In today’s subscription news, we’ve got another subscription start-up, this one owned by a major media company familiar with the subscription business. Sports Techie reports that CBS Interactive Advanced Media has launched TrainerPass, a subscription fitness platform that lets subscribers stream workout videos from fitness pros like BEMax Fitness, Andrea Metcalf, Baron Baptiste, Ellen Barrett, and Ilaria M of Powerstrike for on-demand and personalized workouts.
Available for iOS and Android, there are two options available outlined below:
| FlexPass | Trainer’s Pass |
| More than 100 videos available from expert trainers, including on-demand videos, personalized workouts and live classes | Unlimited access to select trainers |
| 15 different areas of discipline (e.g., yoga, Pilates, barre, cardio, dance) | Allows subscribers to push their limits with one specific trainer |
| Workouts available for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels | Starting at $6.99 a month per trainer |
| 30-day free trial | Prices vary per trainer |
| $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year |
Similar to Spherady, a subscription platform for authors, athletes and “social celebrities,” Trainer Pass allows trainers to create their own channels, upload their own content, interact directly with fans, and decide their own pricing. This is a great feature for trainers who don’t want to invest in their own platforms or technology to add a subscription service to their fitness offerings.
Other streaming subscription fitness services like FitFusion exit, but they have their own pricing structure and features. For example, on FitFusion, people can subscribe for $9.99 a month, rent or buy certain videos. This service offers unlimited streaming of 316 videos with 31 trainers.
Insider Take:
It will be interesting to see if this fitness subscription service takes off. CBS has the resources to promote the service and support the underlying technology. It has also experienced success as one of the early entrants into the over-the-top TV network with CBS All Access.
However, we question how many subscription services consumers are willing to pay for each month. Will this service replace traditional gym memberships, or will it attract a specific audience that is willing to pay $4.99 and up for access to their favorite trainers? As Sport Techie points out, a similar offering by NBC, in partnership with Under Armour, didn’t work out. Will CBS have what it takes to succeed? We’ll be watching.
