I trained with Future four times a week for roughly a month, rating the app in categories such as ease of use, accountability, instruction, and more on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). And while it does cost a hefty $199 monthly fee, the personalization of Future makes it one of my favorite online workout programs, and it could provide the extra motivation and accountability you’ve been searching for. Let’s dig deeper into our experience working out with Future. 

Future 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.

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Future App Video Review

In the below video, BarBend expert tester Jake Herod, NASM-CNC, breaks down what he loves about the Future app, some potential cons, and what you can expect when you gear up for a session.

Main Takeaways

• Future pairs you with a coach who creates personalized training based on your current fitness level and goals.
• Each week, your trainer creates a customized workout plan and checks in via messages and FaceTime calls.
• You can record your workouts and send them to your trainer for feedback on your form.
• Though not required, a compatible smartwatch, such as an Apple Watch, makes it easier for your trainer to make adjustments based on your stats.

Future App Highlights

• Price Per Month: Starting at $149 
• Training Discipline: Strength and conditioning
• Equipment Required: None
• Available On: iOS, Android
• Refund Policy: 30-day money-back guarantee 

Future costs $199 per month, but the cost can drop to $149 per month if you opt for an annual membership. That’s a sizable chunk of change, but I would rate its value a 4 out of 5 — between the instruction, personalization, flexibility, and accountability, you really do get your money’s worth. 

It begins with an assessment of your fitness level, goals, injury history, and preferred coaching style, which helps the app curate a list of trainers suited to your goals and interests. I was given three options, and after scanning their bios, I went with a trainer who had experience with NCAA Division 1 Football, which was perfect for me. If I didn’t like the options presented, I could’ve expanded my search. Setting up and navigating the app was super easy and straightforward, thus my 5 out of 5 rating for both setup and ease of use. 

After being paired with my coach, we connected on a video call and got into the nitty gritty of my goals and home gym setup. The beauty of this process is that your workouts are tailored not just to your goals, but also the equipment you have at home. So, if you don’t have any strength gear — dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, whatever — your trainer can program bodyweight workouts. But if you have free weights or a power rack, they can offer more options. 

Each trainer is different, but mine had me doing a lot of HIIT workouts with high reps and lighter weights. My workouts also had a good amount of running on the treadmill in the beginning, but that phased out after a couple of weeks. This is the opposite of how I typically train, but I enjoyed the fresh approach. Working with a trainer, after all, is a great way to mix up your workout routine. 

I also enjoyed how flexible the process turned out to be. I could hit my four weekly workouts without disrupting my schedule or impacting my rest days, and even get adjustments made to my workouts when I was away from my home gym. I went out of town for a week during the holidays, and my trainer tailored my workouts for the adjustable kettlebell I brought with me. 

[Related: The 8 Best Weight Loss Programs of 2024]

There are downsides to this kind of training, of course. For some, getting out of the house and exercising alongside another person is what helps them sustain a fitness routine. Though your workouts with Future include video instruction for each movement, you’re still performing them solo, which may be a barrier for beginners. Future has its own approach to motivation and accountability, which we’ll get into more below. 

Also, having a smartwatch allows your trainer to see what parts of the workout were particularly hard or easy and allows them to adjust accordingly. I don’t have a smartwatch, but I was able to sync my FitBit with the Apple Health app, though I don’t know if it shows the same stats. Future says having a smartwatch helps you get the most of the app, but it would be nice if there were alternative ways to access that data. As such, I dinged my equipment demands score slightly, rating it a 4 out of 5. 

Pros

• Future’s coaches tailor your weekly workouts to your needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all program.
• Whether you have a fully-kitted home gym or rely on body weight, you won’t need to worry about making additional purchases to achieve a proper workout.
• The in-app messaging and video calls provide a personalized experience that not every online training program offers. 

Cons

• An app-based personal training experience may feel impersonal for those who’d rather work alongside a fitness coach.
• The monthly fee — between $149 and $199, depending on your plan — is steep. 
• Those without compatible smartwatches will be limited in the workout data your trainer receives, which may impact how they adjust future sessions.

Training With the Future App

From the one-on-one experience to the guided videos for your personalized workouts, there is much to like about Future. The app is easy to navigate, and the option to stream on other devices makes following along much easier.

