You don’t have specifically need to spend hundreds of pounds on a personal trainer to get fit. In fact, some of the top personal trainers and fitness minds in the business go out of their way to make workouts and programs affordable for the average client. And nothing’s more affordable than “free.” We explore the top 5 free apps like a personal trainer and why an online personal trainer might be a better option for you.
1. YouTube
What?! How is YouTube like a personal trainer?
This is an easy one, almost every big personal trainer in the business has a YouTube account where they share free workouts for their followers. As long as you have the YouTube app and you follow the right trainers (for instance, Cassey Ho, Tony Horton, the Tone It Up girls. You can work your way through a single workout or a workout series with verbal cues and video.
If you’re looking for a channel with a wide variety of full-length workouts from multiple personal trainers, check out the BeFiT channel by Lions Gate. They’ve got an arsenal of videos from top stars like Jillian Michaels and Denise Austin.
Available on: iOS, Android and Windows Phone
2. Mountain Athletics from The North Face
Outdoor enthusiasts (for instance, runners, skiers and rock climbers) need a special kind of coaching to see gains in their respective sports. Sarah Jane Parker, certified A.C.S.M. personal trainer and the blogger behind The Fit Cookie swears by the Mountain Athletics app from The North Face. “This app offers lots of great workouts that are tailored to fit different outdoor disciplines, and even general fitness. It features a six-week plan that keeps track of your time, and walks you through exercises with videos.”
Available on: iOS
3. FitStar Yoga and FitStar Personal Trainer
While FitStar Yoga and FitStar Personal Trainer do have premium versions that come at a price, the “basic” versions are free and are a great way to get you started. Both apps provide custom workouts from top-notch personal trainers (Tara Stiles on the yoga side and former NFL superstar Tony Gonzalez on the fitness side) that are based on your own level and goals. You can select the workouts or the program that meets your needs, set goals and compete against friends and connect your fitness devices, such as Fitbit or Jawbone Up to track your workouts more effectively.
I especially love that the app is compatible with Apple TV, so you can easily project your workouts onto the big screen. For someone like me, who still values the benefit of a larger picture, this is a huge selling point.
Available on: iOS
4. Nike+ Training Club
You don’t need to be a Nike fan to fall in love with the Nike+ Training Club. The app provides more than 100 full-length workouts led by Nike master trainers that cover a variety of formats, including high-intensity intervals, strength training and yoga.
Marielle Burch, C.S.C.S., Stroller Strides fitness instructor and blogger at Fit Girl in a Pretty World, explains why she enjoys using the app, “It has a range of workouts centered around your specific goal — for instance, get lean, toned or strong. It also has different categories for beginner, intermediate and advanced exercisers, so it’s perfect for those of all levels. The time frames for workouts range from 15 to 60 minutes, and because they require little equipment, they can be done at home!”
One other benefit is that the Nike+ app enables you to connect with other users for motivation and support, and you can share your workout stats to Facebook.
5. Sworkit Lite
This Is our favourite on this top 5 list.. It’s beautiful in its simplicity and its personalization, functioning almost like a “choose your own adventure” book. From the main screen you select the type of workout you want to do. Whether it be strength, cardio, yoga, stretching or create a custom routine. After selecting the type of workout, you’re given more customization options. For instance, if you selected “yoga,” you’d be given the option to choose a workout for yoga sun salutations, yoga full sequence, yoga for runners or Pilates. The next choice you’re given is time — you select the length in five-minute increments ranging from five to 60 minutes.
Once you’ve made all your selections, you’re taken to your custom workout that guides you through a series of exercises with audio and video cues along with a timer so you know how long each exercise is performed.
Available on: Android, iOS and Amazon
Free might not be so great
Using all these free apps might be great way to start your fitness journey. But what if you get tired of the same workouts? feeling like the your motivation after a few weeks is slowing going down. While using these free options there is no accountability. You may be hitting all the workouts just as your instructor is saying but you may not be changing physically the way you want. We believe there is no option better than an online personal trainer. Online personal trainers are less expensive than a in person personal trainers.
How To Find An Online Personal Trainer
The1Coach Has great experience with coaches. Chosen exclusively by The1Coach to help clients achieve their goals. Search now and get the accountability along with personalised workout and diet plans and much more. Learn all you need about your online PT by looking through their own unique profiles.
