Research has shown that working with a personal trainer can not only help break down barriers to exercise, but may also help change one’s overall attitude about fitness. (1) Of course, not everyone has the time, budget, or comfort level to work in person with a trainer, which is where online programs like the Future fitness app come in handy. Future, one of the best fitness apps we’ve tested, aims to bring the personal training experience to your home gym. It works like this: A certified coach will create a weekly workout plan for you to follow while routinely checking in for added motivation.
I trained with Future four times a week for roughly a month, rating the app in categories such as ease of use, accountability, instruction, and more on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). And while it does cost a hefty $199 monthly fee, the personalization of Future makes it one of my favorite online workout programs, and it could provide the extra motivation and accountability you’ve been searching for. Let’s dig deeper into our experience working out with Future.
Future offers online personal training in every facet of fitness. Every client gets a certified fitness professional who will prescribe training programs, follow up daily to assess progress, make program adjustments as needed, and offer accountability.
Future App Video Review
In the below video, BarBend expert tester Jake Herod, NASM-CNC, breaks down what he loves about the Future app, some potential cons, and what you can expect when you gear up for a session.
Main Takeaways
- Future pairs you with a coach who creates personalized training based on your current fitness level and goals.
- Each week, your trainer creates a customized workout plan and checks in via messages and FaceTime calls.
- You can record your workouts and send them to your trainer for feedback on your form.
- Though not required, a compatible smartwatch, such as an Apple Watch, makes it easier for your trainer to make adjustments based on your stats.
Future App Highlights
- Price Per Month: Starting at $149
- Training Discipline: Strength and conditioning
- Equipment Required: None
- Available On: iOS, Android
- Refund Policy: 30-day money-back guarantee
Future costs $199 per month, but the cost can drop to $149 per month if you opt for an annual membership. That’s a sizable chunk of change, but I would rate its value a 4 out of 5 — between the instruction, personalization, flexibility, and accountability, you really do get your money’s worth.
It begins with an assessment of your fitness level, goals, injury history, and preferred coaching style, which helps the app curate a list of trainers suited to your goals and interests. I was given three options, and after scanning their bios, I went with a trainer who had experience with NCAA Division 1 Football, which was perfect for me. If I didn’t like the options presented, I could’ve expanded my search. Setting up and navigating the app was super easy and straightforward, thus my 5 out of 5 rating for both setup and ease of use.
After being paired with my coach, we connected on a video call and got into the nitty gritty of my goals and home gym setup. The beauty of this process is that your workouts are tailored not just to your goals, but also the equipment you have at home. So, if you don’t have any strength gear — dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, whatever — your trainer can program bodyweight workouts. But if you have free weights or a power rack, they can offer more options.
Each trainer is different, but mine had me doing a lot of HIIT workouts with high reps and lighter weights. My workouts also had a good amount of running on the treadmill in the beginning, but that phased out after a couple of weeks. This is the opposite of how I typically train, but I enjoyed the fresh approach. Working with a trainer, after all, is a great way to mix up your workout routine.
I also enjoyed how flexible the process turned out to be. I could hit my four weekly workouts without disrupting my schedule or impacting my rest days, and even get adjustments made to my workouts when I was away from my home gym. I went out of town for a week during the holidays, and my trainer tailored my workouts for the adjustable kettlebell I brought with me.
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There are downsides to this kind of training, of course. For some, getting out of the house and exercising alongside another person is what helps them sustain a fitness routine. Though your workouts with Future include video instruction for each movement, you’re still performing them solo, which may be a barrier for beginners. Future has its own approach to motivation and accountability, which we’ll get into more below.
Also, having a smartwatch allows your trainer to see what parts of the workout were particularly hard or easy and allows them to adjust accordingly. I don’t have a smartwatch, but I was able to sync my FitBit with the Apple Health app, though I don’t know if it shows the same stats. Future says having a smartwatch helps you get the most of the app, but it would be nice if there were alternative ways to access that data. As such, I dinged my equipment demands score slightly, rating it a 4 out of 5.
Pros
- Future’s coaches tailor your weekly workouts to your needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all program.
- Whether you have a fully-kitted home gym or rely on body weight, you won’t need to worry about making additional purchases to achieve a proper workout.
- The in-app messaging and video calls provide a personalized experience that not every online training program offers.
Cons
- An app-based personal training experience may feel impersonal for those who’d rather work alongside a fitness coach.
- The monthly fee — between $149 and $199, depending on your plan — is steep.
- Those without compatible smartwatches will be limited in the workout data your trainer receives, which may impact how they adjust future sessions.
Training With the Future App
From the one-on-one experience to the guided videos for your personalized workouts, there is much to like about Future. The app is easy to navigate, and the option to stream on other devices makes following along much easier.
