Forge Review: Personal Trainers

Forge is an online personal trainer and coaching site that offers fitness training, nutrition planning, and "habit transformation." Forge's approach is a science-based program that offers support to clients around the world. Designed through virtual video sessions, you'll meet with an expert personal trainer, create a custom meal plan, and work on building lifestyle habits that target your fitness goals. Managed through the Forge app, your daily schedule, meals, and exercises will be ready for you along with a chat feature that allows you to ask questions any time. The coaches and personal trainers at Forge all have credentials and certifications from accredited organizations and many also hold relevant college degrees.

General fitness and habit development

Forge's focus as a personal trainer site and app is to bundle workout and nutrition into one manageable program. The approach is generalized fitness rather than specific types of fitness like calisthenics, or flexibility, but you can expect a blend of different exercises based on your fitness plan and desires. Most of the plans at Forge include strength training, cardio, coaching, and a nutrition plan, along with a range of Zoom meetings each month.

Four fitness packages

There are four personal training packages to choose from at Forge. The first is the Standard. This includes unlimited messaging in the app, strength training, cardio, habit coaching, a database of instructional videos, nutrition coaching, meal plans, and one 30-minute Zoom session with a trainer each month. The next tier up is the Complete, which offers the same features except there are two 30-minute Zoom sessions per month. The highest tier package is the Premium option with the same benefits except you now get four 30-minute Zoom sessions per month. Finally, you can pay for a 90-Day Habit Transformation which includes all the features of the previous plans plus a mobility and flexibility addition and one 50-minute video chat session per week.

Cost from $125 to $225 per month

The prices at Forge are offered in monthly plans for each of the three main packages, and a one-time price for the 90-Day Habit Transformation. Here's what we found:

• Standard: $125 per month
• Complete: $175 per month
• Premium: $225 per month
• 90-Day Habit Transformation: $2,300 one-time

You can also arrange for additional video coaching sessions at a rate of $50 for 30 minutes. These are useful to get real-time feedback on your particular exercise technique, or to have a supplemental call with Forge's registered dietitian. Notably, these costs are lower than many competitors. And you still get individualized on-on-one time with a real human trainer.

Customized meal plans

ForgePT creates personalized meal plans that are tailored to your specific needs and tastes. It takes into account factors like your age, activity level, health goals, and food preferences to make sure you get the right balance of nutrients. Whether you want to lose weight, build muscle, or eat healthier, ForgePT offers options for different diets, including gluten-free, vegan, and low-carb. You have access to a database with thousands of recipes, which cn be further customized according to your preferences. You can choose meals from various cuisines, and the plans help you stay on track with your health goals without sacrificing flavor or convenience.

Personal accountability

This program is mostly DIY: you will have a plan and a few short check-ins, but beyond that, you'll need to manage your exercise and nutrition on your own. While the app offers some accountability, you won't be meeting with a mentor or personal trainer for more than 30 minutes at a time, and in the lower tiers, you'll only talk to someone once per month. Unless you want to shell out for the Habit Transformation, where you'll get a weekly 50 minute personalized video session, you'll need to track your progress yourself.

Praised by reviewers new to fitness

We found a wide range of happy third-party reviews on Facebook where Forge holds a 4.9-star average out of 5. The program has also earned praise from blog reviews and fitness gurus with an average rating of 3.9 out of 5. Reviewers are pleased with the competitive monthly prices as well as the comprehensive nature of the fitness plans. Many clients noted that Forge was ideal (especially at the Standard tier) for those who are just beginning their fitness journeys.

Best for fitness beginners

If you're a comfortable DIYer or you're not super confident in the gym yet, Forge is a great place to get started. The beginning fees aren't too high and it helps you get started with cardio and strength training through an ongoing plan. Plus, with the personal trainer check-ins, you still get some individualized help. However, it doesn't provide a lot of specialized workout training, so for specific training regimens (like getting ready for an IronMan race) you might need to look elsewhere. But, for those who are just starting their fitness journey, Forge is a well-rated and affordable option.

On the Forge website