
Hailey Friedman
Hailey Friedman is a San Francisco resident passionate about sharing tips and advice on health, wellness, and the best fitness services in San Francisco.
To achieve long-term health and fitness goals, consistency is vital. But sticking to a workout routine is often easier said than done. If you’ve ever skipped a session because you didn’t feel like leaving home or if you do a lot of traveling and find it hard to get to a gym, one solution could be virtual personal training.
Online personal trainers can keep you committed to your goals while maximizing convenience. To help you get started, here are some of the best virtual personal trainers to consider.
Best Virtual Personal Trainers
Whether you’re looking for beginner-friendly training or advanced workouts that can take your fitness to the next level, the following online personal trainers can help.
1. Live Fit Gym
Live Fit Gym offers some of the best personal trainers, including virtual sessions. If you travel a lot or want to go on vacation without missing your training sessions, Live Fit Gym’s online virtual training can help. With on-demand classes, there’s no excuse not to pursue your fitness goals. Live Fit Gym also prides itself on pre- and post-workout recovery, supporting you in every step of your fitness journey.
Offering:
- Certified personal trainers
- Nutrition Coaching
- Fitness consultation
- 24/7 coaching and support
- Individualized weekly workout plans
Pros
- Certified personal trainers with a focus on kinesiology
- Customized training sessions
- Maximum flexibility in scheduling
- Nutritional assistance
- 24/7 coaching and support
- Fitness consultations
- Monthly in-body or FIT3D body scans
Cons
- Not ideal for those only seeking aesthetic results: Their holistic approach integrates physical, mental, and emotional well-being, ensuring comprehensive health improvements beyond just physical appearance
- Diverse range of services: Live Fit Gym offers tailored solutions for every aspect of health, as opposed to solely focusing on one area (personal training)
Memberships & Pricing:
- Free fitness session
- At all locations other than the Castro and Fairmont
- Basic membership: $107/month
- Tune Up membership: $187/month
- Wellness membership: $347/month
- At Castro and Fairmont
- Premier membership: $127/month
- Tune Up membership: $207/month
- Wellness membership: $367/month
Best for:
People with busy schedules or those who travel a lot and can’t attend regular training sessions in person. Also best suited for those who want more than just to lose weight. If you’re looking for holistic wellness options that give you a chance to improve your fitness level while ensuring your entire body is in balance, Live Fit Gym can help.
2. Future
With Future, you get an updated workout plan every week that accommodates your schedule and goals. You can complete your daily workouts when you can, where you can.
Offering:
- Variety of expert coaches with their own training styles
- Personalized services at a lower cost
- Intuitive platform that adapts to your routine
Pros:
- Clear guidance for each exercise
- Affordability
Cons:
- No physical interactions
- Works best with a smartwatch
Memberships & Pricing:
- 50% off your first month
- Monthly memberships: $199/month
- 3-month membership: $179/month
- 6-month membership: $169/month
- Annual membership: $149/month
Best for:
Future is best for those who own a smartwatch.
3. IFIT
iFit uses artificial intelligence to adapt to your environment as you exercise. It’s an app that provides terrain-matching and lets you connect with iFit-enabled equipment so you can cycle, run, or row your way to fitness.
Offering:
- Personalized recommendations
- Progressive workout series
- Connections with apps like Strava, Google Fit, Apple Health, and Garmin
- Monthly fitness challenges
- Workout stats
- ActivePulse heart monitoring
Pros:
- Immersive experience
- High compatibility with apps and devices
- Offers stats for insight into progress
Cons:
- Less coach interaction
- Works best with iFit-enabled equipment
- Less accountability
Memberships & Pricing:
- Free trial
- Yearly family plan: $396/year
- Monthly family plan: $39/month
- Yearly individual plan: $180/year
Best for:
iFit is best suited for those who want an immersive experience and don’t have a problem purchasing additional equipment.
4. Aaptiv
Aaptiv offers AI-powered workouts with Smartcoach features that allow you to receive customized training based on your fitness goals and abilities. Coaches are available to offer tips and encouragement.
Offering:
- Thousands of on-demand workouts
- Customized workouts
- Plans for individuals and employers
Pros:
- Workouts that adapt to your progress
- Aaptiv online community
- Audio-based workouts
- Ability to work out at nearby participating gyms
Cons:
- Only audio-based instructions
- Less interaction with coaches
Memberships & Pricing:
- Free seven-day trial
- Monthly subscription: $14.99/month
- Yearly subscription: $99.99/year
Best for:
Aaptiv is best for those who prefer audio-based workouts over visual guidance.
5. CoPilot [Now called Trainwell]
Previously called CoPilot, trainwell is a fitness app that offers customized workout plans and the flexibility to exercise from your home or gym. With coaches ready to help, you have the motivation to keep making fitness strides, whether you’re a beginner or a pro.
Offering:
- Workouts for all levels
- Library of exercises
- Nutrition guidance
- Coach support
Pros:
- No equipment needed
- Coach feedback
- Rep tracking
- Flexibility for gym and home workouts
- No contract
Cons:
- Expensive
Memberships & Pricing:
- 14-day free trial
- $99/month, billed every three months
Best for:
Trainwell can be the right choice for those who want the option of working from home or the gym. It’s well-suited for people of all experience levels because of the chance to get tailored workouts and live feedback on your form and pacing.
6. Caliber
Caliber is a science-based fitness program that makes it easier to lose weight and gain muscle with nutrition and fitness programs that rely on hard data. It features one-on-one coaching and lifestyle guidance.
