• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The BarBend Logo in white.

BarBend

The Online Home for Strength Sports

  • News
    • CrossFit
    • Strongman
    • Bodybuilding
    • Powerlifting
    • Weightlifting
    • HYROX
  • Reviews
    • Recovery
      • Best Cold Plunges
      • Best Saunas
      • Best Mini-Massage Guns
    • Supplements
      • Best Protein
        • Best Vegan Protein Powders
        • Best Whey Isolate Protein Powders
        • Best Mass Gainer
        • Best Protein Bars
      • Best Pre-Workouts
        • Best Pre-Workout for Women
        • Best Pre-Workouts for Men
        • Best Non-Stim Pre-Workouts
        • Strongest Pre-Workouts
      • Best Creatine
      • Best Electrolyte Supplements
      • Best Greens Powder
      • Best Meal Replacements
      • Best Nitric Oxide Supplements
      • Best Fat Burners
      • Individual Supplement Reviews
    • Cardio Equipment
      • Best Treadmills
      • Best Rowing Machines
      • Best Exercise Bikes
      • Best Ellipticals
      • Best Recumbent Bikes
      • Individual Cardio Equipment Reviews
    • Strength Equipment
      • Best Adjustable Dumbbells
      • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Barbells
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Weight Benches
      • Best Resistance Bands
      • Best Leg Extension Machines
      • Individual Strength Equipment Reviews
    • Apparel
      • Best Weightlifting Shoes
      • Best Cross Training Shoes
      • Best Running Shoes
      • Best Gym Shorts
    • Fitness Tech
      • Best Running Apps
      • Best Fitness Trackers
      • Best Workout Apps
      • Best Smart Scales
    • Support Gear
      • Best Lifting Straps
      • Best Gym Bags
      • Best Lifting Gloves
      • Best Wrist Wraps
  • Nutrition
    • Diets
      • Carb Cycling
      • Vertical Diet
      • Reverse Dieting
      • Carnivore Diet
      • Ketogenic Diet
      • Intermittent Fasting
      • IIFYM Diet
    • Muscle Gain
      • How to Dirty Bulk
      • Go From Cutting to Bulking
      • Eat These Carbs
      • How to Eat for Muscle
    • Fat Loss
      • Macros for Fat Loss
      • Calorie Deficits
      • Natural Fat Burners
      • Cut 2 Pounds Weekly
    • Supplement Guides
      • Pre-Workout
      • Whey Protein
      • Mass Gainers
      • Greens Powders
      • Creatine
      • BCAAs
    • Daily Protein Needs
    • Pre- and Post-Workout Nutrition
    • Foods With Creatine
    • Bulking Tips
  • Training
    • Exercise Guides
      • Deadlift
      • Bench Press
      • Back Squat
      • Overhead Press
      • Lat Pulldown
      • Shoulder Exercises
      • Chest Exercises
      • Ab Exercises
      • Quad Exercises
      • Biceps Exercises
    • Training Guides
      • Beginner’s Guide to the Gym
      • How to Build Muscle
      • Guide to Muscle Hypertrophy
      • How to Train on a Cut
    • Workouts
      • Back Workouts
      • At-Home Workouts
      • Chest & Back Workouts
      • Full-Body Workout
      • HIIT Workouts
      • Bodybuilding Workouts
      • Farmer’s Carry Workouts
    • Programs
      • 5×5 Program
      • Bodybuilding Programs
      • Push-Up Program
      • Pull-Up Program
      • 5/3/1 Program
      • Powerbuilding Program
      • German Volume Training
      • Build Your Own Program
  • Calculators
    • Protein Intake Calculator
    • Macros Calculator
    • BMR Calculator
    • Squat Calculator
    • Calorie Calculator
  • Community Forum
Home » Fitness Tech » The 11 Best Personal Training Apps of 2025 (Personally Tested)

The 11 Best Personal Training Apps of 2025 (Personally Tested)

More workout motivation and accountability are only one download away.

Written by Lauren Mazzo, CPT, FNS
Updated by Ben Emminger, NASM-CNC, NASM-CSNC on April 14th, 2025
Expert VerifiedExpert Contributor: Amanda Capritto, CPT, CSNC, CPS
Expert VerifiedExpert Contributor: Jake Herod, NASM-CNC
Expert VerifiedExpert Contributor: Dr. Christopher Mohr, PhD, RD
Expert VerifiedExpert Contributor: Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD
Expert VerifiedReviewed By: Bojana Galic, NASM-CNC

We receive free products and receive commissions through our links. See disclosures page.
  • Top Personal Training Apps
  • |
  • How We Tested
  • |
  • Benefits
  • |
  • What to Consider
  • |
  • FAQs

As Amanda Capritto, CPT, CSNC, CPS states, “The list of the best workout apps is always evolving, but no two fitness programs are the same.” For athletes wanting some professional assistance to support their workout routines, the best personal training apps can be excellent for customized guidance and instruction without the need to physically meet up with an instructor for real-time fitness coaching.

Choosing a personal training app for your smartphone or wearable device is more involved than simply scrolling through the app store, though. You’ll need to think of how hands-on you want your instructor to be along with your preferred workout modalities, equipment access, and budget, among other factors. To help, we’ve adapted our equipment testing methodology to examine over 50 different online training services and consulted with our team of experts to rate our favorite personal training apps in categories such as the following:

  • Customizations: Is the provided workout programming truly unique to our needs and wants, or is it more of a cookie-cutter aesthetic with generalized tips and tricks?
  • Workout Variety: Does the digital service support more than one workout modality, or will you need a separate app for different training disciplines?
  • User Experience: Is the app easy to navigate? Are there any hiccups across the layout that could lead to in-gym frustrations?
  • Value: Does the delivered service justify the subscription cost? Are there any free trial periods, and are they lengthy enough to get a true feel for the app experience?

The BarBend team has helped connect over 1.2 million athletes with high-quality strength and conditioning gear to support their fitness journeys — fitness apps, included. If you’re looking to take your workouts into the digital age with customized routines and personal coaching instruction, we’re confident that the following details can help make your next app download much more than a home screen upgrade.

