Working with a personal trainer is a totally worthwhile experience. But considering a session can be upwards of $100, it’s not within every athlete’s budget. Thanks to the many online personal trainers and workout programs available, you can work toward your fitness goals for a fraction of the cost of one-on-one coaching. In some cases, online workout programs are so immersive — thanks to their videos and workout machine compatibility — you won’t even need a gym membership.
With that said, there are plenty of under researched, poorly prepared programs on the internet, too. These can leave you even farther behind your plan or, worse, injured. Our team of expert product testers, including personal trainers and athletes, put more than 50 different apps and plans to the test to help you find the very best online workout programs for your goals.
The 9 Best Online Workout Programs of 2024
- Best Online Workout Program Overall: Future
- Best Online Workout Program for Personalized Coaching: Caliber
- Best Online Workout Program for Cardio: iFIT
- Best Online Workout Program for Strength: Juggernaut
- Best Free Online Workout Program: Nike Training Club (NTC)
- Best Online Workout Program for CrossFit: Train Hard
- Best Online Workout Program for Running: Nike Run Club
- Best Online Workout Program for Live Classes: Peloton
Best Online Workout Program Overall: 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.
Specs
- Price: $199 per month
- Training Style: Personal coaching
- Availability: iOS, Android
- Workout Modalities: Strength, cardio, functional training
Working with a personal trainer is a great way to achieve your fitness or physique goals. But paying $100 or more per session may not be within your price range. We think the Future app is the next best thing.
Our best overall online workout program, Future allows you to choose your own real coach who builds workouts geared towards your personal goals. “This one has an easy-to-navigate user interface, which makes contacting your personal coach easy,” according to our product tester, who used Future for several months and gave the app an overall 4.7/5. “It’s incredibly well-designed.”
Once you set up your app, your coach builds a workout program based on your fitness level, goals, and available equipment. “The app instructs you with videos and audio cues — you can watch the video before you try an exercise and listen to narrator voiceover cues during the movement,” our tester describes, giving the instruction feature an overall ⅘. “To really take it to the next level, I wish you could do a true facetime or video chat with your instructor.”
This app works well for beginners and experienced athletes, considering the program is personalized. “This isn’t ideal for an athlete with a super specific goal like a competition,” according to our tester Kate Meier, BarBend editorial staff member and competitive weightlifter, who used the app several days per week. “Those looking to compete in a weightlifting meet or CrossFit competition would benefit more from in-person training.”
After you finish a workout, you need to include feedback on your session so that your coach can adjust your training schedule accordingly. Some athletes may not love this extra step, though, especially if you’re operating on a time crunch. However, it’s the only way to truly provide some progressive overload to your training.
At $199 per month, this app is among the priciest on this list and may not be feasible for everyone. But considering you’re getting the personal training experience, we think the value is worth the cost. Plus, you can stream the app on your tablet or Apple watch in addition to your cell phone, which is extra convenient.
Read our full Future App Review
Best Online Workout Program for Personalized Coaching: Caliber App
With two coaching subscriptions to choose from (one group oriented and one individualized), Caliber can be an excellent tool for guiding your fitness journey. The prescribed workouts can be tailored to your available equipment, and you’re in constant communication with your personal trainer through the app’s chat feature and video call capabilities.
Specs
- Price: Free, $19 per month (group), ~$200 per month (personal training)
- Training Style: Personal one-on-one coaching
- Availability: iOS, Android
- Workout Modalities: Strength, cardio, functional training
Training with a personal coach is one of the best ways to achieve your fitness goals and stay accountable. But weekly or daily sessions can cost quite a chunk of change. Caliber’s Premium subscription pairs you with a personal coach to help work towards your strength, cardio, or functional training goals.
Our tester gave this app an overall 4.68 out of 5 for the Premium subscription. The app was easy to use and your trainer customizes your workouts with the ability to include video demos for each exercise. So, it’s friendly for beginners, too. Unlike some other apps, your coach also offers nutritional guidance and you can send photos of your meals right through the app.
“My favorite part of this app was the weekly check-ins,” said our tester, also a personal trainer, who gave the app a 5 out of 5 for accountability. “My trainer sent videos to go over my previous week of training. She looks at my RPE and weight lifted to adjust my coming week, making incremental improvements, which I loved.”
Where the actual workouts are concerned, we gave the app a 5 out of 5. Not only can your trainer include demo videos, but you can also send videos to your coach for form tips. However, we had to give the equipment demands a 4 out of 5. Your trainer can build a bodyweight plan, the app is really centered around weight training, so it’s best to have a gym membership, too.