Workouts

The best thing about Future is the personalization. While some online workout programs only offer a one-size-fits-all experience, Future excels in offering a training regimen that is specific to each individual person. From the frequency of your workouts to specific goals like improving your mile time or increasing your bench press, you’re in total control.

Simply fire up the app, hit “start workout,” and you’ll hear a voice recording from your coach detailing the goals of your session. Workouts begin with a mobility warmup and end with static stretching. I really enjoyed this. I stretch multiple times a week, but having a mobility routine is something I struggle with holding myself accountable, and I’m sure a lot of people are in the same boat. 

In addition to the audio that provides cues on the movements and what equipment you need, you’ll have a visual representation of how to perform each exercise. While your coach isn’t able to watch your actual workout, the app has an option for you to record your form and send it along for feedback. 

Each exercise comes with audio cues on the movements and what equipment you need, as well as a video showcasing how to perform it properly. I found there to be instances where it benefits having more time with the exercises beforehand. If you’re unfamiliar with a movement like, say, cossack squats, it can be tough to watch the video and get the hang of it without losing out on reps. I rate the instruction a 4 out of 5. 

Here’s an example of one of my routines and the kind of timing you can expect: My coach had me doing 8 reps of barbell reverse lunges on your left leg, having five seconds, then 8 on the left leg, then 10 seconds before kettlebell swings, then 10 seconds before performing isometric pull-ups for 40 seconds. After that round, I got 60 seconds to rest before hitting it again. The number of rounds depends on the specific workout, but you’re typically working with three to four rounds of that. 

I appreciated how my coach made an effort to vary up my workouts week to week. I only had two that were copy and pastes, but they involved progressive overload. Overall, I rate the app’s workout variety a 5 out of 5. 

After completing your workout, you log your stats and answer a short questionnaire about how the workout went. You also have the option to rank each workout from poor to excellent and can leave feedback. With this information, your trainer can adjust the exercises and difficulty for the next session, ensuring you’re making progress. 

Communication

Not every online fitness program allows you to speak with trainers. Juggernaut AI, for example, uses artificial intelligence to generate personalized lifting programs. Future, on the other hand, works to ensure its trainers are actively involved in your journey. 

[Related: 5 Ways to Find Your Motivation for Fitness Again]

Your coach contacts you regularly to see how your workout went or ask why you missed a session. And when we passed along a video of our movements, we found them quick to reply with proper form techniques, cues, and suggestions. In general, the coaches are great at providing motivation, compliments, and encouragement in nutrition and recovery. Future, too, will give you achievement badges over time for workouts completed and calories burned. 

This level of support is helpful when you have a bad workout or aren’t progressing as fast as you’d like. We all struggle with motivation and consistency at times, so this extra communication can be a big help. Compared to other online fitness programs, I give Future a 5 out of 5 for both accountability and interactivity. 

App Compatibility 

You can choose to just use Future on your iPhone, but you can also sync the app to your smartwatch or stream everything at home on your TV. This is perfect for those who don’t like having their phone on hand while training or those who want a larger screen for a more immersive streaming experience. 

By syncing the app to your smartwatch, your trainer can access metrics like heart rate, calories burned, and workout duration. Smartwatches will also chime and vibrate to know when rest periods are over. I don’t have a smartwatch, but I was able to use an app that synced data from my FitBit to the Apple Health app. 

[Related: The Best Fitness Trackers For Heart Rate, Sleep Quality, and More]

Unfortunately, this limited the amount of data my coach had access to, which impacted their ability to make adjustments. I also had to manually log particular stats into the app, which can be a tedious process. Without a smartwatch, it can feel as if you’re not getting the most out of the program. 

What to Consider Before Joining Future

Similar to purchasing a new treadmill or rowing machine, you must consider some important factors before signing up for Future. For one, you always want to stay within your budget, but you may also want to pay close attention to the variety of workouts, the necessary equipment, and your overall fitness level.

Fitness Goals

As certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto says, “Everyone, even advanced exercisers (perhaps especially advanced exercisers) can benefit from an online personal trainer.” It helps, though, to have an idea of what you’re hoping to accomplish with a trainer before signing up. 

“The logical place to begin is with your fitness goals and current fitness level. Where are you at now, and where do you want to be?” Capritto continues. “You need a fitness plan that accommodates your current capabilities and can progressively lead you to where you want to go.”