The 11 Best Personal Training Apps of 2025

  • Best Personal Training App Overall: Caliber
  • Best Personal Training App for Strength: Shred
  • Best Personal Training App with Coaching: Future
  • Best Personal Training App for Pilates: BetterMe
  • Best Personal Training App for Weightlifting: Juggernaut AI
  • Best Personal Training App for Beginners: Aaptiv
  • Best Personal Training App for Meal Plans: Centr
  • Best Personal Training App for Variety: FlexIt
  • Best Personal Training App for Live Classes: Peloton
  • Best Personal Training App for Cardio: Strava
  • Best Personal Training App for Yoga: Down Dog

Experts Who Contributed

  • Amanda Capritto, CPT, CSNC, CPS
  • Jake Herod, NASM-CNC
  • Dr. Christopher Mohr, PhD, RD
  • Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD
  • Ben Emminger, NASM-CNC, NASM-CSNC
  • Bojana Galic, NASM-CNC

Best Personal Training App Overall: Caliber

Caliber
Caliber
Caliber

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.

Shop Caliber

Specs

  • Price: Free, $19 per month (group), ~$200 per month (personal training)
  • Free Trial Period: Free version available at all times
  • Equipment Required: Bodyweight, home gym, commercial gym
  • Workout Modalities: Strength, cardio, functional training
  • Availability: iOS, Android
  • iOS App Store Customer Rating: 4.6
  • Google Play Store Customer Rating: 4.7
Pros
In-app messages for informed training and accountability
Emphasizes progressive overload in strength training workouts
Extensive exercise library with helpful video tutorials for each move
Nutrition advice available through your paired fitness professional
Cons
Premium memberships are expensive at roughly $200 monthly
Mobile app is primarily strength-focused — not a ton of cardio protocols
Learning curve in terms of functionality, per our tester

Why We Like It

If you’re looking for the best personal trainer app filled with customized workouts, detailed instructions, and defined metrics for progress tracking, we think Caliber is worth your time. The app offers free and group training membership levels, but for those in search of personal training programs, you’ll need to subscribe to the Premium membership that pairs you to a fitness professional based on your goals and aspirations.

Our tester, a certified personal trainer, enjoyed the experience they had with their paired instructor, rating both the instruction and accountability at 5 out of 5. “My coach took the time to connect with me, follow up multiple times per week, and adjusted my workout based on my feedback,” they note. “I also appreciate the fact that I could reach them at any point through the in-app messaging service if I had a question regarding my outlined training plan.”

2 screenshots are shown of the Caliber Fitness App
Two screenshots of the Caliber Fitness App on a black background
Side-by-side screenshots show features of the Caliber app.
Three screenshots of the online personal training app, Caliber, on a black background.
2 screenshots are shown of the Caliber Fitness App
Two screenshots of the Caliber Fitness App on a black background
Side-by-side screenshots show features of the Caliber app.
Three screenshots of the online personal training app, Caliber, on a black background.

Caliber’s focus is primarily on strength training and using progressive overload to propel your muscle growth and performance. Studies report that progressive overload can be a beneficial training style for increased strength and overcoming in-gym plateaus, too. (3) The app, available for iPhone and Android users, also offers nutrition coaching from certified nutrition coaches.

This can be helpful for structuring your diet for specific goals like weight loss or weight gain, but we do point out that specific nutrition plans are not within the scope of the fitness professionals. “For personal diet plans, you’ll need to seek advice from a registered dietitian or other properly accredited experts,” says our tester.

Given its focus on strength training, we rate the equipment demands at 4 out of 5 since you’ll need access to resistance training tools like the best barbells and cable machines — we’ve found that commercial gyms or well-rounded home gyms are ideal. Our tester adds, too, that this isn’t the best app for cardio enthusiasts. For running or cycling, we recommend downloading the Strava app in place of Caliber.

Finally, the Premium membership’s pricing is hard to ignore, so we rate the price at 3.5 out of 5. Still, though, if you’re looking for a convenient personal training tool that’s always in the palm of your hand, Caliber is tough to beat.

Good For: Strength training athletes wanting personalized training plans and detailed instruction for boosted workout performance.

Read our full Caliber Fitness App Review. 

Read More

Best Personal Training App for Strength: Shred

Shred App
Shred App
Shred App

This AI-driven app offers up customized workout plans based on your fitness goals and equipment availability. With annual subscriptions costing roughly $9.99 monthly, this is also one of the more affordable workout apps on the market, especially when considering the amount of digital instruction and guidance you’re getting in the palm of your hand.

Shop Shred

Specs

  • Price: Free, $19.99 per month, $119.99 per year
  • Free Trial Period: 7 days (annual plan only)
  • Equipment Required: Bodyweight, home gym, commercial gym
  • Workout Modalities: Circuit training, strength, functional training
  • Availability: iOS, Android
  • iOS App Store Customer Rating: 4.8
  • Google Play Store Customer Rating: 4.6
Pros
Customized training plans built with artificial intelligence
Embedded community feature for motivation and challenges
Can be used in home and commercial gym settings
Cons
App interface can be glitchy at times
Some features require a Premium membership
Interval training style is less ideal in crowded gyms

Why We Like It

Struggling to understand how to build muscle? In need of a personal training app to guide your strength workouts? Shred uses the power of artificial intelligence to craft detailed training programs based on your goals, experience level, and available equipment. According to our tester, a certified personal trainer, “It’s a great tool for keeping variety in each session, and I love the detailed instructions that come with each prescribed movement.”

Our tester states that setup earns a 5-out-of-5 rating for getting you established in the app. “You run through a quick assessment to outline your goals and available equipment, and the algorithm gets churning to deliver a detailed plan filled with different workouts,” they add. Since your workouts are tailored to match your available equipment, we also rate the equipment demands at 5 out of 5 — if you don’t have a specific machine, the app won’t program exercises that require such gear.

We do recommend taking your workouts in less-than-crowded areas, though. “There’s some emphasis on interval training workouts,” notes our tester, “So, getting from one station to the next can be a challenge if you’re lifting in a crowded commercial gym.”

