Playbook - Trainers & Workouts Reviews

by Feed Me, Seymour

This is designed as a community of creators (trainers) and athletes (you). In theory , it’s superb. A community that uses virtual training and social media to connect a global gym. In practice, think twice. Take one month trial. The creators, some just Instagram stars, have started their own series based on their popularity. What do you get? A bad filmmaker, at the gym, and you watching. There are others who offer simple at home apartment workouts and it requires actual gym machine equipment. There are thousands of workouts, hundreds of teachers. You can learn by patching together a program - best way. Don’t expect a lot of vocal taking you through if you’re new. This is designed for trainers- and wannabes- to supplement their own incomes. They are often connected to a sponsor supplement and hawk that as well. If you can reach them, via their site, do not be afraid to ask them about their credentials. Getting a B.S. in a great college is suspect. Worth $1. that is all. Outrageous in price.

by Sera5379

While I love the workouts that I am able to access, Playbook drops my subscription repeatedly. Paying for a year’s access to Playbook is a commitment, and to have my queries for support with this go unanswered for several days at a time … and to be told the only fix is to delete and reinstall Playbook each time is not worth the $$ or my time. I lost the history if my workouts in the process and end up having to track it on my own in another way. Fix the bug, and improve your customer service response time and I may consider staying on. But otherwise I will be ending my subscription by the end of the weekend and spreading the word to fellow lifters and trainers.

by Andrea00000000

Playbook is a great concept. However after finishing a workout I don’t want to rate it each time. Especially if this is the third time completing the same workout. Please make it so you have the option to skip the rating upon completion. Additionally, this is not compatible for ipad. The usability is poor and the viewing is subpar. I cannot turn my ipad sideways (the orientation that it stands on its own with its keypad) because the video gets distorted and only shows the center rectangle, cutting off over half of the frame. I have to prop my ipad up on a chair and wedge it with a book to view the video. Additionally, I am unable to view the video without the playback time remaining on the screen. The screen never shows just the video alone, all the pause, fastforward/rewind, volume, and playback location are in view making it very distracting.

by Melissa Re

I canceled my subscription but I am still getting charged. this app customer support told me I need to context apple. I contacted apple and they said they charge is not coming through them. Emailed customer support back at this app and I have not heard back from them. I would at least appreciate an email saying they are working on figuring out why I am still being charged, but I have not heard anything in a few days. I wish there was a phone number to call and I wish customer support would email me back.

by Yesyes7

I’ve tried a lot of workout apps and this is the best one if you have a gym but don’t know what to do (like me.) It’s the closest to having a personal trainer without the price tag. It’s laid out well, the trainers are really good and I even messaged one on Instagram with a question and they responded. I only have two areas I think it could be improved: My gym, and I assume a lot of people’s gyms, can be very busy. From what I’ve seen most of these workouts are set up for supersets, or two different workouts on different equipment back to back with a rest in between. That’s just not possible in my gym where if I left my dumbbells or cable machine for a second someone would take it. So I wish there were alternate versions addressing this issue. What I’ve done is just do all the exercises with, say, dumbbells, back to back, etc even though it’s not the structure of their program. The other issue I have is there doesn’t seem to be a tracking feature, tracking what weights I started with and throughout. This would be a good optional feature. Otherwise it’s a really well thought out app and I highly recommend it.

by Hinrichlover43

I have been using the this app App for 9 months now. I started training with Magnus L. and then Melissa Kendter, and now Melissa Alcantara. The beauty of Playbook is that you can jump around and train with whoever you want whenever you want on your time! I also love that I can cast the workout to my tv or google display and that I can download the workout it need be. The ability to work out from your home gym with your own trainer and do whatever blend of workouts you like is just what I love.

