Trainwell App Review: Is It Worth It for Perimenopause?

If you’ve been searching for a workout app for perimenopause, you might have come across Trainwell as an option. Trainwell takes a unique approach to training, and it’s one that might be a great fit for you.

Unlike most workout apps that provide pre-built programs, Trainwell pairs you with a certified personal trainer who creates customized workouts based on your goals, available equipment, and experience. The app also encourages ongoing communication and accountability with your coach via the app.

For some women, this level of personalization is exactly what they’re looking for, but for others, having a workout plan that they can follow independently is a better fit.

I took a deep dive into Trainwell from the perspective of a personal trainer; here’s what I found out.

What Is the Trainwell App?

Trainwell, formerly known as CoPilot (which was why this app felt so familiar to me; I checked out CoPilot years ago!), is a personal training app that combines technology with human-driven coaching. One of the first things you’ll see when you go on Trainwell’s website is their announcement that you are working with a real human trainer, not AI - which can feel very comforting for some who prefer the human touch.

Once you sign up, you get the opportunity to match with a certified coach who will work with you to create a workout routine that fits your unique goals, availability, and access to equipment. The relationship starts with a video chat and then transitions to more in-app communication after that.

Your coach adjusts your program over time, answers your questions, and provides accountability through in-app messaging. If you find that you don’t jive well with your coach for any reason, or you simply want to change things up, you’re able to switch coaches at any time.

Instead of choosing workouts from a library like many fitness apps have you do, you follow a plan that’s built specifically for you. Your trainer uploads your plan into the app for you, and then you follow it. The videos you follow are generic, though; they aren’t videos of your actual coach. For some people, this isn’t a big deal, but others would prefer to feel more like they’re working directly with their coach.

Is It Good For Perimenopause?

Most women in perimenopause and menopause definitely need to take a different approach to training than they did in their early 20s and 30s. Trainwell advertises that they have coaches and trainers who are experienced in working with women during this phase of life. As a new customer, you need to indicate that managing perimenopause and/or menopause is a main goal of yours.

It’s difficult to say whether or not Trainwell is good for perimenopause specifically, because the plan you get as a client will depend on your personal coach. I have no doubt that some of the coaches provide an excellent coaching experience for women in this stage of life as they advertise that they do; however, I didn’t find any specific information on their perimenopause training philosophy that would help me feel confident saying it’s good for perimenopause.

If you’re curious what my training philosophy is and how I structure my training programs in the Simply Strong App, you can read about it here.

Key Features and Benefits

The Trainwell app includes features and benefits that make training with a coach without going to the gym easier, such as:

• Personalized workout programming from your coach
• One-on-one coaching inside the app
• Progress tracking
• Exercise demonstration videos
• In-app messaging with your coach
• Programs for home or gym workouts
• Workout adjustments as your goals evolve

Pros

There are a number of things about Trainwell that I think are wonderful, including:

Personalized Coaching

One of Trainwell's biggest strengths is having an actual coach design your workouts.

Accountability

Knowing someone is reviewing your progress helps many women, especially those in perimenopause or menopause, stay more consistent and motivated.

Flexible Equipment Options

You tell your trainer what equipment you have access to and what you’re comfortable with, and they’ll plan accordingly.

Beginner Friendly

Those who are new to strength training will gain a lot of confidence and remove a lot of uncertainty by knowing they have a structured program to follow and a coach to turn to for questions or concerns.

Cons

While there are a number of great features of Trainwell, there are a few things that stick out to me as potential cons, including;

Higher Monthly Cost

This is probably the biggest con. At $149/month (billed at 3-month intervals), Trainwell is at the high end of fitness apps. The higher cost is due to the fact that you get access to a personal trainer/coach, but the high cost paired with the minimum of a 3-month commitment at a time can feel like a lot for many women.

Can Feel Annoying/Pushy

Some women feel the constant messages from their trainer can be a little overwhelming and annoying. Many women want to work out on their own terms and not feel like they need to constantly be checking in with someone.

Coaching Experience May Vary

Trainwell does a good job of offering different trainers with diverse backgrounds, but their coaching levels may vary. Women in perimenopause typically enjoy working with women who have gone through/are going through a similar experience. From what I could tell, a lot of the female trainers in the app were young.

Trainwell vs Simply Strong

Both Trainwell and Simply Strong (my app!) aim to remove the guesswork from strength training, but we do it in different ways:

Which App Is Better?

Neither app is objectively better for women in perimenopause; it just comes down to which approach you feel more aligned with.

Trainwell may be a better fit if you:

• Want completely personalized workouts
• Prefer working one-on-one with a coach
• Have a larger fitness budget
• Want frequent accountability and individualized programming

Simply Strong may be a better fit if you:

• Want a structured strength training plan without paying for one-on-one coaching
• Like following progressive monthly programming
• Work out primarily at home with dumbbells and resistance bands
• Enjoy being part of a supportive community of women
• Want access to a certified personal trainer for workout questions while still following a proven program

Final Thoughts

Trainwell offers a fitness approach that combines in-person coaching in a gym setting with traditional fitness apps. You get the human, personalized attention, but you don’t have to meet in person. Trainwell is less expensive than personal trainers in the gym, but it’s a lot more expensive than most other fitness apps.

If you want to work directly with a coach who will get to know you and your situation/goals better, trying Trainwell might be a good option. However, if your goal is to follow a structured, progressive strength training program without the cost of one-on-one coaching while still having access to your coach, Simply Strong offers that.

With monthly programming, flexible workout splits, home-friendly equipment, recipe resources, and a supportive community, Simply Strong provides the guidance many women need to stay consistent and get stronger, but at an affordable monthly price.

Ultimately, the best workout app is the one you'll continue using consistently, because that's what leads to long-term results. If you’d like to see if you’re ready to give Simply Strong a try, take my quick quiz to get started.