The 5 Best Personal Training Apps to Upgrade Your Home Workouts

The 5 Best Personal Training Apps to Upgrade Your Home Workouts

Staying active is vital for our health and well-being. But for many of us, getting motivated to work out at home without guidance can be challenging. This is where personal training apps come in handy!

These apps provide access to a variety of workouts, features, and support to help you crush your fitness goals from the comfort of your home. Whether you love group classes, personalized coaching, or exploring new exercises, there’s likely an app that fits your preferences.

To help you find the right fit, we carefully compared some of the top-rated personal training apps on the market today across a few key criteria:

• Availability: Offered on both iPhones and Android devices
• Features: Includes activity tracking, community forums, customizable workouts, etc.
• Variety: Hundreds of different class types, intensity levels, durations, etc.
• Hands-on experience: Tested by our team for quality and user experience
• Price: Free trials available with reasonable monthly subscriptions

Below we share more details on five of the best personal training apps along with pros, cons, and first-hand experiences from testers on our team.

Best Personal Training Apps

Obé Fitness

• Best for: Live classes
• Price: $24.99/month or $169.99/year

MapMyRun

• Best for: Running & multi-sport tracking
• Price: Free version available

Alo Moves

• Best for: Yoga & meditation
• Price: $20/month or $199/year

Future

• Best for: Personal coaching
• Price: $149/month

Nike Training Club

• Best for: Free workouts
• Price: Free

Below we’ll explore each of these top-rated apps in more detail, including prices, features, pros and cons, and feedback from first-hand use.

Obé Fitness

Best for: Live classes

Price: $24.99/month or $169.99/year

Free Trial: 7 days

Obé Fitness is a premium app packed with live and on-demand workout classes to provide something for everyone. Choose from over 7,000 streaming options with 20 new live classes added daily across categories like dance, pilates, barre, cardio boxing, yoga, strength training, HIIT, and more.

The variety ensures beginners and fitness fanatics alike can find an option matching their goals and ability level. Obé also makes working out more fun by enabling you to organize remote dance parties or workout sessions with friends.

As part of our testing, diet and fitness editor Kelli tried out the service for a month. Here's what she had to say:

"I loved the energy of Obé’s classes. The instructors and music were great, and I especially enjoyed the dance and HIIT classes. Plus, I was able to finish my workout in 20–28 minutes, which was super convenient since I tend to exercise in the mornings."

While this app ticks many boxes, a few limitations are worth considering. It lacks connectivity to smart workout machines, individual guidance from coaches, and is more expensive than competitors. Still, the vast class variety, inclusion of live sessions, and ability to workout with friends make this a top contender.

Obé Fitness Pros

• Huge variety of live and on-demand class types
• Engaging instructors and playlists
• Can organize remote dance parties and workouts with friends
• 7-day free trial available

Obé Fitness Cons

• Doesn't connect to smart workout machines
• No individual coaching or custom plans
• More expensive subscription than some alternatives

Get Started with Obé Fitness

MapMyRun

Best for: Running & multi-sport tracking

Price: Free version available, $5.99/month or $29.99/year for premium

Free Trial: Basic features free to use

Runners rejoice! MapMyRun offers advanced tracking tailored for logging stats during runs, hikes, bike rides, and over 600 types of activities. Easily view details like pace, distance, speed, route, calories burned and elevation gained during workouts.

The app also enables you to discover new running paths in your area or when traveling using their large database of popular routes shared by the community. Turn-by-turn voice guidance provides real-time feedback to help meet goals for pace, distance, time or calories burned during your run.

While the free version packs quite a punch, upgrading to premium includes perks like customized audio coaching plans, route recommendations, training plans, and more.

MapMyRun Pros

• Specifically designed for tracking running & multi-sport activities
• Huge database of mapped running routes across the globe
• Audio guidance to help meet workout targets
• Sync app data with devices like Apple Watch

MapMyRun Cons

• Appeal limited for non-runners
• No classes or workouts provided
• Need premium for full access to features

Get Started with MapMyRun

Alo Moves

Best for: Yoga & meditation

Price: $20/month or $199/year

Free Trial: 14 days

Yogis listen up! Alo Moves offers thousands of video classes to support your practice at any level. Choose from various styles like vinyasa, hatha, restorative, Yin or Ashtanga led by experienced instructors.

Filter classes by duration, difficulty, focus area and more to find your perfect flow. Those seeking to build skills like backbends, arm balances and inversions can select sessions targeting these techniques. When you need a break from the physical practice, reset mentally with their mindfulness offerings like breathwork and meditation.

While this app specifically caters to yoga, it includes Pilates, barre and HIIT classes too. The only major limitations are no individual guidance from coaches or community support. But the quality teaching and massive class library make Alo Moves tough to beat for an at-home yoga flow.

Alo Moves Pros

• 5,000+ yoga and meditation classes
• Variety of styles, focuses, durations & instructors
• Classes for building specific poses like inversions
• 14-day free trial

Alo Moves Cons

• No individual coaching
• Limited community support
• More costly monthly price

Get Started with Alo Moves

Future

Best for: Personal coaching

Price: $149/month

Free Trial: None, 30-day risk free

Seeking personalized guidance from a real-life fitness coach? Future pairs users with a personal trainer for developing customized workout plans, motivating you to stick to goals, and teaching new movements through video chat.

