The Best Online Workout Programs For Coaching, Cardio, Value, And More

Working with a personal trainer is a totally worthwhile experience. But considering a session can be upwards of $100, it’s not within every athlete’s budget. Thanks to the many online personal trainers and workout programs available, you can work toward your fitness goals for a fraction of the cost of one-on-one coaching. In some cases, online workout programs are so immersive — thanks to their videos and workout machine compatibility — you won’t even need a gym membership.

With that said, there are plenty of unresearched, poorly prepared programs on the internet, too. These can leave you even farther behind your plan or, worse, injured. Our team of expert product testers, including personal trainers and athletes, put more than 50 different apps and plans to the test to help you find the very best online workout programs for your goals. 

Best Online Workout Programs

• Best Online Workout Program Overall: Future
• Best Online Workout Program for Personalized Coaching: Caliber
• Best Online Workout Program for Cardio: iFIT
• Best Online Workout Program for Strength: Juggernaut
• Best Free Online Workout Program: Nike Training Club (NTC)
• Best Online Workout Program for CrossFit: Train Hard
• Best Online Workout Program for Running: Nike Run Club
• Best Online Workout Program for Live Classes: Peloton

How We Tested the Best Online Workout Programs

There are plenty of online workout programs available and unfortunately, some of them are a big waste of time and money. Our team of expert product testers, including certified personal trainers and athletes, took more than 50 different virtual workout programs and apps to the test to gather the best options. Here’s a few factors we considered while testing:

Ease of Use

If a workout program is incredibly difficult to navigate or understand, it definitely doesn’t deserve a spot on this list. Some apps and programs are designed poorly and aren’t worth the effort of navigating from one part of the interface to the next. We prioritized technology that was intuitive and wouldn’t distract from the workout itself.

Our team also preferred apps that gave clear, easy to follow instruction. We wanted programs that would be simple for users of all levels to follow and understand. We loved apps that included video examples of exercises, including written and verbal cues.

Training Levels 

Different athletes have different fitness levels and goals, so we tried to keep our testing process as varied and inclusive as possible. We considered each app and program through the eyes of a beginner and advanced athlete. In some cases, some apps were ideal for an experienced athlete but less suitable for beginners. We made sure to outline these aspects in our reviews.

Modalities

We also wanted to consider a diverse range of workout styles, as different athletes may prefer different forms of movement. Our team gathered apps that have a pretty wide range of exercise modalities available with inclusive equipment demands. After all, not every strength athlete has access to a full gym.

Best Online Workout Program Overall: Future

Working with a personal trainer is a great way to achieve your fitness or physique goals. But paying $100 or more per session may not be within your price range. We think the Future app is the next best thing.

Our best overall online workout program, Future allows you to choose your own real coach who builds workouts geared towards your personal goals. “This one has an easy-to-navigate user interface, which makes contacting your personal coach easy,” according to our product tester, who used Future for several months and gave the app an overall 4.7/5. “It’s incredibly well-designed.”

Once you set up your app, your coach builds a workout program based on your fitness level, goals, and available equipment. “The app instructs you with videos and audio cues — you can watch the video before you try an exercise and listen to narrator voiceover cues during the movement,” our tester describes, giving the instruction feature an overall ⅘. “To really take it to the next level, I wish you could do a true facetime or video chat with your instructor.” 

This app works well for beginners and experienced athletes, considering the program is personalized. “This isn’t ideal for an athlete with a super specific goal like a competition,” according to our tester Kate Meier, BarBend editorial staff member and competitive weightlifter, who used the app several days per week. “Those looking to compete in a weightlifting meet or CrossFit competition would benefit more from in-person training.”

After you finish a workout, you need to include feedback on your session so that your coach can adjust your training schedule accordingly. Some athletes may not love this extra step, though, especially if you’re operating on a time crunch. However, it’s the only way to truly provide some progressive overload to your training.

At $199 per month, this app is among the priciest on this list and may not be feasible for everyone. But considering you’re getting the personal training experience, we think the value is worth the cost. Plus, you can stream the app on your tablet or Apple watch in addition to your cell phone, which is extra convenient. 