The one downside was the price, which we gave a 3.5 out of 5. “Finding the actual price was challenging because the website isn’t very straightforward,” our tester said. The Premium subscription with one-on-one coaching costs $200 per month with a three month commitment. There is a cheaper version that’s only $19 per month but it doesn’t involve personalized training or coaching.
Best Online Workout Program for Cardio: iFIT
The iFit app features a library of over 16,000 live and on-demand classes that range from mental health and recovery to rowing, running, HIIT and strength classes. You can get the full studio experience virtually through iFit, and is a great boost to any home gym set-up — with or without equipment.
Specs
- Price: $39 per month Monthly Family Plan, $180 per year Yearly Individual Plan, $396 per year Yearly Family Plan
- Training Style: Group classes, live workouts, on-demand workouts
- Availability: iOS, Android
- Workout Modalities: Strength, cardio, yoga, cross-training
Even on the best treadmill or best exercise bike, doing cardio indoors can feel tedious. But iFIT makes your indoor cardio training a little more fun. Plus, it also offers strength training and yoga, to add some variety.
iFIT is ideal for cardio-focused athletes, offering a variety of group and on-demand classes you can do right on your treadmill, bike, step machine, or rower. You can also take your training outdoors with their equipment-free workouts. And while iFIT does come equipped on most NordicTrack and ProForm cardio equipment, you don’t need to buy these brands to use the app.
“It’s easy to use and there are plenty of workout options, like low-impact active recovery, walk-run, hiking, walking, and running. I love that you can also take classes,” our tester said, giving the workout program a 4.5 out of 5 for ease of use. “It’s a little less intuitive than the Peloton app in my opinion, though.”
We do wish there was a little more customization, though. “It’s mainly self-guided because you don’t get a tailored program with a coach,” our tester said, giving iFIT a 3.5 out of 5 for accountability. “There are challenges you can do on your cardio machine, which can help you measure progress, though.”
For athletes who like live classes, our tester definitely thinks iFIT rivals Peloton, giving the app a 4.5 out of 5 for instruction. “When I tried iFIT, I did the outdoor runs and bike rides,” they said. “The instructor was doing the workout right with you, which I thought was motivational.”
We gave iFIT a 4 out of 5 for the value. We think it’s a great value for the price, considering you get so many different class options. There are classes for all fitness levels, including various modalities. With that said, there are cheaper options on this list but if you really want a cardio-first workout program, iFIT is your best bet.
Read our full iFIT Review.
Best Online Workout Program for Strength: JuggernautAI
This AI-powered strength training app curates workouts for you based on your initial fitness levels and daily readiness. The more you log your data, the more your algorithm learns in an effort to keep you progressing through PRs.
Specs
- Price: $29 per month or $299 per year
- Training Style: Personal programming
- Availability: iOS, Android
- Workout Modalities: Strength
For athletes who want a strength-focused training program but don’t need a personal trainer or coach, JuggernautAI has you covered. This fitness app focuses purely on powerlifting- and bodybuilding-style training for those looking to prepare for competition or just generally gain strength.
Unlike apps where you work with a coach, you kind of build your own training program with JuggernautAI. Once you download the app, you enter some basic information, followed by your current training load, training experience, training style, goals, and desired workout frequency, according to our tester, who gave the app setup experience a 5 out of 5.
Once you enter this information, the AI technology creates workouts, which it then adjusts for gradual improvement as you enter post-workout feedback. “The AI is extremely smart,” our tester said, giving the program a 3.5 out of 5 for instruction. “Before you start training, you answer a few questions about your readiness. As you workout you enter feedback so the app can adjust your workout to best suit your fitness level.” However, for beginners who aren’t familiar with exercise form and programming, having a real coach is still the best option.
We gave JuggernautAI a 3 out of 5 for interactive features, though some strength athletes may prefer the minimal design. “You don’t talk to a coach or team — it’s just you and the app,” our tester explained. “But you do interact with the app a lot, logging your weights, reps, sets, RPE. I liked this because the interaction holds you accountable but it isn’t too much effort.”
Our team was impressed with the pricing, giving this program a 5 out of 5 for value. This one is only $35 per month and while you don’t work with a live coach, the programming is still incredibly personalized and modality-specific.
Best Free Online Workout Program: Nike Training Club (NTC)
Thanks to a wide variety of periodized regimens as well as live and on-demand fitness classes led by certified personal trainers without any cost of entry. The Nike Training Club caters mostly to strength-based training, but also has sessions for bodyweight training, yoga, pilates, and mobility work.
