Has anyone used Virtuagym professional personal training software? If so, how would you rate it?
I have been searching for all-in-one professional personal training software including fitness/workout builder, scheduling, payment invoicing, mobile apps, etc. and in my search really only found amSTATZ, PT Distinction, PT Enhance, and after some digging, Virtuagym. I think Virtuagym looks awesome (it also includes a nutrition diary and food database app) and would be the best fit for me, but I have had a hard time finding any reviews for them from actual fitness professionals. Again, Virtuagym seems great, but I am looking at being locked in for 12 months if I decide to go forward with them, and want to be sure other pros are happy with it. Thank you for your help!
P.S. I have been using Trainerize (which only encompasses workout and fitness tracking features) and have tried amSTATZ, which didn’t work that well for me, and am ready for something else.
I see where this type of software can be useful to a Personal Trainer. It is a system to help you document your clients’ program and progress.
But some of these sites also market to the public workout programming for them to use on their own. The issues at the top of my list that I have with this are:
1. There is no direct interaction to ensure safe and correct use of the information being used.
2. Many people pay for the program and never use it or cannot use it properly to get any benefit. This one that I really find ethically difficult. In the same way that I don’t market or support the use of fitness video programs. Literally millions of dollars are wasted on these things and the buyers end up with them sitting on a shelf never to provide any type of health benefit. If I sell someone fitness training and they do not use it, I contact them to come and get their money back.
3. It dilutes the trust of the public in the sincerity of fitness professionals. It makes it appear that we are solely motivated by profit.
4. These types of mass market programs take fitness dollars out of the community. Just like the big box stores, this type of marketing weakens the purchaser’s community. If I spent my fitness dollars on some video or internet program, I am not going to have them to spend supporting local trainers in local businesses. That money won’t be coming back to my community. It won’t help keep fitness professionals in my area. It won’t go from the trainer, to the grocer, or dentist, or doctor, or to taxes to fix my roads, help support my children’s schools, etc. etc.
And 5. It removes the vital connection between real people. The connection that creates communities and leads to people being a part of the community.
I have been advised that I could make videos of my programming and sell them on the internet, through infommercials, etc. I personally just don’t think it is right. I want to personally connect with the people in my programs.