Health and fitness software provider Virtuagym has launched a new app enabling personal trainers (PTs) to set interactive nutrition plans for clients, which automatically update according to activity levels.

Designed to integrate with the Dutch firm’s existing apps for exercise and tracking, the updated software suite aims to offer a complete coaching solution for PTs and health clubs. As part of this, an online web portal enables coaches to monitor their clients’ activities and performance, as well as plan meals for them.

For the new Virtuagym Food app, users first set their client’s goal – be it losing weight, gaining muscle, or maintaining the current weight – and the software suggests nutrition plans accordingly. Then, using the food tracking system, clients can log their nutrition on the go, with the system tracking their nutrition intake and comparing it to the PT-recommended daily intake levels. These intake levels are modified by the client’s activity in Virtuagym’s exercise app, so if they log an intense workout, the advised calorie intake will increase.

“With the release of our nutrition app, we developed the holy grail for the health and fitness industry,” said Virtuagym CEO Hugo Braam.

“Nutrition should be part of any fitness plan. Our new app allows health clubs to finally offers this service cost-effectively.”

Having launched in 2008, Virtuagym – which is backed by Sanoma Ventures, part of Europe’s Sanoma Media Group – has gained steady traction in both the B2B and B2C markets. Its consumer workout app has been downloaded more than five million times, while on the industry-side, the company currently serves more than 1,200 health clubs and fitness professionals across 20 countries, including large European fitness chains such as Basic-Fit, HealthCity and Cityfitness.