Offering:
- One-on-one coaching
- Fitness assessments
- Personalized training plans
- 24/7 progress monitoring
- Nutrition coaching
- Lifestyle management
- Weekly Caliber lessons
Pros:
- Science-based training
- Personalized programs
- Nutrition guidance
- Metric tracking
- Library of workout plans in free version
Cons:
- Macronutrient goal planning is available only in the paid version
- Not great for those looking for cardio training
Memberships & Pricing:
- Free version
- Caliber Pro: $20/month
- Caliber Premium: Starts at $200/month
Best for:
Caliber is best suited for people who want to focus on strength training as well as those who want lifestyle coaching.
7. Obe Fitness
Obe Fitness is a woman-focused platform that helps target the unique bodies and physiology of women. You have access to on-demand classes and progressive training programs, as well as metrics that help you better understand your body.
Offering:
- Hormonal cycle monitoring
- Personalized plans
- Yoga, dance, barre, and many other options
Pros:
- Cardio dance classes
- Easy-to-use app
- Variety of class options
- Live and on-demand classes
Cons:
- Many classes require equipment
Memberships & Pricing:
- Free one-week trial
- Annual plan: $169/year
- Monthly plan: $24.99/month
Best for:
Obe Fitness is best for women who love studio classes but want an at-home option.
8. FlexIt
You can kickstart your fitness journey with FlexIt, an app that offers one-on-one training and nutrition coaching. You can sync your workout with participating gyms, and the pay-as-you-go plans help make programs more affordable.
Offering:
- 30, 45, or 60-minute training sessions
- Customized programs
- Nutrition guidance
Pros:
- Live, 1-on-1 virtual coaching
- Individualized
- Access to personalized wellness plans
Cons:
- App is glitchy
- Initial assessment isn’t thorough
- No free option
Memberships & Pricing:
- Pay-as-you-go option
- Prices will vary depending on your number of monthly training sessions and how long you want to train for, but it ranges from $159.60/month to $873.60/month
Best for:
FlexIt is a good choice for those who prefer to pay per session instead of committing to a plan.
9. JuggernautAI
JuggernautAI offers powerlifting training sessions that are fully personalized and adapt to your feedback. It has a robust community that offers support and has over 250 exercises in its database. The program provides nutrition guidance, too.
Offering:
- 250+ exercises
- Warm-up planner
- Nutritional coaching
- RPE calculator
- Progress tracking
Pros:
- Responsive app
- Two-week free trial
Cons:
- Only for strength training
- No coach to analyze technique
Memberships & Pricing:
- Two-week free trial
- Monthly plan: $34/month
- Yearly plan: $349/year
Best for:
It’s best for people who work well on their own and know enough lifting techniques to not need monitoring.
10. Zova
Zova is a training app that uses your Apple Watch and heart-zone training to provide a personalized workout that helps you burn more calories in less time.
Offering:
- Cardio workouts
- Strength building workouts
- Heart-rate tracker
- Nutritional guidance
- Lifestyle classes
Pros:
- Uses heart-rate to boost calorie-burning results
- Apple Watch integration
- Motivational talks
- Affordable
Cons:
- Requires an Apple Watch
- Limited classes
Memberships & Pricing: $9.99/month
Best for:
Zova is best for those with an Apple Watch.
Benefits of Virtual Personal Training
Not everyone is able to go to the gym for workout classes, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up your workout routine. Virtual personal training helps you do this by offering a number of benefits.
Accountability
It’s tough to push yourself to exercise and meet your fitness goals if you’re working out on your own. By opting for virtual training, you know you have a coach who’s expecting you to do the work. This can help you to meet and surpass your goals.
Convenience
When you’re on vacation, there might not be a gym or a personal training studio nearby. Alternatively, maybe you do a lot of traveling for work, and it may not be convenient to join an in-person gym. Virtual training solves these problems by letting you get the benefits of personalized programs from anywhere and at any time that suits your schedule.
Personalization
Virtual personal trainers offer personalized programs that help you achieve your goals while considering your unique challenges and preferences. A customized approach to training can help you achieve faster results and teach you how to maintain them.
Motivation
Motivation is often a challenge when it comes to fitness. But virtual personal training allows you to track your progress and see quantifiable changes in your fitness via heart-rate monitoring and other data, which can keep you motivated. At the same time, your coach can provide the encouragement you need to continue down the path to optimal fitness.
Learn More About the Best Virtual Personal Trainers
Are you thinking about getting a virtual personal trainer? Here are some answers to questions you may have.
How Much Should I Pay for an Online Personal Trainer?
Similar to choosing the best gyms in your area, prices for an online trainer will vary depending on the services available. Usually, the more services available, the more the gym will cost, but that’s not always true. Some will offer package rates that make all services more affordable. For example, a gym that offers packaged care from chiropractors and masseuses along with training sessions could be more affordable than trying to book these services individually.
You should expect the same with virtual personal trainers. If the app offers an array of services, you can expect to pay upwards of $100 a year.
Is Virtual Personal Training Effective?
Virtual personal training is highly effective if you stick with it. The good thing is that you can get your workout session in no matter where you are. For people who lead very busy lives, this could be the most effective way of getting fit.
How Do I Choose an Online Personal Trainer?
First, consider your fitness goals and the budget you have available. If you want to be able to get personal interactions with trainers, choose programs that offer one-on-one coaching.
Some people also benefit from being able to go in person for some sessions. Keep in mind that the online personal trainer that provides the most flexibility is likely the one you’re going to be able to stick to.
Find the Best Virtual Personal Trainer for Your Needs
If you want to improve your fitness levels but can’t go to a gym, choose virtual personal training. Live Fit Gym offers the kind of personalized online programs you can depend on.
With access to several locations, those in San Fransisco can also benefit from additional services by becoming a member. From acupuncture to yoga classes and some of the best massages and spa services in the city, Live Fit Gym has something for everyone.
Contact Live Fit Gym to try their virtual personal training sessions.