The "Rise" Of the Online Personal Trainer
The “Rise” of the Online Personal Trainer
What direction is the fitness industry heading in?
I guess you noticed that we are in a pandemic, and navigating through a pandemic has been challenging to say the least. However, during challenges times, it is an opportunity to change, innovate, and come out stronger than ever before.
The fitness industry has entered an epidemic. This epidemic is the world of the online personal trainer, and online training programs. Why? Well, it seems pretty clear doesn’t it? You can make up to $10,000 a month with my 5 secrets to building your online business (I hope you have a sense of humor ;) The reason is obvious. People are locked in at home, whether it is mandated by their respected province or state, or they are at staying at home by choice. Regardless of the reason, fitness professionals everywhere see that there is an opportunity to tap into this market for various reasons (Business survival, belief in the online market, personal preference etc.)
The point of this article
To help you the fitness professional and the customer evaluate the ever confusing fitness industry as we embark down the path of the unknown, and help you make an informed decision of where you want to take your professional career. There is no right way, but, there are more efficient ways than others.
The Online Personal Trainer
We must be clear when we use the word “online”. Some have chosen to train clients over Zoom, which is ok, but it poses a few issues. Pricing, quality, connection, and efficiency. Trainers are attempting to charge anywhere between $60-100 per hour. Here are the cons for the Zoom trainer:
· Still expensive for the client
· You are trapped working on your business
· As a client you miss the details of having an in person, live Personal Trainer
· Not suitable for people with injuries, or complex medical histories
· Not great for people who prefer and benefit more from face-to-face interaction
· Not always a thorough assessment process
· Lack of training equipment
In studio or in gym Personal Training is still mandated to operate (In British Columbia Canada). This is a huge issue for the online Zoom Personal Trainer because you are direct competition with the Trainers, and business who have more equipment, culture, and connection that human beings long for.
The solution if you want to train Personal Train clients Online
You have to be extremely honest with yourself and the service that you’re offering. The truth is you’re still at an extreme disadvantage. If your client does not have certain types of equipment you will be limited to what you can do. You must price yourself accordingly, which means, beneath the rates of the Personal Trainer who is training in house. Why? You cannot provide the same experience as these individuals as hard as that may be to hear. As soon as you begin to charge $60-80 per hour for at home Personal Training, you may get a few sign ups, but what happens when your client finds out that they’re paying just as much for you as they would an in person Personal Trainer? This pandemic will not last forever, are you ready to pivot once this is over?
Online Workout Programs (6 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 4 months Plan etc.)
Training programs have been around long before the internet. VHS, DVD’S with various workout programs have been in the mainstream market for years, so these are not anything new. As amazing as these programs do sound, the issue with the client being able to successfully apply these programs has forever been the challenge. These programs should be more cost effective for the at home client on a budget, however, these programs can be very challenging to apply, especially if you have a preexisting injury of some kind (Knee, Shoulder, back, hip issues etc.)
The cons with online workout programs
· Not Personalized
· The trainer is likely using an app that they use to program. Which is not designed for customization
· Your form cannot be checked
· Not great for people who lack motivation
· Workout environment is key to starting new habits and getting great results. Often the at home workout person does not have an adequate workout environment.
· Lack in person connection
· Even if you are consistent with your program, eventually you will hit a plateau. You will need something else to help take their fitness to the next level
· Often very overpriced for what the program provides.
· Nutrition plans often will be promised. More often these nutrition plans are given by someone who is not a certified nutritionist or dietician.
The Verdict
These plans are ok for the intermediate/advanced fitness enthusiast on a strict budget. The unfortunate thing is that rarely does anyone actually stick to these plans. Over time if you keep buying these plans, the cost can add up, results can be extremely low, and you may as well just have hired a Personal Trainer in the first place.
As the fitness professional it is extremely important to test the effectiveness of your training programs. You will be asked a ton of questions. You can either 1. Sell these programs and walk away 2. Anticipate and answer the questions that your clients may have and create a chat group or 3. have a bi weekly check in with your clients. I do not recommend texting and messaging with your clients on a constant basis. This will lead to exhaustion and you working for less than minimum wage once you factor in the amount of work that you put into your programs.
Advice To the professionals
1. Apply to Personal Train in a gym. Gain more experience, and get in person clients.
2. Create Workout programs for the intermediate, advanced, or your niche market, but be prepared for a lot more work than expected.
3. Take on a few online clients to sample the experience. However, do not get too used to it. You still need to be on top of your own training, and these online sessions are not as active as you working in person with a client, in a proper gym setting.