Read our full Future App Review

Best Online Workout Program for Personalized Coaching: Caliber App

Training with a personal coach is one of the best ways to achieve your fitness goals and stay accountable. But weekly or daily sessions can cost quite a chunk of change. Caliber’s Premium subscription pairs you with a personal coach to help work towards your strength, cardio, or functional training goals.

Our tester gave this app an overall 4.68 out of 5 for the Premium subscription. The app was easy to use and your trainer customizes your workouts with the ability to include video demos for each exercise. So, it’s friendly for beginners, too. Unlike some other apps, your coach also offers nutritional guidance and you can send photos of your meals right through the app. 

“My favorite part of this app was the weekly check-ins,” said our tester, also a personal trainer, who gave the app a 5 out of 5 for accountability. “My trainer sent videos to go over my previous week of training. She looks at my RPE and weight lifted to adjust my coming week, making incremental improvements, which I loved.”

Where the actual workouts are concerned, we gave the app a 5 out of 5. Not only can your trainer include demo videos, but you can also send videos to your coach for form tips. However, we had to give the equipment demands a 4 out of 5. Your trainer can build a bodyweight plan, the app is really centered around weight training, so it’s best to have a gym membership, too.

The one downside was the price, which we gave a 3.5 out of 5. “Finding the actual price was challenging because the website isn’t very straightforward,” our tester said. The Premium subscription with one-on-one coaching costs $200 per month with a three month commitment. There is a cheaper version that’s only $19 per month but it doesn’t involve personalized training or coaching.

Best Online Workout Program for Cardio: iFIT

Even on the best treadmill or best exercise bike, doing cardio indoors can feel tedious. But iFIT makes your indoor cardio training a little more fun. Plus, it also offers strength training and yoga, to add some variety.

iFIT is ideal for cardio-focused athletes, offering a variety of group and on-demand classes you can do right on your treadmill, bike, step machine, or rower. You can also take your training outdoors with their equipment-free workouts. And while iFIT does come equipped on most NordicTrack and ProForm cardio equipment, you don’t need to buy these brands to use the app.

“It’s easy to use and there are plenty of workout options, like low-impact active recovery, walk-run, hiking, walking, and running. I love that you can also take classes,” our tester said, giving the workout program a 4.5 out of 5 for ease of use. “It’s a little less intuitive than the Peloton app in my opinion, though.”

We do wish there was a little more customization, though. “It’s mainly self-guided because you don’t get a tailored program with a coach,” our tester said, giving iFIT a 3.5 out of 5 for accountability. “There are challenges you can do on your cardio machine, which can help you measure progress, though.”

For athletes who like live classes, our tester definitely thinks iFIT rivals Peloton, giving the app a 4.5 out of 5 for instruction. “When I tried iFIT, I did the outdoor runs and bike rides,” they said. “The instructor was doing the workout right with you, which I thought was motivational.”

We gave iFIT a 4 out of 5 for the value. We think it’s a great value for the price, considering you get so many different class options. There are classes for all fitness levels, including various modalities. With that said, there are cheaper options on this list but if you really want a cardio-first workout program, iFIT is your best bet.

Read our full iFIT Review.

Best Online Workout Program for Strength: JuggernautAI

For athletes who want a strength-focused training program but don’t need a personal trainer or coach, JuggernautAI has you covered. This fitness app focuses purely on powerlifting- and bodybuilding-style training for those looking to prepare for competition or just generally gain strength.

Unlike apps where you work with a coach, you kind of build your own training program with JuggernautAI. Once you download the app, you enter some basic information, followed by your current training load, training experience, training style, goals, and desired workout frequency, according to our tester, who gave the app setup experience a 5 out of 5.

Once you enter this information, the AI technology creates workouts, which it then adjusts for gradual improvement as you enter post-workout feedback. “The AI is extremely smart,” our tester said, giving the program a 3.5 out of 5 for instruction. “Before you start training, you answer a few questions about your readiness. As you workout you enter feedback so the app can adjust your workout to best suit your fitness level.” However, for beginners who aren’t familiar with exercise form and programming, having a real coach is still the best option.

We gave JuggernautAI a 3 out of 5 for interactive features, though some strength athletes may prefer the minimal design. “You don’t talk to a coach or team — it’s just you and the app,” our tester explained. “But you do interact with the app a lot, logging your weights, reps, sets, RPE. I liked this because the interaction holds you accountable but it isn’t too much effort.”