Specs
- Price: Free
- Training Style: Strength, yoga, cardio, HIIT
- Availability: iOS, Android
- Workout Modalities: Strength, cardio, yoga, cross-training
For some, paying a monthly app subscription on top of a gym membership doesn’t fall within the budget. And that’s totally okay, thanks to the Nike Training Club app.
NTC is completely free to download and use, so our testers gave the overall value a 5 out of 5. The app is super simple to operate, according to our tester, who gave the setup and user experience a 5 out of 5, too. “All you have to do is download the app and log in, as there’s really no customization that happens.”
Although the app does send push notifications to encourage users to train or join new programs, we had to give the accountability factor a 3.5 out of 5. There’s no personal coaching involved with this app, plus it’s free, so the discipline really sits on the user’s shoulders.
The app has a huge library of on-demand workouts and live classes. You can filter this library based on your preferences, including your fitness level. After using the app myself, I’d say this one gets a 5 out of 5 for instruction. Every exercise has a video demonstrating the move and you can even listen for form tips.
The equipment demands are a 5 out of 5 because they’re pretty much nonexistent. I’ve used NTC for the no equipment, bodyweight workouts (the full-body HIIT sessions are awesome) but you can also find pretty advanced strength programs, too, which require a full gym of equipment.
Since there’s no customization here, you can’t really personalize anything, unfortunately. We had to give NTC a 1 out of 5 for progressive overload, as you can’t track your weight lifted, reps, RPE, etc. You just follow along with the pre-written workout. So, athletes looking for help progressing in their strength or endurance may prefer a more tailored workout program. However, we do love that Nike is constantly dropping new workouts, so you’re not stuck repeating the same programs over and over.
Best Online Workout Program for CrossFit: Train Hard
This online workout program is excellent for CrossFit athletes looking to develop their skills and strength. Choose from one of three programs and tailor your workouts to your personal goals.
Specs
- Price: $29.99 per month, $159.99 per six months, $299.99 per year
- Training Style: Goal-specific workout programs
- Availability: iOS, Android
- Workout Modalities: CrossFit EMOMs, bodybuilding, strength and conditioning
Founded by CrossFit legend Jason Khalipa, Train Hard is an app that’s built with CrossFit athletes in mind. The app offers three different programs, including EMOM (efficient EMOM workouts), FLEX (functional strength and bodybuilding), and FORCE (strength and conditioning).
The programs are five days per week and each workout is about 60 minutes, with the exception of the EMOM program, which involves shorter, 30-minute sessions.
“I followed FORCE for three weeks in order to gain overall strength in the three big CrossFit movements (deadlift, squat, and push press),” our tester said, giving the app an overall 5 out of 5. “This app definitely helped me push through a plateau and I saw myself growing stronger.”
Our tester wasn’t too familiar with Olympic lifting but found the instructional videos very helpful. His only qualm was that the videos take you out of the app and onto YouTube, which is a little tedious. But Train Hard also has an integrated group chat for workout-specific questions or comments.
There’s not too much customizability with Train Hard, however you can scale the weights to your fitness level. “There were a few workouts where I needed to scale back the movement because I was too burnt out from the strength portion of the workout,” our tester said, giving the customization a 4 out of 5. “But that didn’t deter me from the training at all.”
Our team gave the accountability factor a 4 out of 5, too. We liked the integrated community feature and hope to see even more development on that front. The app also allows you to track your health metrics and progress, helping to encourage healthy habits.
We do think the user interface has some room for improvement, though. “The app doesn’t sync with any fitness watches or trackers, though that’s not a must-have for a good workout,” our tester said, giving the interface a 3 out of 5. “I found it challenging to keep the app timer on while changing my music because it pauses the timer, which was less than ideal.”
For those who want to do all their CrossFit workouts right at home, Train Hard is a solid choice. For value, we gave this app a 4 out of 5. You can choose from several subscription options, including $29.99 per month, $159.99 for six months, or $299.99 for a year. Considering a CrossFit gym membership is generally around $150 to $200, this is certainly a more budget-friendly option.
Best Online Workout Program for Running: Nike Run Club
Set new running goals or just hit your weekly mileage with the free Nike Run Club app. You can try the app's race programs if you're preparing for your first 5K or go on a guided run with a Nike running coach.
Specs
- Price: Free
- Training Style: On-demand workouts
- Availability: iOS, Android
- Workout Modalities: Running
I’ve had a pretty long relationship with the Nike Run Club App, not going to lie. As a former high school and collegiate runner and current triathlete, I’ve been running for practically my entire life. And I’ve had the Nike Run Club (NRC) on my phone longer than I can remember.