By doing so, your trainer can help you clarify those goals and build a workout program to help you reach them. “Even if it’s just for four or six weeks, a clear plan from point A to point B is a great way to 1) get consistent in your habits, 2) motivate you to keep going, and 3) put you on a path that more efficiently gets you to your end goal,” says Capritto. 

Price

Even though Future is one of the most personalized online coaching programs on the market, you may not be thrilled about the price tag. Future costs $199 a month, but the monthly price decreases if you commit to 3 months ($179), 6 months ($169), or 12 months ($149). It helps to consider that the average cost of an in-person trainer ranges between $25 and $100 hourly (2). Depending on how often you train (and factoring in the convenience of an at-home program), you could potentially end up saving money using Future. 

But as Capritto notes, “There is no use in paying for an online personal training plan that you know you don’t have the time to commit to.” If you see your schedule being an issue, it might be better to opt for an app like Peloton or iFIT, which are less expensive ($44 and $39 a month, respectively) and offer on-demand classes you can take at your leisure. 

Workout Variety and Necessary Equipment

Nobody wants to be complacent with their workouts, and luckily, you don’t have to worry about that with Future. Another thing is that Future is compatible with or without fitness equipment. From simple exercises like bodyweight burpees to complex Olympic weightlifting exercises like the Clean & Jerk, Future has you covered. The beauty of it is that you have total control over what workouts are at your disposal.

We will note, however, that having a compatible smartwatch, such as an Apple Watch, lets your trainer access your full range of stats, thus allowing them to see what parts of the workout were particularly hard or easy. You don’t need one to use Future, but I felt as if I wasn’t getting the full experience without one. 

Future Vs. The Competition

We love comparing products against each other, so why not do that with Future and other online fitness apps? Below is a chart pinning some of our favorite platforms against each other.

Even though all of these platforms are similar, they’re also pretty different in their offerings. iFIT is the best for those working on a budget due to its affordable price tag, but those looking for more personalized content may be disappointed. It has plenty of strength classes, but it really excels in the cardio corner of fitness, with thousands of on-demand classes. 

NCFIT is ideal for the CrossFit enthusiast, but you won’t be getting personalized programming or coaching. Juggernaut AI is, as its name implies, uses artificial intelligence to generate personalized strength training programs centered around progressive overload. We love how it utilizes readiness prompts to determine the arc of that day’s workout, but it is an entirely digital experience, so don’t expect any one-on-one coaching. It’s also strength-focused, so cardio fiends will want to look elsewhere.

Future is hands down the most expensive option on this chart, it’s also the most accommodating and personalized. All of your workouts are tailored to your specific needs, you aren’t required to purchase any equipment, you have a catalog of video demonstrations for your workouts, and you can always chat with your personal trainer. We don’t think you can go wrong with any of these programs. You just want to be sure to base your decision on your specific wants and needs. 

Places to Buy

Head over to the Future website to sign up for your membership.

Company Information

Future aims to inspire and engage in lifelong health by bringing human connection through digital personal training. In addition to speaking to your trainer within the app, you can email their support team at help@future.co. They offer a risk-free first month, so if you aren’t happy with your experience, you can cancel your membership and they’ll refund your money.

In Conclusion

Future is one of the most immersive online fitness apps on the market, and it cracked our best list due to its personalization. Once you complete a short questionnaire and choose your personal trainer, you’ll receive guided weekly workouts based on your fitness level, history, and goals, and your trainer will contact you daily to provide extra motivation and accountability. 

Whether you have a fully stocked home gym or you’re just rocking with your body weight, you’ll have access to all the coaching you need to meet your goals. The $199 monthly membership fee may be too steep for some, but if you have the budget for it, we think the potential results will make it worth the money.

FAQs

References

1. Mahaffey, K. (n.d.). How much does a personal trainer cost & should you hire one?. NASM. https://blog.nasm.org/how-much-does-a-personal-trainer-cost
2. McClaran, S. R. (2003). The effectiveness of personal training on changing attitudes towards physical activity. J Sports Sci Med, 2(1), 10-4.

The post Future App Review (2024): Personal Training for the Stay-At-Home Athlete appeared first on BarBend.

