Fitness trainers on demand: There's an app for that

No more making monthly donations to a gym you'll never go to, a new app launching in Houston claims you can order a trainer similar to how you'd order a babysitter or caregiver off care.com.

You tell them your availability, what you want to spend, who you want to work with and TRN-On Demand says they'll be there in an hour.

One of the company’s owners, William Lockley, said he used to be over 300 pounds and knows every excuse not to get in shape.

“I’ll go to the gym and I’ll see these guys, guys and girls in great shape and I’m like I’ll never get that way so you get disheartened right away,” Lockley said gyms are an intimidating environment and there are plenty of excuses not to go. “The biggest thing is people always say I don't have time… but we are moving that excuse out of the equation and we're giving people their time back.”

He says his new model for fitness, an “on demand” approach to personal training, connects you with specialists (like him) in and around your ZIP code. Download TRN – On Demand in the Apple app store, choose a trainer, yoga instructor or swim coach. The app will then ask for your availability, location, price range and provide a list of trainers fitting that criteria.

“Think if you basically got the chance to get your feet wet by doing it in your own home and you have a qualified professional coming to you that you chose, not that was just random, that you chose, they came and helped you out a price that you can afford and you don't have to leave your house,” Lockley said.

If you're willing to take the plunge, prices range from about $60 to $120 per session. Lockley added there's no gym membership to tack on and depending on who's available around you, you might find someone slightly cheaper.

“It's really up to a specialist. Whenever you search you say I want a specialist at 7 a.m. to charge is $79. Or $69. Anybody who fits in that category will pop up into the list of specialists available,” Lockley said.

He also addressed safety concerns, saying you are welcome to schedule any of your sessions in a public place: park or studio. Meanwhile, TRN says they do an extensive background check.

The company will not be all over the Houston area until January, so if you don't see any availability in your area yet, TRN says to check back. They say they plan to have a broad range of trainers available from inside the loop to outlying suburban areas and possibly further.