What PTs Actually Need
Most personal trainers run their business from WhatsApp and Google Sheets. You're managing sessions via text, sending workout plans as PDFs, taking payments on different apps, and losing money to no-shows. Your clients are pestering you at weird hours because they don't know where to find information.
The right software changes this. You need:
- Session booking — clients can book available time slots, you can see your schedule at a glance, online is non-negotiable
- Payment collection — upfront payments (packages, monthly memberships), reducing cancellations
- Workout programme delivery — clients can see their programmes in the app, know what to do, track progress
- Client management — fitness history, goals, previous sessions, notes about preferences or injuries
- Habit tracking — clients log workouts, nutrition, weight, how they felt (keeps them accountable)
- Communication — reminders, progress updates, motivational messages without the apps spamming them
- Nutrition tracking (optional but valuable) — clients can log meals, you can see if they're actually dieting
The difference between a PT making £25k and £60k a year is usually not how good they are at training. It's how well they run the business side. Software moves the needle here.
The Top Picks for 2026
1. TrueCoach — Best for Programme Delivery
TrueCoach is purpose-built for personal trainers and online coaches. It's obsessed with the client experience.
What you get:
- Online booking for sessions
- Workout programme builder (add exercises, sets, reps, video demonstrations)
- Form checking (clients can send videos, you can review and give feedback)
- Progress tracking (clients log weights, how it felt, photos)
- Client management and notes
- Habit tracking
- Payment processing
- Client communication (in-app messaging, no more WhatsApp)
- Mobile app (iOS and Android)
Pros:
- Beautiful, intuitive interface
- Clients love using it
- Excellent for online coaching (video review of form is brilliant)
- Good pricing for what you get
- Strong community and guides
- UK-popular (many trainers use it)
Cons:
- Best for online training (less strong on in-person + online hybrid)
- Doesn't do nutrition tracking deeply
- Payment processing has transaction fees
- Setup takes time (but worth it)
Who it's best for: Online coaches, trainers doing 1-on-1 sessions, trainers with 5-20 clients
Pricing: Typically £25-40/month plus payment processing fees
Sign up: https://tradepick.co.uk/go/truecoach
2. MyPTHub — Built in the UK
MyPTHub is UK-built and built by PTs, for PTs. It understands the UK market specifically.
What you get:
- Session booking
- Workout programming
- Progress tracking
- Client management
- Messaging
- Payment processing
- Nutrition tracking (basic)
- Mobile app
- Tax and business reporting tools
Pros:
- UK-built so it gets your market
- Great value for money
- Good features across the board
- UK payment methods integrated
- Good community of UK trainers
- Includes tax reporting help
Cons:
- Less polished than TrueCoach
- Smaller company (less development speed)
- Community is smaller
- UI is more utilitarian
Who it's best for: UK personal trainers, trainers who want good value, trainers who do a mix of in-person and online
Pricing: Typically £15-35/month
Sign up: https://tradepick.co.uk/go/myptHub
3. PT Distinction — Best for Online Coaches
PT Distinction is built specifically for online personal trainers. If you coach remotely (Zoom, FaceTime, or async), this is your tool.
What you get:
- Client portal (beautiful interface)
- Workout programming
- Form review (clients submit videos, you provide feedback)
- Progress tracking
- Nutrition tracking (good depth)
- Messaging
- Habit tracking
- Payment processing
- Automated reminders and motivational messages
Pros:
- Purpose-built for remote coaching
- Clients feel premium (beautiful interface)
- Excellent nutrition tracking
- Video review of form is seamless
- Great for client retention (they feel supported)
- UK-built
Cons:
- Less strong on in-person session booking
- More expensive
- Smaller community
- Setup takes time
Who it's best for: Online-only coaches, coaches with 10-50 clients, trainers focused on nutrition and lifestyle change
Pricing: Typically £50-80/month
Sign up: https://tradepick.co.uk/go/ptdistinction
4. TrainHeroic — Best for Group and Strength Coaching
TrainHeroic started as a tool for strength coaches and group training. It's excellent if you run classes or coach small groups.
What you get:
- Class scheduling and booking
- Workout programming
- Exercise tracking
- Client progress dashboards
- Leaderboards and group motivation
- In-app messaging
- Payment processing
- Video demonstrations
- Mobile app
Pros:
- Built for group fitness (unlike others on this list)
- Excellent community features (motivates clients)
- Strong workout programming
- Good pricing
- US and UK popular
Cons:
- Less strong on 1-on-1 coaching
- Nutrition tracking is basic
- Form review isn't as smooth as TrueCoach
- Community is gym-focused (not pure online PT)
Who it's best for: Group trainers, strength coaches, trainers running small group classes
Pricing: Typically £30-50/month
Sign up: https://tradepick.co.uk/go/trainheroic
5. Mindbody — Enterprise, Less Good for Solo PTs
Mindbody is an enterprise platform for studios and larger operations. Most solo PTs shouldn't use it, but it's worth knowing about.