After an initial consultation, your coach designs a training program catered to your experience level, interests and at-home equipment access. No workout plan looks the same! Choices range from HIIT, strength training, Pilates, cardio boxing, outdoor workouts and more. Detailed audio and video guidance ensure you nail each exercise with proper form.

With unlimited trainer access, Future comes with a heftier price tag but offers a risk-free 30 day trial. You also must own an Apple Watch to sync data. Our tester found the individualized support extremely worthwhile for staying motivated.

“I was skeptical at first about how an at-home virtual personal trainer was going to motivate me, but I’ve definitely seen positive changes in my fitness habits. I also really loved that I could get plenty of guidance to make sure I’m doing each exercise correctly.”

The personalized experience makes Future unique from the rest of the fitness app market. If you have the budget, it can be just what you need to finally achieve those fitness goals.

Future Pros

• Personalized workout plans from real coaches
• Provides motivation & accountability
• Get feedback on exercise form/technique
• 30-day risk free trial

Future Cons

• Very expensive monthly cost
• Must own an Apple Watch
• Limited class variety compared to apps like Obé

Get Started with Future

Nike Training Club

Best for: Free workouts

Price: Free

Free Trial: N/A

If you enjoy big name brand workouts but don’t want to spend a dime, Nike Training Club is the app for you. Despite being 100% free, NTC still offers access to a wide variety of equipment-free exercises led by Nike’s professional coaches.

Choose bodyweight-only sessions or workout classes utilizing your own gear from categories like HIIT, yoga, core, strength training, Pilates, endurance and mobility. Additional perks include getting inspiration from sports pros, tracking your progress, and learning about wellness topics like nutrition.

Our testers found Nike Training Club offered enough diversity and quality instruction to suffice for an at-home workout, especially when getting started. While it may lack some bells and whistles of paid competitors, the price point can't be beaten!

“I think Nike Training Club is a good option for beginners or for people who want some guidance while they try something new without having to pay for a personal trainer."

No matter your current budget or commitment level to working out at home, Nike Training Club lets you get a taste of training like the pros for zero dollars.

Nike Training Club Pros

• Completely free access
• No equipment required for bodyweight workouts
• Taught by Nike Master Trainers
• Track progress over time

Nike Training Club Cons

• Limited class variety compared to paid apps
• No individual coaching or custom plans
• Fewer features than competitors

Get Started with Nike Training Club

Compare the Top Personal Training Apps

Compare the Top Personal Training Apps

How to Pick the Best Personal Training App for You

With so many options for fitness apps available today, it can feel overwhelming deciding which one best fits your needs and preferences.

Dr. Carly McMullen, physical therapist and personal trainer, recommends keeping these factors in mind as you evaluate choices:

Types of Workouts

Make sure to consider what types of workouts or classes you enjoy most. Do you love high-energy dance cardio or prefer lower impact yoga flows? Apps like Obé Fitness offer tons of variety to try new things, while Alo Moves caters specifically to yogis.

Personalized Support

Seeking extra motivation and accountability? Future provides fully customized fitness plans tailored to your goals with unlimited personal coaching. Or get the emotional lift from a supportive fitness community you can interact with.

Budget

Monthly subscription fees range from free (Nike Training Club) up to $150/month (Future) for personal training. Think about what price point aligns with your budget and perceived value of an app's features and services. Many come with free trials to test options risk-free.

At the end of the day, Dr. McMullen notes, "The most important thing about finding a fitness routine is identifying something that you’ll actually do consistently. Consistency is always key when it comes to exercise and achieving results.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Are personal training apps worth it?

Absolutely! "Fitness apps can be an excellent medium for exercise," says physical therapist Dr. Carly McMullen. While not as personalized as working with an IRL trainer, the convenience and consistency they offer make fitness apps well worth it for many people. Especially if the app provides the type of workouts and features that appeal to you most.

Can I get good results using virtual personal training?

You surely can! "Effectiveness is an elusive measurement because it’s specific to individual goals, but consistency is always the biggest contributor to success," explains McMullen. As with any fitness program, staying committed to working out consistently is key to results. Along with proper nutrition and lifestyle factors. Apps that offer personal coaching and customized plans can further enhance your progress.

Is there a decent personal training app that's 100% free?

Yes! Nike Training Club offers free unlimited access to a variety of high-quality workouts designed by Nike’s professional coaches. With categories like strength training, HIIT, yoga, cardio, core, and more, the zero dollar price point makes it easy to test the app waters before committing to a paid subscription.

Start Working Out at Home Today with Personal Training Apps

Ready to take your at-home fitness game up a notch? Any of the apps featured above offer guidance, variety, tracking, and inspiration to help you start crushing goals from your living room.

Obé Fitness takes the crown for overall variety and energy, while MapMyRun excels for runners and endurance athletes. Choose Alo Moves for expanding your yoga practice or Nike Training Club for completely free workouts designed by the pros.

And if unlimited personal coaching fits your budget, Future provides fully customized plans tailored to your unique goals.

Whatever app you choose, be sure to consider factors like your preferred workout type, need for individual guidance, and budget. And don’t forget, consistency is key when exercising from home or anywhere else.

Now lace up your sneakers, pick an app, and start getting those endorphins pumping with some at-home training! Your future fit self will thank you.