I am only giving it 4 stars because I think it could improve in terms of long term tracking of workouts as it only lets you see one week at a time. I also think a spot for more specific measurements rather than just weight and progress pics would be nice(just the option to add those in). Lastly, it would also be beneficial to get recommendations of workouts by type, similar to what your preferences are. For example, I’d like it to be easier to find workouts NOT at the gym and with minimal equipment but the functionality for that is not the best right now.

by Khglynn

this app is incredible. I hope all these amazing trainers are making good money on the platform because they’re providing a killer service.

Biggest gap IMO is not being able to track your own weight and reps in Playbook - I have to transfer every workout into my Strong app to keep track of my progress overtime. I’m sure that feature is a huge undertaking but it would also be a game-changer. One app to get your workouts and track your workouts. Bring in nutrition and it’s a done deal.

by ELee152

I enjoyed the workouts. They are very basic and straightforward. I primarily used it as an accountability tool which was nice however i experienced a few tech problems with Playbook . I was charged for both the yearly and monthly at the same time. They refunded my the yearly in a few days but then I lost access to my account. After a week I regained access to my account. I used Playbook again for a few days, got a new phone and now I can’t log in. I’ve tried all the troubleshooting and spoke with tech support. The issue has not been resolved and I still can’t log in. You probably won’t have these issues so I would recommend Playbook if you’re a beginner and need a routine!

by Marcih

I started following Hannah about 2 years ago with all her HIIT Workouts through a subscription. I am so glad I downloaded her App!! It has everything I need for strength training, mobility, endurance and I can modify anything that I might not be able to do. I am able to do 2 a day and mix it up with HIIT Training for faster results!! I love that Playbook is so easy to follow and keep track of what I have done. Every single workout is completely explained along with video of the exact way to do the movement/exercise! For beginners to advanced... everyone will benefit from Hannah’s App! A MUST HAVE!!!

by The Apostle Matthew

After being told the 30 in 30 program was goo again away and complaining about losing a program I had come to love I have still now found it available to me after 3 more days past expiration - I can see not allowing new users perhaps to find it avail to them any longer but existing clients who love and rely on it should be able to continue with it as long as they are this app subscribers. So thank you. I love had instruction which covers legs, upper and lower body abs and core all in one. Knowing 30 minutes a day gives me all I need. Love have a video to follow along with as well as their tips for each one.

by Whytnsatyr

I am currently using this app for the DailyPump! It makes access to that workout program with Julian Smith as well as other trainers super easy and convenient. There is so much to choose from. Extremely thorough from gym and home workouts, nutrition, yoga, and even meditation. Within each trainers plan you will find navigation very easy and you are able to track what you have done. Finally, you can share your progress on Instagram each day if you like. I highly recommend this this app aggregate for all of your fitness, nutritional, and wellness needs.

by Nickxx

The great thing about Playbook is there are trainers is here for all levels of fitness. You do not have to be a gym rat or a bodybuilder to benefit from the trainers available on Playbook. I currently subscribe to one of the trainers and I found that it is the most motivating way to help myself get back into better shape. You can be young-you could be middle-aged or even a senior, if you’re serious about getting back into better shape or lose some weight, there is trainers here that can help you improve your fitness and your diet goals.

by Trunksta

The this app is a great way to help motivate you to work with the wide array of plans to choose from based on what goal you have and provides nutrition information to help reach those goals as well as maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle. The routines are challenging, but very rewarding. However, I wish you could customize your own plan using the routines provided. For example. Creating a custom 5 day split with routines from one plan Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Then routines from another plan for Tuesday and Thursday. I do routines from both the Wonder Woman plan and the Batman plan.

by Laur.Models

I joined Playbook after the free trial to access Nina’s workouts, as well as “live” feeling cycle classes (similar to Spin or CycleBar) as I was having difficulty finding them online otherwise. So far, love Playbook and the current format & layout. 100% worth the yearly subscription if you have a true love for workouts and variance.

