If you're reading this then we assume that you are considering online personal training. Although working with a trainer online isn't exactly a brand new concept, there is still a lot of unknown and trepidation when it comes to this style of fitness accountability and support.
Is online personal training as good as in-person personal training? Will you feel as well supported when you're not seeing your trainer face to face? Never fear! We are here to provide you with all the information you need to see whether online personal training could be the right fit for you.
The rise of online personal training
Let's be honest here, staying fit and healthy can be a challenge. Our schedules have never been busier and trying to fit in a consistent exercise schedule certainly isn't easy. In-person personal training relies up fitting your workouts around your trainer's schedule whilst also juggling your family, work and social life. This is where personal training online can be a game-changer. Offering exercise flexibility, personalised support and access to a qualified expert no matter where you are in the world, online personal training is slowly becoming the preferred option for both newbies and fitness enthusiasts.
How does Online Personal Training work?
This is how we run things at Michael Ulloa Online Personal Training:
Initial consultation
When you are interested in starting online personal training, you will book in for an initial consultation. Here you will be talking with your online personal fitness coach to discuss setting up your journey. You will cover:
Your health and fitness goals - explain all of your goals and what your expectations are for your future relationship. What would you like to achieve? How can your coach best support you? Give as much information as you can to really make the most of your online coaching experience.
Your health and exercise background - provide your future trainer with as much information as you can. The more information they have about you and your history, the more personalised your exercise and nutrition plans can be. Your online personal trainer will be able to help you navigate any hurdles you have to staying consistent.
Dietary preferences and nutrition goals - healthy eating is incredibly unique. If your trainer is to support you in creating a healthy and balanced diet they will need to know your food preferences and any allergies or intolerances, along with your current and previous relationship with food.
Your exercise preferences - the importance of this can't be overstated. You could be given the world's best exercise plan on paper, but if it contains all of the exercises that you hate... there's no way that you're going to stick to it. Here you can provide information about where you want to exercise, how long you would like the workouts to be and what equipment you have access to.
Personalised plans created
After your initial consultation, your trainer will go away and begin curating your exercise and nutrition plans. Using all of the information you provided, a personalised plan that suits all of your needs and preferences will be written up ready for you to start.
The next online personal training stage is you receiving all of your plans to take in all of the information. Once you have looked through all of the plans, you can start implementing the changes that your online personal fitness coach recommends.
Your initial plans are never set in stone. A good trainer is always willing and wanting to alter your plans if anything needs changing. Your plans will be adapted and built upon as you move through the online personal training journey.
The workouts
Now you are ready to give your workouts a try! Most online fitness coaches now use apps to keep track of your exercise progress. Here you will be able to monitor the weight and repetitions that you are lifting so that both you and your trainer can track your workouts.
Many online personal training services now offer extra live workouts and classes to complete in your own time too. A nice variety of workout options keeps the exercise plan exciting... meaning you'll be much more likely to stick to it!
Regular catch ups
The check-ins with your virtual fitness coach really are the most important bit of online personal training. Here you will have a chance to explain how you are finding your exercise and nutrition plans, and where you can ask any questions you might have. Are the workouts going well? Are there any exercises you are struggling with? Any thoughts or worries about nutrition? Your coach is there to help you in any way that they can so try to be as open and honest with them as possible.
The goal of all personal trainers is for you to be as self-sufficient as possible when your personal training journey comes to an end. The more you engage with the check-in process, the more confident you'll feel in navigating it all once you finish working together.
The benefits of online personal training
Convenience and flexibility
We would argue that the biggest benefit of online personal training is the convenience and flexibility that it offers. Whether you have a hectic work schedule, you're a busy parent or you're someone who travels often, your online personal trainer can help you navigate this. You no longer need to fit your workouts around your trainer's schedule and you can workout from anywhere. You might prefer gym workouts, working out from home or even outdoors. With online personal training your training plans can be adapted to suit your preferred location. This flexibility is key to helping you stay consistent.
Personalised programmes for your needs
As with in-person personal training, online coaching allows you to receive tailored exercise and nutrition plans that meet your needs. This means no more cookie-cutter workouts or bland meal plans full of foods you dislike. Whether you're looking to build muscle, improve fitness levels or simply stay active, your plans will be personalised for you as an individual. As online personal trainers, we write up custom workout plans that consider your current fitness levels, your injury history and, importantly, your exercise preferences. Because there's nothing worse than an exercise plan full of exercises that you dread doing every week!
Access to expert guidance and accountability
Often the main worry with online personal training is whether you will receive as much support compared to seeing a trainer in person. In fact, our clients routinely find that having constant access to their trainer through messaging platforms and regular phone calls provides them with far more support than they were receiving with previous in-person personal trainers.
Regular contact through messaging platforms, video calls or app-based interactions makes it far easier to stay on track. Our online personal training clients receive:
Regular check-ins via phone or video calls to assess progress and to make adjustments
Video analysis of exercises whenever need to ensure good exercise form
Ongoing 24/7 support via their personalised client app or via text messaging
Cost-effective solution
Let's not beat around the bush. Personal training isn't the cheapest service available due to hourly rates and gym fees. In-person personal training can set you back anywhere from £50-£150 per session depending on your location. Online personal training is typically far more cost-effective while offering the same level, or sometimes more, professional support. On top of this, if working out from home, it eliminates travel expenses and the time spent commuting to the gym.
Perfect for the busy person
For those with a busy schedule (new parents or busy professionals), making time for exercise is always a challenge. Having an online personal trainer curate your workouts to fit your lifestyle can make things far easier. If you travel often, your trainer will be able to design workouts for new gyms and different environments as you go. Think of it as your own PA solely there to prioritise your wellbeing.
It keeps you accountable
If you are wanting to create some new habits and routines, nothing beats having a bit of accountability to help you get there. Knowing that your coach is checking in and pushing you to progress with your goals can make all the difference.
Yes, online personal training does require an element of self-motivation and get-up-and-go as your trainer isn't there to drag you through the workouts. But when all your health behaviours are being monitored and you know that a check-in is on the horizon, it does give you that friendly nudge to keep pushing on... especially on those days you're not really feeling it. Sure, you can always tell a few white lies or over-state your effort levels, but you'll only be hurting yourself!
Greater variety of coaches to choose from
The internet has opened up huge opportunities for many industries, and the fitness industry is no different. Rather than having to choose from trainers in your local area, you now have access to thousands of online personal trainers all around the world. We have now worked with online personal training clients in over twenty five different countries!
Conclusion: The Future of Fitness is Online
We truly believe the future of fitness and the future of personal training is online. Now that a cost-effective personalised approach to health and fitness is available for anyone with a smartphone, it is the perfect time to capitalise on the flexible expert guidance online personal training has to offer.
Are you ready to get started? You can find out more about our coaches here, or you can contact us today to discuss how we can help you reach your goals with a personalised online training plan.
If you want to check out some more free resources we have to offer, click here to head there now! Or head on over to our blog page to read some more articles we've written.
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