It can go without saying that personal training has tremendous benefits towards an individual’s success in fitness. Working with a qualified fitness professional can provide you with increased motivation, education, and proper programming in order to achieve long term success. By learning new techniques, developing a routine, and having someone to hold you accountable, you will see improvements in both your mental and physical performance. While a majority of people may prefer to work with a trainer directly, some don’t have time or simply just need some guidance. If you fit into either of these categories, Online Coaching may be just the thing for you!
What is it?
Traditional personal training involves you and the trainer working in a 1-on-1 setting typically 2-3x/week for a prescribed amount of time, given your goal and starting level. With in-person training, you will learn at an accelerated rate, given a higher amount of kinematic feedback throughout training. The trainer works with you in live time and can see exactly how you are responding throughout each minute of each workout.
Online coaching simply removes the physical 1-on-1 aspect since you will not be meeting your trainer in person during the training process. Online coaching is typically done through electronic communication. Email and text messaging are the most common forms, but sometimes video chats can be used as well. Similarly to traditional PT, each online coach typically specializes in a given area of fitness (weight/fat loss, muscle building, powerlifting, competition prep, nutrition etc.) and you should seek one that most appropriately fits your needs.
Who is it for?
As a personal trainer and online coach myself, I NEVER recommend online coaching to anybody with less than 1 year of formal training or gym experience under their belt. The reason is that if you are not comfortable, confident, or experienced in training on your own, then online coaching will be very difficult for you to find success and progress at an appropriate rate.
Online coaching is designed for individuals who already have moderate experience and understanding in their own general health and fitness level, but want to obtain guidance or new perspectives in their training. This style of coaching works best for individuals who are self-motivated, driven, and ready to go to work with what the coach prescribes.
Since online coaching requires an individual to work entirely on their own during their actual training sessions, it should be understood that the client needs to have a solid foundation of training prior to coaching. If you need to learn movements and understand how things work, then you need 1-on-1 training, not online coaching.
How does it work?
Every coach runs their business and training protocols differently, but for online coaching it generally will function as follows.
- You communicate and hire a coach for your specific goal in mind
- You will then choose a given amount of training time (1/3/6 months etc.)
- The coach will then come up with a detailed personal plan for you based off your current level of activity, fitness level, and lifestyle factors
- You will follow your customized plan and have check-ins with your coach to monitor progress (weekly, bi-weekly, etc.)
- Communication with your coach is generally through e-mail and txt and will be answered as soon as possible
- If problems arise, your coach will work around the existing prescribed program to ensure that your progression will still be made
- ACHIEVE RESULTS!
How should I choose a good coach?
This is by far the hardest part about online coaching. Finding a solid coach or trainer can be very difficult because they all may seem the same to you at first. So what makes one better than another? You want a coach that is qualified and reputable! I cannot stress this enough.
Having a coach means that you specifically chose someone to provide you with a new direction and perspective towards your goal. This requires a huge deal of trust since you are ultimately giving somebody the reins towards your life in fitness. If your coach is not able to provide you with the knowledge or appropriate course of action to get you to progress in a healthy manner, then fire them immediately. This can be difficult to know, and sometimes you realize it when it’s too late. Research and question each prospective coach before you hire them!
You should find a coach that has been in practice for some time and has substantial amounts of experience in your goal area. Of course there are many coaches who are fully capable of leading you towards success without having done so themselves, however I would highly recommend finding a coach who walks the walk and talks the talk. It’s comforting knowing that you’re working with an individual who has been in your shoes or has accomplished the goals you are seeking.
You are not buying into a guide, textbook, or program when hiring a coach. You are getting them altogether! This means you’re investing into their thoughts, their ideas, their knowledge, and their strategies regarding YOUR goal. Pick somebody you actually know, somebody who you feel comfortable with, or somebody who has been referred to you. You want a real person who is invested into your goal and success over money.
Things to watch out for!
First let’s get one thing straight. Just because you have a jacked and tan body, that doesn’t give you the credentials of being a coach or trainer.
In this social media explosion age, fitness models, athletes, and regular gym goers can have a substantial following simply based on their looks and performance alone. When it comes to the fitness industry, a lot of people are out to make a quick buck, capitalizing on their following, and sometimes at the expense of jeopardizing others along the way. The problem is that many people find inspiration and motivation from these “celebrity” individuals, yet they may not be the best candidates to become your online coach or trainer.
Be aware of coaches that:
- Limit communication with you
- Are not adaptable in training styles
- Cannot explain their methods or reasoning
- Are not personable
- Negatively reinforce/criticize
- Give you a plan immediately (customizing plans take time to create, be aware of cut and paste programs!)
At the end of the day, personal training is a relationship between the client and trainer. A solid coach will be real with you and understand you. When working with another person, whether it’s face to face or online, you need to establish healthy communication and care for one another. You as a client are working with the trainer just as much as the trainer is working with you. If you have any doubts, then question or ask about it. There should be no question that cannot be answered. Online Coaching can be a fantastic way for you to work with a trainer, given that you do your due diligence.
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