Noom

Noom

Noom combines psychology and behavioral science with traditional weight loss features like meal and activity tracking, personal coaches, and online communities to help customers adopt a healthier lifestyle. 

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From there, Noom divides foods into high-, moderate-, and low-calorie categories, and allows you to mix and match those foods to hit the calorie allowance that Noom lays out for you. You can track your food and daily activity in the app, and personal coaches and an online community provide accountability. Noom aims to help people understand why they eat by adding a psychological approach to meal and activity tracking, making this a solid choice for people who want the mental tools to create long-term lifestyle changes. Let’s dig into a full review.

About Our Tester

Billy Brown is a Reviews Editor at BarBend.com. He has reviewed countless fitness apps for various publications, and he’s used them personally to help cut weight for competition and bulk up during the off-season. He used a combination of user reviews, product research, and personal experience to write this review. 

Main Takeaways

Noom Fitness App Highlights

• Price: There are multiple payment options available, including a $70/month monthly plan, a $209 per year annual plan, and plans with specific time frames to match your goal. 
• Meal/Activity Tracking: The app allows users to log daily food intake and activity to see how close they are to their calorie goals. 
• Accountability: Users are connected with health coaches as well as an online community of Noom members for support during their membership.
• Time Frame: Programs are designed to run for 16 weeks but may vary from person to person.

Unlike other weight loss programs that give you a set meal or macro-counting plan, Noom aims to change your relationship with food using psychology and behavioral science. It offers daily lessons that educate users on how psychology can affect your habits, especially when they relate to eating, dieting, and weight loss. This is an intriguing approach, as it seems geared more toward a permanent change in how you eat versus dieting for a few months until you reach your goals.

Put into practice, Noom works by setting a daily calorie goal designed to create a caloric deficit. Instead of a specific diet or meal plan, Noom uses a color-coded system to classify food based on their caloric density. Green foods have a lower calorie count in large portions, yellow foods have moderate amounts of calories in moderate portions, and red foods have high amounts of calories in small portions. This gives users more freedom to choose what foods they eat as long as they stay within their prescribed calorie count. However, this may not work for people who prefer a more structured diet with strict calorie and macro counts. And, at $70 per month for a monthly membership, this may be out of some people’s price range.

Pros

• Noom doesn’t eliminate any foods like starches or grains. Instead, it splits foods into different categories, so you can pick and choose how you eat. 
• The psychology-based approach is designed to change your relationship with food for long-term success.
• The Noom app’s user interface is incredibly easy to navigate, and you can access your account and information on Noom’s website.
• Noom provides a health coach and online community for support throughout your membership.

Cons

• Noom requires you to track and log each meal, which can be tedious. 
• If you would rather have someone tell you exactly what to eat and how much, Noom isn’t for you. 
• While the cost is comparable to other weight loss programs, it may be too big of a financial commitment for some.
• Noom syncs with fitness trackers but only shares steps and weight, so you’ll still have to add your caloric intake and non-walking activities manually.

Using the Noom Fitness App

Noom starts out by asking how much weight you want to lose, which is common among weight loss apps. But since Noom uses a psychological approach, the survey users take before signing up goes beyond the usual questions like “How often do you work out?” and “Do you sit a lot at work?” In addition to the usual questions about daily activity and fitness level, Noom asks about whether or not you eat when you’re bored, how often you feel stressed, and how you feel about your body. 

As you answer questions, Noom will adjust the time that it estimates it will take you to achieve your weight loss goal. During our test of the program, we saw the time frame drop from four months down to ten weeks as we answered questions about our current health and activity levels. Once you finish the survey and sign up, Noom gives you your daily calorie goals, and the process begins.

Psychological Approach

Noom uses a team of behavioral health experts to design programs to educate their users on why they eat the way they do. Users are asked to complete ten five- to 16-minute lessons on behavioral change over the course of 16 weeks. These are designed to help users examine their eating habits, manage the emotions affecting their eating, and make lifestyle changes that may result in sustained weight loss.

One of the most impressive things about this approach is that it’s based on helping people lose weight and keep it off. Many programs offer restrictive diets that can help people lose weight and hit their goals, but don’t offer resources to help them keep it off. Noom’s goal is to create permanent changes in people’s approaches to eating so that they not only lose weight but have the tools to keep it off indefinitely. 

