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Monday, December 2nd
Thumbtack is a platform that connects users with professionals in various industries, including home repair and improvement, as well as personal training. It works a little differently from the other personal training platforms in our evaluation, so be sure you know what you're getting when you start looking for a coach here.
Easy to find trainers
First off, Thumbtack makes it easy to find personal trainers. Just enter your zip code and you're presented with a list of personal trainers, with photos, that can service your area. The trainers shown in this list include both in-person and virtual trainers.
Filter your trainer results
If you want to drill down and find trainers that fit specific criteria, search filters help you fine-tune your results so that you're only looking at trainers that match your specific needs. Specifically, you can search by:
Fantastic level of detail to consider
The level of detail on Thumbtack is very good. At a glance, you can see each personal trainer's ratings and how many hires they've had on the platform (which is useful, since not every client takes the time to leave a review). You also see the estimated cost, and how long it typically takes the trainer to respond to inquiries.
Deeper dive
When you view an individual profile, there's even more to consider - from introductions, to client reviews, photos of previous customers and their progress, credentials and more. You can message the trainer directly with specific questions, or fill out a short questionnaire if all you want is a quote. From there, once your trainer makes contact, you'll work out the details on payments, scheduling, and so on.
No contracts, no minimum commitment
Another thing we liked about Thumbtack is that you aren't obligated to purchase training in 4- or 6-session packages or subscribe in any way. The setup for your personal training will depend entirely on the trainer you choose.
Great reputation
As a platform in general, Thumbtack has a solid reputation. The Better Business Bureau gives the company an "A+” rating and accreditation, and user reviews elsewhere are very positive. Of course, there's always the chance that the professional you hire doesn't live up to your expectations - that's where some of Thumbtack's complaints come from. But, specifically with personal trainers, it's easy to see which ones have good client reviews and lots of hires, so that you know you're getting the real deal before you reach out to ask about availability.
Good site for finding a personal trainer
If you're looking for a personal trainer, this site is a very good resource. You're not obligated to a minimum number of training sessions, you can browse until you've found someone that feels like a good fit, and you can ask any questions you want before committing to any particular trainer. Thumbtack could be a great way to find the right personal trainer for you, no matter where you're starting from.
All of us have reached some point in our lives where we thought "Something needs to change and I need to get healthier.” Right? For many of us, our next thought leads us to ask about personal training: we need specific advice for how, exactly, to get healthier - because, let's face it, winging it hasn't really been working so far.
Whether you're looking for someone who can meet with you in person and get you stretching and sweating, or you need the convenience of virtual sessions that you can do at home or at your local gym, you'll have no problem finding personal training online. Especially after the pandemic, today's top fitness professionals are marketing their services on the internet - which is a huge win for you.
When you're looking for a personal trainer, you're not relying on word-of-mouth referrals from your neighborhood walking club or the fitness fanatics you see on Instagram. Instead, you can browse at your own time and pace from a wide range of coaches and trainers until you find a great match.
So, should you choose a local personal trainer or a virtual one? The real question is, what's going to work for your schedule and keep you motivated? Not everyone wants to be face-to-face with their fitness coach, but it can help with accountability if you know you're going to have to see him or her on the regular. Some virtual options offer that same benefit via live coaching calls, without the inconvenience of having to drive somewhere to meet up.
Another dimension to consider is how comprehensive you want your personal training to be. Are you looking strictly for workout help - like knowing how much to lift and how often, mixing cardio with strength training, increasing your mobility - or do you want a nutrition component added too?
Finally, how much of a commitment are you willing to make? Some personal training systems have a minimum requirement of four or six sessions, which could cost you $125 or much more. Other platforms give you a refund after 30 days if you're not satisfied, a free one-month trial, or simply let you pay as you go with no contracts. You decide if having a requirement will keep you motivated or if you prefer greater flexibility.
What else should you keep in mind as you look at personal training options? Here are a few factors that could influence your decision:
To help you make progress on your health and wellness journey, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the most popular online resources for connecting with a personal trainer. Here's to a stronger, healthier you!
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