While we appreciate the AI-powered guidance, we do score the accountability at 3 out of 5. The app doesn’t have that personal touch you’d get with a human coach, and the only motivation-forward feature is the embedded community feed where you can talk to fellow Shred users and sign up for rotating challenges. For training with human guidance, we recommend apps like Caliber or Future.

Finally, Shred does offer a free version of the platform, but we strongly recommend opting for a Premium membership costing $19.99 monthly or, for a discounted monthly fee, $119.99 yearly. This subscription will eliminate any potential paywalls that hide progress tracking tools or other features and gives you the best landscape the app has to offer. “When compared to other personal training apps like Caliber and Future, the price isn’t too unrealistic, either,” notes our tester, who scores the value at 4 out of 5.

Good For: Individuals wanting a detailed strength training workout plan crafted to their personal goals and available equipment.

Read More

Best Personal Training App with Coaching: Future

Future Online Personal Training
Future Online Personal Training
Future Online Personal Training

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.

Shop Future

Specs

  • Price: $199 per month
  • Free Trial Period: Discounted rates for first month of use
  • Equipment Required: Bodyweight, home gym, commercial gym
  • Workout Modalities: Strength, cardio, functional training
  • Availability: iOS, Android
  • iOS App Store Customer Rating: 4.9
  • Google Play Store Customer Rating: 4.5
Pros
One-on-one coaching from a personally-chosen fitness professional
Intuitive app interface that’s compatible with select smartwatches
Plenty of workout versatility and adaptability, per our tester
Cons
Expensive at $199 monthly
Timed workout can feel rushed for some

Why We Like It

The nature of the personal training business can be difficult to navigate. You need to find the right coach, align your schedule to their availability, and hope that traffic or other life situations don’t impede your ability to get to their training session. Future eliminates the strain of meeting up with an in-person trainer by pairing you with a real-life fitness professional that digitally tracks and plans your workouts.

BarBend expert reviewer Jake Herod, NASM-CNC rates Future’s ease of use at 5 out of 5, stating, “I appreciate how hands-on my chosen instructor is with my programming. They provide excellent instruction and audio cues for each exercise. I also give the accountability a 5-out-of-5 score, since there are regular check-ins and reminders to get my workouts in each week.”

In terms of the actual workouts, each session is outlined with clear instructions for the listed movements along with allotted breaks between sets. While this provides ample structure for each workout, we do admit that it can feel rushed at times, especially when trying to master a new movement or if you’re particularly tired.

After sessions, you can provide feedback to your Future personal trainer, which can help them make adjustments to your next workout.
You can adjust the weight during sets in Future's personal training app.
Talking to our digital personal trainer on the Future app.
During sessions, the Future app provides prompts and videos demonstrating each workout.
After sessions, you can provide feedback to your Future personal trainer, which can help them make adjustments to your next workout.
You can adjust the weight during sets in Future's personal training app.
Talking to our digital personal trainer on the Future app.
During sessions, the Future app provides prompts and videos demonstrating each workout.

We rate the app’s ease of use at 4.5 out of 5, too, thanks to its simple layout and level of detail in each feature. “I also like that Future is compatible with smartwatches like the Apple Watch and Google Pixel Watch,” notes Herod. “Personally, I prefer to track my workouts on my wearable rather than carrying my phone with me through the gym.”

Future’s coaching potential is also worthwhile given that your fitness preferences aren’t limited to one discipline or another. Your personal coach can tailor your workouts to suit your cardio workouts or resistance training goals. If you are in search of a more specific app, we recommend Strava for cardio training and Caliber for strength training.

Lastly, the cost of this impressive personal training app earns a 3.75-out-of-5 rating due to its $199 monthly subscription fee. This may be too expensive for some athletes. That said, though, research suggests that the cost may still be more appropriate than an in-person trainer, which can cost upwards of $100 per session. (2)

Good For: Those seeking a personal training experience without the complications that come from in-person instruction.

Read our full Future App Review.

Read More

Best Personal Training App for Pilates: BetterMe

BetterMe App
BetterMe App
BetterMe App

BetterMe’s training platform can be excellent for Pilates enthusiasts thanks to its detailed instruction for each programmed workout consisting of both visual and audio guidance. The app, available for iPhone and Android users, is also loaded with training sessions dedicated to bodyweight and dumbbell-specific workouts.

Shop BetterMe

Specs

  • Price: $19.99 per month
  • Free Trial Period: 7 days
  • Equipment Required: Bodyweight, dumbbells
  • Workout Modalities: Pilates, bodyweight, dumbbell-only
  • Availability: iOS, Android
  • iOS App Store Customer Rating: 4.7
  • Google Play Store Customer Rating: 4.4
Pros
Easy-to-follow workouts for Pilates and bodyweight training enthusiasts
Each exercise comes with visual and audio instructions
Personal training consultations available for an additional fee
Cons
Less ideal for strength or cardio athletes
Some users report of challenging membership cancellation procedures

Why We Like It

If you’re looking for an app that unlocks the benefits of Pilates, BetterMe can be a worthwhile download. The service has workout programs dedicated to Pilates, bodyweight training, and dumbbell-specific sessions, as well as wellness-oriented features like diet tracking and step counting capabilities.

Speaking specifically to the available workouts, our tester, a certified personal trainer, scores the available instruction at 4 out of 5. “Rather than on-demand workouts like you’d find with iFIT or Peloton, this BetterMe app provides listed training programs with each prescribed exercise paired with visual step-by-step instructions,” they note. “Plus, the platform provides available workouts that can be filtered by category such as yoga, sofa yoga, wall Pilates, Pilates, and ‘busy mom.’”

While BetterMe is, inherently, a “Choose Your Own Adventure” fitness app, you do have the option of purchasing sessions to speak with a personal trainer. “While other apps like Future and Caliber have these one-on-one capabilities baked into their subscription, I do appreciate that BetterMe at least offers such tools,” adds our tester in reference to their 4-out-of-5 accountability rating.

BetterMe’s available programs can be suitable for a number of athletes, but we do score the workout variety at a conservative 3 out of 5 since there are limited workouts available for strength training or cardio. If you want to lift weights or focus on improving your running performance, you’ll need to look for a different service.