Food Categories

One thing that we appreciate about Noom is that nothing is off the table (so to speak). There are no restricted foods like you’d find in weight loss programs like with a low-carb or low-fat diet. Instead, users get a daily calorie limit that they need to stay at, using foods that the company differentiates using colors. Green foods are the least calorie-dense, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and non-fat dairy. Yellow foods are moderately calorie-dense, like dried fruits, most meats, and starchier vegetables like corn. Red foods are very calorie-dense, like fried foods, alcohol, high-fat dairy, and processed grains.

The best part about this is that it doesn’t necessarily require a huge change in how you eat. It helps Noom users to be more cognizant of what they eat and eat more deliberately. Plus, since nothing is forbidden, having zero food restrictions can minimize those bread or Skittle cravings that can derail an eating plan. 

Time Frame

The time to reach your goal weight will vary based on how much weight you want to lose and your activity levels. Our tester works out four to six times a week and is generally active, so his time went down to about ten weeks. The plan is designed to run for 16 weeks, but Noom suggests up to 12 months for maintenance. Noom offers three- to 11-month plans as well as annual subscriptions.

Food Log

Users are required to log their meals on the app, similar to how you would on MyFitnessPal. Logging every meal manually can be tedious and time-consuming, but Noom also has a database of foods you can use instead. This method is more convenient since you can look up something like clam chowder and click on it to enter, but individual recipes vary, so it may not be as accurate. 

Activity Tracking

Noom also requires you to log your activities and steps (the app has a built-in step counter). The app has a growing database of activities to choose from, so you can choose your activity and duration, and the app will adjust your calorie requirements for the day.

Noom does sync with fitness trackers, including the Apple Watch, but it only syncs weight and steps, so you’ll still have to manually add your food intake and any non-walking activities.

Motivation/Encouragement

A few days into the program, Noom will set you up with a health coach who will reach out twice a week to answer questions, offer advice, and do weekly check-ins. In addition, Noom has a mini social network called Circles, in which you can find other “Noomers” with similar interests. These groups can provide a sense of community and accountability between members.

What to Consider Before Subscribing to the Noom Fitness App

Signing up for Noom is a big commitment in terms of both time and money, and its approach to weight loss may not be for everyone. If you’re thinking about signing up for Noom, consider whether the price fits your budget, if you need a structured meal plan, and whether or not you’re willing to track everything you eat for months at a time. 

Price

Noom starts at $70 monthly for a month-to-month plan, with prices dropping for longer plans. If you go with the $209 annual plan, the price is about $17.42 per month. While this is comparable to other weight loss plans, it’s still a financial commitment. So be sure that you can afford the program before you buy. 

Structure

Some people want a rigid plan. This ain’t it. One of the perks of this plan is that there are zero food restrictions, but for some people, that’s a road to temptation. If you want something more strict that eliminates certain foods (like the Keto diet) or counts your nutrition down to the macro, you may want to try something else. However, this would be a great option if you want a plan that offers a bit more freedom. 

Tracking Food

Tracking your food in the app is a necessary part of using Noom, but it can be extremely tedious to log everything you eat. If you’re not willing to faithfully log your food for months on end, you probably won’t see the results that you want with this app. 

Weighing In

Noom recommends daily weigh-ins to help track your progress. This may not be ideal for people who have issues with hopping on the scale. In addition to tracking your progress, the daily weigh-ins are designed to help scale-averse people normalize using a scale on a regular basis, but some people may find it difficult.

We should note that other factors like water retention and hormones can cause weight fluctuations, making this a tough way to gauge daily progress. 

Noom Fitness App Vs. The Competition

Before committing to a weight loss program, it’s a good idea to compare it to others on the market to make sure it’s the right fit for you. We put Noom up against some of the more popular weight loss programs on the market to see how it stacks up.

As you can see, the prices and perks of weight loss programs can vary widely. MyFitnessPal is the most wallet-friendly since the app has a free option that allows you to track your food and activity. However, it doesn’t offer any direction in what or how much you should eat. 

Nutrisystem is the most expensive, but it actually provides the food for you, so it’s ideal for people who prefer not to cook all their meals. Weight Watchers is more cost-effective, with food available at an extra cost and coaches available at higher price tiers. Both of these offer more structured and strict programs, so if you need that direction, these may be good options.

