When the world went into lockdown in March 2020 because of the pandemic the world of online boomed. We were all ordering sweatpants online, we were following online recipes for banana bread and we were all following online workouts out Instagram lives to get our fitness fix.
The world had changed. Some people who were always working 9-5 Monday to Friday in an office are now working hybrid between their home office and work office. Gyms that offered online classes have kept their online classes going and as for banana bread, well I'll leave that one with you.
Have you ever wanted to try following an online training plan with an online coach? In this blog post I'll cover:
Who would benefit from online coaching?
What to expect from an online coach
How to approach an online trainer
Who would benefit from online coaching?
There are many perks that come when you sign up with an online personal trainer or fitness coach, here's some of the feedback I've had from some of my existing online clients:
It is convenient for shift workers or freelancers.
Whether you're an early bird or a night owl - the internet doesn't have a closing time so you can work out whenever you want when you're following an online plan. If you're a shift worker or a freelancer for example where you don't have a consistent working pattern then online training might be best for you. You can still get tailor made fitness plans made for you but you choose when you want to do them!
Now that's not to say you 9-5'ers wouldn't benefit from an online training plan! if you're looking for a plan to work around your typical schedule then an online plan can easily fit in alongside your existing routine.
Looking to become more self-disciplined?
If you're someone who says you have no will-power then perhaps this is the ultimate test for you as you will be made accountable and responsible for your own dedication to your plan. A female personal trainer can only take you so far in your journey, but it is ultimately down to you for what foods you put in your mouth and how hard you exercise at the gym.
Always on the go?
If you are always on the go and can't commit to training sessions in a gym that's not too close to your home or work then then an online plan can be used at any gym at any time, perfect for those who don't work in the same place at the same time.
Prefer to stick to the plan?
So you're heading to the gym, great! But are you following a structured routine or just simply winging it? Following an online plan is a great way to save time so you know what you're exercises you are doing at the gym and what days you are focusing on what body part.
If your online plan is following a meal plan or your coach is helping advise with nutrition then it's a great way to plan for the week ahead which means less time worrying about what you're going to eat!
What to expect from an online coach?
Like most things on the internet, there's a lot of scammers out there. If you type in 'online personal trainer' or 'female fitness coach' into Google's search engine then there can be hundreds sometimes thousands of results so make sure you're not settling for the first result or cheapest.
A tailored plan to your goals and body
Simply put, the cheaper the plan, the less likely the plan will be personalised. With a personal online coach your trainer should have an initial discussion or consultation to discuss what you want your fitness journey to look like. Do you want to shift some excess body fat? Do you have a holiday in a few months time and want to go on a more intense plan? Or is it even to gain weight (muscle!). All of these will be covered in this discussion alongside your strengths and weaknesses...what do you enjoy and what do you want to improve?
The Curve Coach Tip: In these initial first meetings with your online coach, treat it as online dating. Get to know your trainer as much as they want to get to know you. I mean you don't have to be super personal but just getting to know about their fitness journey, what they specialise in and coaching methods can be a guide for you to get to know your trainer.
Confidence Building
A trainer regardless if they are a gym instructor, teacher, or female fitness coach should be motivational regardless. This can be evident in their tone of voice or the way they format their messages.
You want to avoid a trainer that responds to your progress on that squat machine with simple replies like 'Well done'.
When really the response should be: Well done you! You've come so far, in your first few sessions you were only lifting 10kg weights and now you're smashing out 30kg! Let's keep up the good work and I think you can aim for 35kg! Keep me updated' - much better, right?
Educated on more than just lifting weights
Don't be afraid to ask your trainers about their qualifications and expertise. If you're looking to invest time and money with an online trainer have a look at their additional skills - the worst they can say is no and then you've got the option to explore elsewhere.
I say this because a fitness journey is more than just going to the gym and counting calories. Is your trainer educating on women's health for example? If you're looking to overcome an eating disorder has your trainer dealt with this before? You want to make sure you're putting yourself in the right hands.
They should also be sharing resources with you online too. For example, The Curve Coach website provides this blog, recipe ideas and eating out guides for eating our all free with no hidden costs.
How to approach an online trainer
First things first, us online trainers aren't monsters! Well, maybe we are in the gym - but after our workouts are done we return to human form!
if you're a bit like myself and an introvert then messaging a stranger online can be quite overwhelming. So I've got a little step by step guide below on how to contact a coach:
Set clear, realistic goals for yourself: knowing what you want to achieve is half the battle before heading off and choosing the right trainer for you. If you're goal is to: lose weight, run a marathon In 3 months time, gain confidence and drop 4 dress sizes then I clearly haven't done my work right in these blog posts! Try and narrow down your goals and focus on one or 2 realistic things you want to achieve, think one physical and one mental aspect. So drop a dress size and feel more comfortable in the gym floor is more achievable.
Do your research - make a note in a notebook of your 1 or 2 goals. For example lose body fat and gain confidence could be your goals. Have a search online for some online trainers and see if 'lose body fat' and 'helps boost your confidence' appears on their website more than once. If it doesn't, then they might not be a right fit for you.
Narrow down your findings to 3-5 trainers and take a look at their testimonials or client gallery. What is their reviews saying? Do their results look realistic?
Fill in a contact form or drop an email and sit back and wait patiently. Online trainers are quite busy so be patient if there is a bit of a pause before you hear back from a trainer. Give it 5-7 working days before you get a reply, try not to message again as this can crowd a trainer's inbox more!
Wait for their response: Yay, you've heard back! Don't be too disarmed if a trainer has quoted you a cost in your first reply, online trainers have their time wasted quite often so sometimes they will be quite upfront with the cost. But if you're really interested reply back asking for a quick 5-10 minute discussion on the phone or video call to discuss further.
Make your decision: Don't rush your decision but equally don't take too long as you may miss your chance and lose your spot! Take a couple of days to reply. Try and cancel or postpone any upcoming plans that may clash with workouts or drop-ins with your trainer in these initial first weeks to make sure you're giving yourself a good head start on your plan. And once you've started, you'll never look back!
At The Curve Coach we pride ourselves on offering a high standard of online coaching, just take a look at our transformation gallery!
If you do want to enquire and get the ball rollin with online training with an online coach then submit the enquiry form below and someone will be in touch!
Comments