Our tester also mentions that the app has had negative customer reviews in relation to the cancellation process. “While I had no issues with cancelling my membership, some customer reviews do refer to extra charges after they’ve ended their subscription.” As always, we recommend downloading apps you feel comfortable with and always fully read the terms and conditions before passing along any financial information.

Good For: Athletes interested in Pilates workouts.

Read More

Best Personal Training App for Weightlifting: Juggernaut AI

JuggernautAI
JuggernautAI
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.

Shop JuggernautAI

Specs

  • Price: $29 per month, $299 per year
  • Free Trial Period: 14 days
  • Equipment Required: Free weights, barbell, squat rack, or commercial gym
  • Workout Modalities: Strength training
  • Availability: iOS, Android
  • iOS App Store Customer Rating: 4.9
  • Google Play Store Customer Rating: 4.8
Pros
Programming tailored to weight training disciplines like Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, and bodybuilding
Lengthy 2-week trial period
Algorithm can adjust quickly to your training needs
Cons
Does not cater to cardio enthusiasts
Requires access to multiple weights and machines
Less accountability than a human personal trainer

Why We Like It

When it comes to strength training, Juggernaut AI can be an excellent beginner’s guide to Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, powerbuilding, and more thanks to its AI-driven instruction catering to free weight enthusiasts. Our tester, a certified personal trainer, notes, “The AI-powered algorithm is great for catering to my specific strength goals, and the program is quick to adjust when I’m working around an injury or need to change out an exercise due to equipment availability.”

The app’s setup earns a 5-out-of-5 rating thanks to its detailed initial assessment. You’re asked to provide general body measurements along with your goals, equipment access, and current training load, among other details. From there, the artificial intelligence works to craft a personalized training schedule filled with engaging exercises designed to help you get stronger. “It’s a really streamlined process,” our tester adds.

Three screenshots of the online personal training app, JuggernautAI, on a black background.
Using the Juggernaut AI app.

Naturally, Juggernaut AI is going to require some equipment from the best cable machines and racks to free weights, benches, dumbbells, and more. You can alter your training based on your available equipment, but we do recommend having access to a proper home gym or commercial gym. We score the equipment demands at 4 out of 5.

Our tester also states that accountability can be underwhelming at times, rating Juggernaut AI at 3.5 out of 5 for the category. “I do feel that the outlined schedule gives me enough motivation to hit the gym, but it’s not as hands-on of a workout app as other services I’ve had such as Caliber or Future.”

As a final note, Juggernaut AI is primarily focused on resistance training, making it a less suitable platform for cardio athletes. Granted, conditioning for strength athletes is important, but these individuals may need a secondary service like Strava or Nike Run Club to track those discipline-specific metrics.

Good For: Strength athletes wanting detailed, customised training programs to support their weight training endeavors.

Read More

Best Personal Training App for Beginners: Aaptiv

Aaptiv
Aaptiv
Aaptiv

An audio-focused streaming workout app that lets you take your workouts anywhere you want to go.

Shop Aaptiv

Specs

  • Price: $14.99 per month, $99.99 per year
  • Free Trial Period: 7 days (annual subscription only)
  • Equipment Required: Bodyweight, home gym
  • Workout Modalities: Strength training, cardio, endurance, mobility, yoga, meditation, sleep
  • Availability: iOS, Android
  • iOS App Store Customer Rating: 4.7
  • Google Play Store Customer Rating: 3.8
Pros
Beginner-friendly programming with audio instructions for intra-workout guidance
Workout library includes thousands of modules with new additions each week
Affordable pricing at roughly $15 monthly
Cons
Limited access to video instructions
May be too simplistic for more advanced athletes
Free trial only available to annual plan subscribers

Why We Like It

OK, so maintaining a workout schedule can be tough, but devising a beginner workout plan with no experience to speak of can be an even bigger challenge. Aaptiv can be appealing to novice athletes thanks to its emphasis on clear instruction across multiple modalities like strength training, cardio, yoga, and more.

Certified personal trainer and BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto, CPT, CSNC, CPS rates Aaptiv’s workout variety at 4 out of 5. “I’m confident that most athletes can find a suitable program for their interests, and I appreciate that the app updates its library of available modules each week. This can help you keep your sessions fresh and invigorating,” she adds.

Three screenshots of the online personal training app, Aaptiv, on a black background.
Using the Aaptiv app.

Rather than bogging down your phone’s bandwidth with onscreen video instruction, Aaptiv uses audio-based guidance to help you work through each prescribed exercise. Capritto states that the in-ear guidance is handy and helpful, noting, “The experts behind the instruction definitely know their stuff, and the details for each exercise are helpful.” However, we understand that some beginners are more visual learners, so we’ll score the instruction at a modest 4 out of 5. For more visual workout assistance, it may be best to sign up for a service like Shred or Future.

Aaptiv also earns praise as one of the best online workout programs given its affordable cost. The $14.99 monthly charge is well below some personal training apps that can cost upwards of $200 monthly. While we rate the value at 4.5 out of 5, we do score the free trial period at 3 out of 5 since this service is only available to athletes subscribed to an annual plan ($99.99 yearly). It would be nice to at least test run the platform if you’re not willing to sign up for a full year.

Good For: Novice athletes wanting helpful instruction without lengthy videos or expensive monthly subscription fees.

Read More

Best Personal Training App for Meal Plans: Centr

Centr Fitness App
Centr Fitness App
Centr Fitness App

Centr, a fitness app founded by Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth — Marvel's hammer-wielding Thor — pairs its library of trainer-led strength, cardio, pilates, and yoga workouts with a nutrition component that can help you plan meals and grocery lists. 

Shop Centr

Specs

  • Price: $29.99 per month
  • Free Trial Period: 7 days
  • Equipment Required: Bodyweight, home gym, commercial gym
  • Workout Modalities: HIIT, cardio, yoga, Pilates, hypertrophy
  • Availability: iOS, Android
  • iOS App Store Customer Rating: 4.8
  • Google Play Store Customer Rating: 4.5
Pros
Offers comprehensive meal plans designed by sports dietitians and professional chefs
Workouts can be filtered by available equipment
Instructor-led and self-paced workout modules
Cons
Limited adjustability when it comes to picking preferred movements
Less accountability features than other apps we’ve tested

Why We Like It

Centr, the fitness app created by Thor actor Chris Hemsworth, combines workout, mental health, and nutrition programming for a truly holistic experience. If you’re looking for guidance on both your training sessions and nutrition, Centr could be a solid bet.

