hese new apps for personal training will match you with an instructor who will come to a location of your choice and help you get fit.
According to research analyst Mintel, 54 per cent of people in the UK are using (or are planning to use) wearable tech and fitness apps.
IT specialists IDC forecasts that the worldwide wearables market will grow by 173 per cent this year, shipping more than 72 million devices.
Apps are key to the functioning of these gadgets as they often synch to your smartphone or smartwatch to collate and present data.
However, technology isn’t completely doing away with human interaction – in fact, some fitness apps are designed to connect you with a real-life person who will personally help you achieve your goals.
TruBe
Tapping into the on-demand trend, TruBe can send you a fitness trainer to your home, office or local London park within 75 minutes of you requesting one. It’s available from 5.30am to 10pm (you can also book sessions up to a week in advance). You can then select the type of workout you want, be it boxing, strength and power, toning and conditioning, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or yoga. It costs £65 per hour and even better value when you split the cost with up to four other people.
Free, Apple
Handstand
Like TruBe but available for use in Los Angeles, with Handstand you can select a personal trainer to come wherever you want – the beach or the boardwalk – so you can get fit wherever you like. You can also find boxing coaches, dance teachers and former pro athletes. One-on-one or group classes start from US$59 per hour, and activities range from strength training to kickboxing. All instructors ar background checked and you can view photos and reviews of them. Handstand will be launching in more cities soon.
Free, Apple, Android
Fitspot
“Now your workout comes to you,” says Fitspot, which is also just available in LA (so far). This app lets you book sessions with certified trainers from 30 minutes in advance, anywhere you like. It will keep track of the workouts you have done so you can map your progress. Like the other apps here, you can “favourite” instructors but you tend to be matched with people who are available and nearby. Solo sessions cost US$59, doubles for US$69 and US$79 for trios.
Free, Apple
TRN
“Your personal fitness concierge,” TRN is for New Yorkers who want “a higher level of personal training”. It provides access to “elite-level” instructors for yoga, swimming and Pilates. Specialists are available from 5am to 11pm and will come to you, whether that’s at home, your local pool or at the gym. TRN has been created by Greg Peters, founder of La Palestra health club in NYC.
Free, Apple
Urban Massage
After a hard day at the office, a long flight or a tough workout, you can use this app to book a masseuse to come to your home, hotel or workplace within 60 minutes. It’s available in three UK cities (London, Manchester and Bristol), and you can choose from a range of treatments – deep tissue, Swedish, Thai, energising, sports or calming massages, for example. Massage tables are supplied. One therapist (two hands) costs £65 for one hour or £95 for two hours, while two therapists (four hands) are from £130 for 60 minutes.
