Best Personal Trainers of 2026

We've analyzed the best Personal Trainers to help you find the right solution for your needs.

2026 Personal Trainer Reviews

Where is the Best Place to Find a Personal Trainer Online?  Getting fit is one of the most significant steps toward caring for yourself. Many people find that going to the gym by themselves, though, can be overwhelming - especially if they're not sure what to do with all the machines and weights. Often even long-time gym members need help leveling up their workout and creating a targeted fitness plan for building muscle, or need support for an injury they want to strengthen.

5.0

EXCELLENT

1

Best Option

  • Monthly cost: $348 to $2,000+
  • All trainers are certified or have relevant degrees
  • In-person and online training

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EXCELLENT

5.0

On the Fitness Trainer website

FitnessTrainer is a great way to find a private personal trainer that fits your needs, whether you want in-person sessions or online coaching. The platform offers a wide range of certified personal trainers with different specialties, from strength training to weight loss, and includes transparent reviews to help you make the right choice. With flexible pricing, a variety of expertise levels, and an easy-to-use matching system, FitnessTrainer earns a perfect 5-star rating as our top pick for finding personal training options that work for you.

4.5

GREAT

2

Great

  • Monthly cost: $199
  • All trainers are certified or have relevant degrees
  • Many trainers have PhDs

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GREAT

4.5

On the Future Fitness website

Future Fitness is a great option for those who want a personal trainer program with plenty of flexibility and accountability. You'll take a short quiz to match with a coach who fits your goals and style, whether you're into bodybuilding, sports-specific training, or just need help staying motivated. With daily check-ins, customized workouts, and a risk-free first month, Future Fitness stands out as a well-reviewed and reasonably-priced personal trainer choice for both general and specialized fitness coaching.

4.4

GREAT

3

Great

  • Monthly cost: $125 to $225
  • All trainers are certified or have relevant degrees
  • Online training

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GREAT

4.4

On the Forge website

Forge is a great choice for beginners looking for a structured fitness and nutrition plan with virtual personal training and support. The program offers different tiers, ranging from basic check-ins to more in-depth guidance, all managed through the Forge app. You can expect a mix of strength training, cardio, and habit-building techniques from personal trainers here. While it's mostly a DIY approach with limited one-on-one time, Forge's affordability and positive reviews make it a great starting point for those new to fitness.

4.3

GREAT

4

Great

  • Monthly cost: $129
  • Online training
  • Choose your schedule

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GREAT

4.3

On the Trainwell website

Trainwell is a top-rated online personal training platform that blends guided coaching with flexible, at-home workouts. For $129 per month, you get unlimited video calls and messaging with certified trainers who help tailor workouts to your goals, whether it's weight management, strength training, or general fitness. With outstanding user reviews, a 14-day free trial, and an easy-to-use app, Trainwell is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for personalized personal training support without needing to visit a gym.

4.0

VERY GOOD

5

Very Good

  • Monthly cost starts at $19.99
  • In-person and online training
  • Choose your schedule

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VERY GOOD

4.0

On the Trainerize website

Trainerize is a fitness app that connects users with certified personal trainers and major gym networks like Gold's Gym and Life Time Training. With options for in-person, online, or group training, plus specialties like bodybuilding, yoga, and rehab, there's a program for nearly every fitness goal. While individual personal trainer reviews aren't visible on Trainerize, the app itself gets top ratings for its security and legitimacy, making it a great choice for those looking for a trustworthy way to find skilled fitness professionals.

3.5

GOOD

6

Good

  • Monthly cost: $249
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • All trainers are certified or have relevant degrees

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GOOD

3.5

On the Born Fitness website

Born Fitness is an online personal training program that provides customized workout and nutrition plans with weekly check-ins from certified trainers. While it offers flexibility and accountability, the program is mostly self-guided, making it ideal if you're motivated and respond well even if you don't have in-person coaching. While it can be a little costly, Born Fitness offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you some flexibility to try the personal training out. For now, Born Fitness earns an above-average rating, and we'd love to see more third-party reviews to earn a higher rating.

3.4

GOOD

7

Good

  • One-time cost: $377.99 to $7,000
  • Owned by two physique competitors
  • Many trainers have PhDs

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GOOD

3.4

On the HitchFit website

HitchFit is an online personal training platform designed for anyone looking to lose weight, build muscle, or even prepare for bodybuilding competitions. With 16 different training programs, you'll get a structured plan, weekly check-ins with the founders, and access to workout guides - but you'll need to be self-motivated since most of the program is DIY. While the upfront costs are higher than some competitors, the one-time payment model means no recurring fees, making HitchFit a solid choice for those serious about transforming their physique through personal training.