The choice of instructors and ability to “follow” up to 10 at once (I follow 5 to keep it from being overwhelming) is a blessing. Although streaming can occasionally be slow, I highly recommend Playbook to everyone I know who is looking for something new. The selection of body weight and Nina’s page is amazing, especially during COVID-19 quarantine! If you have discipline, you won’t regret.

FEEDBACK FOR DEVELOPER:
Would love to see workouts here from more triathletes for race training or from ultra-runners in the future, & the option to view when a specific workout was last completed.

by Brenjaline

I have had Playbook for a year and just refreshed my subscription. I gave birth at the beginning of the pandemic and was really struggling with consistency. I love that Playbook has a progress tracker and so many trainers to choose from. By far my favorite, and the one I keep going back to is Hannah Bower. She is the only online trainer I trust with my pelvic floor health and has so many helpful modifications for all fitness letters—from pregnant to freshly postpartum to highly challenging HIIT and heavy lifting. The variety is insane. Cannot recommend enough.

by Nuke Master

I have done several different workout programs that I have found throughout the internet. In my opinion, the main problem with all of the other workout programs is that they get old and boring after a while. The great thing about this program is that there is so much variety! It’s not the same old workout week after week! Not only do the workouts change but so do the weekly splits. I would highly recommend Playbook and workout program.

by Lbywom29

I have a difficult time in the winter months , getting motivated and dealing with injuries. These workouts are new each day , non repetitive ( not boring) and I can do them without leaving my residence. I began following Don Saladino after seeing him in a Garden of Life post ( which I consume daily as protein ) and I was able to establish an amount of trust through social media , by following his advice and such . I then decided that the next step would be to try this free trial and I am enjoying it very much . Thank you !

by That Guy 8795

The owner of Playbook is very caring and is always happy to answer any questions and if you want anything added let him know and he will do everything in his power to help anyway he can great guy and very motivational.

I really enjoy Playbook , simple exercises so you don’t get confused trying to figure out what your supposed to do. Minimal to no equipment needed and short workouts so if you don’t have access to a gym or just prefer not to go and don’t have much time cause you have a busy life still super easy to get your workout in and feel great about getting closer to the body your wanting for yourself. 👍highly recommend it ridiculously good for the price. Also has a Facebook group page to help support one another on.

by Immatreasure

I fell out of love with working out a few years ago when it felt more like a chore rather than something I enjoyed. Natural I gained weight because of this and even though I still have a love and appreciation for my body, I stopped liking to take pictures or look at myself in pictures because I didn’t feel like they looked like myself. After finding Playbook and sticking with it on a consistent basis (and getting my husband to join me as well) I look forward to working out everyday as something I know will make me feel good and feel STRONGER. With every set I can feel myself getting stronger and stronger and I can finally understand why people become obsessed with working out. Thank you thank you thank you!

by Dbcocejcowxokpsqkpxk

Playbook is amazing. I haven’t even explored all that it’s worth yet and I’m blown away by even the functions I typically utilize. I’m a single mom who goes to school and works 2 jobs & so working out can be challenging for me. Especially prolonging as I have ADHD. Playbook allows me to know what I’m doing going into the workout & get it done in an efficient amount of time. Best self-care thing I ever did for myself was invest in Playbook.

Ps~ I also love Hannah and think she is one of the most down to earth people I have ever come across via social media & really one of very few public figures I have ever had the honor to hear back from so genuinely. She motivates me to do better & find balance/challenge in my workouts & I love her for that. Hannah if you ever see this, I hope you know how amazing you are for giving people this tool & sharing your knowledge, thank you🦋🤍

by KB90210

So I only wanted to do a month subscription after my 7 day trail. I was charged the $99 dollars for the yearly subscription. :/. I went into my settings to cancel this subscription but there is no cancellation link/button on there. So I contacted this app. They said to contact Apple. So far Apple has been of no help. If this gets taken care of properly I’ll update my review. With that being said... so far I do Love the instructors program I am following. Kerri Verna is wonderful!

