The best personal training apps

• Training for a fitness event requires dedication, time, and, often, space to run, swim, or bike outside — which isn't entirely feasible for everyone right now.
• Despite a lack of outdoor access, there are still plenty of options available to help anyone train effectively at home, whether it's for a marathon, an enduro mountain bike race, or to just keep fit.
• One of the best methods for doing so is via a home coaching app, many of which provide human and AI training routines, weekly workout schedules, and tracking capabilities while also providing access to a community.
• We rounded up a few of our favorite home coaching apps from brands like Nike, Zwift, and TrainingPeaks,d designed to help anyone train for whatever event they're looking forward to.

Social distancing recommendations are easing but that doesn't necessarily mean the fitness events we've come to enjoy will be back to usual business any time soon. Many (and likely all) running events, bike races, triathlons, and even the Olympics are canceled or postponed, with most rescheduled deep into 2021.

Though races will inevitably return, there are still plenty of online challenges that do well to scratch that competitive itch. You won't get to thunder through the streets of Boston this year with 30,000 other runners, but that doesn't mean you should pass on training for a marathon, an enduro mountain bike race, or even a triathlon right now.

Committing to a training program is one way to find balance in your fitness routine. As always, now is the best time to start in on whatever training or competition goals you have and online coaching is one of the most affordable and effective methods for doing so. It's also the best way to track your progress and, in many cases, to tap into a community.

Training, whether your goal is to build strength or to get ready for a real or virtual race, can take as much or as little time as you have to give to it. Artificial intelligence (AI) programs and live coaches tailor programming to your goals and availability and many online coaching platforms are multi-faceted, too.

Not only can you sign up to increase your cardio output but you can also have access to nutrition guidance, register for yoga and meditation, and, with an upgrade, you can learn to apply mindfulness to managing teams and setting personal boundaries. On some apps, you can even start with a pre-set coaching program, then upgrade to work with an actual human if you want an experience with more feedback.

To find the best home coaching apps available, we scoured the internet, talked to athletes and coaches, pickup up the dumbbells, pulled out the bands, and got sweaty for the sake of sorting through the best currently available.

• Best for bike racers: Zwift
• Best for mountain bikers: Enduro MTB Training MTB Strong
• Best for getting fit and trim: Freeletics
• Best for serious athletes: TrainingPeaks
• Best for training for 5k, half marathon or full marathon: Nike Run Club