3.0

AVERAGE

8

Average

  • Monthly cost: $19.99
  • AI-based trainer
  • Online training

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AVERAGE

3.0

On the Shred website

Shred uses AI to create customized workout plans for both home and gym use, with the ability to tailor the experience to your equipment and goals. While it lacks human personal trainers, it offers plenty of workout styles, tracking features, and even social challenges to keep you motivated. At just $19.99 per month (or $119.99 per year), it's an affordable way to access structured workouts, making it a great option for those who prefer a DIY approach to fitness. But, with no person involved in your "personal training" here, Shred comes out as "just average" on our list.

2.5

FAIR

9

Fair

  • Monthly cost: $280 to $680
  • In-person and online training
  • Choose your schedule

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FAIR

2.5

On the Thumbtack website

Thumbtack is a platform that connects you with local personal trainers, giving you a hands-on fitness experience rather than relying on an app or pre-recorded workouts. You can browse personal trainers based on location, workout style, and reviews, but pricing isn't fully transparent until you contact a trainer - something to do carefully since they pay for each inquiry. While the trainers themselves get great reviews, Thumbtack as a platform has some issues with pricing for professionals, making it a decent option for finding in-person training but not the best among database-style fitness sites.

2.0

SUBPAR

10

Subpar

  • Costs $0.18 to $1.14 per day
  • Online training
  • AI-based software

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SUBPAR

2.0

On the Zing Coach website

Zing Coach is an AI-powered personal trainer app that creates personalized workout plans based on your goals, lifestyle, and limitations. While it offers a unique quiz-based approach to fitness planning, there's no real human trainer involved, making it best suited for self-motivated users who don't need hands-on guidance. While some appreciate the customized routines, others find the workouts repetitive and the AI execution lacking. Zing Coach is a decent option if you just need a bit of direction, but it's a poor choice for those looking for a structured DIY fitness plan or a true personal trainer.

1.5

WEAK

11

Weak

  • Monthly cost: $14.99
  • Online training
  • Choose your schedule

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WEAK

1.5

On the Transform website

Transform is an app-based personal training program designed for weight loss, offering calorie tracking, meal planning, and over 1,000 guided workouts. While it provides useful nutrition tools and weekly "life lessons" from the founder, it lacks the personalized coaching found in traditional personal training apps. At $14.99 per month, it's a decent option for weight management, but with mixed app reviews and a mostly DIY approach to fitness, Transform isn't the best fit for those looking for hands-on personal training.

1.4

WEAK

12

Weak

  • Cost depends on your work package
  • Online training
  • General fitness goals

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WEAK

1.4

On the Trainiac website

Trainiac offers personalized, one-on-one coaching with certified trainers, but it's only available to Wellhub members through your employer. While you get weekly check-ins and unlimited messaging with your trainer, the program is mostly DIY, requiring you to stay on track with workouts on your own. Unfortunately, limited availability and poor app performance (especially on Android) hold Trainiac back, making it a less accessible and reliable option compared to other personal training platforms.

Continued from above...

Where is the Best Place to Find a Personal Trainer Online?

Getting fit is one of the most significant steps toward caring for yourself. Many people find that going to the gym by themselves, though, can be overwhelming - especially if they're not sure what to do with all the machines and weights. Often even long-time gym members need help leveling up their workout and creating a targeted fitness plan for building muscle, or need support for an injury they want to strengthen.

Either way, a personal trainer is a great option to up your gym game. A talented personal trainer will whip you into shape, but on your terms and with a plan that fits your body, workout style, and goals.

A lot of folks think that personal trainers are for top athletes. And, while a personal trainer can be essential for those who need to complete specific goals for a sport or competition, a workout beginner can get just as much out of a personal trainer as a gym pro. Grabbing a personal trainer as a newbie can help you through the weeds of discovering what movements are safe for your body, how to use equipment properly, and how to see the results you want as quickly as possible.

There are innumerable benefits to getting a personal trainer (at any level). For one, you can be sure you'll have more effective workouts (workouts that serve a purpose for your body and your goals, and increased difficulty where needed to keep your body challenged). The process also includes a personalized experience where your trainer analyzes your current fitness level, health concerns, and previous injuries, and creates a tailored workout plan for your needs. Plus, your customized plan can offer you support in and out of the gym - including nutrition and recovery practices that will help you when you're not working out.