Our tester, a certified personal trainer, rates the nutritional information at 5 out of 5. “The service is great at catering to nutrition for athletes with plenty of recipes, grocery lists, and helpful articles dedicated to specific dietary needs.” Additionally, we love the fact that Centr uses registered dietitians and professional chefs to craft the subscribed nutrition plans, as the deliverables are more within the scope of practice for these experts than, say, a certified nutrition coach.

When it comes to the workouts, we score the available instructions at 5 out of 5, too. Each program comes with step-by-step details to complete each movement along with helpful photos illustrating how the exercises should be done. “Even despite the plethora of knowledgeable insight, the app remains easy to use with no real hiccups while navigating the platform,” adds our tester.

Admittedly, Centr is less of a “personal training app” and more of a well-rounded fitness service. Instead of personalized workouts, you’re given access to multiple workout programs that can be chosen based on your fitness level, goals, and available equipment. Once you’ve subscribed to a plan, you’ll receive regular notifications that it’s time to work out. These pop-up reminders can be helpful, but unfortunately, this is where the accountability ends. We rate the accountability at 4 out of 5 because while a notification is something, it’s far easier to scroll past than a text or call from a personal trainer.

If you need further motivation to regularly complete your workouts, we recommend opting for a dedicated personal trainer app like Caliber, Future, or Juggernaut AI. While these services aren’t particularly focused on nutritional goals, they do put you in contact with real (or AI, in the case of Juggernaut AI) personal trainers that can help you stay diligent in training.

Good For: Those wanting some digital assistance when it comes to training and nutrition goals.

Read More

Best Personal Training App for Variety: FlexIt

FlexIt Fitness App
FlexIt Fitness App
FlexIt Fitness App

After a brief health assessment, the FlexIt app can pair you with live personal trainers for personalized, one-on-one virtual sessions. The app also has a health coaching component, so you can map out more than just a fitness routine. 

Shop FlexIt

Specs

  • Price: Starting at $30 per session
  • Free Trial Period: None applicable
  • Equipment Required: Bodyweight, home gym, commercial gym
  • Workout Modalities: Strength training, cardio, boxing, Pilates, yoga, meditation, Barre, nutrition
  • Availability: iOS, Android
  • iOS App Store Customer Rating: 4.6
  • Google Play Store Customer Rating: 3.8
Pros
One-on-one virtual coaching for a range of workout and nutrition needs
Multiple membership options can cater to different budgets
Mix-and-match trainers to suit your goals
Cons
App can be finicky at times
In-person personal training can be cheaper depending on your chosen membership
Limited foresight for future workouts

Why We Like It

FlexIt provides perhaps the most authentic, versatile virtual personal training experience an app can offer — live, personalized sessions with a trainer for 30-60 minutes, as often as you’d like. You can buy-as-you-go or commit to a monthly plan with four, eight, or 12+ sessions, with each session costing between $30-$80 each. Granted, this cost can sometimes be equivalent to in-person instruction, but the virtual aspect can be more accommodating depending on your schedule and access to a training space. (2)

Overall, our testers were quite impressed with their experience, giving the app a 4 out of 5 overall score. “I’ve used an in-person personal trainer in the past, and I was a little apprehensive about how a virtual session would go,” one tester, a certified personal trainer, states. “In the end, I was pleasantly surprised. The trainer was personable and encouraging, and he tailored our sessions to meet my personal needs and fitness goals.”

Depending on what you want, you can also add nutrition or health coaching, pre- and post-natal guidance, and physical therapy into your program through FlexIt. The app will match you with a trainer who can do whatever you need, or give you the option to book additional sessions.

The real human element of the app earns FlexIt a 4 out of 5 for accountability from our testers. “After our session, my trainer sent me a message to check in. For me, having someone giving me individualized attention keeps me accountable because I don’t want to disappoint them or myself when it comes to meeting my goals,” one tester notes.

One downside, though, is that when you’re doing one of the virtual personal training plans, you don’t necessarily get a 4- or 12-week program to follow on your own when you’re not working out with your trainer. If that’s more up your alley, we recommend a more traditional personal training app such as Future or Caliber.

Good For: Athletes wanting access to a range of professional fitness experts for one-on-one instruction.

Read More

Best Personal Training App for Live Classes: Peloton

Peloton App
Peloton App
Peloton App

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.

Shop Peloton

Specs

  • Price: Starting at $12.99 per month
  • Free Trial Period: 30 days
  • Equipment Required: Bodyweight, home gym, or commercial gym
  • Workout Modalities: Strength, cardio, yoga, cross-training, Pilates, and more
  • Availability: iOS, Android
  • iOS App Store Customer Rating: 4.9
  • Google Play Store Customer Rating: 4.1
Pros
Large library of live studio classes for cycling, running, strength, and other modalities
Onscreen instructors and music keep energy levels high
In-app badges and leaderboards for added motivation
Cons
Less ideal for athletes wanting personalized instruction
Fewer data tracking features than other workout apps
Can be tough at times to find a class that matches your schedule

Why We Like It

If you’re looking for live classes to give your at-home training space the feel of a boutique studio, Peloton is our top app recommendation. The service has been known far and wide for its engaging trainer-led sessions that can be streamed across home gym essentials like the Peloton Bike, Tread, and Row.

According to our tester, the engaging instructors earn a 5-out-of-5 rating based on energy alone. “They’re always upbeat which does wonders for keeping me focused on my performance. I also think Peloton has some of the best music in the fitness streaming game thanks to their buy-in for licensing from some of today’s top artists.”

In addition to the classic cycling workouts, the Peloton app offers trainer-led programs for walking, stretching, bootcamp, running, meditation, yoga, Pilates, and more. Accordingly, we score the workout variety at 4.5 out of 5.

