After nearly two years of on-and-off pandemic training, I decided I needed a push to get back in top shape.
I tried the Future digital training app, which uses text messages on an iPhone to help you build a remote personal relationship with an elite trainer.
After creating and assigning weekly, individualized video workouts, your coach provides additional motivation and accountability through daily personal texts and voice messages on your phone.
Fun fact: Future co-founder Justin Santamaría was the lead engineer at Apple and the creator of the green/blue iMessages.
This app offers a flexible and technically elegant concierge training experience for a fee of $150 per month, which is much less than the cost of a personal trainer.
Plus, if you don't already have one, Future will lend you a free Apple Watch to help you track your fitness.
I spent two weeks training with Future and noticed a big change in the time spent exercising as well as a difference in my body.
The daily logs and messages pushed me to exercise, even when I wholeheartedly didn't feel like it.
Here's what you need to know if you're interested in getting in better shape and joining Team Future, though if you have an Android phone you won't be able to use it for now.
The who, what and how
Who's this for:
The Future app is for iPhone users looking for more flexibility, support, and accountability with their workouts, without spending hundreds of dollars a month for an in-person trainer.
By building a virtual relationship with your trainer through text messaging, Future lets you exercise anywhere, anytime, allowing you to create and follow schedules that work best for your lifestyle.
What you need to know:
Future is a fully iOS app-based training program featuring elite virtual trainers to help manage a personalized health and fitness regimen.
Which means you'll need an iPhone to use it, though the team says it will be available for Android in 2023.
Once you take a short quiz and choose your coach, you'll receive weekly guided video training plans based on how many times you want to exercise each week, accompanied by daily text messages, and it all comes through the app.
You can also get nutritional guidance if you request it.
The workouts are 100% tailored to you and can be changed daily according to where you are exercising, how much time you have and what equipment is at hand.
Your heart rate, calorie count, and overall progress are tracked through the Apple Watch, which, if you don't already have one, will be loaned out and included in the $150 per month subscription fee.
How It Compares:
Future offers much more than just streaming or even live video workouts.
Compared to the Peloton app you get personalized video workouts and the ability to modify them whenever you want.
Instead of a leaderboard to help you stay motivated, you get a real person to contact if you need a push, want to discuss your goals, or just want to track your progress.
Introduction to your virtual trainer
The last two years of my pandemic workouts have been sporadic.
Before the pandemic, she had a gym membership and enjoyed a mix of Zumba and Pilates classes as well as days on the cardio and weights team.
Going to the gym also had a social aspect, and I was motivated to get there both for exercise and to chat with friends, instructors, and acquaintances.
Once I downloaded the app and signed up, I filled out a short questionnaire that included my physical assets, as well as what equipment I had access to and what I wanted to accomplish.
Of the four trainers I was sent to choose from, which included extremely impressive photos and backgrounds, I decided on Aretha, who is not only a personal trainer, yoga teacher, and dancer, but also has a master's degree in Sport and Performance Psychology.
The next step was to set up a FaceTime video call where she asked me about my goals, the areas of the body I want to focus on, where I would be exercising, and how many times I want to exercise per week.
Together, we decided to start with three days of hour-long workouts and two days of 20-minute programs, with new weekly workouts happening every Sunday.
Aretha's first text was the longest and included an introduction to how she decided on movement patterns and weights, and a request for feedback to help improve the experience.
Aretha also informed me that by pressing the "record my form" button on the app during workouts, he could verify that he was doing everything correctly.
The varied workouts to reach your goal
Because I was lucky enough to have home workout equipment and a full gym in our building, I was able to test Future in both settings.
The first week was spent working out in the apartment, and after the initial 20-minute workout, I found that it was easier than expected.
I texted him my thoughts and he immediately bumped those days up to 30 minutes.
The longer workouts were much more challenging, with mixed weights, stints on the bike, and full bodyweight cardio.
Each day's video includes various blocks of work, such as "Dynamic Warm-up", "Strength Block", and the dreaded "Push-up Challenge", with each exercise typically lasting about 30 seconds or in 10-12 rep chunks, and It comes with basic instructions to help you maintain good form.
You can continue on your phone or use Apple AirPlay to mirror your screen to a TV, which I did this first week for a better view of the exercises.
When it comes to music, I liked how you can choose from within the app, from categories like High-Energy Hits, Throwback Jams, and New and Fresh, or just start playing your own playlist from whatever music app you have on your device. phone like Apple Music or Spotify.
The app automatically incorporates your music with the workout at the right volume.
There is no fiddling while you exercise.
This is also where your Apple Watch comes into play.
The app automatically syncs with your watch and records all your training on your wrist, along with your heart rate.
When you finish a set and want to move on to the next, you can press the arrow on your watch or on your iPhone.
During the second week, I decided to go to the gym in our building, so Aretha rearranged the experience to include different equipment and some of the machines.
She also added moves that required more space.
Not only was it freeing to be in a larger space, but I appreciated the change of scenery and getting out of the house to work out (even if it was only 15 flights down).
But most importantly, none of these workouts felt forced or too long.
There were times when I was working out and concentrating so hard that I didn't realize we were done.
Future's text messages are a super motivator
Most people who hire a personal trainer are looking for additional motivation.
Yes, you get a better training plan that suits you and your fitness or weight loss goals, but you're also paying for someone to help you move forward.
That's why Future's text-based virtual structure worked so well.
There may not be someone physically waiting for me, but it's hard to ignore those daily messages reminding me to get going.
But Aretha knows how to pick me up.
Our favorite text, sent after the first full week of training, read: "Tobey! Motivation is like a hot and cold passionate boyfriend. Commitment is a dependable husband. Keep your commitment and don't overthink it! Just do it!"
Do you think I could say no to that logic?
I also received text messages asking how I felt about workouts, discussing mindset influences, and congratulating me when I burned extra calories.
He also recorded short videos discussing personal motivations and to help give him a boost to get everything done.
It was never overwhelming or annoying, and I could participate on any level without worrying that I was putting her down.
Conclution
Future is an all-digital remote training app for the iPhone that pairs you with a personal trainer and fosters a close relationship through text and video.
Perfect for anyone looking to increase their fitness level or start a path to better health, it not only provides challenging weekly workouts that you can do on your own schedule, but also offers a high level of individualized motivation.
After two full weeks of working out with a future personal trainer both at home and at a gym, not only do I feel better knowing someone has my back when I'm feeling less ambitious, but I can already see a change in my body.
At $150 a month, it's less expensive than a live coach, but it's certainly not cheap, although I've spent a lot more time working out than I have in the last two years, and to me, that's priceless.