by Taraf19

There is quality content here for sure but in terms first 2 days of use I noticed that the workouts with timers and sets are a pain to use. I wish you only had to click one timer to start the set instead of having to start a timer for each movement and rest.

by Dstack91

The “partner” aspect of it is a little confusing. What does it mean to be “partnered” if I can only have one at a time but I can change as much as I want? Do I always have access to any person’s content regardless of partnership? There should be a better explanation of how this works.

by Lindsaydiane928

Love the concept of Playbook and I love the workouts, but Playbook itself is clunky. In order to actually start a workout, there are SO. MANY. screens to click through to actually get the video to play. If the user experience was more streamlined I would love it.

by 16261672

I love Playbook lots of quality of life features and it's very nice however the loading time on the videos is horrendously slow even with full 4g lte sometimes videos will take 2+ minutes to load

by D.A.H., Jr.

Love the concept, but would like an online version. Sometimes it is difficult to look at the phone while doing a work out.

Also, I hate that workouts you like disappear after sometime, never to return again.

by Louisa8383

I have a difficult time in the winter months , getting motivated and dealing with injuries. These workouts are new each day , non repetitive ( not boring) and I can do them without leaving my residence. I began following Don Saladino after seeing him in a Garden of Life post ( which I consume daily as protein ) and I was able to establish an amount of trust through social media , by following his advice and such . I then decided that the next step would be to try this free trial and I am enjoying it very much . Thank you !

by Faythrose

I was referred to Playbook when it launched through Don Saladino and fell in love with it. There are many resources and most of the workouts are fun and motivating. Each suggestion I’ve recommended has been heard. I’ve been bragging about Playbook to everyone! I will admit I bought an iPhone just to get Playbook and it was worth every penny. 9.99 a month is not a killer in the budget. Just try it using the 7 day free trial and see for yourself!

by Ambuyah

This is a fantastic tool for getting your daily workouts in! I have been using Melissa Wood's workouts while traveling and I'm loving them. They are between 15-45 mins that focus on all areas of the body. Playbook makes it super convenient so there is no excuse to skip a workout. I only wish I downloaded this sooner!!! I mean... you've got your workout buddy and can turn any place into a gym. A total win!

by Todaysandbeyond

I’ve done a lot of these workout programs that have left wanting more or to exhausted to even function. But this series of workouts make me worked and strengthened each time I do it. I’ve been doing Magnus Lygdback’s workouts and I’m very pleased with the results. Highly recommended.

by Meredithkharrison

I have been using the Fitner app for 3 weeks now. I have been following Melissa Wood’s workouts almost every morning. I feel amazing after and it’s an awesome way to start my day. The workouts are between 20-40 minutes which is perfect for me. I love that I can do them at home and am getting a great workout in! It’s awesome

by Eichel69

I follow Melissa wood and love her workouts. Short, effective and safe. Perfect for people who dont have time to get to a yoga class and can squeeze in 20 mins at home. Also nice that she is a real person doing this with you. Playbook has worked great so far and seems like there are trainers for many styles of workout preference. Thanks to the Fitner team!!!

by Edwin_IV

Love Playbook , and it’s been great for my fitness! The latest update though updated the timer on your rests, etc, and because of that, there’s no noise signaling you when your rest or workout is completed. Bring back the buzzer!

by Montirock

The hardest part about working out was finding a routine and a ending my
Workout effectively without hurting myself or overworking my body. Getting Playbook helped me maintain an even, well paced, and intense workout routine that didn't leave me feeling confident and driven to continue working out.

by BrookeBussone

I got the this app app to access Magnus’ workouts, and I love Playbook and the workout routines. I love that in Playbook there is a timer that you can set, that you can see video demo stations of your workouts, and that you can contact the trainer with questions easily. Plus you can download workouts ahead of time in case your gym has slow WiFi. Playbook is definitely created by people who understand what you need in a gym. I’m very happy with Playbook.