Updated: September 15, 2023
iFIT is a virtual training platform with classes for compatible iFIT equipment and strength equipment. With classes for cardio machines, strength training, and yoga, iFIT can basically replace your gym membership! iFIT excels at providing outdoor classes that are filmed all around the world. The classes are trainer-led from iFIT’s roster of over a hundred instructors. iFIT is one of the most recognizable platforms in the home fitness industry, because the app provides content for several well-known brands. iFIT spans various equipment types, so you can keep all of your training in one place. Read on in this review of iFIT to decide whether this platform provides the training you desire!
Who iFIT Is Best For:
- Cardio Lovers: iFIT provides content for four categories of home fitness equipment: treadmills, ellipticals, rowers, and exercise bikes. If you have multiple machines, iFIT is your one-stop shop.
- Gym-less Athletes: iFIT supplies strength and yoga classes in addition to cardio classes. With a few dumbbells, you can create a well-rounded routine with iFIT.
- Exercisers Who Want Smart Coaching: iFIT classes remember your feedback when adjusting your machine’s settings, so the classes become more personalized over time. iFIT has ActivePulse which allows the equipment to automatically adjust to keep you in the ideal heart rate zone.
- Outdoor Runners, Walkers, and Cyclists: iFIT classes are designed to replicate the experience of training outdoors and beat the boredom of training inside. Athletes who primarily train outdoors will enjoy the virtual training style.
Pros And Cons Of iFIT
Pros PROS
- iFIT provides equipment and non-equipment classes to effectively replace a gym membership.
- iFIT creates spectacular outdoor videos for many types of cardio equipment.
- iFIT provides automatic setting adjustments, such as automatic incline and speed adjustments for the treadmill.
- ActivePulse technology allows equipment to automatically adjust to keep you in the right heart rate zone.
- You can watch classes without using iFIT equipment.
- iFIT classes can be viewed on equipment, a phone, a tablet, or smart TV.
Cons CONS
- iFIT has limited free options for non-subscribers.
- iFIT has limited compatibility with third-party apps for training or entertainment.
iFIT Review – A Fitness App to Replace Your Gym
iFIT Specs
- Plan Options: $39/month for a family membership; $336/year family membership; $624/2-year family membership
- Free Trial: 30 days for new members
- Profiles: 5 profiles
- Brands: NordicTrack, ProForm, Freemotion, Matrix
- Compatible Equipment: treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes, rowers
- Class Type: outdoor and studio classes
- Training Type: trainer-led, preset-levels, personalized, heart rate, series
- App Integrations: Google Maps; Feed.FM radio
- Platforms: iFIT equipment, Apple, Android, Roku
iFIT Overview
The iFIT training platform has thousands of classes from over a hundred trainers. The platform specializes in outdoor content for compatible brands. iFIT can also be used with non-compatible equipment through the iFIT app on a variety of smart devices. Content is trainer-led so you receive expert guidance and fun information about the locations explored within the outdoor training video. iFIT differs from other available fitness training platforms by providing the solo, outdoor experience runners and cyclists may be familiar with. It does not rely on social studio-style classes or high-energy music.
Cost and Plans
iFIT provides a single tier of training content: the family plan. Users can subscribe monthly for $39 or can choose the year ($336) or two-year ($624) subscription options for a discount. The iFIT platform has a 30-day free trial for new members. Brands like NordicTrack and ProForm provide programs that offer a free piece of equipment in exchange for even longer iFIT subscriptions. For owners of iFIT content who do not subscribe to the platform, there are a few featured trial classes to use on equipment.
Navigation
The iFIT interface varies slightly by the exact device you are accessing it on. My experience using iFIT has been smooth and fairly intuitive. A larger screen certainly provides a better iFIT viewing experience, but I am happy using iFIT on my smartphone, too. iFIT has a very Netflix-like navigation page, where you will be first suggested classes most closely related to the equipment you are using or continuing training series you have started. It is relatively beginner-friendly. iFIT has a search bar and filters to help you find the class you are looking for.
