Virtual personal trainer?

August 7, 2012 10:38 AM

I need a virtual personal trainer. Know of any sites that will send me a daily exercise routine?

I just finished a summer boot camp-style exercise class, and was surprised by how much I loved it. What I liked the most about it is the variety. Athough we consistently worked out every muscle group, we rarely did the same exercise twice. Plus, we did exercises and combinations of exercises I never would have thought of on my own. And I loved the encouragement from the trainer and other participants.

Due to my work schedule this fall, I won't be able to consistently attend an exercise class for several months.

Is there any place online that will provide me with a daily workout, maybe based on my current fitness level and my goals, basically acting as a virtual personal trainer? Free would be great, but I'm willing to pay for something that is worthwhile (and vetted by a trustworthy MeFite). Although sites like Fitocracy or Healthmonth are great, I'm looking for something I don't have to think about or plan out myself. I just want to get my daily workout, do it, and maybe post that I finished it.

posted by SuperSquirrel to health & fitness (9 answers total)

TrainingPeaks.com is a site I used to use. I nearly signed up for MarkAllenOnline.com. Both offer excellent personalized training advice.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 10:47 AM on August 7, 2012

Since you have already done a boot camp type workout you can try Crossfit Workout of the day
posted by kanemano at 10:47 AM on August 7, 2012

gainfitness.com
posted by sio42 at 10:59 AM on August 7, 2012

The name is dorky but I'm pretty impressed with Beachbody and their P90x program. I have liked every fitness progrm I've done with them (though I'm old school and have DVDs/daily logbooks for their workouts.) Their regular email bulletin on health/diet info is well written and surprisingly informative. Looks like they have a program that includes a personal online coach, and a lot more, if you want to sign up for that.
posted by bearwife at 11:00 AM on August 7, 2012 [1 favorite]

I've downloaded but not used the Nike Training Club app.
posted by vespabelle at 11:37 AM on August 7, 2012

If you have a Wii or similar video game system, how about My Fitness Coach? (I'm sure there are other programs like this, but this is the one I've used.) You tell it how you're feeling that day, what your goals are, how long you want to work out, and whether there are any specific types of exercises you want to do or areas you want to target, and it puts together a different workout each time.
posted by chickenmagazine at 11:53 AM on August 7, 2012

Zuzana Light and BodyRock.tv both regularly provide quick, mostly bodyweight workouts that are quite intense. It wouldn't be tailored to your exact fitness level, but the exercises are presented with different options to make them easier or more difficult depending on your fitness level, so you can tailor the workouts to be as hard or as easy as you need.
posted by Kurichina at 1:39 PM on August 7, 2012

active.com's Active Advantage program costs about $60/year, I believe, and there are a number of different workout goals you can select, for which they will send you a daily email with your workout. you can also join groups who are participating in the same workout plan and post your progress.
posted by dynamiiiite at 2:25 PM on August 7, 2012

I have been using wello.co/ It's a new company that lets you choose a personal trainer to workout with in real time using your computer's camera and microphone. The trainers offer just about any kind of workout you could want and you can choose a trainer based on cost, kind of workout, his or her certification and speciality, and more. As far as personal trainers go, I find it very affordable. Once I found a person I liked, I bought a package of sessions from him at a discount.

Good luck to you!
posted by michellenoel at 3:20 PM on August 7, 2012