to each client’s needs, taking into account their available equipment, time constraints, and fitness level. These plans are flexible and can be adjusted in real-time based on the user’s progress and feedback. The app provides detailed video demonstrations of exercises, and trainers often record personalized audio cues to guide users through their workouts.

One of Future’s standout features is its integration with the Apple Watch, which is provided to subscribers who don’t already own one. This integration allows trainers to monitor clients’ workouts in real-time, tracking metrics like heart rate and calories burned. This data is used to fine-tune future workouts and provide more accurate feedback.

Communication is a key component of the Future experience. Users can message their trainers at any time through the app, discussing everything from workout modifications to nutrition advice. This constant line of communication helps maintain accountability and motivation, two crucial factors in achieving fitness goals.

While Future’s premium service comes with a higher price point compared to many other fitness apps, it offers a level of personalization and support that closely mimics in-person training. For those who value expert guidance, accountability, and a tailored approach to fitness, Future provides a comprehensive and luxurious digital personal training experience.