Our team was impressed with the pricing, giving this program a 5 out of 5 for value. This one is only $35 per month and while you don’t work with a live coach, the programming is still incredibly personalized and modality-specific.

Best Free Online Workout Program: Nike Training Club (NTC)

For some, paying a monthly app subscription on top of a gym membership doesn’t fall within the budget. And that’s totally okay, thanks to the Nike Training Club app.

NTC is completely free to download and use, so our testers gave the overall value a 5 out of 5. The app is super simple to operate, according to our tester, who gave the setup and user experience a 5 out of 5, too. “All you have to do is download the app and log in, as there’s really no customization that happens.”

Although the app does send push notifications to encourage users to train or join new programs, we had to give the accountability factor a 3.5 out of 5. There’s no personal coaching involved with this app, plus it’s free, so the discipline really sits on the user’s shoulders. 

The app has a huge library of on-demand workouts and live classes. You can filter this library based on your preferences, including your fitness level. After using the app myself, I’d say this one gets a 5 out of 5 for instruction. Every exercise has a video demonstrating the move and you can even listen for form tips.  

The equipment demands are a 5 out of 5 because they’re pretty much nonexistent. I’ve used NTC for the no equipment, bodyweight workouts (the full-body HIIT sessions are awesome) but you can also find pretty advanced strength programs, too, which require a full gym of equipment.

Since there’s no customization here, you can’t really personalize anything, unfortunately. We had to give NTC a 1 out of 5 for progressive overload, as you can’t track your weight lifted, reps, RPE, etc. You just follow along with the pre-written workout. So, athletes looking for help progressing in their strength or endurance may prefer a more tailored workout program. However, we do love that Nike is constantly dropping new workouts, so you’re not stuck repeating the same programs over and over.

Best Online Workout Program for CrossFit: Train Hard

Founded by CrossFit legend Jason Khalipa, Train Hard is an app that’s built with CrossFit athletes in mind. The app offers three different programs, including EMOM (efficient EMOM workouts), FLEX (functional strength and bodybuilding), and FORCE (strength and conditioning).

The programs are five days per week and each workout is about 60 minutes, with the exception of the EMOM program, which involves shorter, 30-minute sessions. 

“I followed FORCE for three weeks in order to gain overall strength in the three big CrossFit movements (deadlift, squat, and push press),” our tester said, giving the app an overall 5 out of 5. “This app definitely helped me push through a plateau and I saw myself growing stronger.” 

Our tester wasn’t too familiar with Olympic lifting but found the instructional videos very helpful. His only qualm was that the videos take you out of the app and onto YouTube, which is a little tedious. But Train Hard also has an integrated group chat for workout-specific questions or comments. 

There’s not too much customizability with Train Hard, however you can scale the weights to your fitness level. “There were a few workouts where I needed to scale back the movement because I was too burnt out from the strength portion of the workout,” our tester said, giving the customization a 4 out of 5. “But that didn’t deter me from the training at all.”

Our team gave the accountability factor a 4 out of 5, too. We liked the integrated community feature and hope to see even more development on that front. The app also allows you to track your health metrics and progress, helping to encourage healthy habits. 

We do think the user interface has some room for improvement, though. “The app doesn’t sync with any fitness watches or trackers, though that’s not a must-have for a good workout,” our tester said, giving the interface a 3 out of 5. “I found it challenging to keep the app timer on while changing my music because it pauses the timer, which was less than ideal.”

For those who want to do all their CrossFit workouts right at home, Train Hard is a solid choice. For value, we gave this app a 4 out of 5. You can choose from several subscription options, including $29.99 per month, $159.99 for six months, or $299.99 for a year. Considering a CrossFit gym membership is generally around $150 to $200, this is certainly a more budget-friendly option.

Best Online Workout Program for Running: Nike Run Club

I’ve had a pretty long relationship with the Nike Run Club App, not going to lie. As a former high school and collegiate runner and current triathlete, I’ve been running for practically my entire life. And I’ve had the Nike Run Club (NRC) on my phone longer than I can remember.

The app allows you to track your runs, whether you’re following a specific plan or just going on a random jog. It tracks your pace and distance using GPS but it also syncs with your Apple Watch in case you don’t want to take your phone. I’d definitely give the app a 5 out of 5 for ease of use. It’s really simple and tracks all the most important stats of each run, including your pace, cadence, distance, elevation gain, heart rate, and calories. 

