Our fitness program testing methodology

Everyone’s workout needs and preferences are different. Some of us love sweating along with a streaming spin class. Others want an in-depth, periodized strength training plan with built-in deload weeks. Some of us want both!

No matter what you’re looking for, we’re here to help you find it. We want you to enjoy the benefits that come with consistent, high-quality exercise.

Here’s why you can trust our fitness program reviews.

Every Fortune fitness program review features:

In-depth analysis by testers and/or authors who are certified personal trainers (CPT) or strength coaches (CSCS)
Feedback from seasoned product reviewers who have tried each program
Fact-checking and reviewing by qualified experts
Claims backed by trustworthy clinical research

Fortune Recommends strives to test 100% of the fitness programs we review. However, we may occasionally include programs we haven’t yet had a chance to test. We update our reviews after we’ve tested those programs for several weeks or months. Until then, we rely on the expertise of our in-house personal trainers to help us separate the best fitness programs from the mediocre ones.

Learn how we test all product categories here.

Our scoring methodology for fitness programs

We assign each fitness program a score of one through five for each of the 10 categories we test. Rather than simply average those scores together, we weigh them based on what’s most important. We then average them to create a cumulative score.

For example, a program including a few “extra” home workouts is great, but it’s not as important as including adequate demonstrations of the exercises you’re expected to perform.

Using these individual scores, we create an overall score on a scale of one out of five. A score of five is the highest possible rating, and one is the lowest.

Testing criteria

Program design—30%

A high-quality fitness program should feel like it’s designed by people and not by an algorithm. It should also be created by a certified personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, or another qualified expert—not by a social media influencer who lacks formal education on the topic. Our testers’ trained eyes can tell the difference. Here’s what we’re looking for:

Explanation: A program should include adequate descriptions of how to perform the workouts and a clear vision of why they’re designed the way they are. In-depth exercise demonstrations, videos, and follow-along workouts (where appropriate) are all big pluses.
Versatility: A program shouldn’t only work for one idealized person. It should be able to help a range of users. It should also offer plenty of exercise options to suit an individual’s skill level and the equipment they have available.
Reasonable amount of training volume: Fitness programs shouldn’t include an overwhelming amount of volume that could lead to overtraining or burnout. They should allow you to gradually increase your work capacity over time and incorporate rest days.

Value—30%

There is no shortage of workouts and training programs on the internet, and the prices can range from free to thousands of dollars. We hunt for plans that overdeliver, providing next-level care and detail for an undeniably fair price. Here’s what we factor into a program’s value rating:

Fair price: A program should be competitively priced compared to other comparable options.
Personalization: Does a program offer options to dial in the workout for a user’s specific body, history, and needs? Can you track your progress and results?
Technology: Training programs on a dedicated app or website are often worth more than a cookie-cutter program delivered in a PDF.

Extra options—20%

The best workout plans don’t just tell you what to do for a few weeks—they make you feel confident and supported throughout your fitness journey. We give extra points to the ones that go above and beyond with bonuses like:

Additional programs: Some exercise programs offer routines that every user follows. Others are a veritable database of dozens—or even hundreds—of choices. Some even offer nutrition packages for people who need help establishing healthy eating habits.
Coaching: The ability to reach out directly to the person who designed the program or another coach can be a game-changer for those who need extra guidance or support.
Tech extras: Cardio programs that can sync with smartwatches have become the norm, not the exception.

Customer experience—20%

Too many people have experienced “buyer’s remorse” after purchasing an exercise program on a whim. We put in the hours to determine how well a program has matched users’ expectations, and what options are available when something goes wrong.

Reliable and user-friendly apps: Whether your program is app- or web-based, you shouldn’t have to struggle to open and view it when you’re at the gym. The interface should feel intuitive, and logging features should work seamlessly.
Reviews: If real-life users consistently love this program, that’s a good sign. If multiple people express disappointment over similar issues, it’s a big red flag.
Customer service: Companies that offer multiple contact methods and have helpful, knowledgeable customer service reps earn higher marks.
Free trials and flexible cancellation policies: We favor fitness programs that offer free trials and give you some time to decide if they’re worth following for the long term. We also prefer those that allow you to cancel your subscription with no questions asked if you decide to move on to something else.