Best Coaching Software Alternative for Personal Trainers (No Monthly Fees)

Jun 24, 2025

Personal Training

Best Coaching Software Alternative for Personal Trainers (No Monthly Fees)

If you’re an in-person or online personal trainer fed up with the overpriced, rigid, monthly-subscription apps on the market—you’re not alone.

There should be a better option for coaches.

Less one-size-fits-all. More coaching freedom. No recurring fees.

Introducing... Spreadsheets.

Kidding.

Some trainers swear their Excel tracker looks sleek and “professional,” but let’s be honest—they’re just putting lipstick on a pig. And the moment your client tries to track a workout on their phone? That lipstick melts right off. You get the picture.

So what are your options right now?

Clunky spreadsheets… Or bloated subscription platforms that charge you more the better you get at your job.

But what if you could have both?

The flexibility of a spreadsheet.

The power of a coaching app.

Without the subscription fees.

Introducing... (for real this time) Notion.

It wasn’t built for coaching—it was built for everything (seriously).

Used by over 100 million people worldwide and backed by serious AI investment, Notion gives you the tools to run your entire coaching business—clients, coaching, systems, tracking, content, admin—all from one clean dashboard.

No more duct-taping five apps together.

Fewer tabs. Less chaos. More coaching.

But here’s the catch.

Notion wasn’t built for coaches. Which means, out of the (metaphorical) software box—it’s just a blank canvas. No structure. No workflows. No real value to your clients unless you build it yourself.

And unless you’ve got 2 spare months, zero clients, and a passion for Notion formulas...

you’re not building anything good enough to run a real business.

That’s why hundreds of coaches skip the DIY headache—

and start with a done-for-you setup that actually works.

💡 Built for Personal Trainers, by a Top Notion Creator

This isn’t a DIY spreadsheet or another bloated app.

The PRO COACH System was built specifically for personal trainers who want to coach smarter, not harder. With over 650 coaches using it, it's one of the top-rated alternatives to fitness coaching apps—and it runs on a free productivity platform.

Key Features Include:

  • 👥 Custom Client Portals – Track progress, goals, health data, and programs

  • 📆 Training Plan Templates – Assign pre-built or custom workouts instantly

  • 🧮 Habit & Nutrition Tracking – Integrated tools for calories, macros, and daily routines

  • 📈 Performance Dashboards – Visualize data to help clients stay motivated

  • 💸 Business Tools – Lead tracking, invoicing, growth strategies & more

🔍 Coaching Software vs Spreadsheets vs PRO COACH System: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature/Cost

Subscription Apps

Spreadsheets

PRO COACH 🔥

Monthly Cost

$30–$100+ /month

$0

$0 (one-time payment)

Yearly Cost

$360–$1,200+

$0

$79 (lifetime access)

Custom Client Dashboards

Limited / rigid layouts

Fully manual

✅ Done-for-you + customizable

Workout & Nutrition Tracking

❌ (manual, clunky)

✅ Built-in with auto-logging

Session Planning & Calendar

✅ Integrated & mobile-ready

Phone/Tablet Access

❌ (desktop-only experience)

✅ Mobile-optimized in the free app

Business Management Tools

❌ (usually separate apps)

✅ Leads, finances, content, marketing, growth tools

Client Access & Collaboration

❌ Limited (client login only)

✅ Share live dashboards

Custom Branding

❌ (locked styling)

✅ Logo, brand colors, full control

AI-Ready & Always Updating

❌ Sometimes, but limited

✅ Gets smarter over time

Learning Curve

Medium to High

High (if DIY formulas)

✅ Easy setup template with tutorials, guides and support


📦 Who This Is Actually Built For


✅ PRO COACH is for:

  • New trainers who want to launch without blowing their budget

  • Online coaches sick of scattered systems and broken workflows

  • In-person PTs who want a mobile-ready system that just works

  • Hybrid coaches ready to scale without duct-taping apps together

🎯 How to Get Started in 3 Steps

  1. Grab PRO COACH → Set up a free Notion account.

  2. Set up in minutes – Guided walkthroughs, video tutorials, no tech skills needed.

  3. Start scaling → Track clients, assign plans, grow your brand without limits.

🚀 Make The Switch

You became a coach to help people—not manage spreadsheets or wrestle software.

PRO COACH is the scalable, fully-customizable, no-subscription system built for coaches, by a coach.

Let’s upgrade your business. Click the link below to find out more and get started

Notion For Personal Trainers