6 Benefits of Online Personal Training
When the pandemic began and gyms shut down, we knew how important it was to help our clients continue their training. Without the ability to meet in-person and without any fancy gym equipment, trainers had to adapt. We saw a boom in online training, at-home workouts, body-weight workouts and creative workout equipment. Gyms are open now, fitness equipment is back in stock and our clients are no longer using jugs of detergent or wine bottles as weights, but one thing stuck. Online training began as a pandemic fad but has become the preferred training method for many. Checkout this article as we walk you through exactly what those benefits are! You just might be surprised that this isn’t just a covid fad but rather a preferred method of training.
what is online personal training?
Online Personal Training is like having your personal trainer in your pocket at all times. Just like in-person training, you get a personalized program built for your goals, detailed instruction for each exercise, feedback on your form and encouragement from your coach on when to push yourself to lift heavier. The difference is that online training is all conducted virtually, so you get to workout on your own time, you can bring your workouts anywhere (train at home, in the gym or even when traveling!) and if you or your trainer moves, you still get to work with them!
1. More effective than training on your own
No one wants to hear that they are wasting their time. Having a personalized program that is tailored to your goals and a trainer in your pocket means that no time in the gym is wasted. Working with a trainer is more effective than working out on your own because programming, form and weight selection are everything. Doing random exercises will burn calories but will not elicit any specific adaptations in your body. If you have goals, you should be on a program that is built specifically for those goals. Performing a move incorrectly can risk injury and might not target the muscles you are intending. Using too light of weight can inhibit your progress, holding you back from your goals. Our trainers build you a program to reach your goals, give you instruction and cues to perform the move correctly and push you to lift heavier and work harder so you can be confident that you are getting the most out of each workout.
2. TRAIN MORE, PAY LESS
Personal training rates vary city by city but for top tier trainers, you can expect to pay $50-$150 per session. That means a month of training 3x/week will run you $600-$1800/month. Our online training programs range from $45-$299/month and we charge per month, not per workout so you will pay the same amount if you train 3 days/week or 6 days/week. This means that you can train more often than in-person training and still PAY LESS.
3. ACCOUNTABILITY
The number one way to be successful in your goals is to be consistent. It’s much easier to stick to a commitment you’ve made to yourself if you know that someone else is checking in on you. Online training coaches are here to help you stay on track and honor the commitment you’ve made to yourself.
4. Takes the guesswork out of exercising
There is a lot of conflicting information out there about fitness. Is arching your back bad? Is it safe to let your knees go past your toes? With online custom training programming, you get access to clear communication with a certified personal trainer, where you can ask questions, get help and learn skills.
5. Customizable based on your equipment/goals/needs
A custom program is built specifically for the individual. This includes your exercise history, fitness level, short term and long term goals, what equipment you have available to you, number of training days, length of workout, your likes and dislikes, your personal preferences and training location. Our bodies adapt specifically to the demand placed on them. This means that your body isn’t going to build muscle unless you specifically train that muscle in a way that encourages adaptation. Want to build a booty? You need to be following a training program that is built to cause your glutes to adapt, get stronger and grow bigger.
6. We are with you wherever, whenever
The great thing about personalized coaching is that it is totally personalized to you AND your life. Are you traveling for a week and only have access to a hotel gym or some bands? No problem! Your program can be adapted to reflect this! Has your schedule changed and you’re busier with work? You don’t have to worry about canceling a training session because you can work out on your own time. You also have the flexibility to do your workouts at home or at a gym. More flexibility means that you can continue training even when life happens.
how does online training work?
Of all the online training options, Virtual Personal Training is the most similar to in-person training. You meet with your trainer in real-time with sessions conducted via Zoom or Facetime and your trainer leads you through a personalized workout, giving you encouragement, cues and form feedback to help you get the most out of your training. You can train in your gym, apartment gym, at home or even when traveling.
how does non-custom online training work?
Of the online training options, non-custom training is the most independent form of training. Your trainer writes a program that is delivered to your phone and you can take it anywhere, and train on your own time. You get instruction for each exercise and a prescribed rep range, but choosing your weights and making sure your form is correct is on you. This style of training is great for those who are experienced, confident in their form and know how to choose challenging weights. This is also the least expensive form of training as the workouts are not tailored to each individual.
How Does Custom Online Training Work?
Custom training is the goldilocks of online training. It’s personalized like virtual personal training, but more flexible and less expensive. With custom online programming, a trainer writes you a personalized program based on your goals, equipment and personal preferences and you train on your own time. If you would like help with form correction or weight selection, you can take a video of yourself and send it to your coach who can give you feedback and form corrections so that you can improve week over week.
WHAT IS THE CUSTOM TRAINING PROCESS AT LWL?
We offer four tiers of training to fit our clients needs and budget. Our top 3 tiers are built for custom online personal training, here’s what to expect at LWL:
Step 1: Take the program matching quiz or book a consultation with one of our coaches to see which program is right for you
Step 2: Purchase your custom training program and fill out the new client intake form
Step 3: Book an intro call with your coach. In this meeting, your coach will get to know you more, introduce you to all of the LWL resources you now have access to, go over expectations for the program and answer any questions you may have.
Step 4: Your coach will build a personalized program based on the form you filled out and your conversation with them. They will take everything into consideration to make a truly personalized experience. This includes your current fitness level, personal preferences such as your likes and dislikes, short term and long term goals, equipment available to you, the space you are working out in (busy gym? Apartment gym? Living room?), preferred length of workout and preferred days/week of training.
Step 5: Train! You will download the True Coach App, watch our instructional videos for each exercise and do the workouts on your own time.
(For Transformers + Ambassadors only) Step 6: Take a video of your form and upload it to the app. Note the weights and reps completed. Write a couple notes about how the exercise felt.
We will review your video and notes and give you feedback on how to improve form, select the appropriate weight and get the most out of your training.
Step 7: Take that feedback and apply it during your next training session.
Repeat Steps 5-7 until the end of the month.
Step 8: At the end of the month, you will book a renewal appointment with your coach to review your progress and talk about any changes to your program for the next month.
Get Online Personal Training From Ladies Who Lift!
Ready to begin your online personal training journey? Take this quiz to see which program meets your needs the best. We have options for custom and non-custom training. For non-custom training, you get to choose between an at-home or in the gym training plan, as well as the number of days you want to train. We offer 3, 4 and 5 day/week programs. If you are looking for a truly personal training experience, check out our coach profiles here to sign up for a custom training program. We offer three levels of custom online personal training to fit every budget and need. If you are new, we highly recommend starting in our Transformer Program, as it allows more communication with your coach, video analysis of your form for each exercise, and personalized coaching to help you get the most out of each workout.
the author
Amy is a Certified Personal Trainer and Holistic Health Coach. She loves helping women heal their relationship with their bodies, and with food. She helps women feel strong, confident and capable through weight lifting and intuitive eating. In her free time she can be found taking long walks on the beach, petting dogs, or talking about politics.