A woman uses the Peloton Row at a Peloton showroom.
Scenic Row on the Peloton Row's HD touchscreen.
Peloton Tread
A BarBend tester setting up the Original Peloton Bike for a workout
A woman uses the Peloton Row at a Peloton showroom.
Scenic Row on the Peloton Row's HD touchscreen.
Peloton Tread
A BarBend tester setting up the Original Peloton Bike for a workout

Naturally, the Peloton app works best with Peloton-branded equipment like the Peloton Tread, Row, and Bike. However, you can still access the live classes through the app itself and follow along on your equipment of choice. The only caveat is that non-Peloton equipment limits your ability to climb leaderboards and other program-synced metrics. Overall, we score the equipment demands at 4.5 out of 5.

While the live classes are sort of the calling card for Peloton, we do note that there are some struggles with this model. Like any live viewing, you’ll need to match your schedule to the set streaming time. Otherwise, you’re limited to the on-demand library (which, in our opinion, isn’t a horrible alternative).

We also note that Peloton is more of a workout streaming service than a dedicated personal training app. “You don’t get one-on-one instruction like you would with Future or Caliber, but I think most people understand that when signing up for the service,” says our tester. “That said, though, this does mean that tracking your performance over time can call for more involved record keeping on your part — there’s no trainer on the other side of your screen monitoring your metrics and improvement.”

Good For: Studio class fans that enjoy following along to live, on-screen workout instructors.

Read More

Best Personal Training App for Cardio: Strava

Strava
Strava
Strava

Popular with cyclists and runners for a reason, the Strava app can be an excellent tool for taking your running to the next level. With a social network, GPS tracking, and loads of data insights, this app is capable of tracking a wide array of physical activities.

Shop Strava

Specs

  • Price: $11.99 per month
  • Free Trial Period: 30 days
  • Equipment Required: Smartphone, GPS watch, or fitness tracker
  • Workout Modalities: Strength, cardio, cycling, water sports, snow sports, racquet sports, golf, yoga
  • Availability: iOS, Android
  • iOS App Store Customer Rating: 4.8
  • Google Play Store Customer Rating: 4.4
Pros
Detailed data tracking for running, cycling, and other sport-based activities
Our tester enjoys the user-friendly functionality
Built-in community features including leaderboards, groups, and challenges
Cons
Only a handful of templated training plans
Less ideal for strength-oriented athletes
Premium features hidden behind a paywall

Why We Like It

OK, so we classify Strava as one of the best running apps outright, but the platform offers data tracking capabilities far beyond your daily walk or jog. Strava supports 48 different activities including cycling, water sports, winter sports, and more, making it a perfect companion for your favorite cardio workouts.

In terms of equipment demands, our tester, a certified personal trainer, rates the app at 5 out of 5. “You likely already own the sport-specific equipment you’re looking to track, so there shouldn’t be any extra purchases necessary outside of a fitness tracker (if you’re really into wearable tech).”

The ease of use is also noteworthy, according to our tester. “You just open the app, choose your sport or activity, and get going,” they note in reference to their 4-out-of-5 rating for the category. “The metrics can vary by activity, but I like the detailed stats this app can monitor.”

A look at the Strava app interface
Some examples of the user interface featured on the Strava fitness app
Various screenshots of the Strava app, showing the way it presents stats after a walking workout.
Our tester navigating through the Strava app experience
Various screenshots of the Strava app that show how you can choose routes and how your stats are displayed during and after walks.
A look at the Strava app interface
Some examples of the user interface featured on the Strava fitness app
Various screenshots of the Strava app, showing the way it presents stats after a walking workout.
Our tester navigating through the Strava app experience
Various screenshots of the Strava app that show how you can choose routes and how your stats are displayed during and after walks.

While Strava can support a range of activities from paddleboarding to trail running and (virtually) everything in-between, we do note that strength athletes may find the modules underwhelming. There are just a handful of in-gym resistance training activities to choose from, so for these needs, we recommend an alternative service such as Juggernaut AI or Shred.

Additionally, Strava is primarily a data tracking platform. Yes, there are some training plans to choose from if you’re preparing for an upcoming race, but there’s zero opportunity to connect with a personal trainer. “I rate the accountability at 3 out of 5, though, since there is an embedded community feature that offers up challenges and connections with fellow Strava users for extra motivation,” notes our tester.

Finally, the Strava app is technically free to download, although we recommend subscribing to the Premium services for $11.99 monthly. Per our tester, many of the best Strava features are hidden behind a paywall, so if you’re looking for the best cardio companion for your next run or cycling workout, you should just pay up.

Good For: Cardio lovers wanting detailed tracking capabilities for a variety of activities.

Read our full Strava App Review.

Read More

Best Personal Training App for Yoga: Down Dog

Down Dog
Down Dog
Down Dog

Down Dog offers fully-customized yoga workouts with over 60,000 possible configurations. Choose the music, level, focus, time, and voice that's perfect for your practice. Create a unique, personalized experience every time you roll out your mat.

Shop Down Dog

Specs

  • Price: $9.99 per month, $59.99 per year
  • Free Trial Period: None available
  • Equipment Required: Yoga mat, yoga accessories
  • Workout Modalities: Yoga, Barre, Pilates, HIIT, meditation
  • Availability: iOS, Android
  • iOS App Store Customer Rating: 4.9
  • Google Play Store Customer Rating: 4.9
Pros
Customizable daily yoga flows
Audio and visual instruction for proper form and breathwork
Membership includes access to HIIT workouts, meditation sessions, and more
Cons
Not ideal for cardio or strength training
Less accountability outside of push notifications
Music can be mediocre, per our tester

Why We Like It

Perhaps you’re looking for a personal training app with a calmer aesthetic. For those interested in modalities like yoga, Pilates, and Barre, we recommend Down Dog. Our tester, a certified nutrition coach, scores both the setup and ease of use at 5 out of 5 thanks to its intuitive interface and toggleable settings.

“After a brief assessment to determine my fitness level, you’re essentially in the app entirely,” says our tester. “I like that you can customize each yoga flow by time, music, and targeted muscle group.”

We appreciate that Down Dog includes both visual and audio instruction for each pose and flow. Naturally, it can be difficult to understand a yoga pose’s correct form from text, so having multiple guidance methods can be extremely helpful, particularly for novices trying to master the best yoga poses for beginners.