Workouts
The best thing about Future is the personalization. While some online workout programs only offer a one-size-fits-all experience, Future excels in offering a training regimen that is specific to each individual person. From the frequency of your workouts to specific goals like improving your mile time or increasing your bench press, you’re in total control.
Simply fire up the app, hit “start workout,” and you’ll hear a voice recording from your coach detailing the goals of your session. Workouts begin with a mobility warmup and end with static stretching. I really enjoyed this. I stretch multiple times a week, but having a mobility routine is something I struggle with holding myself accountable, and I’m sure a lot of people are in the same boat.
In addition to the audio that provides cues on the movements and what equipment you need, you’ll have a visual representation of how to perform each exercise. While your coach isn’t able to watch your actual workout, the app has an option for you to record your form and send it along for feedback.
Each exercise comes with audio cues on the movements and what equipment you need, as well as a video showcasing how to perform it properly. I found there to be instances where it benefits having more time with the exercises beforehand. If you’re unfamiliar with a movement like, say, cossack squats, it can be tough to watch the video and get the hang of it without losing out on reps. I rate the instruction a 4 out of 5.
Here’s an example of one of my routines and the kind of timing you can expect: My coach had me doing 8 reps of barbell reverse lunges on your left leg, having five seconds, then 8 on the left leg, then 10 seconds before kettlebell swings, then 10 seconds before performing isometric pull-ups for 40 seconds. After that round, I got 60 seconds to rest before hitting it again. The number of rounds depends on the specific workout, but you’re typically working with three to four rounds of that.
I appreciated how my coach made an effort to vary up my workouts week to week. I only had two that were copy and pastes, but they involved progressive overload. Overall, I rate the app’s workout variety a 5 out of 5.
After completing your workout, you log your stats and answer a short questionnaire about how the workout went. You also have the option to rank each workout from poor to excellent and can leave feedback. With this information, your trainer can adjust the exercises and difficulty for the next session, ensuring you’re making progress.
Communication
Not every online fitness program allows you to speak with trainers. Juggernaut AI, for example, uses artificial intelligence to generate personalized lifting programs. Future, on the other hand, works to ensure its trainers are actively involved in your journey.
[Related: 5 Ways to Find Your Motivation for Fitness Again]
Your coach contacts you regularly to see how your workout went or ask why you missed a session. And when we passed along a video of our movements, we found them quick to reply with proper form techniques, cues, and suggestions. In general, the coaches are great at providing motivation, compliments, and encouragement in nutrition and recovery. Future, too, will give you achievement badges over time for workouts completed and calories burned.
This level of support is helpful when you have a bad workout or aren’t progressing as fast as you’d like. We all struggle with motivation and consistency at times, so this extra communication can be a big help. Compared to other online fitness programs, I give Future a 5 out of 5 for both accountability and interactivity.
App Compatibility
You can choose to just use Future on your iPhone, but you can also sync the app to your smartwatch or stream everything at home on your TV. This is perfect for those who don’t like having their phone on hand while training or those who want a larger screen for a more immersive streaming experience.
By syncing the app to your smartwatch, your trainer can access metrics like heart rate, calories burned, and workout duration. Smartwatches will also chime and vibrate to know when rest periods are over. I don’t have a smartwatch, but I was able to use an app that synced data from my FitBit to the Apple Health app.
[Related: The Best Fitness Trackers For Heart Rate, Sleep Quality, and More]
Unfortunately, this limited the amount of data my coach had access to, which impacted their ability to make adjustments. I also had to manually log particular stats into the app, which can be a tedious process. Without a smartwatch, it can feel as if you’re not getting the most out of the program.
What to Consider Before Joining Future
Similar to purchasing a new treadmill or rowing machine, you must consider some important factors before signing up for Future. For one, you always want to stay within your budget, but you may also want to pay close attention to the variety of workouts, the necessary equipment, and your overall fitness level.
Fitness Goals
As certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto says, “Everyone, even advanced exercisers (perhaps especially advanced exercisers) can benefit from an online personal trainer.” It helps, though, to have an idea of what you’re hoping to accomplish with a trainer before signing up.
“The logical place to begin is with your fitness goals and current fitness level. Where are you at now, and where do you want to be?” Capritto continues. “You need a fitness plan that accommodates your current capabilities and can progressively lead you to where you want to go.”
By doing so, your trainer can help you clarify those goals and build a workout program to help you reach them. “Even if it’s just for four or six weeks, a clear plan from point A to point B is a great way to 1) get consistent in your habits, 2) motivate you to keep going, and 3) put you on a path that more efficiently gets you to your end goal,” says Capritto.
Price
Even though Future is one of the most personalized online coaching programs on the market, you may not be thrilled about the price tag. Future costs $199 a month, but the monthly price decreases if you commit to 3 months ($179), 6 months ($169), or 12 months ($149). It helps to consider that the average cost of an in-person trainer ranges between $25 and $100 hourly (2). Depending on how often you train (and factoring in the convenience of an at-home program), you could potentially end up saving money using Future.