Noom is by no means the most expensive option, but it can still be pricey if you go with the month-to-month option. However, Noom does stand out for its psychological and behavioral approach, which is ideal for people who want to achieve a healthy relationship with food and maintain long-term weight loss.

Each program takes a slightly different approach to weight loss. Do your research and consider which approach would be the best for you, and you’ll find the right one. 

Places to Buy

You can download the Noom app in the iOS and Android app stores.

Guarantee

Noom actually offers a weight loss guarantee. If you complete the program and don’t lose weight, Noom will give you your money back, no questions asked. 

Company Information

Noom is a subscription-based weight loss app that tracks a person’s food intake and activity levels. The company takes a psychological and behavioral approach to help people lose weight.

In Conclusion

Noom can be an excellent weight loss program for people who have unhealthy eating habits, and those who want to understand why they eat the way they do. Its color-coded eating system defines calorically light, moderate, and dense foods, which can help users stick to the daily calorie goals that Noom provides. Also, the weekly check-ins with coaches and the ability to communicate with other Noom members via Circles offer accountability for people who may be struggling. 

What makes Noom stand out is that while its primary aim is to get people down to their goal weight, it also places a focus on educating members about how and why they eat. In addition to helping users lose weight during their membership, this information may help them keep it off long after they’ve stopped using the app.

FAQs

The post Noom Weight Loss App Review appeared first on BarBend.

We found iFit — NordicTrack’s full fledged fitness app — to be great not just for use with their NordicTrack equipment, but also all on its own. You can take yoga, HIIT and strength classes along with their running, rowing and cycling classes, which you do need equipment for. All of their instructors are long-time trainers who specialize in the classes they teach, so you know you’re in for a good sweat session when you open up this app. Here’s our full review of iFit and what it has to offer. 

Main Takeaways

$25 Off

IFIT Class Subscription

IFIT Class Subscription

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.

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iFit Highlights​

As far as who should and shouldn’t use iFit, it really comes down to one thing: If you like coaches guiding you through class, this service is a solid fit for you. If you like to workout on your own and don’t want a coach, you probably won’t find much value here. iFit takes a strong stand amongst competitors like Peloton and Apple Fitness+, and as far as we can tell, it’s equally valuable, and potentially offers more than other services when integrated with products like their popular treadmill and their new home gym mirror, the NordicTrack Vault. 

Who Should Use iFit

• Athletes who have NordicTrack equipment or any compatible equipment at home.
• Anyone who wants to boost their at-home workouts with live and on-demand classes, with or without equipment.
• Users who enjoy group classes and like having guidance from a trainer throughout their workouts.

Who Shouldn’t Use iFit

• Athletes who don’t enjoy listening to coaches as they workout.
• Users looking for a more personalized training experience. 
• Customers looking for the cheapest deal on the market for interactive, virtual fitness — you can find cheaper options out there. 

Membership​

For full access to the iFit library, you can pay $396 per year or $30 per month for the family plan, or $180 per year or $15 per month for the individual plan. This is a touch more expensive than Peloton which charges $12.99 per month. It’s worth noting that many NordicTrack and ProForm products come with a free 1-year subscription to iFit, so there’s a lot of value for people who are also on the hunt for gym equipment. 

Overall Components 

One of the benefits of iFit is that it works with or without NordicTrack and ProForm equipment. Whether you don’t have any machines at all or even have a machine from another brand, you’ll find a class for you on this app. Take classes all over the world with different destinations and environments, or opt for the ones taught in-studio if you’re focusing more on technique. The library of over 16,000 live and on-demand classes certainly kept us hooked no matter what training modality we chose. 

Features​

An iFit membership means you’ll have access to thousands of classes that range anywhere from strength to yoga and running to rowing, and all of these classes are taught by professional trainers who specialize in each particular workout. You can opt to use equipment or just grab a yoga mat and hit the floor, but either way iFit has laid out navigation and filters on their app that will help you find exactly what you’re looking for. 

Included workouts​

You can choose from treadmill, bike, rowing or elliptical workouts if you have the proper equipment necessary. If you don’t have an at-home treadmill or rower, you can also choose from iFit’s collection of strength, yoga, HIIT, mental health, recovery and barre classes to mix up your routine. 

