Fitness technology has opened the door to many fun and exciting ways to get in shape, according to your lifestyle and preference. Need to be in a supportive class setting? Want the freedom to exercise from home or a park? No problem! There are so many options out there that you can easily make fitness a part of your daily routine – no matter how busy you are!
With online personal training, the gym and personal training experience comes to you. Whether on your laptop or your phone, remote fitness coaching provides flexibility and expert trainer knowledge at a low price point.
How Does Online Personal Training Work?
Do you want to build a habit of exercising and get in shape? Join Trainiac today with a 50% off risk-free month of online personal training. When you sign up, you'll work 1-on-1 with a world-class coach who builds you a fully-customized plan based on your goals, that you can on your own time, from anywhere. Get fit and feel amazing! Learn more.
Online personal training is a rapidly evolving way to exercise that allows the average budget-conscious person to work with a certified professional over the internet. Here’s what you can expect with remote fitness coaching:
Initial Consultation
Almost every online personal training program begins with an initial consultation between you and your personal trainer. This consultation can take place over a phone call, video call, text message, or e-mail.
This is when you and your trainer will discuss:
- Health and fitness goals such as weight loss and muscle building
- Fitness background and how long you’ve been exercising
- Medical history such as injuries and surgeries
- Workout preferences such as location and equipment
This information is necessary for your trainer to create an effective and safe fitness plan for you. This consultation is also a great opportunity for you to meet your personal trainer and learn about their background.
Your Online Fitness Plan
After your consultation, your online personal trainer will use the information you provided and build a personalized plan for you. Online fitness plans can vary from a few weeks to 12 months, but your trainer will constantly be changing as you improve and progress. Before beginning, you can ask any questions about your fitness plan to your trainer.
Workouts
Once your trainer provides your with your workout plan, it’s up to you to get it done. There are three common types of online personal training workouts:
- Digital spreadsheet with YouTube demonstrations
- App-based training like Trainiac with high definition videos
- Live video conferencing with real-time feedback
As you’re exercising, it’s important to log your workouts to track your progress and help your trainer develop your next program. This information will let your trainer know your strengths and problem areas.
Check-ins
Your online fitness coach will schedule occasional check-ins with you. Check-ins can take place over text, email, phone call, or video conferencing service like Facetime, Skype or Google Hangouts.
You will discuss your advancements, obstacles and ways to improve. Ask your online personal trainer any questions that you have about your workouts or nutrition program. You can also ask your coach to demonstrate any exercises and provide tips and advice.
What Are The Benefits of Online Personal Training?
Remote fitness coaching gives you the freedom to get fit based on your schedule and budget. You’re getting many of the benefits of an expert personal trainer without the hassle of the commuting or paying a club pricing structure.
Flexibility
Online fitness coaching offers flexibility that works with your schedule. If you work late into the night, face-to-face personal trainers are limited to the hours of the gym. Online fitness coaches are available to you at whatever time you need.
Affordability
Excellent trainers can charge well over $100 per hour. Great trainers will cost you between $50 and $75 an hour. New trainers will be your most budget-friendly option, but they are also inexperienced. If you want an experienced trainer who won’t break the bank, online personal training is an excellent option. Depending on your needs, online personal training can cost as low as $80 per month!
Selection of Trainers
Online personal training provides you with a wide selection of trainers. Each trainer will have a different area of expertise, making it simple to find one that suits you. You’ll also be able to verify their certifications and credentials before signing up for a consultation.
Access to Trainers
You don’t just get a wide selection of remote personal trainers; you also have complete access to him or her. Some online personal trainers offer 24-hour support!
Accountability
Online personal training requires daily or weekly progress check-ins, ensuring you’ll get the feedback, motivation, and support you need.
Customized Workouts
Upon completing a consultation, remote personal trainers provide you with a completely customized workout program. These aren’t pre-made, one size fits all workouts. Your online coach will build a workout that takes into account your prior injuries, surgeries, and limitations. This will dramatically decrease your risk of injury, and improve your chances for success.
Is Online Personal Training Right for Me?
Given its convenience and effectiveness, online personal training is great for almost anyone. It’s important to remember that your focus should be on finding the best way you can achieve your fitness goals. Online personal training might be that option for you since it is a proven and popular way to help reach an ideal weight loss or muscle building goals, but it’s not the only way. However, if one of the following describes you, then online personal training will work exceptionally well for you.
You’re on a budget
If you’re trying to save money – and who isn’t? – then online personal training is a great way to reach your fitness goals while still being able to save each month. There are a variety of options to meet your needs, and they start as low as $30 per month.
You’re not making progress
Maybe you’ve tried time and time again to follow the latest diets or trendy workout plans, but never quite got the result you wanted. You’ve decided it’s time to reach your goal and the only way to do it is to hire a professional. Online personal training puts you in touch with a wealth of knowledge, support, and motivation to help you succeed.