For runners who like a little more guidance, there are guided runs, led by Nike’s running coaches. You can pick a guided run, based on the goal of your run, whether it’s an interval session, tempo run, or recovery run. I’d give the instruction a 4 out of 5. 

I love that the coaches guide you through each leg of the workout but for more advanced runners looking to hit specific paces or mile times, these probably aren’t the most convenient. So, if you have a time trial planned, you may want to save NRC for another day.

I highly recommend trying any of Coach Bennett’s recovery runs. I don’t use the Nike Run Club app for specific training goals but I personally struggle to keep my recovery runs easy. Coach Bennett frequently encourages pace and body checks — this helps me gauge my effort so I can ease off the pace when needed.

The app is totally free, so our team gave the value a 5 out of 5. Plus, Nike Run Club has in-person locations in select cities. Here, you can meet other app users for group runs or races. I’ve done a few Nike Run Club events in New York and love the sense of community they’re building.

Best Online Workout Program for Live Classes: Peloton

Brick-and-mortar group fitness classes are great. Unless you get stuck in traffic and can’t get to the studio in time. But the right online platform can help you sidestep travel and get you into the action whether you’re at the gym or in the comfort of your own home. 

Peloton offers interactive group fitness classes right at home using the brand’s equipment, your own, or just your bodyweight. Setting up the app is simple, according to our tester, who gave the setup a 5 out of 5. “All you do is log in and sync your equipment with the app,” they said. 

After trying several Peloton live classes myself, I really enjoyed the experience and would give the overall instruction a 5 out of 5. The cycling instructors are enthusiastic and motivational — it really feels like you’re in a live spin class. I also love the theme ride option every once in a while. These allow you to choose a class based on your music preference.

We also liked the equipment requirements, giving Peloton a 4 out of 5 in that category. Some of the classes require equipment, while there are bodyweight only options. Obviously, the running and cycling classes require a Peloton tread or bike. But there are yoga classes and Pilates live sessions that only need a yoga mat and your bodyweight. 

I think the price deserves a 4 out of 5. It’s pretty reasonable and Peloton accommodates users who don’t use the treadmill or bike. The Peloton App One is only $12.99 per month and includes strength, yoga, outdoor running, and gym workouts. The Peloton App+ is $24.99 per month, including everything in the Peloton App One, including exercise bike, treadmill, and rower workouts. 

How We Chose the Best Online Workout Programs

There is a seemingly endless number of choices when it comes to workout streaming services, each one claiming to be the best. But the best workout varies widely from person to person based on their goals, needs, and abilities. We considered these factors to create a comprehensive list that appeals to a wide range of consumers looking for a solid online fitness program.

Price

Factoring in the price of a program is a great place to start whittling down your options. Some programs requiring more attention, like one-on-one coaching, can run up to over $100 a month. If that’s out of your price range, less expensive options provide workouts and generalized coaching instead. We chose programs that span the range from premium to cost-effective, so there’s a program here for every budget. 

Accessibility

Any good program offers classes that work well for beginners. One of the most common beginner’s mistakes is going out too hard and quitting a workout halfway through or, even worse, injuring yourself. We made it a point to find programming that offers beginner or on-ramp courses and more advanced workouts. 

Good beginners’ workouts are built with the goal of building a foundation of fitness, rather than on heavy weights and high intensity. These workouts usually use lighter (if any) weights, simpler or modified movements (like air squats or knee push-ups), and go at a slower pace than intermediate or advanced workouts. 

Expertise

The coaches you’ll find in these programs have a variety of certifications and qualifications. Each has gone through and graduated from a coaching program that determined them to be qualified to coach athletes. Some are or have been competitive athletes as well. 

Required Equipment

We made it a point to find programs that will work with a range of equipment access. Some of these programs offer training requiring little or no fitness equipment, while others require access to a full gym or specific tech, like treadmills or fitness mirrors. Whether you have a full gym at your disposal or nothing at all, there’s something on this list for you.