The app allows you to track your runs, whether you’re following a specific plan or just going on a random jog. It tracks your pace and distance using GPS but it also syncs with your Apple Watch in case you don’t want to take your phone. I’d definitely give the app a 5 out of 5 for ease of use. It’s really simple and tracks all the most important stats of each run, including your pace, cadence, distance, elevation gain, heart rate, and calories.
For runners who like a little more guidance, there are guided runs, led by Nike’s running coaches. You can pick a guided run, based on the goal of your run, whether it’s an interval session, tempo run, or recovery run. I’d give the instruction a 4 out of 5.
I love that the coaches guide you through each leg of the workout but for more advanced runners looking to hit specific paces or mile times, these probably aren’t the most convenient. So, if you have a time trial planned, you may want to save NRC for another day.
I highly recommend trying any of Coach Bennett’s recovery runs. I don’t use the Nike Run Club app for specific training goals but I personally struggle to keep my recovery runs easy. Coach Bennett frequently encourages pace and body checks — this helps me gauge my effort so I can ease off the pace when needed.
The app is totally free, so our team gave the value a 5 out of 5. Plus, Nike Run Club has in-person locations in select cities. Here, you can meet other app users for group runs or races. I’ve done a few Nike Run Club events in New York and love the sense of community they’re building.
Best Online Workout Program for Live Classes: Peloton
No need to have Peloton equipment when you can have access to the app with a subscription. Take classes from popular coaches to help you get your run done and dusted.
Specs
- Price: Starts at $12.99/month
- Training Style: Live workouts, on-demand workouts
- Availability: iOS, Android
- Workout Modalities: Strength, cardio, yoga, cross-training, Pilates, and more.
Brick-and-mortar group fitness classes are great. Unless you get stuck in traffic and can’t get to the studio in time. But the right online platform can help you sidestep travel and get you into the action whether you’re at the gym or in the comfort of your own home.
Peloton offers interactive group fitness classes right at home using the brand’s equipment, your own, or just your bodyweight. Setting up the app is simple, according to our tester, who gave the setup a 5 out of 5. “All you do is log in and sync your equipment with the app,” they said.
After trying several Peloton live classes myself, I really enjoyed the experience and would give the overall instruction a 5 out of 5. The cycling instructors are enthusiastic and motivational — it really feels like you’re in a live spin class. I also love the theme ride option every once in a while. These allow you to choose a class based on your music preference.
We also liked the equipment requirements, giving Peloton a 4 out of 5 in that category. Some of the classes require equipment, while there are bodyweight only options. Obviously, the running and cycling classes require a Peloton tread or bike. But there are yoga classes and Pilates live sessions that only need a yoga mat and your bodyweight.
I think the price deserves a 4 out of 5. It’s pretty reasonable and Peloton accommodates users who don’t use the treadmill or bike. The Peloton App One is only $12.99 per month and includes strength, yoga, outdoor running, and gym workouts. The Peloton App+ is $24.99 per month, including everything in the Peloton App One, including exercise bike, treadmill, and rower workouts.
How We Tested and Chose the Best Online Workout Programs
There are plenty of online workout programs available and unfortunately, some of them are a big waste of time and money. Following BarBend‘s equipment testing methodology, our team of expert product testers, including certified personal trainers and athletes, put more than 50 different virtual workout programs and apps to the test. We assigned scores of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) across multiple categories, like ease of use, value, and required equipment to gather the best options. Here are a few factors we considered while testing.
- Ease of Use: We prioritized technology that was intuitive and wouldn’t distract from the workout itself. Our team also preferred apps that gave clear, easy to follow instruction.
- Training Levels: We considered each app and program through the eyes of a beginner and advanced athlete. In some cases, some apps were ideal for an experienced athlete but less suitable for beginners. We made sure to outline these aspects in our reviews.
- Modalities: We also wanted to consider a diverse range of workout styles, as different athletes may prefer different forms of movement. According to our expert reviewer, who has used many of these modalities herself, “There are apps, downloadable PDFs/printables, subscription options, one-time payment options, etc. Beginners may want an app with a high level of accountability and feedback, while a more advanced exerciser may want something that is structured but can be followed on its own.” No matter your need, we sourced an option for you.
Benefits of Online Workout Programs
While an in-house workout program provides the benefit of real-time coaching, online workout programs do have some solid perks — such as convenience and lower cost.
