As a middle-aged stay-at-home parent, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to find time for fitness. Between managing the household, taking care of the kids, and trying to squeeze in a moment of self-care, hitting the gym often feels like a distant dream. That’s why I’ve become a huge fan of online personal trainers. They’ve been my secret weapon in staying fit without leaving the comfort of my home.
If you’re anything like me, juggling family responsibilities while trying to maintain your health and fitness, you’re in the right place. I’ve done the legwork and tested various online training programs to bring you the cream of the crop.
In this article, I’ll share my top 7 picks for the best online personal trainers that cater to busy parents like us. These trainers understand our unique challenges and have designed programs that fit seamlessly into our hectic lives.
1. Obe Fitness
Obe Fitness is a comprehensive online fitness platform designed primarily for women, offering a wide variety of live and on-demand classes suitable for all fitness levels. With over 20 types of workouts ranging from HIIT and sculpt to dance and yoga, Obe provides users with ample options to keep their fitness routines diverse and engaging. The platform stands out for its high-energy instructors, all of whom are certified fitness experts, creating an atmosphere that feels like working out with a friend.
One of Obe’s unique features is its personalized training plans. Users can take a quiz about their fitness goals, time availability, and class preferences, which Obe uses to create bespoke progressive training programs. These programs are designed to increase in challenge over time, adapting to the user’s unique physiology and lifestyle. Obe also offers specialized workouts for different life stages, including prenatal and postnatal classes, as well as menstrual cycle tracking features.
The platform provides 20 live classes daily, in addition to thousands of on-demand workouts. Classes are categorized into three pillars of movement: Define (including Pilates, sculpt, and strength), Sweat (featuring dance cardio and HIIT), and Flow (offering various yoga styles). Obe’s signature neon-box studio adds a visually appealing element to the workouts, making the experience more engaging for users.
2. Online Personal Training with Samuel Parker
Online Personal Training with Samuel Parker offers a comprehensive and personalized approach to fitness coaching in the digital age. Samuel Parker, an ISSA-certified personal trainer based in Atlanta, brings over a decade of experience in the fitness industry to his virtual training platform. With a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of Georgia and a background as a triathlon athlete, Parker combines academic knowledge with practical experience to deliver effective and enjoyable training programs.
The core of Parker’s online personal training service is its customization and flexibility. Clients receive tailored workout plans that can be adapted for home or gym settings, along with personalized nutritional guidance. The program offers 24/7 access to Parker through WhatsApp, ensuring continuous support and motivation. Optional bi-weekly Zoom or phone calls are available to discuss progress and make necessary adjustments to the training regimen.
Parker’s approach is grounded in science-based nutrition and fitness coaching, eschewing gimmicks or quick fixes. Instead, he focuses on providing education, motivation, and accountability to help clients achieve sustainable results. The program caters to a wide range of individuals, from youth athletes to seniors with osteoporosis, demonstrating Parker’s versatility as a trainer. His goal remains consistent across all age groups and fitness levels: to motivate clients to work out effectively and achieve their optimal body shape and fitness level.
The online personal training service offers several key benefits, including 1-1 nutrition and fitness coaching, 100% personalized workout routines, and a customized nutrition plan. This level of individualization allows clients to overcome geographical constraints and rigid schedules, making fitness more accessible to those with busy lifestyles. Parker’s commitment to his clients is evident in the testimonials, which highlight his ability to provide motivation, create effective workout plans, and guide clients to achieve results beyond their expectations.
3. Down Dog
Down Dog is a highly customizable yoga app that offers over 60,000 configurations for personalized yoga practices. Unlike many other fitness apps, Down Dog generates a unique workout every time, ensuring that users never repeat the same routine twice. This feature keeps practices fresh and engaging, catering to those who enjoy variety in their fitness routines.
The app is designed to accommodate all experience levels, from complete beginners to advanced practitioners. It offers multiple practice types, including Vinyasa, Hatha, Restorative, Yin, and Ashtanga, among others. Users can customize their practice by selecting the duration, level, focus areas, voice preference, and background music.
In addition to yoga, Down Dog has expanded its offerings to include other fitness modalities such as HIIT, Barre, Pilates, and meditation. This expansion allows users to diversify their workout routines without needing multiple apps. The app also offers the convenience of downloading classes for offline use, making it ideal for those who travel or have unreliable internet connections.
One of Down Dog’s strengths is its clear instructions and user-friendly interface. The app provides six different English-speaking voices and is available in nine other languages, making it accessible to a global audience. While some users have reported occasional technical issues like app freezing, the overall user experience is highly rated, with the app maintaining an impressive 4.9-star average rating.
4. Caliber
Caliber is an innovative fitness app that offers personalized strength training and nutrition coaching. The app provides users with a comprehensive platform for tracking workouts, accessing expert guidance, and achieving their fitness goals. Caliber’s standout feature is its personalized approach, where users are paired with certified personal trainers who create customized workout plans tailored to individual fitness levels, goals, and available equipment.
