Online Personal Training versus In Person Personal Training
In researching competitors and fitness and nutrition software for my personal training business, I am noticing more online personal training solutions both in terms of competition and software offerings. So I am naturally curious, are personal trainers are doing more work with their clients online versus in person these days?
Hi Sue,
I will be interested in hearing from those who do both online and in person training. I personally have a hard time understanding the online training component with regard to making a personal connection to the client, monitoring client form, and correction, etc. All of my training is done in person, and I find there is still a need and want for it.
Online training is not for me right now. There is something for everyone, though, and online training may appeal to a specific market.
Christine
I agree with Christine
I will do some online training with well established clients when they travel.
I really value one on one contact.
I think online training is a money maker and time saver but I have to wonder if it’s worth denying our clients that “personal” touch.
There are thousands of workout videos on UTube and other sights. People can use those for free
Hi Sue,
I, too, have been bewildered about the rise of online “personal” training which seems to me a contradiction in terms. I could see myself training somebody over a distance if I have been working with this person for a while, and when I am very familiar with strength and weaknesses.
I am with Christine when she says that it is not right for her. It is not right for me, either. I have seen too many people train themselves into pain and injury by repeatedly doing things incorrectly. Imbalances, when not properly addressed, can add up to major problems over time. I come with a background of personal injury which, as I know now, could have been prevented through proper movement. This certainly influences my opinion on this subject.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
Hi Sue,
I have been doing some Skype training for many years now. But I prefer in person training than any type of online/Skype training. I offer Skype training so I can reach new and existing clients who either live or travel to other places. Over the years I have develop a good system that works for me when I train someone via Skype. Skype training is not for everyone and at the same time not every trainer can offer this service effectively either. Between the two types of services, I will always choose the in person option because to me that is true personal training. As far other types of online training such as writing a program and send it to someone whom I have never met I think it’s not that great of a service/option. Many things can go wrong with this and at the end I don’t think the client gets the full effect of personal training (in my opinion this is not personal training). Personally I wouldn’t pay someone to write up a program and send it to me when I can do some research on my own online and/or get an app for free or for $1 and have the same effect/outcome for a fraction of the price. The same goes for nutrition.
Best,
Harris
Ok, I will be brief. (Did I hear sighs of relief?) There is no such thing as “online” personal training. What is being called online personal training is just exercise descriptions and workout session designs sold to make money. If you feel that this is ok and not in direct opposition to personal training standards of practice, then go on and get your share of this ill gotten gains.
Otherwise, meet your clients in person (as in personal training) and do the best you can with the information you gather on each “individual” client.
The money gotten (it isn’t earned) through selling copies of plans and videos comes out of our communities. It hurts the local fitness professionals. And it wastes billions of dollars every year. But if you can do this and still kid yourself that you are a fitness professional, go right ahead. I can’t stop all of the other con artists out there taking money from gullible people either.