You travel a lot
If your job requires constant travel or if you’re just a fan of backpacking for a few months, online personal training can come with you no matter where you go.
You want to work out at home
Online personal training lets you work out in the comfort of your own home while saving you the cost of an expensive gym membership. That’s more money saved for retirement goals, healthy food, or new clothes after weight loss.
You have a busy schedule
Online personal training lets you take your workout with you wherever you are. All you have to do is go on your computer or open up an app on your iPhone and get started.
You don’t live near a gym with trainers
Not all gyms have trainers. Local, newly-opened, or pop-up franchise gyms rarely have certified personal trainers available to you. Online coaching can put you in touch with experienced trainers who match your schedule. It’s a far more convenient option then driving across town to find a great trainer who is affordable.
You’ve never hired a personal trainer
If you’re someone who needs that face-to-face contact with an in-person trainer, but you’re not sure if a trainer is right for you, online personal training can be an inexpensive way to test it out before fully committing. Remember, in-person trainers along with a gym membership can be expensive. Before you spend all that money and commit to a training contract, try a no-hassle test run with online coaching.
How Much Does Online Personal Training Cost?
Online personal training will vary widely based on the program you choose. It can cost as little as $30 a month and as much as $300 per month. Let’s breakdown the price range for each type of online personal training.
1-on-1 Non-Live Coaching
Coaches provide a custom program, videos, and check-ins but do not provide live instruction. You’ll be responsible for filling out the workout and nutrition program on a daily basis, then sending your progress to your trainer. Since instruction is omitted, you’re going to find lower price points. For check-ins along with your custom program, you can expect to pay between $100 and $220 per month.
1-on-1 Live Online Coaching
Includes consultation, workout program, nutrition guidelines, and check-ins. Most importantly, training takes place over a video conference platform such as Trainiac or Skype. Prices will vary widely. The average cost of 1-on-1 online coaching is between $80 and $200 per month or $30-100 per session. If you take the time to shop around, you can easily find a great deal with a terrific trainer.
App-Based Personal Training (iOS & Android)
You’ll be provided with a consultation, programs, and check-ins, but live instruction will depend on the app you choose. Some apps are free to join and allow you to pay to include online support. If you want the works including a custom program, exercise instruction, complete access to your trainer, and weekly progress reports, you can expect to pay between $50 and $150 per month.
One of the most affordable forms of app-based fitness training is Trainiac. For $80 per month – less than what you pay for a cup of coffee per day – you get 1-on-1 coaching with an expert personal trainer.
Does Online Personal Training Work?
Absolutely! There are thousands of people worldwide who have shifted to online training to fit their lifestyle and they have achieved fantastic results. From fat loss to performance enhancement, online personal training has proven itself to be a realistic and cost-effective way to achieve your fitness goals. Given its success, online personal training is a movement that you can expect to grow as our cell phones continue to become faster. Let’s review the types of people that will be ideal for online fitness coaching, and those who might want to stick with a traditional in-person trainer.
Who Should Use Online Personal Training?
Busy / Packed Schedule
- Are you constantly on the road? Are you barely able to find time to drive to your local gym only to run out because of a work email? If you have a crazy schedule, online personal training can help you get in shape based on times that are ideal for you. Best of all, you can do it from the convenience of your home.
Tech Savvy on a Budget
- If you’re handy with a phone and you have a limited budget, remote fitness coaching is an effective way to achieve fitness goals without going broke.
Fitness First Timers
- If you’ve never stepped foot inside of a gym or weight room, online fitness coaching might be a good option that pairs you with an expert trainer who can walk you through foundational exercises at a low cost.
Who Might Not Enjoy Online Personal Training?
Extensive Medical History
Have you had multiple surgeries? Are you recovering from a serious accident? Do you have a unique chronic illness? If so, remote fitness coaching might not be right for you. Those with a long list of medical problems should consult with an in-person trainer that has a certification or degree dealing with your specific medical issues.
What Are The Best Online Personal Training Programs?
You’re sold on the benefits, you’ve made up your mind to join, and now it’s just a matter of finding the perfect online fitness coaching program for you. Here are the best apps, private trainers, and free websites to check out.
1-on-1 Apps
This is where you work directly with a trainer through text, video, and audio
Trainiac
Trainiac is an iOS app that provides unlimited 1-on-1 online fitness coaching with a real, certified personal trainer. Trainiac is ideal for anyone who wants to lose weight or build muscle but doesn’t have the budget or the schedule to meet with an in-person trainer.
Fitocracy Coaching
Once you answer a few straightforward questions, Fitocracy pairs you with your own fitness coach who will provide you with a consultation, program, meal planner, and 1-on-1 coaching. Live coaching is available to you for as low as $30 per month.