What you get:
- Class booking
- Client management
- Payment processing
- Staff management
- Marketing tools
- Reporting and analytics
- Integrations with other business tools
Pros:
- If you're running a larger operation with employees, it works
- Good integrations
- Established platform
- Good reporting
Cons:
- Overkill for solo PTs
- Expensive (starts at £100+/month)
- Built for studios, not individual trainers
- Less good at workout programming
Who it's best for: Studios with multiple trainers, larger operations with 50+ clients
Pricing: Typically £100-300+/month
Sign up: https://tradepick.co.uk/go/mindbody
Comparison Table
| Feature | TrueCoach | MyPTHub | PT Distinction | TrainHeroic | Mindbody | |---------|-----------|---------|----------------|-------------|----------| | Session booking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (classes) | Yes | | Workout programming | Excellent | Good | Good | Excellent | Basic | | Form review | Excellent | Basic | Excellent | Basic | None | | Progress tracking | Good | Good | Good | Excellent | Basic | | Habit tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | | Nutrition tracking | Basic | Basic | Excellent | Basic | None | | In-app messaging | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Payment processing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Mobile app | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Best for 1-on-1 | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Good | Basic | | Best for groups | No | No | No | Excellent | Good | | Best for online | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Moderate | Basic | | Cost | £25-40 | £15-35 | £50-80 | £30-50 | £100+ |
Pricing Comparison
For a solo online trainer with 10 clients:
- TrueCoach: £30/month + payment fees = ~£35-40/month all-in
- MyPTHub: £20/month + fees = ~£25-30/month
- PT Distinction: £60/month + fees = ~£65-70/month
For a trainer doing 20 in-person sessions a week:
- MyPTHub: £30/month = ~£30/month (plus your own payment processor)
- TrueCoach: £35/month = ~£35/month (if clients use it for workout logs)
The ROI calculation: If one of these tools brings in one extra client per month (via reduced no-shows, better experience, or retention), you've paid for itself 5x over.
In-Person vs Online Coaching
If you're coaching in-person only: Use MyPTHub. You need session booking for your studio, client management, and payment processing. Nutrition tracking is nice-to-have. You don't need form review via video.
If you're coaching online only: Use TrueCoach or PT Distinction. Form review via video is critical (you need to see if they're doing the exercise correctly). Nutrition tracking helps with accountability. Client experience matters more because they don't see you in person.
If you're hybrid (mix of in-person and online): Use TrueCoach or MyPTHub. Both handle this well. TrueCoach if you want excellent form review. MyPTHub if you want simplicity and value.
If you run group classes: Use TrainHeroic. Built for this, leaderboards keep clients motivated, scheduling is designed for groups.
FAQ
Can I use Calendly or similar for booking?
No. Calendly is a general scheduling tool. You need PT-specific software because you need to track client progress, programmes, and payments in one place. If you use Calendly + spreadsheet + separate payments app, you're spending 10 hours a week on admin.
Do clients really use the app?
Yes. If you set it up right. The key is: don't give them a choice. Make the app the place they see their programme, book sessions, and log progress. If you're still texting them, they'll use WhatsApp instead. Make the app mandatory.
What if my internet goes down during a training session?
Your client's app will work offline (workouts cache locally). As long as you've synced before the session, they'll have their workout. Payment processing requires internet, so take payments before the session.
Should I track nutrition?
If your clients need to lose weight or change body composition: yes, track it. If they're strength-focused and don't care about nutrition: probably not necessary. Start simple (workout tracking only) and add nutrition tracking later if needed.
Can I use my own payment processor?
Most tools let you. If you want to use Stripe or your own Square account instead of their processor, ask first. Most will let you but might charge a slightly higher monthly fee.
How do I handle packages and memberships?
All of these tools let you sell packages (e.g. "10 sessions for £400" or "£100/month unlimited"). Clients can buy via the app, and you manage their credit from there.
What if I have 100+ clients?
Time to hire help or use a studio-level tool like Mindbody. You've outgrown solo PT software. But seriously — if you have 100+ clients, you should be using Mindbody or running a small studio, not trying to manage solo.
Can I share my client's progress with their GP or nutritionist?
Most tools let you export progress data (weight, measurements, progress photos). You can share it via email. GDPR means you need client permission, so make sure they consent first.
Recommendation
For most solo PTs: Start with MyPTHub. It's £15-30/month, UK-built, handles in-person and online, and you'll never outgrow it unless you hit 50+ clients. Then if you need more (form review, nutrition tracking), migrate to TrueCoach.
For online-only coaches: TrueCoach. Form review via video will make clients feel like you're in the room with them. Clients retention goes up because they feel supported.
For group trainers: TrainHeroic. Leaderboards and group motivation work. You'll keep clients longer.
For UK trainers specifically: MyPTHub. It's built here, pricing is better, and the support is in UK time.
The real metric: if your client books a session via your app, does your workout programme? Do they see their previous sessions? Can they message you without WhatsApp? Do they know they can pay via the app? If the answer to all of these is yes, you've picked the right tool.
Related Guides
- Best Software for Online Personal Trainers UK — Digital coaching platforms for building online PT businesses
- Best Software for Gyms and Fitness Studios UK — Studio management for group fitness and personal training facilities
- Best Booking Software for Beauty Salons UK — Appointment booking and payment processing for service businesses