The internet has brought a host of different easily accessible services to us. Whether it’s entertainment, communication, shopping, or simple browsing, virtually everything is available to us at home. This became even more apparent during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

The realm of fitness and nutrition is no stranger to modernization either, with many services now offered through an online fitness coaching platform. While it is certainly true that it is not a 1:1 equal to in-person training, it nonetheless has distinct advantages of its own. Aside from ease of access and quicker communication, online coaching can also increase personal accountability and on-the-fly tuning to a given dietary or training plan.

With all of the different services available, though, how do you choose the one that’s best for you? It’s a good question, and there is no one-size-fits-all all answer. It’s all contingent on your personal needs as a client. Here, I’ve listed six different companies that I simply pulled as the top results from a random Google search. I’ve tried to give as objective of an assessment using the information available on their websites. As such, I’ve compared them across five different metrics that I think are worth considering.  Let’s take a look…

Which Online Fitness Coaching Platform is Right for You?

Five Metrics to Consider

1. Minimum Commitment Period

Most coaching services will require a minimum commitment period for enrollment. This serves two basic functions. One, this ensures that the client has an adequate amount of time to work with their coach. The coaching process takes a while to truly establish a successful rapport between coach and client, with one month often being barely enough to really get the ball rolling.

The other reason concerns client mental commitment. Coaches want as little of a turnover rate as possible with their clients. This isn’t necessarily just due to desire for income, though. When a client has a significant financial investment in a program, they generally commit more effort to it. If the client can cancel anytime, they’re usually significantly more likely to drop out. As an additional incentive, many companies offer discounts for longer-term commitments.

2. Coach Certification

Certification through an accrediting body is one of the ways in which a trainer demonstrates a baseline level of knowledge in a field. While there is no strict requirement for a personal trainer to be certified, it can certainly help with credibility. Additionally, many companies require their trainers to maintain some sort of certification to remain employed under them.

Each certifying organization has different standards and emphases but are all designed to show a maintained level of competency. Many accrediting bodies also offer certification in specializations, such as stretching and flexibility, strength training, and nutritional science. Choosing an online fitness coaching platform with certified trainers gives you added assurance.

3. Meal Plans

Meal plans can be either a perk or a detriment, depending on the client and the program. On one hand, having someone crunch out exactly what to eat and when can take a lot of guesswork out of the equation. On the other hand, a big part of the coaching process is to teach self-sustaining habits for the long haul. As such, an argument can be made that nutritional guidance and advice is more useful than a dedicated meal plan.

One additional caveat regards legality. In certain states in the US, only registered dietitians can legally assign meal plans to clients. Registered dietitian is a completely different title than nutritionist, nutrition coach, or other similar positions, and requires specific education and licensing to obtain.

4. Communication

Given the virtual nature, it is crucial that an online fitness coaching platform has strong communication practices. Most companies offer their own dedicated apps for a client to message and connect to their coach. The frequency of these messages, phone/video calls, etc. are contingent on the company practices and even the chosen coaching package. 

5. Pricing

Pricing is perhaps the first thing that any prospective client evaluates about a given program. While price is not the be all end all determinant of a program’s quality, it is still a significant factor to consider. The average range for a month of coaching is about $99-200. This is usually cheaper than most in-person rates (approximately $100-250). Pricing generally varies based on many of the above mentioned factors, e.g. communication, commitment length, etc.

Online Fitness Coaching Platform Comparisons:

1. Forge PT

Forge PT is a fitness and nutrition coaching company formed by Michael S. Parker around 2016. It currently employs six listed coaches.

Minimum Commitment Period

All Forge PT plans are a minimum one-month contract.

Coach Certification

Forge PT trainers have a variety of different certifications, including the American Council on Exercise (ACE), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association (NESTA), and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NCSA-CSCS).

Meal Plans

While the coaches assist with meal planning and optimization, all new clients are also given a baseline diet plan to start with, written by a Registered Dietician.

Communication

The level of communication and feedback varies based on the coaching plan chosen. The standard plan includes one live video chat or phone call monthly, the complete plan comes with two per month, and the premium plan offers four. All three plans also offer unlimited in-app messaging with the coach as well.

Pricing

The standard plan is $125/month, the complete plan is $175/month, and the premium plan is $225/month.

2. Nerd Fitness

Nerd Fitness is a company owned by Steve Camb. It was established in 2009, and employs twelve listed coaches.

Minimum Commitment Period

Nerd Fitness uses monthly commitments.

Certification

All Nerd Fitness coaches are certified and/or hold degrees in related fields. The certifications vary from coach to coach, but include the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), American Council on Exercise (ACE), Precision Nutrition (PN), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Meal Plans

Nerd Fitness does not prescribe meal plans. Instead, the emphasis is in teaching how to create one’s own meals, and forming long term habits.

Communication

Clients can message their coach as often as needed throughout the week. Each coach will also check in with their client 2-3 times a week regardless of received messaging. 