But as Capritto notes, “There is no use in paying for an online personal training plan that you know you don’t have the time to commit to.” If you see your schedule being an issue, it might be better to opt for an app like Peloton or iFIT, which are less expensive ($44 and $39 a month, respectively) and offer on-demand classes you can take at your leisure.
Workout Variety and Necessary Equipment
Nobody wants to be complacent with their workouts, and luckily, you don’t have to worry about that with Future. Another thing is that Future is compatible with or without fitness equipment. From simple exercises like bodyweight burpees to complex Olympic weightlifting exercises like the Clean & Jerk, Future has you covered. The beauty of it is that you have total control over what workouts are at your disposal.
We will note, however, that having a compatible smartwatch, such as an Apple Watch, lets your trainer access your full range of stats, thus allowing them to see what parts of the workout were particularly hard or easy. You don’t need one to use Future, but I felt as if I wasn’t getting the full experience without one.
Future Vs. The Competition
We love comparing products against each other, so why not do that with Future and other online fitness apps? Below is a chart pinning some of our favorite platforms against each other.
| Future | Juggernaut AI | iFIT | NCFIT | |
| Price | $149-$199 a month | $29-$34.99 a month | $15-$39 a month | $25-$175 a month |
| Equipment Required | None | Squat rack, bench, barbell, and weight plates | Depends on class | Free weights, plyo boxes, pull-up bar, etc. |
| Training Type | Strength and conditioning | Strength | Strength and conditioning | Strength and conditioning |
| Workout Format | Video demonstration | Video demonstration | Studio class | Written programming |
| Communication | Video calls and in-app messaging | N/A | N/A | Pre-written workout tips |
Even though all of these platforms are similar, they’re also pretty different in their offerings. iFIT is the best for those working on a budget due to its affordable price tag, but those looking for more personalized content may be disappointed. It has plenty of strength classes, but it really excels in the cardio corner of fitness, with thousands of on-demand classes.
NCFIT is ideal for the CrossFit enthusiast, but you won’t be getting personalized programming or coaching. Juggernaut AI is, as its name implies, uses artificial intelligence to generate personalized strength training programs centered around progressive overload. We love how it utilizes readiness prompts to determine the arc of that day’s workout, but it is an entirely digital experience, so don’t expect any one-on-one coaching. It’s also strength-focused, so cardio fiends will want to look elsewhere.
Future is hands down the most expensive option on this chart, it’s also the most accommodating and personalized. All of your workouts are tailored to your specific needs, you aren’t required to purchase any equipment, you have a catalog of video demonstrations for your workouts, and you can always chat with your personal trainer. We don’t think you can go wrong with any of these programs. You just want to be sure to base your decision on your specific wants and needs.
Places to Buy
Head over to the Future website to sign up for your membership.
Company Information
Future aims to inspire and engage in lifelong health by bringing human connection through digital personal training. In addition to speaking to your trainer within the app, you can email their support team at help@future.co. They offer a risk-free first month, so if you aren’t happy with your experience, you can cancel your membership and they’ll refund your money.
In Conclusion
Future is one of the most immersive online fitness apps on the market, and it cracked our best list due to its personalization. Once you complete a short questionnaire and choose your personal trainer, you’ll receive guided weekly workouts based on your fitness level, history, and goals, and your trainer will contact you daily to provide extra motivation and accountability.
Whether you have a fully stocked home gym or you’re just rocking with your body weight, you’ll have access to all the coaching you need to meet your goals. The $199 monthly membership fee may be too steep for some, but if you have the budget for it, we think the potential results will make it worth the money.
FAQs
How much does a Future membership cost?
You pay a $199 monthly membership fee for Future, though the price can decrease to $149 a month if you commit to a full year. While this is more expensive than most other online programs, we think the extensive catalog and personalized feel make it worth the money. The average cost of an in-person trainer ranges between $25 and $100 hourly, so, depending on how much you train, Future could end up saving you money in the end (2).
What equipment do I need to work out with Future?
The beauty of Future is that whether you have the best dumbbells on the market or only use body weight, your coach will tailor your workouts to what you have or don’t have at your disposal.
How do I communicate with my personal trainer in Future?
Communication is made easy within the Future app. You can hop on a video call or use in-app messaging. You can also share videos of your workout to get form critiques and suggestions from your coach.
References
- Mahaffey, K. (n.d.). How much does a personal trainer cost & should you hire one?. NASM. https://blog.nasm.org/how-much-does-a-personal-trainer-cost
- McClaran, S. R. (2003). The effectiveness of personal training on changing attitudes towards physical activity. J Sports Sci Med, 2(1), 10-4.