Finding a good personal trainer can be tricky, though. You'll want to make sure and check on potential candidates' education, areas of expertise, experience, and any certifications. The best certification agencies include the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NSAM), the National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the American Council of Exercise (ACE), and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Checking to see if your preferred personal trainer has a background in sports medicine (or a degree) is a good rule of thumb to know you're getting the proper advice from a medically-sound background.

While, at the end of the day, selecting a personal trainer is a super individualized process (you will need to like the trainer and spend a decent amount of time with him or her), we can help you get started on your search. To make sure you find the best personal trainer for your fitness goals, we've put together some factors to help you narrow the options:

To help you find the right place to kickstart your fitness journey, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked today's most popular platforms for hiring personal trainers online. This way you can focus on getting your gains and trusting that your trainer is there to help keep you on track!

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Personal Trainer FAQ

What is a personal trainer?
A personal trainer works with clients to design plans for exercise, nutrition and/or flexibility goals. While anyone can say that they're a personal trainer, certain certifications can demonstrate that they've put in the work to learn best practices for working with clients effectively and safely. Look for a personal trainer with certification(s) from NASM, ACE, ISSA, NFPT, or ACSM, which are widely recognized as experts in the industry.
How often should I work with a personal trainer?
That will depend on you. What are your goals? What is your current level of fitness/experience? Most experts recommend meeting with a trainer for 1-2 sessions a week for up to 6 weeks, especially if you're a beginner. But, if you are fairly comfortable with working out - you know how to do various exercises with good form and just need someone to give you a structured plan - you might be able to cut that timeframe down.
Can a personal trainer help me with nutrition?
Yes and no. If your trainer is also certified within the nutrition field, he or she can prescribe meal plans. However, most personal trainers don't have dual certifications and can only make nutrition suggestions based on gym performance or weight loss/muscle gain efforts - like recommending that you count macros, get enough rest and water, and when to time your meals based on your exercise schedule. If you want a day-to-day schedule of what to eat, you'll need to work with a nutritionist in addition to your personal trainer in most cases.
Where can I find a personal trainer?
If you have a gym membership, there are probably options for working one-on-one with a trainer on staff there - but that might not be the best way to get a personal trainer that's well-suited to your personality, needs and goals. We recommend using an online personal trainer site, either to find highly-recommended professionals in your area or to choose a virtual program you can use at your convenience.
Are there personal trainers I can work with virtually?
Absolutely! While you'll lose the advantage of having someone right next to you in the gym, you gain plenty of perks. Virtual personal training is often much less expensive than an in-person format, and you get much more customized workout plans. This is a great option if you're working out at home or need options you can take on the road with you.
Can I work with a personal trainer if I don't have a gym membership?
Yes. There's a growing network of personal trainers who specialize in providing in-home workouts. Even if you choose an online personal trainer, you can tell them what equipment you have at home if any, and they'll design a plan that incorporates whatever you have available. There are plenty of exercises that can be done simply with your own bodyweight!
How much does it cost to work with a personal trainer?
That depends on many different factors. If you choose an in-person trainer, you can expect hourly rates anywhere from $20 to $100+, while online/virtual personal training is typically $200/month or less. For face-to-face personal training, rates are impacted by the experience level of the trainer you choose and your geographic area as well.
Do personal trainers offer any kind of satisfaction guarantee?
Sometimes. It's more common to find free trials, satisfaction guarantees and refund policies when you choose an online personal training platform. In-person trainers usually charge as you go; you wouldn't get money back for training sessions that already happened, but you wouldn't have to pay for future sessions if you were unhappy with the service. And, of course, no personal trainer is going to guarantee specific results - since what you do the other 23 hours of the day is going to have a big impact on your success, beyond what you accomplish in your personal training sessions.

