Never worked with a trainer before? Here's exactly what to expect, from sign-up to your first sweat.
This page is for people who have never worked with a personal trainer and feel a little nervous about it. Maybe you don't know what to do with weights, or you worry about being judged. HipTrain is live 1-on-1 personal training over video: one certified coach, the same one every time, starting at your level. Sessions cost about $14, and the first one is free.
Any amount counts. The federal Physical Activity Guidelines say that any amount of physical activity has some health benefits, and they ask adults to "move more and sit less." The full goal is 150 minutes of moderate activity a week plus strength work on 2 days, per the CDC. That's a destination, not a starting line. A coach helps you build toward it without overdoing week one.
Most people skip the strength part. In CDC data from 2020, only about 1 in 4 adults (24.2%) met both the aerobic and the strength guidelines. Strength training is the piece people find most confusing. How heavy? How many? Is my back supposed to feel that? A coach answers those questions in the moment.
Form before load. As a beginner, how you do a squat matters more than how much you lift. Your coach watches from the camera, tells you to sit back a little more or slow down, and swaps in an easier version when you need it. You learn the right pattern from day one instead of unlearning a bad habit later.
No audience, no judgment. You train in your living room. Nobody else is watching, and your coach has seen every fitness level. It's a lot easier to try something new when you're not worried about the person on the next machine.
A plan you don't have to make. Half the battle for beginners is deciding what to do. With a coach, you just show up. They plan the session and change it as you improve.
This is an example of a typical first session. Your coach will shape it around your goals, any aches, and how you feel that day.
You'll likely finish thinking "that was doable." That's on purpose. Coaches build up from there.
"I have been training with Juan Garcia for about a year now. He is very knowledgeable, and helped me get to a consistent strength training schedule, even though I didn't have any strength training experience when we started. I would highly recommend HipTrain and Juan." (Manya S., Google review)
"I have been doing one on one yoga with HipTrain for 3 years now. I went from almost no fitness level to having the ability to move freely without aches and pains." (Lauren R., Google review)
"Great option to do a virtual workout with a 1:1 trainer. Angel is great at adapting exercises to my needs." (Emma S., Google review)
Most beginners do well with 30-minute sessions. At roughly 4.3 weeks a month, each one costs about $14. Hour-long sessions come to about $25. And you can try it before paying anything: the first session is free, with no credit card.
HipTrain is also HSA / FSA eligible. Under IRS Publication 502, fitness spending usually qualifies only when it's for a diagnosed medical condition, which may require a Letter of Medical Necessity from your doctor. Ask your plan.
By comparison, Thumbtack's national guide says in-person trainers typically charge $40 to $100 an hour, about $55 on average. One in-person hour a week at the average adds up to roughly $240 a month.
Not fit at all. If you can stand up from a chair, even with your hands, your coach has a starting point. Every exercise has an easier version.
Comfortable clothes and sneakers (or bare feet on a mat). Clear a space about the size of a yoga mat, prop your phone or laptop so it shows your whole body, and keep water nearby. Our first-session guide has a checklist.
That's normal and expected. Your coach will give you an easier version right away. Nobody is keeping score.
One or two is a good start. Guidelines suggest strength work on 2 days a week, so two short sessions plus some walking is a solid goal. If you're unsure where to begin, our guide on how to choose an online personal trainer may help.
The first step is the hardest one. Try your first session free. There's no credit card needed, and no pressure to continue.