5 Ways to Know If a Digital Trainer Is Right for You

Photo by Crew on Unsplash

These days, no jobs are safe from the robots — including the job of a personal trainer. But how do you know if you can replace your trusted guide at the gym with an app?

Here are five things to ponder before you cancel your next training session and opt for a digital trainer.

1. Cost

A personal trainer, either at a gym or not, is expensive. But if you’ve done your research and asked for recommendations, the old adage usually stands — you get what you pay for.

If paying for a personal trainer isn’t in your budget, then an app is a great alternative. But most of the good apps aren’t free either. I’ve reviewed dozens of fitness apps and most of them will offer some free content, but if you want variety, you have to subscribe. Most start with a free trial, followed by a subscription fee that can range from $1.50/month to around $20/month. If you’re paying more than that, you’d better be getting an actual robot trainer.

Pro Tip: If you sign up for a free trial on a subscription fitness app, don’t forget to cancel if you don’t like it. Set a reminder on your phone for a day or two before the trial ends to make sure you don’t get charged for a week, month, or even a year you won’t use.