Program Variety

Everyone has different goals, whether to lose weight, gain muscle, or move a refrigerator all by themselves. We chose programs that would cover as wide a range of goals as possible, so there would be something useful for every type of athlete. Strength training and hypertrophy training are perfect for people who want to get bigger and stronger, whereas high-intensity interval training, cardio, and boxing training are all ideal for athletes who want to tone and improve their cardiovascular fitness. Looking to improve your flexibility? There are yoga and pilates classes in some of these programs, as well. 

Benefits of Online Workout Programs

While an in-house workout program provides the benefit of real-time coaching, online workout programs do have some solid perks — such as convenience and lower cost.

Convenience

Online programming is convenient because you can do it anywhere. Since you don’t have to go to a gym whenever you want to work out, you’re not at the mercy of traffic or class times that don’t work with your work/life schedule. 

Also, having someone else do the programming for you means you won’t be sitting around wondering what workout you should do on any given day. Just read the programming and get to work. 

Price

Generally, you’ll pay less for an online workout program than you will for a gym. This is because the programmers don’t have to worry about paying for the gym space or equipment. Consequently, you’ll have to provide your own space and gear, but the subscription generally won’t cost as much.

If you’re looking for a deal, many programs will offer discounts for buying an annual membership versus going with a monthly membership. If you can pony up the money for an annual membership (and you know you like the program), that’s the way to go. 

How Much Do Online Workout Programs Cost?

Online workout programs can vary wildly in price. Most of the programs you’ll find will be in the $40 to $60 a month range, but some can go quite a bit higher or lower. 

Best Overall	Future	$150/month
Best for Personalized Coaching	Caliber App	~$200/month
Best for Cardio	iFIT	$39/month
Best for Strength	JuggernautAI	$29/month
Best for Free	Nike Training Club	$0/month
Best for CrossFit	Train Hard	$29.99/month
Best for Running	Nike Run Club	Free
Best for Live Classes	Peloton	$12.99/month

Lower-cost programs with preset programs that you can follow at your leisure tend to be on the less expensive side since the programming is already set. Workout plans with regularly updated or live workouts require constant upkeep (and studio space for live and pre-recorded videos), so they’ll be in the middle to the higher end of the price range. One-on-one personal training will often be the most expensive option.

You should also factor in any needed equipment to the cost. While many online workout programs have options for bodyweight movements, there are some that will require workout gear. Often, this will be minimal, like a kettlebell and a few pairs of dumbbells, but other programs will require more expensive and space-hogging equipment, like barbells and plyo boxes. 

What to Consider Before Buying An Online Workout Program

Before committing to an online workout program, it’s important to consider a few factors to make sure you choose the right one for you. Here are a few things to take into account before you commit.

Goals

The first thing to consider when starting an online workout program is what you want from it. Why are you thinking about it in the first place? Do you want to prioritize weight loss? Consider a cardio or HIIT-based program over a strictly strength-based one. Looking to build muscle and sculpt your body? Find one that focuses on improving your lifting form and building strength.

Equipment and Space

Also, be sure to consider what workout gear you already have (or have access to) and what you’re willing to spend to build out your home gym. Few things are as frustrating as subscribing to a program, and then finding out that you need to buy a bunch of fitness equipment before you can get started. Several plans on this list offer classes that require little or no fitness equipment, so if you’re not eager to shop for weights, those are the ones to consider. 

Budget

And, of course, if you can’t afford it, you’re not getting it. Consider the total cost of your investment, which includes the monthly cost of the programming and any equipment you may need to get started. The programs in this list range in price from over $100 a month to less than $10 a month, so there are options here for every price range. 

Fitness Level

One of the most common mistakes for someone new to working out or just getting back into a fitness routine is going out too hard with a high-level competitive program. If you’re a newer athlete, don’t jump right into competitive or high-level online workout programming. Make sure whatever program you choose has easier courses to get you started — something that consists of lower weights, simpler movements, and slower pacing to help you form a foundation to build your fitness upon.

Final Word

Online fitness programs are a great way to get a workout done wherever you are. Plus, there are programs to help you achieve specific goals, so whether you want to gain strength, lose weight, or improve your cardiovascular fitness, there are plenty of options to choose from. The choices in this list cover a wide range of goals, methods, and price ranges, so there’s something for everyone. But the one thing they all have in common is that they provide expert coaches with the expertise to get you where you want to be. All you have to do is choose your goal, find an online workout program in your price range, and get to work. 

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