Down Dog, as you can expect, only requires a simple yoga mat for practices. “You can add yoga accessories like blocks and straps, but they’re not required,” adds our tester.

Screenshots of the Down Dog app.
Using the Down Dog app.

While we enjoy the available instruction and versatility with this app, which also supports HIIT workouts as well as Barre and Pilates sessions, we do rate the accountability at 1 out of 5. Outside of push notifications, there’s basically no motivating factor to keep you dedicated to daily practice.

Of course, too, this isn’t the best app for strength or cardio enthusiasts. For athletes wanting guidance in these disciplines, it may be best to forgo this subscription ($9.99 monthly) and sign up for a different app such as Caliber, Future, Shred, or another service that matches your training preferences.

Good For: Athletes interested in guided yoga flows with visual and audio cues.

Read More

How We Tested and Chose the Best Personal Training Apps

The BarBend team is composed of competitive athletes, certified personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and lifelong fitness enthusiasts. To curate this guide to the best personal training apps, we utilized our equipment testing methodology to examine 66 different digital training services, rating each platform on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) in a variety of categories. Below are some of the factors that earned scores during trials.

  • Personalization: “Personal training can mean a number of things, from an actual online personal trainer to AI-driven programs that use algorithms and digital sensors to provide personalized feedback,” explains Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC. When evaluating personal training apps for this round-up, we made sure to include customizable platforms that could be catered to your progress and fitness needs, whether through integrated coaching techniques or through filtered settings you adjust on your own.
  • Workout Variety: Variety is the spice of life, but for training purposes, it can also be a beneficial way to ensure your hard-earned gains stay intact. (1) All of our tested apps provide some level of variety within their programming, whether through a library of available workouts and classes or a roster of trackable activities tailored to your interests.
  • User Experience: Like the best smart home gyms and other digital training tools, your technology experience should be seamless and straightforward when it comes to personal training apps. As such, we prioritized platforms offering clean, navigable layouts with easy-to-follow instructions and intuitive controls. For apps using video instruction, we played around with the streaming capabilities to ensure there were no lagging difficulties or frozen screens, as well.

Benefits of Personal Training Apps

The truth is, anyone from workout newbies to advanced exercisers can benefit from using a personal training app. It can help keep you accountable, offer guidance for reaching your fitness goals, or add some variety to your routine. 

“Anyone who has an interest in reaching a fitness goal or simply improving their overall fitness will benefit from an online workout program,” says BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC. “Those who find success with external accountability and motivation will also benefit.” Here are some of the specific benefits you stand to reap from working out with a personal training app.

  • Greater Motivation: When you don’t have a workout plan, you may be less likely to stick with consistent workouts, and, when you do make it to the gym, you may not use your time as wisely. Using a personal training app can offer a dose of motivation and ensure a more efficient workout, since you’ll have a plan to follow and instructions to keep you on track. “People who struggle with the mental load of exercising can greatly benefit from using a fitness app, too,” Capritto says. “With a fitness app, you don’t have to think about what you’re going to do each day: You just show up, open the app, and do it. This can eliminate a lot of stress about working out.”
  • Accountability: Having someone or something to hold you accountable is one of the biggest keys to success in sticking with a workout program. (4) “The level of accountability you get from a personal trainer is unmatched, as is the specificity of programming,” Capritto says. “That said, even non-traditional online personal training options can keep you on track and help you reach your goals simply by presenting you with a clear plan for future in-gym sessions.”
  • Accessibility: Virtual personal training is significantly more accessible than training with someone IRL. For one, it’s generally more affordable; the personal training apps here cost as little as $10 per month, compared to in-person sessions which can cost up to $100 per hour. (2) Because you can use a personal training app anywhere, anytime, it’s also more accessible for people who are traveling, don’t have time to physically go to the gym, or who need to stay at home to care for kids, pets, or family members.
  • Versatility: Your personal training app can also be great for trying out new activities in tandem with your other workout interests. For example, Dr. Christopher Mohr, PhD, RD, states, “Yoga can be an excellent modality to add to your routine given its influence on flexibility, balance and joint mobility. This, in turn, can help reduce the risk of future injuries and even help improve your posture.” Instead of relying on your own research to support such workouts, a personal training app dedicated to the yoga discipline (or other activities like powerbuilding, cycling, etc.) can provide helpful instruction for you.

How Much Do Personal Training Apps Cost?

Just like pretty much anything in the fitness space — exercise bikes, treadmills, even dumbbells — personal training apps come with a wide range of costs. The personal training app options here range from $10 to $200 a month, and some apps even offer limited versions that are completely free. That means your yearly personal training costs can range from $0 to $120 to $2,400, depending on your wants and needs. Here’s a breakdown of the cost per month for each of the personal training apps on our list.

Best Personal Training App OverallCaliberFree, $19 per month (group), ~$200 per month (personal training)
Best Personal Training App for StrengthShredFree, $19.99 per month, $119.99 per year
Best Personal Training App with CoachingFuture$199 per month
Best Personal Training App for PilatesBetterMe$19.99 per month
Best Personal Training App for WeightliftingJuggernaut AI$29 per month, $299 per year
Best Personal Training App for BeginnersAaptiv$14.99 per month, $99.99 per year
Best Personal Training App for Meal PlansCentr$29.99 per month
Best Personal Training App for VarietyFlexItStarting at $30 per session
Best Personal Training App for Live ClassesPelotonStarting at $12.99 per month
Best Personal Training App for CardioStrava$11.99 per month
Best Personal Training App for YogaDown Dog$9.99 per month, $59.99 per year

How to Choose a Personal Training App

According to Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, “Today’s technology has unlocked new tools and data that can give you well-informed insights into your health and lead to positive results when used responsibly.” Naturally, though, your personal training app should be specifically tailored to your wants and needs. Below are a few factors worth considering when trying to decide on the right workout platform for you.

Fitness Level

“Some fitness apps aren’t suitable for beginners; I’ve tested some that would be outright dangerous for a beginner due to lack of clear instruction and proper introduction to movement,” says BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC. “On the other hand, there are plenty of thoughtfully designed, carefully built fitness apps that can help you reach any type of fitness goal.”

