There has been a rapid rise in the popularity of online personal training both in the UK and USA. Like traditional personal training sessions, clients are given a tailored programme designed to help them attain their goals, but the key difference is that the personal trainer is not there with the client in person – instead using tools such as FaceTime and Skype, or recorded sessions that the client can watch in their own time. These tools allow clients to access training programmes on their mobile devices meaning they can workout at any time, in any location, which makes it ideal for those who travel frequently or may struggle to fit their work around gym opening times.
Online training allows clients the flexibility to access trainers who are qualified in a specialist area, rather than be limited to trainers at their local gym for example.
For those looking to offer online personal training, it is important to establish a positive online presence; clients will likely read previous and current client reviews, and look at your social media presence in order to ascertain whether they would feel comfortable working with you.
It is also important to consider cost; Laider (2017) notes that ‘when a standout personal trainer begins to develop a reputation for delivering results, they tend to get busy very fast. The result of this is that they get booked up pretty soon and new clients find it very difficult to get sessions. Such demand inevitably leads to a rise in session prices, making the more sought after trainers too expensive for most to work with (some trainers in the UK charge £150 per hour). Many of these same trainers will be able to provide a month-long training plan for the same cost as an hour training with them’.
It is also important however, to consider the potential limitations of delivering personal training sessions online. When you are not there to identify issues in technique, which may affect results or be potentially dangerous. A way to overcome this is to consider the use of live demonstrations to highlight correct technique.
Another important consideration is how you will keep clients motivated; whereas sessions where you are present with the client help you to keep them focused, (even when they do not want to be there!) this push is lacking where the client is watching a video for example.
Laider concludes that ‘online training does work (I've seen the results), but it's definitely not for everyone. Normally, I recommend it to seasoned exercisers who don't need instruction in the gym and who won't lose motivation without the direct accountability of someone hovering over them.’
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/does-online-personal-training-work/