“As a personal trainer, I see no downsides to following an online workout program [over in-person training], especially one that is catered toward your specific goals,” our expert reviewer Amanda Capritto says. Here are a few of the benefits these programs have to offer.
- Convenience: Since you don’t have to go to a gym whenever you want to work out, you’re not at the mercy of traffic or class times that don’t work with your work/life schedule. Also, having someone else do the programming for you means you won’t be sitting around wondering what workout you should do on any given day.
- Price: Generally, you’ll pay less for an online workout program than you will for a gym. This is because the programmers don’t have to worry about paying for the gym space or equipment.
How Much Do Online Workout Programs Cost?
Online workout programs can vary wildly in price. Most of the programs you’ll find will be in the $40 to $60 a month range, but some can go quite a bit higher or lower. Lower-cost programs with preset programs that you can follow at your leisure tend to be on the less expensive side since the programming is already set. Workout plans with regularly updated or live workouts require constant upkeep (and studio space for live and pre-recorded videos), so they’ll be in the middle to the higher end of the price range. One-on-one personal training will often be the most expensive option.
| Best Overall | Future | $150 per month |
| Best for Personalized Coaching | Caliber App | ~$200 per month |
| Best for Cardio | iFIT | $39 per month |
| Best for Strength | JuggernautAI | $29 per month |
| Best for Free | Nike Training Club | Free |
| Best for CrossFit | Train Hard | $29.99 per month |
| Best for Running | Nike Run Club | Free |
| Best for Live Classes | Peloton | $12.99 per month |
What to Consider Before Buying An Online Workout Program
According to our expert reviewer, Amanda Capritto, “Anyone who has an interest in reaching a fitness goal or simply improving their overall fitness will benefit from an online workout program. [Especially] those who find success with external accountability and motivation.” However, before committing to an online workout program, it’s important to consider a few factors to make sure you choose the right one for you. Here are a few things to take into account before you commit.
Goals
The first thing to consider when starting an online workout program is what you want from it. Why are you thinking about it in the first place? Do you want to prioritize weight loss? Consider a cardio or HIIT-based program over a strictly strength-based one. Looking to build muscle and sculpt your body? Find one that focuses on improving your lifting form and building strength.
Equipment and Space
Also, be sure to consider what workout gear you already have (or have access to) and what you’re willing to spend to build out your home gym. Few things are as frustrating as subscribing to a program, and then finding out that you need to buy a bunch of fitness equipment before you can get started.
Several plans on this list offer classes that require little or no fitness equipment, so if you’re not eager to shop for weights, those are the ones to consider. And believe it or not, you can still make ample gains, even without a fully stocked home gym. (1)
Budget
And, of course, if you can’t afford it, you’re not getting it. Consider the total cost of your investment, which includes the monthly cost of the programming and any equipment you may need to get started. The programs in this list range in price from over $100 a month to less than $10 a month, so there are options here for every price range.
Fitness Level
One of the most common mistakes for someone new to working out or just getting back into a fitness routine is going out too hard with a high-level competitive program. If you’re a newer athlete, don’t jump right into competitive or high-level online workout programming. Make sure whatever program you choose has easier courses to get you started — something that consists of lower weights, simpler movements, and slower pacing to help you form a foundation to build your fitness upon.
Best Online Workout Programs FAQs
Are online workout programs as effective as in-person classes?
While online workout programs don’t have the benefit of having a trainer watching you in real-time, they do have several advantages. One is the variety of workout programs available online. You only have so many gyms in your area, but the list of online workout programs is nearly endless. You just need to pay attention to your form and hold yourself accountable to do the work.
How much do online workout programs cost?
Online workout programs vary in price, from less than $10 a month to $150 and beyond for online personal training. It really depends on how much oversight you need and what you’re willing to pay for it. If you want a personal trainer to follow your workouts online and give you personalized critiques and tips, you can expect to pay more. You can expect to pay anywhere from $60 to $100 a month for online workout programs that provide on-demand or live group classes.
What’s the best online workout program?
Since people’s goals and abilities differ, there isn’t one online workout program that is the best for everyone. One aspect that is common among all of the best ones is that the trainers and coaches are experienced certified professionals that are qualified to design and prescribe workouts.
References
- Archila LR, Bostad W, Joyner MJ, Gibala MJ. Simple Bodyweight Training Improves Cardiorespiratory Fitness with Minimal Time Commitment: A Contemporary Application of the 5BX Approach. Int J Exerc Sci. 2021 Apr 1;14(3):93-100. PMID: 34055156; PMCID: PMC8136567.