Our tester running on the Bells of Steel Wooden Residential Treadmill
The Woodway Curve LTG Treadmill features a slimmer running deck than other curved treadmills such as the Bells of Steel Wooden Residential Treadmill, shown here.

To provide an example from the realm of fitness equipment, let’s look at the best treadmills. While many at-home units can be suitable for a variety of fitness levels, we often recommend manual treadmills for more experienced runners that understand their personal stride and pacing. Novice runners can be overwhelmed or challenged by the need to manually turn the belt over with each stride, and thus, could be left with a sour taste for training with the equipment. The same can be said for personal training apps, so think about your current fitness level and look for a service that’s accommodating to your experience level.

Fitness Goals

Beyond considering your level of ability, you should also consider what sort of goals you want this app to help you achieve. Do you just want a source of fun, guided workouts you enjoy? Or are you looking for something to challenge you or help you reach a specific goal, like a detailed 5K training plan? 

“You must get clear on your goals,” Capritto says. “Otherwise you might wind up paying for a subscription you won’t use because it doesn’t match up with your needs. Be honest about how much instruction and accountability you need.”

A side view of our tester bench pressing the Synergee Games Cerakote Barbell
A side view of our tester bench pressing the Synergee Games Cerakote Barbell

In general, a personal training app is a worthwhile purchase if you’re after something specific like building strength or losing weight. Take it from Capritto: “An online personal trainer, especially in the truest sense of the word, is probably the most expeditious way to reach your fitness goals.”

Tracking Capabilities

In order to be informed on your performance and progress, you’ll need a personal training app capable of collecting the necessary metrics from each workout. Try to look for available features and utilize free trial periods to ensure your platform is logging your desired stats. Dr. Dasgupta states, though, that you should use these numbers as a tool in training rather than a point of hyperfixation. “A numbers-focused approach to fitness can be detrimental to performance, potentially leading to anxiety, stress, and obsession. These can make data tracking counterproductive, so remember that performance and growth is more than just an onscreen statistic,” he notes.

Equipment Requirements

The beauty of virtual personal training is that you can do it wherever you want, including at home or in a gym. However, some apps — like Centr or Peloton — are designed to be better at home, with limited equipment, whereas others expect you to have a gym’s worth of tools available from the best squat racks to rowing machines, exercise bikes, weight plates, and beyond. It’s worth noting what sort of equipment is needed for the workouts an app offers, as well as what’s realistically going to be necessary for your goals.

Personal Training App FAQs

What is the best personal training app?

For a comprehensive personal training experience, we recommend the Caliber app above all others, and feel confident calling it the best personal training app out there. However, if you’re on a budget, looking for follow-along classes instead of a DIY workout plan, or you’re looking to track outdoor cardio workouts, for example, other apps like Juggernaut AI, Peloton, or Strava might be a better fit for you.

Are personal training apps worth it?

If you choose an app that’s compatible with your fitness level, workout style, and goals, absolutely. Personal training apps can be much more affordable than paying for IRL personal training — costing as little as $10 a month — and even more so if you use them to work out at home, since you’re also skirting the cost of a gym membership.

Is there a 100% free workout app?

Yes, there are plenty of free workout apps to choose from. However, the personal training aspect of apps featured in this guide, along with other premium features like detailed data tracking and workout challenges, are often hidden behind a paywall. If you’re just looking for a platform to provide templated workouts or progress tracking, you can likely find a free service to suit your needs. For more guidance or one-on-one instruction, expect to pay a subscription fee.

References

  1. Magat, Brian. The Importance of Variety in Creating Your Exercise Program. (2020). University Hospitals. https://www.uhhospitals.org/blog/articles/2020/08/the-importance-of-variety-in-creating-your-exercise-program
  2. Mahaffey, K. How much does a personal trainer cost & should you hire one?. (n.d.). National Academy of Sports Medicine. https://blog.nasm.org/how-much-does-a-personal-trainer-cost
  3. Adams, A. Progressive overload explained: grow muscle & strength today. (n.d.). National Academy of Sports Medicine. https://blog.nasm.org/progressive-overload-explained
  4. Hanc, John. Accountability: The Not-so-secret Key to Success. (2023). American Council on Exercise. https://www.acefitness.org/continuing-education/certified/october-2023/8470/accountability-the-not-so-secret-key-to-success/

About Lauren Mazzo, CPT, FNS

Lauren Mazzo is a freelance writer and editor specializing in health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness content. She's also an ACE-certified personal trainer and fitness nutrition specialist and is passionate about helping people live a holistically healthy lifestyle, focused on feeling good above all. Read her work on Self, Shape, Peloton, and Popsugar, where she was most recently the senior fitness editor. Offline, you can catch her hopping on a flight or learning to surf, ski, or mountain bike.

View All Articles

Primary Sidebar

Latest Reviews

Featured image for the Ironmaster Super Bench Pro V2 Review

Ironmaster Super Bench Pro V2 Review (2025): Our Expert’s New Favorite FID Bench

Titan T3 Power Rack Review

Titan T3 Power Rack Review (2025): An Expert-Approved Rig Beckoning to Budget-Minded Athletes

Our tester works out at the beach in preparation for the Rogue Resistance Bands Review

Rogue Resistance Bands Review (2025): Tested by a Certified Personal Trainer

Barbend tester Jake Herod works out on a Force USA Trainer

Force USA G3 Review (2025): Our Experts Tested This Compact All-In-One Rack for Small Home Gyms

BarBend

BarBend is an independent website. The views expressed on this site may come from individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the view of BarBend or any other organization. BarBend is the Official Media Partner of USA Weightlifting.

  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Sections

  • CrossFit
  • Strongman
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Weightlifting
  • Reviews
  • Nutrition
  • Training

More

  • BarBend Newsletter
  • BarBend Podcast
  • The Ripped Report
  • 1RM Calculator
  • BMR Calculator
  • Macros Calculator
  • Protein Calculator
  • Squat Calculator

Policies

  • Accessibility
  • Advice Disclaimer
  • Cookies Policy
  • Disclaimers
  • Disclosures
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Copyright © 2025 · BarBend Inc · Sitemap