What online personal trainers have and need me?

But is personal online training as valuable as face-to-face experience? Is it worth it to pay for a plan that you follow from your phone or laptop? Let these coaches answer all your questions about personal online training and guide you in finding the best solution for your fitness goals, online or otherwise.

What does personal training include online?

As with individual training in person, you can get workouts tailored to your goals and your fitness level when you address personal training online. But the way you find a coach and interact with him depends on the method you choose. For example, applications such as Trainiac ($ 50 / month) and Future ($ 150 / month) offer access to their own list of coaches who create custom programs. You share your goals and your experience of exercise in the application and a trainer formulates a plan (often based on exercises in the library of motion applications). You can then send messages about the progress of the training sessions, as well as your progress.

Another personal online training method comes from a coach. Many trainers expand their offerings outside of a studio or gym, allowing you to follow their programs wherever you want. Think of it as a model of direct consumer training. The trainer will likely write a one-month program of exercises, rehearsals and sets, and provide instructional videos on how to perform each movement of the program. They will then track your progress (virtually) throughout the month and respond to your questions or concerns throughout the process. Some trainers also use an application such as True Coach, which allows them to connect with customers and offer personalized workouts without meeting face-to-face.

What are the benefits of using a personal trainer online?

According to Frances Rinaudo, CSCS, personal coach at Focus NYC, you enjoy many benefits similar to those of personal training in person when you choose to go virtual, especially expert advice on the workouts that will help you achieve your goals. .

The catch? You need to make sure that you sign up for a coach or training app that actually provides a personalized service, rather than for those who simply distribute standard programs to each user or customer. The service or trainer should be forthright about this, but you should also be able to know if the plan is offered to you after you have shared your goals and past performance.

One of the main advantages of personal training online compared to in-person training: flexibility. There's usually no fixed schedule for your workouts, says Hannah Davis, CSCS, owner of Body By Hannah Training Studio in Cleveland, Tennessee. So you are really able to do that. [the workouts] from home or just on your own time in general. This means that if you travel or are busy with your family and you only have 20 minutes, you can always do a tailored workout.

And by creating your own schedule, you become more independent, says Davis. In addition, since you have to report to your training, you will be more in tune with your own body and the way certain exercises make you feel.

Agree, but how much does personal training cost online?

Virtual training can certainly be more cost-effective than signing up with a coach in person and actually giving you access to top coaches, even if you do not have one geographically close to you. Most applications cost between $ 50 and $ 150 a month, and most trainers charge similar prices, sometimes as high as $ 200 a month, depending on the coach. In comparison, trainers typically charge at least $ 100 per session when you train face-to-face. If you do not have the funds, that's a good alternative, says Rinaudo.

Want a certified coaching workout that you can do at home? Try this basic basic training:

Are there disadvantages to personal training online?

As with most things, there are some disadvantages to consider. More importantly, if you are looking for someone to correct your form in real time, give you immediate feedback or offer encouragement through this set of squats fold, you will not find it in an online training program, warns Rinaudo.

You also lose a little the responsibility factor, adds Davis. You do not have anyone who is counting on you to show up at every workout, and you do not necessarily get a financial penalty if you miss a workout. . So, you must have your own reader to follow the program.

Another thing to consider? There is something about an individual connection that you create during the hours you spend with your coach and miss you as a result of online training. You have to hold yourself responsible and stay more connected on your own, says Davis. There is no money to have a good coach. I am very attentive to form and I am constantly looking for missteps and signals, which you do not receive from a virtual session, unless you are in a meeting on Skype, she says.

How do I know if personal online training suits me?

Think about your motivation, your goals and your fitness. If you are new to training, you could benefit more from in-person training. Sometimes beginners really need someone to correct their listing, says Rinaudo. This helps you avoid injuries and reach your goals faster. Plus, if you tend to only attend workouts when you have an appointment, you may want to skip the virtual way and opt for a coach in your gym.

But if you have the motivation to go to the gymbut, you could be overwhelmed by your own virtual training. In addition, if you do not have a gym in your area, you have a hard time reaching your goals even if you have not done well on your own, or if you have a busy schedule and need a workout, you can easily find a personal workout online. be your best bet.

How to find a good coach online?

To begin, check their certifications. They must have a personal training certificate issued by organizations such as the American Council on Exercise (ACE), a Certified Strength and Fitness Specialist (CSCS) or the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). If you really want to make sure [of their certs], ask them, suggests Davis. There is nothing wrong with asking a coach to send you his certificate to prove it. There are many influencers who are not certified, and that is very important. She says you also want to make sure that they are doing continuing education to follow this seal of expertise.

If you have special requirements (for example, if you are pre-natal or post-natal or have a persistent injury) or specific goals (such as completing a half-marathon or becoming stronger for a particular sport), you can also consider the skills of your coach. Rinaudo explains that many of them will have a deeper knowledge of these areas.

Davis says that you should feel free to also contact the trainers you love on social networks (just make sure they have this certificate!). She herself offers online coaching, but does not necessarily do it, so other trainers could do the same. And even if they do not, they might have references for you.

How can I get the most out of my personal training program online?

The coach should always ask detailed questions about you, your goals and your exercise history. Be as specific as possible when setting your goals: Do you want to incorporate the race? Learn a specific movement like jump-up or jumping squat?

Once you have received your program, make sure it matches (and continues to match) your goals and fitness level, says Rinaudoy, ​​you want to make sure you receive the individual attention that you have chosen. In general, you should see a balance between upper and lower body exercises, as well as basic work, mobility and diversity within the program. In addition, the plan should progress each week. If you fall flat on what you have decided to accomplish with an online coach, do not be afraid to talk. Your training is what you do, especially when you are practicing virtually.