Looking to put on some muscle this year? Online personal training for bodybuilding may be just what you need. It's convenient, often cheaper than in-person training, and gives you access to all different kinds of fitness plans, making it a top choice for newbies and seasoned pros alike.
Online fitness training has been on the rise since the pandemic. That means that there are a ton of different options to choose from, and it’s not always easy to figure out which training platform is right for you. So, we're here to help with a look at the top online personal trainers for bodybuilding in 2024.
There are hundreds of online fitness trainers, all marketing themselves as the best in the business. But the truth is, not all of them will work for you. While some can help you achieve your goals, others might derail you simply because they're not the right fit.
So how do you choose the right one? Start by assessing the trainer's bodybuilding expertise, the training schedule's flexibility, the program's comprehensiveness, and any tech requirements to see if all of these factors align with your needs.
Beyond these general factors, other things to consider before choosing a personal trainer include:
Everybody's fitness goals are different — some people work out to lose weight or get fit, while others want to gain muscle or prepare for competitions. You need a trainer whose expertise and training experience align with what you hope to achieve.
So, if you’re looking to pack on the muscle (safely and healthily) and develop a competition-worthy physique, specialized bodybuilding trainers will be your best option. If you're working towards a competition, a trainer with experience helping other competition-focused athletes can help give you an edge.
Consider your budget when choosing a fitness trainer, as you don’t want financial constraints to limit your fitness journey.
Online fitness trainers use different pricing models, some of which may align better with your budget than others. Standard pricing models include:
Choose a trainer whose model aligns with your budget and needs and offers real value. It's better to pay a little more for a program that brings you closer to your bodybuilding goals than pay next to nothing for one that does nothing for your fitness goals.
Your preferences can impact your comfort and the effectiveness of your training. So make a list of what you'd like in a fitness trainer and find one that ticks all or most of the boxes.
Do you prefer pre-recorded or live training sessions? How would you like your trainer to communicate? Do you think someone from a specific cultural group or belief system is best suited for you? Questions like these can help you find the most compatible fitness trainer.
Are our online personal trainer recommendations dependable? Definitely! Why? Because we didn't just randomly choose the trainers you're about to learn about. We evaluated these vital factors:
First, we checked to make sure each option caters to bodybuilding — and they do! Almost all our recommendations provide specialized workout routines focused on muscle gain and strength training, and some also offer integrated nutrition plans.
We know that recommending trainers without bodybuilding expertise could do more harm than good. So we evaluated each of our recommendations' certifications, bodybuilding experience, and track records with clients to ensure you only learn about the best.
We all have different starting points and goals. So general workout programs aren't a great choice — you’ll see better results with customized workouts. To help you progress in your fitness journey, we verified that each option offers personalized workout plans based on user profiles, fitness levels, and specific bodybuilding goals.
We researched each app’s instructional methods to ensure it caters to different preferences. Some offer live sessions, others video tutorials, and others interactive guidance, all of which are excellent for bodybuilding and give you the benefits of in-person instruction with the convenience of online training.
We recognize that affordability is crucial for consistent training. So we looked at each app's cost-effectiveness, considering subscription models, free trial availability, and what each price tier offers. From our recommendations, you'll find options catering to different budgets and preferred pricing models.
A user-friendly app makes it easier to follow your trainer's workout plans and keep up with sessions. So, we also checked the ease of use of different apps. We prioritized options designed with the client in mind — they have intuitive, responsive, and interactive user interfaces to ensure an optimal user experience.
We also looked at other standout features like progress tracking, community chats, integration with other devices, and any unique tools specific to bodybuilding.
Our top recommendations based on these factors include:
Trainwell is all about steering you in the right direction when it comes to your fitness journey. Our fitness app offers one-on-one training sessions with real live human trainers, and it’s hyper-focused on personalization. So you can be confident that, whatever your goals are, you'll have the best-suited workout plans and nutrition coaching.
