A lot of people have never considered online training - even during or "after" the pandemic.
Particularly, older people.
Some people are actively against it, despite the world at large moving towards more towards ecommerce, delivery services, and remote work being more integrated into the service sector.
There's no denying that wanting a personal touch with your personal trainer is ideal. Especially in the modern world, where human beings are becoming more and more atomized for many reasons, not the least of which being modern economic trends, which was already mentioned.
We're social creatures that don't respond as well to modern parasociality.
But make sure you're not missing out on all the benefits of remote training just because you want to keep things old school.
Online Training Tends to be Cheaper
Depending on the market demographics/geography - prices for personal training can vary quite a bit. If your trainer is training with you in a box gym - they're going to have to charge more (often quite a bit more) to make it sustainable for them, since they're going to have to pay rent to the gym.
Some corporate gyms can take up to 50-60% of their trainer's per client pay, since they're providing the clients and the equipment. https://www.issaonline.com/blog/post/breaking-down-big-gym-pay
A trainer that is training online is just charging for their time and expertise - which can't be diminished by any means - but if they're not travelling or providing equipment, which can allow them to charge less.
It's about the Programming
"Hi! I am Adrian Melor, your online fitness instructor. I will train you to be subserv- *crackling noise* - to be the very best version of yourself."
Most people simply don't know what effective exercise is or means for their goals. You're mining your trainer for their experience and their expertise in the field of getting in better health and physical shape. That comes with structured programming and nutritional coaching that is relevant to your subjective experience. It shouldn't need to be said that meeting your trainer in person isn't required for this.
Knowing what to do and what to do next. Structured forward projection. Making sure you're utilizing progressive overload, effectively.
You don't need a spotter as much as you think you do.
"You ever stop to think about what your reflection in that barbell says about your place in this universe? Like, think about how much time we waste on the performative sculpting of our mental and physical statuses? Of all the gyms in the multiverse, why -"
"Dude, anyone else here got a minute to spot me??? This is the third guy that did this!"
I see this more on the Strength Training/Bodybuilding side: "How am I going to get gains if I can't get spotted on a bench for my forced reps, bruh?"
While it's a great strategy every once in a while; it's not necessary, every session, on every set, in order to see maximum gains.
So, if you're not training to failure - you don't need a spot.
And even then, not every exercise has dangers associated with training to failure associated with something like a Bench Press or Squat (Pushups, Air Squats, Pull-Ups, etc.)
It's about the Accountability
The biggest issue most people have when it comes to getting in better health and better shape is simply holding themselves accountable in one of two ways - either they aren't consistent enough or aren't training hard enough when they are consistent.
Oftentimes, there's a combination of both.
Ultimately, building the habits and lifestyle necessary to get into the shape you want is going to require some kind of accountability. That accountability is going to help you develop a pattern of behaviour that is going to foster habitual change. Building the habits associated with getting into the shape you want, flows from that stream of accountability and (good) Personal Trainers are great for providing that.
Most trainers ask for money for session payments up front - sometimes up to 6 months - for this very reason.
If you lay down the cash in advance; you're more likely to commit to your sessions on those days where you're feeling less motivated (this also works to the trainer's benefit, since they're more confident they'll have work for a period of time. It's a win-win situation).
Combine this accountability with the convenience factor of being able to train anytime, anywhere, and you're removing quite a bit of psychological friction from your health and fitness journey
Now, some people hate accountability, in all forms, and for those people, the none of this matters much.
"You're all stupid. Death's gonna be out looking for the ones trying to actively avoid it."
But if you're not one of those people; working with a trainer online can be immensely beneficial.
Put whatever you own to proper use
You don't need a fancy gym to get into shape - you don't need any equipment at all for that matter. But that doesn't mean the Bench Press and Peloton you bought when the Pandemic started have to continue to serve as a clothes rack for your the gym clothes you no longer wear.
You new this callout was coming
Your trainer can help you put whatever you own, or don't own, to proper use, to help you meet your health and fitness goals so money isn't wasted and so that you can have the variety necessary to ensure you don't get board with your workouts - if you're the type that needs variety.
This also ties into, again, the convenience/friction factor mentioned earlier.
Travel and Train
"Physical and Mental Health hygiene responsibilities? Not my problem! I'm on vacation!" *mutes phone*
Going on vacation or have to travel for work?
There's no excuse!
Beyond the fact that taking a vacation is no excuse to not exercise (after all, fitness is a form of hygiene. You wouldn't not brush your teeth or take a shower just because you went away would you - I hope not), training with someone online can help you get acclimated to your changing environments in a way that can keep you on track with your fitness goals - and not to mention mitigate some of the bad decisions you might make while out of your comfort zone so you're not starting all over again once you get home!
MindBody!
-Kye
World Fitness Association Certified Personal Trainer, with almost 10 years in the industry.
Also really loves fighting games.
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