Brands and Equipment
iFIT provides training content for several fitness brands: NordicTrack, ProForm, Freemotion, and Matrix. Many of the classes are designed to work with these brands’ specific equipment. Classes are for the treadmill, elliptical, rower, and exercise bike. The video training content rarely takes place on the actual equipment, as iFIT does not specialize in studio content. Instead, treadmill content shows trainers running, hiking, and skiing. The elliptical workouts are even more creative by working with many of the treadmill classes and roller skating.
Class Style
iFIT classes are filmed primarily outdoors in locations on every continent. (I had to check that they actually have content from Antarctica–they do!) Instructors are inspiring and educational. You can learn about training and about the location you are seeing on screen. I have particularly enjoyed running and walking classes with Tommy Rivs. He’s so personable and motivating that I keep coming back to his classes in particular. iFIT coaches are top-notch and provide quality instruction. Many of them are professionals in their sport or have years of training experience. They create a welcome experience for newbies and experienced athletes alike.
iFIT classes also perform a few other functions. They educate new users on how to use the training. For example, the ActivePulse classes that incorporate heart rate training are careful to instruct you on how to use the content correctly and effectively. Some of the classes are organized into series or recommended as a part of a challenge, so you can build day after day. One of the best offerings from iFIT is the Boston Marathon series. You can run the entire race in segments on iFIT! iFIT provides a little trophy case tab where you can keep track of all the challenges you have completed. There are also milestones to mark the total number of workouts you have completed on the app.
In addition to the outdoor classes and series, there are studio training classes. You can find most of these geared toward the rower or the elliptical. Many of these classes incorporate off-equipment moves. These classes are nice, but they are not quite where iFIT shines.
App Compatibility
iFIT doesn’t embrace third-party apps beyond providing a Google Maps integration.You can connect your Google Fit, Garmin Connect, and Strava accounts for automatic workout syncing. The iFIT app is available on iFIT compatible equipment, but it can also be downloaded on Apple and Android devices. I was able to add the iFIT app to my Roku TV.
Training Options
Personalized Training
iFIT classes are suitable for a wide range of users, from the beginners to long-time runners. Because the classes are personalized, you can take an easy walking class or a tempo running class and have it scaled appropriately to you. Because iFIT offers a family membership, you can have up to five individual profiles. Each profile’s content will be customized to that user.
Heart Rate Training
The heart rate training classes work very similarly. You can calibrate your heart rate zones to match your heart rate variability and maximum heart rate. Then, the classes will match your training profile and the purpose of the class. iFIT equipment should pair with most Bluetooth heart rate monitors, so you do not have to buy a specific monitor to work with a machine.
Google Maps
All of the iFIT classes are guided, so you don’t have the option of training alongside preset scenic routes without coaching. If you are looking for this kind of content, you might try the Google Maps feature. You can create a route pretty much anywhere that Google provides Street View data. Then, the incline will adjust automatically to match the grade of the terrain. The speed settings will be entirely under your control.
Performance
iFIT specializes in delivering hands-free training for their devices. That’s not to say that your hands aren’t involved in the activity on an elliptical, exercise bike, or rower. iFIT ensures that you don’t have to interrupt your concentration during your workout to adjust the settings by tapping the screen or pressing buttons.
I have enjoyed watching iFIT get to know my training style and become more personalized to my ability level. I am always concerned about how easy or difficult a training program is going to be on a new machine. iFIT takes out all of the worrying and guesswork. Even better, you won’t outgrow the training platform. There are so many classes to choose from, and they can all tailor to your abilities.
Bottom Line Review of iFIT
iFIT is a personalized training platform with instructor-led content. There are thousands of classes and more are routinely added. No matter how long you train on iFIT, you are unlikely to run out of classes to take. If you are looking for a cardio training platform that specializes in outdoor content, iFIT is the top dog. Classes are tailored over time to your fitness level or use ActivePulse technology to help you train via heart rate zone. It’s fun and effective. Any runner, cyclist, or other exerciser who is using their cardio machine to get them through the days that running outdoors just isn’t possible will appreciate how far iFIT goes toward making you feel like you are outdoors.