Why is it specifically suitable for bodybuilders? Well, over 10% of trainwell's fitness trainers have trained bodybuilders or competed in bodybuilding competitions themselves. If you want to build muscle or even compete, trainwell will pair you with a trainer who has bodybuilding experience.
The app has over 1,400 exercises in its library, which your trainer will use to create personalized workouts just for you. And trainwell doesn’t limit you to just at-home workouts.
Depending on your needs and preferences, your trainer can create workout plans that you can do at home, at the gym, outdoors, and even while traveling, so you never have to miss a session.
One of trainwell's greatest pros is its personalization and one-on-one training. Your trainer takes time to understand your bodybuilding goals and creates a workout program and nutrition plan to help you achieve them.
They’ll also keep the line of communication open so they can track your progress and adjust your programs as needed to bring you closer to your ideal body weight and physique.
So far, almost all of Trainwell's clients have had positive experiences. The only downside is that there are a few interface issues with Android phones (the Android version doesn't have all of the features of the iPhone version). However, developers are working to ensure positive user experiences on all mobile devices.
All factors considered, trainwell offers some of the best personal training programs for bodybuilders, which is why it claimed the top spot on our list.
Future is a well-designed platform that caters to all different needs and fitness goals. Whether your goal is fat loss, muscle building, or simply improving your fitness level, a certified personal trainer is available to guide you.
When you create an account, you receive a questionnaire about your fitness goals and current habits, allowing your trainer to make a customized plan.
While it's one of the better fitness apps on the market, Future falls short when it comes to cost and live instruction. The platform charges $199 per month, which may discourage clients looking for cost-effective apps. Further, the personal trainers don't offer real-time coaching — they only build personalized plans and send them to you.
Still, it's a worthwhile investment for bodybuilders willing to pay the cost and don't need real-time instruction. The personalized workouts (which can be crafted to help you gain muscle), regular check-ins, and user-friendly interface are great selling points.
Caliber is a science-based fitness program offering group and individual training sessions. The fitness app connects users with certified coaches who create personalized bodybuilding plans if you pay for individual sessions.
Further, some Caliber fitness trainers are certified nutritionists who can offer nutrition advice, particularly regarding your macro intake, to ensure your meals are tailored toward your goals. With this guidance, you may find it easier to maintain a calorie surplus and ensure you're taking enough protein for muscle growth.
As with all of our app recommendations, Caliber's pros outweigh its cons. The app provides personalized workout and diet programs based on your muscle-building goals and current fitness level. But these features are only available through the paid one-on-one version, which is quite pricey (subscriptions start at $200 a month).
Is a human connection not a must-have for you? JuggernautAI may be a great option. As you can probably guess from its name, the fitness app uses artificial intelligence (AI) to create workout plans.
As you would with a human trainer, you give the AI details like your bodybuilding goals and current height, weight, and fitness level, and it creates a customized workout plan. The app's workout plans typically require basic equipment, but you can always adjust them based on what you have.
JuggernautAI is specifically built for powerlifters and bodybuilders. This, combined with its personalized workouts and adjustments, make it one of the best options for bodybuilding.
However, it may take a little getting used to, as its interface can be overwhelming at first. Also, you don't get to interact with human trainers.
Further, since its focus is strength training, it doesn't offer workouts like HIIT or cardio, which are also beneficial for bodybuilders. All in all, it's worth a try.
Girls Gone Strong is an app created by women for women. If you're looking for a female-focused platform, it may be just what you need.
Like many apps on our list, it's a general wellness and fitness app, but it can also help women bodybuilders achieve their goals.
The fact that it's specifically made for women with varying abilities and goals makes it a great sell for female bodybuilders. But, at $300 per month, the app can be unaffordable for some people. Still, it's worth considering if it aligns with your budget.
BodyFit Fitness Training Coach is a comprehensive platform designed to help fitness enthusiasts with everything from weight loss to bodybuilding. The app provides hundreds of workout programs led by professional trainers to help beginner, intermediate, and advanced bodybuilders get closer to their goals.