The app’s user-friendly interface allows for easy logging of workouts, with a vast library of over 500 exercises complete with written descriptions and video demonstrations. This extensive exercise database ensures users have access to proper form and technique guidance for each movement. Caliber also incorporates advanced tracking and analytics features, including a unique “strength score” and “strength balance” metric, which helps users visualize their progress and identify areas for improvement.
One of Caliber’s most valuable aspects is its focus on accountability and ongoing support. The app facilitates regular check-ins with coaches, allowing for continuous adjustment of workout plans and providing motivation to stay consistent. Additionally, Caliber integrates with devices like the Apple Watch to give trainers a more comprehensive view of users’ activity levels outside of prescribed workouts. While the premium coaching services come at a higher price point, many users find the personalized attention and scientifically-based training plans to be worth the investment.
5. CoPilot
CoPilot is an advanced remote personal training service that combines technology with human expertise to deliver a comprehensive fitness experience. The app works in conjunction with an Apple Watch (provided to users upon sign-up) and pairs users with a dedicated personal trainer. This unique approach allows for a high level of personalization and real-time tracking of workouts.
One of CoPilot’s most impressive features is its ability to automatically detect exercises, count repetitions, and analyze form using the Apple Watch’s sensors. This technology tracks various metrics such as heart rate, caloric consumption, and movement velocity, providing trainers with detailed insights into users’ performance. The app also offers voice-guided workouts, allowing users to focus on their exercises without needing to constantly check their devices.
CoPilot’s personal trainers play a crucial role in the user experience. They conduct initial consultations via video call to understand users’ fitness levels, goals, and available equipment. Based on this information, trainers create customized workout plans and provide ongoing support through the app’s messaging feature. Users can also send video recordings of their exercises for form checks and feedback, ensuring they maintain proper technique throughout their fitness journey.
The app’s interface is designed for ease of use, with clear workout instructions and the ability to view exercise demonstrations on both the iPhone and Apple Watch. While CoPilot is currently limited to Apple devices, it offers a comprehensive solution for those seeking the guidance of a personal trainer with the convenience of working out from home. With its combination of technology and human expertise, CoPilot provides a unique and effective approach to remote personal training.
6. Girls Gone Strong
Girls Gone Strong is a pioneering women-specific health and fitness coaching company that has evolved from a simple Facebook page and website into a global community with thousands of certified coaches across more than 100 countries. Founded by Molly Galbraith, the organization’s mission has expanded beyond just helping women gain physical strength to addressing a wide range of women’s health issues.
At its core, Girls Gone Strong emphasizes inclusivity, welcoming women of all shapes, sizes, ages, races, and ability levels. The company takes a holistic approach to women’s health, recognizing that issues such as racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and classism are integral to women’s overall well-being. This comprehensive perspective is reflected in their coach training programs, which incorporate diverse expertise to create intersectional and inclusive fitness education.
Girls Gone Strong offers a 12-month online program that provides personalized training and nutrition plans, along with one-on-one access to coaches. The program is designed to help women focus on their individual goals and values, often leading to a shift away from purely aesthetic objectives towards a more holistic approach to health and fitness. While the program’s cost may be significant for some, the company offers various payment options and discounts to make it more accessible. Alternatively, individuals can seek out Girls Gone Strong-certified trainers for a potentially more affordable option.
7. iFIT
iFIT is a comprehensive digital fitness platform that offers a wide range of workout options and personalized training experiences. The platform is known for its integration with various fitness equipment, including treadmills, stationary bikes, and rowing machines, allowing users to participate in interactive workouts from the comfort of their homes.
One of iFIT’s standout features is its extensive library of on-demand and live-streamed classes led by professional trainers. These workouts span various disciplines, including strength training, yoga, HIIT, and outdoor running or cycling sessions filmed in picturesque locations worldwide. This variety ensures that users can find exercises that suit their preferences and fitness levels.
The platform utilizes advanced technology to provide a highly interactive experience. For compatible equipment, iFIT can automatically adjust incline, resistance, or speed to match the trainer’s instructions, creating a more immersive workout. Additionally, iFIT offers personalized training programs that adapt based on the user’s progress and goals, providing a tailored fitness journey.
iFIT also incorporates a social aspect, allowing users to participate in challenges, compete with friends, and join live classes for a sense of community. The platform is accessible through various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs, making it convenient for users to access workouts wherever they are.
While iFIT requires a subscription and is often tied to specific fitness equipment, it offers a comprehensive and technologically advanced approach to home fitness. The platform’s combination of diverse workout options, interactive features, and personalized programming makes it a popular choice for those seeking a well-rounded online personal training experience.