HipTrain vs Trainwell: live coaching or app coaching?

Full disclosure: we're HipTrain, and this is our comparison of us and Trainwell. That makes us biased, so we've stuck to what Trainwell publishes about itself and listed every source at the bottom of the page.

The short answer

Choose Trainwell if you want a coach who plans your workouts in an app, checks in with you, and lets you train whenever it suits you. Choose HipTrain if you want your coach right there with you, live on video, for every workout. HipTrain starts at $59.49 a month (about $14 a session), while Trainwell lists $149 a month. Trainwell has a 14-day free trial and many more reviews than we do, which are real points in its favor.

Side by side

How HipTrain works

HipTrain is personal training, live, over video. Start with a two-minute questionnaire, and we'll match you with a coach who fits your goals and your schedule. You can often go from sign-up to your first session in under a day.

At each session, your coach is with you in real time. They watch your form, change exercises when something doesn't feel right, and keep the pace right for you. You see the same coach every time, and if it's not a fit, we rematch you. No gym or equipment needed. Join from a phone, tablet or computer, chat with your coach between sessions, and reschedule anytime in the app.

• 30-minute or 60-minute sessions, 1 to 3 times a week
• Vetted, certified coaches with specialties like strength, mobility, Pilates, stretching and rehab training
• First session free, no credit card needed

As one member wrote: "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)

How Trainwell works

Trainwell (formerly called CoPilot) calls itself "Personal Training You'll Actually Stick With." Your coach builds a plan, and you do most workouts on your own through the app, with calls along the way. Trainwell says it hires under 3% of trainer applicants and has served more than 52,000 clients.

Trainwell lists $149 a month, billed every three months. Garage Gym Reviews lists a $99 price. It offers a 14-day free trial that starts with a 40-minute call, and it says you "may be eligible" to pay with HSA or FSA funds.

Trainwell also powers Peloton Personal Trainer, which costs $99.99 a month. So if you've looked at Peloton's coaching, this comparison applies to it too. Trainwell's app has a 4.90 rating from 5,532 ratings on the US App Store.

When Trainwell might make sense

• You'd rather work out at any hour than book a set time each week.
• You want a longer free trial. Trainwell's is 14 days; ours is one free session.
• You already use Peloton and like the idea of coaching inside that world.
• You want a large, established service with thousands of reviews. We have 29 App Store ratings.

Pricing compared

Here is the math with each company's published prices.

• HipTrain, 30-minute sessions: $59.49 a month for 1 a week, $119.99 for 2 a week, $179.99 for 3 a week. About $14 a session.
• HipTrain, 60-minute sessions: $109.99 a month for 1 a week, $219.99 for 2 a week, $319.99 for 3 a week. About $25 a session.
• Trainwell: $149 a month, billed quarterly, so $447 every three months ($149 x 3).
• Peloton Personal Trainer (powered by Trainwell): $99.99 a month.

One live 30-minute session a week with HipTrain ($59.49) costs about $90 less a month than Trainwell's $149. Two live sessions a week ($119.99) is still about $29 less. For three months, HipTrain's 1-a-week plan comes to $178.47, compared with Trainwell's $447 quarterly bill.

The two aren't the same thing, though. Trainwell's price covers a coach plus a plan you mostly do alone. HipTrain's price covers live time with your coach. You can see every plan in our pricing section.

Where HipTrain isn't the right fit

Being honest: HipTrain needs you to show up at a booked time, on camera. If you'd rather train whenever the mood strikes, an app like Trainwell fits better. We also have far fewer reviews (29 App Store ratings against Trainwell's 5,532), and a much smaller coach roster. We don't advertise nutrition coaching or a big library of on-demand workouts, and we don't offer in-person sessions.

Who should pick which

• If you want a coach watching and correcting your form as you move, pick HipTrain.
• If you want to try coaching for two weeks before paying, pick Trainwell.
• If price is a big factor and you still want a real person, pick HipTrain (from $59.49 a month).
• If you're a Peloton fan, consider Peloton Personal Trainer, which runs on Trainwell.
• If a set appointment helps you show up, pick HipTrain.
• If your days are unpredictable and you train at odd hours, pick Trainwell.

Questions

Is Trainwell live?

Partly. Trainwell includes calls with your coach, but most workouts are done on your own through the app. Every HipTrain session is a live, 1-on-1 video workout with your coach.

Is Peloton Personal Trainer the same as Trainwell?

Peloton Personal Trainer is powered by Trainwell and costs $99.99 a month. Trainwell's own plan is listed at $149 a month, billed quarterly.

Can I use HSA or FSA money?

HipTrain is HSA / FSA eligible (see how it works). Trainwell says you "may be eligible." Either way, check with your own plan first.

Which is cheaper, HipTrain or Trainwell?

HipTrain starts lower, at $59.49 a month for one live 30-minute session a week. Trainwell lists $149 a month. Our 2-a-week, 30-minute plan is also under Trainwell's price. Comparing more options? See HipTrain vs Future or Trainwell alternatives.

Want to see if live coaching fits you? Try your first HipTrain session free. No credit card needed.

We checked pricing and features for every service here in October 2026. They change often, so double-check before you sign up.

Sources

• https://www.hiptrain.com/
• https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hiptrain-personal-training/id1598403186
• https://www.trainwell.net
• https://www.trainwell.net/faq
• https://www.garagegymreviews.com/best-online-personal-trainer