The comprehensive library of workout plans for beginners, intermediate, and advanced bodybuilders is one of the top reasons why BodyFit Fitness Training Coach is a popular app. As a user, you have access to plans built by top fitness trainers, so you never have to second-guess what to do or how to do it.
However, the app has customization limitations, which can deter advanced bodybuilders who want to modify their workout routines. There have also been reports of app crashes, which can be disruptive during training.
As you can probably already guess from its name, the RP Hypertrophy app is built specifically for individuals interested in muscular hypertrophy. With big names like professional bodybuilder Nick Shaw and exercise scientist Dr. Mike Israetel behind the app, it promises to elevate bodybuilders' training and results by employing a science-backed approach.
As a platform built specifically for bodybuilders, RP Hypertrophy is definitely worth considering. However, it may be better suited for advanced bodybuilders than beginners as it's quite complex — it requires you to understand the fundamentals of bodybuilding and doesn't provide one-on-one coaching.
SHRED app is a comprehensive fitness app that leverages AI to create workout programs geared toward your bodybuilding goals.
Through the app, you get intelligent workout guidance, including which weights to use to build muscle, how to maintain proper form to maximize your gains safely, and how to track your performance. You also have access to bodybuilding groups and can sync your workouts with other bodybuilders to motivate you or bring some competition to your workouts.
The app's tracking feature is one of its greatest pros — it helps you make appropriate adjustments to your workout routine to ensure you're working toward your bodybuilding goals. You can log how many times you work out, your workouts' level of difficulty, the muscle groups worked, and the weights and reps completed, providing a visual of your bodybuilding journey.
However, the app lacks one-on-one guidance, which may impact beginner bodybuilders' progress. Further, its social feature, while motivating for some, may be a distraction for others, affecting their progress.
If you've been into bodybuilding for a while, you're likely no stranger to Jeff Nippard, a professional bodybuilder and powerlifter with various accolades under his belt. Jeff Nippard Fitness is a group of workout programs curated by the bodybuilder and powerlifter to help aspiring individuals achieve their goals, too.
The programs cover everything from maximizing strength and muscle hypertrophy to maintaining proper nutrition, making them a suitable alternative for anyone looking for well-rounded bodybuilding guidance.
The fact that these programs are scientifically backed and designed by someone with bodybuilding experience makes them a suitable alternative for bodybuilders. However, they can be quite complex and overwhelming for beginners. And, they're pretty expensive compared to other fitness programs, which may make them inaccessible for bodybuilders looking for cost-friendly guidance.
Choosing the right fitness app can bring you closer to achieving your bodybuilding goals. Trainwell is a top choice for many bodybuilders, as it offers personalized workout plans and expert guidance from specialized trainers. Tech integrations also help you monitor your progress and reach your bodybuilding goals efficiently and effectively.
Out of all the apps in this post, trainwell is the only one that personalizes plans for users looking to join bodybuilding competitions. So, whether you want to build muscle as a personal goal or to give you a fighting chance in competitions, the platform has you covered!
Not sure if trainwell is the right choice for you? Take it for a test run with a 14-day free trial!
Yes, and it's even backed by research! In a study on the effectiveness of remote online training, participants improved their cardiovascular fitness and muscle build, especially those under the supervision of a qualified human trainer.
Online personal trainers leverage many tools to communicate with clients and track their progress. These include video and chat features on fitness apps, video conferencing platforms like Zoom, messaging apps, social media platforms, and wearable devices like FitBits and Apple watches.
It can be challenging to simply say yes or no, since costs for both vary based on the kinds of services offered. However, in many cases, online personal training is cheaper — a lot of online trainers charge lower fees than in-person ones since they have fewer overhead costs.
And don’t forget the savings on time and travel expenses, plus the added convenience. All in all, online personal training is a cost-effective way to achieve your bodybuilding goals. 💪
Written by trainwell trainers
