What is it:Trainerize, an online personal training app.Price: The app is free, but the cost of a trainer via the app can be anywhere from $60 to $150 a month.
Review By: Arti Patel, Living Editor
First impressions: Maybe a stranger texting me to exercise will actually get me to exercise.
Pros: Here's the thing: for the most part, I have zero motivation when it comes to working out or eating healthy, though the idea of a personal trainer via app sounded too good to be true, but to tell you the truth, Trainerize helps you commit. Once you sign up with the site and sync all your information with other apps like MyFitnessPal, you are connected to a group of trainers and are made to fill out a bunch of consultation forms. My trainer would constantly message me (this is a good thing in the long run) to remind me to work out or fit in a healthy meal. My trainer called me, made a workout plan designed for me as well as a meal plan based on my dietary restrictions. At first, I thought it was a bit overwhelming, but once everything was scheduled out and I could make time for it, it worked.
Cons: My plan was for four weeks but I only tested out one (only because I have been testing out other types of workouts as well). My only con about my workout plan was the video portion. Each workout links you to a separate YouTube video (in the app), showing you how to do each workout. While you get used to the workouts (because you know how to do them after a couple of days), my first day was a lot of back and forth trying to figure out how to do the workout and actually do it. To be honest, it can be a little discouraging if you don't get it right away, but keep going!
Final words: If you are a committed person who likes to stick to a workout plan, this is a great alternative than a face-to-face trainer. My favourite thing, however, is how personalized it is — you actually feel like you know the group of people helping you meet your goals.