Self-Serve Apps
This is where a program is created for you based on an algorithm and basic information such as height, weight, and gender but you don’t have live instruction
Providing you with unlimited access to a collection of expertly-crafted workouts ranging from 7-to-60 minutes, FitBit Coach is the anytime, anywhere training app. Best of all, it’s only $39.99 per year. The downside: There’s no communication with a trainer, but there is a pre-recorded audio coach.
FitnessBuilder Plus
How does over 750 workouts sound? With FitnessBuilder Plus, you can choose from every type of workout you can think of: yoga, weight lifting, and Pilates. What’s more, the app lets you drag-and-drop thousands of pictures and videos to create your own workout! You get a free month to start, and after that you pay either $9.99 per month or $59.99 for the year.
Freeletics Bodyweight
This app is packed with exercises that require no additional equipment, making it ideal for the business traveler or the student in the studio apartment. Two unique features: a fitness test to help build you a custom program, and a special 2x2 mode for those with little space to work out.
Fitness Content Apps
You receive unrestricted access to an exercise video library but not a custom program or personal trainer
Geared towards the female audience, Sweat was designed as a complement to the Bikini Body Guide by Kayla Itsines. This app-based fitness coaching program is very beginner-friendly, and delivers a variety of workouts that’ll set you straight for 12 weeks. The cost is $19.99 per month, but you can often find a $1-for-12-weeks offer.
For only $15 per month, you’ll have access to over 150 workouts ranging from weight training to yoga. What’s more, each workout has a description and recommended experience level.
Private Online Personal Trainers
Online-based personal training can take the form of custom programs and weekly check-ins to video conference instruction and daily motivational support. Assess your needs based on your experience and goals, and consider one of the following online-based programs or trainers.
Josef Rakich Fitness
Offering a 12-week training program that is tailored to your medical history and fitness goals, Josef Rakich is an experienced trainer with plenty of photo testimonials. The price for 12 weeks is $67, but he often has heavy discounts and sales.
Ultimate Performance Fitness
Created by Nick Mitchell, Ultimate Performance Fitness is a form of online personal training that takes advantage of email, video conferencing, and FaceTime. Clients are provided with the full package for $400 per month: a customized exercise program, meal planner, supplement recommendations, and online training.
Free Online Pre-Made Programs
Is it possible to find quality training programs at no cost? Of course! The information might be based on the experience from certified trainers, but remember that nothing beats a conversation with a live person. Here are a few great programs to get your hands on that don’t have a cost.
Shortcut to Size / Shred
Two fitness programs from Dr. Jim Stoppani, the free Shortcut series can help you bulk up or slim down. It comes complete with 12 weeks of workouts, meal recommendations, and supplement suggestions.
Blueprint to Mass
Created by seven-time Mr. Olympia, Arnold Schwarzenegger, this muscle mass-focused program provides three months of exercises and meal and supplement guidelines. It’s free and from the review, it works.
Free Trainers
The popular fitness website has been the go-to resource for over two million people looking for custom workouts. While you’re not getting a workout based on your personal Q&A with a trainer, you can search according to your experience, restrictions, and goals.
Online Training: Computer Based vs. iPhone Apps
Connection
When you’re chatting with your personal trainer during a training session or progress check-in, the last thing you want is a spotty connection. Laptops and desktops require a stable internet connection whereas iPhone and Android apps can work from a network or home-based WiFi.
Convenience
In general, laptops and desktops are bound to a WiFi or cord-based connection. Android Smartphones and iPhones are free to be used anywhere so long as your network connection is strong. This allows you to get in touch with your trainer from your gym, your office, or your local park.
Screen Size
Computers give you greater clarity especially with modern high-definition screens. While phones also have high definition screens, the size is dwarfed compared to your typical laptop. However, smartphones and apps (including Trainiac) have the ability to be cast on to your television through Apple TV or ChromeCast.
Access to Documents
Your trainer will send you documents and video tutorials. When it comes to ease of access to these resources, your phone and computer are neck and neck. It’s standard practice for a computer-based program to have a smartphone equivalent.
Are Online Personal Trainers Worth It?
Without a doubt. Online personal trainers are a worthwhile investment into your health. They provide a high level of flexibility, convenience, and affordability all while instilling the knowledge you need to achieve long term health and fitness goals.
Join the thousands of people who have achieved success using online personal training. There are hundreds of experts to choose from, so now it’s up to you to make the commitment to yourself. Considering the low cost, ease of usage, and wide selection of resources available for you to choose, online personal training is an excellent way to get in shape and maintain results. You won’t know until you try so get started today!
Do you want to build a habit of exercising and get in shape? Join Trainiac today with a 50% off risk-free month of online personal training. When you sign up, you'll work 1-on-1 with a world-class coach who builds you a fully-customized plan based on your goals, that you can on your own time, from anywhere. Get fit and feel amazing! LEARN MORE.