Compare Any 2 Products

Fitness Trainer
Future Fitness
Forge
Trainwell
Trainerize
Born Fitness
HitchFit
Shred
Thumbtack
Zing Coach
Transform
Trainiac
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Fitness Trainer vs Future FitnessFitness Trainer vs ForgeFitness Trainer vs TrainwellFitness Trainer vs TrainerizeFitness Trainer vs Born FitnessFitness Trainer vs HitchFitFitness Trainer vs ShredFitness Trainer vs ThumbtackFitness Trainer vs Zing CoachFitness Trainer vs TransformFitness Trainer vs TrainiacFuture Fitness vs ForgeFuture Fitness vs TrainwellFuture Fitness vs TrainerizeFuture Fitness vs Born FitnessFuture Fitness vs HitchFitFuture Fitness vs ShredFuture Fitness vs ThumbtackFuture Fitness vs Zing CoachFuture Fitness vs TransformFuture Fitness vs TrainiacForge vs TrainwellForge vs TrainerizeForge vs Born FitnessForge vs HitchFitForge vs ShredForge vs ThumbtackForge vs Zing CoachForge vs TransformForge vs TrainiacTrainwell vs TrainerizeTrainwell vs Born FitnessTrainwell vs HitchFitTrainwell vs ShredTrainwell vs ThumbtackTrainwell vs Zing CoachTrainwell vs TransformTrainwell vs TrainiacTrainerize vs Born FitnessTrainerize vs HitchFitTrainerize vs ShredTrainerize vs ThumbtackTrainerize vs Zing CoachTrainerize vs TransformTrainerize vs TrainiacBorn Fitness vs HitchFitBorn Fitness vs ShredBorn Fitness vs ThumbtackBorn Fitness vs Zing CoachBorn Fitness vs TransformBorn Fitness vs TrainiacHitchFit vs ShredHitchFit vs ThumbtackHitchFit vs Zing CoachHitchFit vs TransformHitchFit vs TrainiacShred vs ThumbtackShred vs Zing CoachShred vs TransformShred vs TrainiacThumbtack vs Zing CoachThumbtack vs TransformThumbtack vs TrainiacZing Coach vs TransformZing Coach vs TrainiacTransform vs Trainiac Trainiac vs TransformTrainiac vs Zing CoachTrainiac vs ThumbtackTrainiac vs ShredTrainiac vs HitchFitTrainiac vs Born FitnessTrainiac vs TrainerizeTrainiac vs TrainwellTrainiac vs ForgeTrainiac vs Future FitnessTrainiac vs Fitness TrainerTransform vs Zing CoachTransform vs ThumbtackTransform vs ShredTransform vs HitchFitTransform vs Born FitnessTransform vs TrainerizeTransform vs TrainwellTransform vs ForgeTransform vs Future FitnessTransform vs Fitness TrainerZing Coach vs ThumbtackZing Coach vs ShredZing Coach vs HitchFitZing Coach vs Born FitnessZing Coach vs TrainerizeZing Coach vs TrainwellZing Coach vs ForgeZing Coach vs Future FitnessZing Coach vs Fitness TrainerThumbtack vs ShredThumbtack vs HitchFitThumbtack vs Born FitnessThumbtack vs TrainerizeThumbtack vs TrainwellThumbtack vs ForgeThumbtack vs Future FitnessThumbtack vs Fitness TrainerShred vs HitchFitShred vs Born FitnessShred vs TrainerizeShred vs TrainwellShred vs ForgeShred vs Future FitnessShred vs Fitness TrainerHitchFit vs Born FitnessHitchFit vs TrainerizeHitchFit vs TrainwellHitchFit vs ForgeHitchFit vs Future FitnessHitchFit vs Fitness TrainerBorn Fitness vs TrainerizeBorn Fitness vs TrainwellBorn Fitness vs ForgeBorn Fitness vs Future FitnessBorn Fitness vs Fitness TrainerTrainerize vs TrainwellTrainerize vs ForgeTrainerize vs Future FitnessTrainerize vs Fitness TrainerTrainwell vs ForgeTrainwell vs Future FitnessTrainwell vs Fitness TrainerForge vs Future FitnessForge vs Fitness TrainerFuture Fitness vs Fitness Trainer
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Only the Best Reviews

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Sat, 14 Feb 2026

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What if your next personal trainer were an AI agent?

When the new year rolls around, many people will resolve to get in better shape. Last year, Americans poured $44.8 billion into the fitness industry, flocking to gyms and buying at-home fitness ...

Tue, 18 Nov 2025

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The 5 best online personal trainer certification programs, according ...

If you enjoy exercising, have a good rapport with people, and want to help them meet their fitness goals, becoming a personal trainer may be a good profession for you. Whether you already work in the ...

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CapitalSpring invests in Alloy Personal Training

CapitalSpring has made an investment in Alloy Personal Training, a Roswell, Georgia-based provider of personalized fitness training. No financial terms were disclosed. The investment backs Alloy’s ...

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

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Popular Science

Best personal trainer certifications

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more › Sign Up For Goods 🛍️ Product news, reviews ...

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