Pricing

All coaching is $197/month.

3. FITTR

FITTR is an Indian based coaching company founded in 2014 by Jitendra Chouksey, Jyoti Dabas, Rohit Chattopadhyay, and Bala Krishna Reddy. It consists of over 700 different coaches.

Minimum Commitment Period

All coaching packages come with a 1 month minimum commitment. Many of the coaches also offer discounts for longer contracts, averaging about a 10-20% discount for 3 and 4 month packages, respectively.

Certification

Certification appears to vary quite a bit from coach to coach. Some of the coaches have no listed certifications, while others have multiple certifications from different accrediting bodies. The most common source appears to be the Institute of Nutrition and Fitness Sciences (INFS), but many coaches also carry other certifications and specialties as well.

Meal Plans

Most FITTR coaches offer dedicated meal plans as part of their coaching packages.

Communication

This seems to vary based on the coach and package, but the minimum appears to be at least one dedicated check-in a week. Some of the other coaches also offer more frequent messaging and feedback.

Pricing

The rates for FITTR coaching range significantly, across five different tiers: Basic, Standard, Advanced, Premium, and Elite. The lowest tier packages are about $88/month, all the way up to $536. It’s also worth noting that all prices are listed in rupees. 

Aside from the package tiers, you can also filter between five different coach emphases: Fitness and Nutrition, Online Personal Training, Injury Rehabilitation, Kids, and Diabetes Management. The Fitness and Nutrition package tends to have the lowest rates, while the specializations trend higher. 

4. Born Fitness

Born Fitness is a company owned by Adam Bornstein, established in 2010. The two main coaches specialize in fitness and nutrition, respectively.

Minimum Commitment Period

Coaching is a minimum six-month commitment. Born Fitness also offers a twelve-month commitment at a discounted price. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee within the first month if the client decides coaching isn’t a good fit.

Certification

All coaches are certified and hold degrees in related fields. These include the National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and Precision Nutrition (PN).

Meal Plans

Dedicated meal plans are not the focus. Instead, Born Fitness emphasizes tailoring a client’s diet to their individual needs and circumstances. The client constructs their meal choices with guidance and emphasizes long-term habits.

Communication

Communication is set to one dedicated time a week for questions, feedback, planning, and modifications.

Pricing

Coaching costs $249 per month. They also offer a 12-month commitment at $169/month.

5. Kickoff

Kickoff is a fitness and nutrition company founded in 2019 by John Gardner. It hosts over 8000 coaches.

Minimum Commitment Period

There is a minimum one-month commitment. Kickoff also offers discounts on 6 and 12-month contracts as well.

Certification

Certification varies significantly between coaches. Some have no certifications listed, while others have at least one title from an accrediting body. Three common ones listed are the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), and National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

Meal Plans

Kickoff offers either a daily meal plan for clients or an optimization of current eating habits, depending on the client’s needs.

Communication

Clients can message their coach daily through Kickoff’s dedicated app, and request video calls as needed.

Pricing

The standard rate for coaching is  $95/month. They also offer a six-month commitment for $86/month, and a twelve-month commitment for $76/month.

6. Macros Inc

Macros Inc is a fitness and nutrition company founded in 2016, owned by Jay Woith and Brad Dieter. The company currently employs over 70 coaches, and run a dedicated Facebook group with over 513,000 members.

Minimum Commitment Period

There is a minimum three-month commitment. Macros Inc also offers a free two-week trial, as well as discounts for 3, 6, and 12-month packages.

Certification

All Macros Inc coaches are required to hold certification in both personal training and nutrition. The personal training certifications are through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM-CPT) or the American Council on Exercise (ACE), while the nutrition certifications are through NASM-CNC, Mac-Nutrition Uni (MNU), or the International Society of Sports Nutrition (CISSN). Many coaches also hold other certifications, degrees, and specializations as well. 

Meal Plans

Macros Inc does not provide meal plans, as they are viewed as too limiting in the long term. Instead, the emphasis is placed on optimizing current eating patterns and setting sustainable practices that lead to long-term results. Each coach tailors a nutritional approach based on the client’s needs and personal circumstances.

Communication

Clients can text their coach anytime through the dedicated app. Additionally, the coach will check in with a client at least once a week via video. Additional video meetings can be scheduled as requested. Training clients also receive a tailored workout routine each week through the app.

Pricing

Macros Inc offers four different packages: Nutrition Coaching, Fitness Coaching, Complete Coaching (Nutrition+Fitness), and a two-week free trial for Nutrition Coaching. The prices vary both by the package selected as well as the commitment period:

Wrap Up

I have summarized the above information for quick reference (Table 2):

Overall there is no one right answer for the best online fitness coaching platform. It all boils down to your personal needs, circumstances, and above all, your relationship between you and your coach. There are some amazing coaches out there, so don’t be afraid find one that’s just right for you. 

Best of luck with your 2025 goals!