The Online Coach: Fitness for the Digital Age
How many times have you had to cancel an appointment with your personal trainer due to last minute conference calls, or an unscheduled meeting with your boss? Maybe you lack the consistency in your schedule to commit to meeting with someone multiple times each week, and have long since surrendered to the box of Cheez-Its in your desk instead. Or perhaps you fired your last personal trainer because you simply didn’t like them, but find yourself wishing you had someone to monitor your progress and switch up your program? For those who like the idea of a personal trainer but prefer to go it alone, technology has given rise to the era of online coaching, web-based personal training services designed to give you the guidance you need to reach your goals without the hassle of meeting one-on-one in the gym.
How It Works
Hiring a personal trainer is the number one way to get motivated and push yourself to perform after a long day in the office. No matter your age or fitness level, there is a trainer whose coaching style can help you achieve faster results than if you were working out on your own. However, if you insist on the “do it yourself” approach, an online coach can help you put the pieces together. You can still work out on your own, but with the guidance and support of a professional who knows your history and can design a personalized program that fits your needs. The service is convenient, can be accessed from your iPhone, and is offered at a fraction of the cost of a trainer breathing down your neck ordering you to do another twenty burpees.
Finding Your Coach
A quick internet search for an online fitness coach will provide you with a list of possible services available. The personal training industry is largely unregulated, so it is up to you to verify a coaches’ credentials before hiring them. Ask if they are certified by a nationally recognized institution, such as the American College of Sports Medicine, and make sure their business is insured. Even though the coach is not providing in-person training, they are still liable for the advice they give, and must carry proper insurance to do so. Inquire about the length of time they have been a trainer, how many clients they have worked with, and what testimonials they can offer about their service.
Getting Started
A coach will assess your medical history, current fitness habits, and work with you to design a program that suits you. It is important to be open and honest with your coach about any limitations you may have, or life changes that may happen along the way while you are working together. No matter what your workout preferences are, an online coach can give you support, measure your progress, and make any needed adjustments to your routine based upon your feedback. Many online coaches offer online community forums, video tutorials, and helpful hints on maintaining a healthy lifestyle as part of your training package, giving you added support throughout the week.
Final Words
Choose a coach who is experienced, informative, and offers support in a format that you feel supports your fitness goals. Working with an online coach can offer many benefits a personal trainer cannot, and the advice they give can be accessed anywhere in the world from your computer or smart phone. If you are traveling for pleasure, relocating for business, or simply switching gyms, an online coach will be there every step of the way. If you already have a basic understanding of proper technique when exercising, an online coach can help you bust through plateaus and boredom with exciting new routines and advice. There is less accountability here and no one is going to make you do that last set of burpees, but let’s be honest... You'd rather not do them anyway.