Stats Tracking and Metrics​ 

Once you’ve selected your workout, iFit will track your calories burned and time elapsed throughout class. And if you’re taking a class with equipment you’ll also be able to follow along with stats like distance, speed, incline, stroke rate or other numbers associated with the specific equipment you’re using. 

You can sync a SmartBeat heart rate monitor through Bluetooth and your machines will adjust their settings to keep you in the optimal heart rate zone. 

Navigation

Once in the app, you’ll find new series featured at the top, and at the bottom, you can select the live schedule, or browse option. You can also add classes to your calendar or participate in challenges along the bottom menu. If you’re browsing on-demand classes, you can filter by class type, trainer, length, intensity, environment, and more to find your perfect pick.

Class Format

With each workout, iFit tells you the time, estimated calories burned, intensity and estimated effort score (along with distance, elevation gain, and other workout-specific stats) on the preview page, so you know what you’re getting into before you start.

The class starts with an optional warm up that’s not included in the time of your workout. So if you choose a 30-minute workout, you can choose to add time if you want to take the warm up. It also ends with an optional cool down, so the same thing goes if you want to take the time for that. You can take classes that are coached from a studio or classes that take place at beautiful locations across the globe, for a welcome distraction from the challenge of the class. If you have the latest NordicTrack or ProForm equipment, the incline and speed will adjust to match the terrain of the location.

Trainers

The iFit trainers have often been instructors for many years and specialize in the different forms of exercise they teach to make sure you’re getting the best training you can get. Following them on social media can also help dive a little deeper into workout explanations if you’re interested or in need of a little guidance. 

Compatibility

You can use the iFit app with NordicTrack equipment, which has built-in compatibility, or you can use the app with any piece of equipment you have if it has a tablet holder or prop for your phone for streaming purposes. Obviously if you don’t have any equipment, you can also just use the app on its own and choose from the workouts that don’t require equipment, like bodyweight strength, yoga and HIIT.

Heart Rate Monitoring​

You can pair your heart rate monitor through Bluetooth, and iFit will track it and also use it to set proper paces and heart rate zones for some of its workouts — though, this is not a necessity to complete the workout.

Before Joining Consider

Choosing any virtual fitness subscription is a commitment. Before you choose the right one for you or if you even want one at all, you’ll want to consider many things about your personal workout style. The monthly or annual payments are only going to be worth it if you use the app consistently.

Usage

You’ll definitely want to make sure this is something you’re using on a (mostly) daily basis. If you have other studio memberships or just like to workout on your own a lot, it may not be worth the membership fee. However, if you’re someone who would prefer to have every workout coached, from the 10-minute stretching classes to the 60-minute runs, the iFit subscription is probably great for you. You can find virtually any workout on this app, so even on a rest day when you’re doing some recovery, you can still have a pro walk you through every move. 

Workout Style

You’re definitely going to want to consider what workouts you like most and if the app offers what you’re looking for. If you typically like to take pilates, barre or HIIT classes, there are other apps out there that have a wider variety of those classes than iFit — that’s not to say iFit doesn’t have any options for these though. However, this is a great option for strength training — the strength classes and series are virtually endless. It’s also great for users who have NordicTrack equipment or any piece of equipment since iFit has a huge library of running, cycling, rowing and elliptical classes. 

Cost

One of the most important things you’ll want to think about is if the cost is worth it to you. iFit offers a free week-long trial, so it’s definitely worth it to test out the app first, see how much you use it and see if you like it before you decide to commit to the membership. Overall, you get a lot of options for the cost, so if you end up liking the trial, you should get all the bang for your buck out of it.

Company Information​

NordicTrack is known for their quality exercise equipment. NordicTrack makes rowers, bikes, treadmills and ellipticals. They also offer a 30-day trial period for their equipment and a 7-day free trial for iFit, and if you aren’t thrilled with either purchase, you’ll receive a full refund or be able to cancel. For more help, you can get in touch with their customer service by calling 1-888-308-9616.

Final Word

iFit is great for people who like coached classes — especially strength, running and mind classes. It includes pretty much every style of class you can think of including mental health classes and recovery classes. Do some digging to see if this iFit has the best options for your personal preferences. iFit takes you all over the world during its classes and gives coaches the ability to control your machine in select workouts — details like this add to the training experience and help iFit stand apart from other interactive training subscriptions. 

FAQs

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