Do I Need an Online Personal Trainer?

I’m sure you’ve heard of personal training, and you might have even tried a few sessions at your local gym, but have you considered working with a trainer online?

There are many benefits to working with a trainer and when you take it online, the benefits are even greater. (You no longer need to worry about running late to yet another appointment!) 

It might sound intimidating to work with someone you haven’t met in person, especially if you’ve never tried personal training before. But don’t worry, the process can be simple with these steps.

My name is Stephanie Thomas, and I’m the owner of Stephanie Thomas Fitness. I’m a certified personal trainer, nutrition and health coach, and yoga teacher. I primarily work with brides looking to lose weight for their big day, but I offer my online weight loss services to any woman. I’ll cover the main steps I take with clients to set them up for an amazing online experience and share advice to help you reach your goals if you try it out!

Why you may need an online trainer?

Working out with a trainer, in general, helps you stick to healthy habits to achieve your fitness goals, encourages you to make necessary lifestyle changes and provides a plan for your needs as well as a support system to fall back on.

With online training, specifically, you can choose a trainer without location being an issue! I love working with women worldwide. It’s a huge benefit that you can choose a trainer based on experience, values and knowledge and not rely solely on location.

Another huge benefit is you can work out whenever you want, in the comfort of your home or gym. You don’t need a scheduled appointment.

Now, I’ll go over my process for getting clients started with online training.

How do you find the perfect program?

The first step is to book a 15-minute call with your trainer so they can understand your goals and decide which services are the best fit. In my experience, this is where clients ask me questions about fitness in general, my services and what to expect. Clients decide if they want to focus on fitness, nutrition or both. If clients prefer, I give a program recommendation based on what they’ve shared with me.

During our call, clients tell me the duration they’d like to work with me. Normally, I suggest at least three months but preferably six months so clients can see the results.

After clients choose the best program for their goals, they’ll select that program from the list of services on my website and purchase it online. 

What are some important steps before starting your new workout plan?

There are some important things you’ll want to do before you get started with the actual online workouts! First, set up a space in your home that you can use for your workouts. For at-home workouts, you’ll want at least one set of dumbbells, resistance bands, a yoga mat and any other equipment your trainer might require. If you choose to complete these online workouts at a gym, you can skip this step (some of my clients choose this option so they have ready-to-use equipment).

Another tip is to be communicative with your trainer. Sometimes trainers will embed this into the planning process — for instance, after you purchase a service on my website, I’ll have you fill out some forms to help create the most effective workout program for you. Otherwise, you may need to be specific about what your goals and needs are so your trainer can best serve you. Being online may make your trainer feel less accessible for questions, but they are here for you just as much as an in-person trainer, so don’t be afraid to ask!

Start your online training program, and keep on track!

Now, the fun begins! Your online trainer will deliver workouts to you, usually through an app, but sometimes it could be as simple as a spreadsheet in a weekly email. For my clients, I typically have them use my mobile training app as well as encourage them with weekly check-ins and coaching calls. If you’re not sure whether or not you’re performing an exercise correctly, you can send your trainer videos; you can even send trainers feedback on each workout! This will help your trainer create the best workouts for you. Additionally, if your program includes nutrition, trainers may share nutrition plans or recipe collections.

The biggest difference between in-person training and online training is that you’ll be completing the workouts by yourself; there isn’t a trainer standing by your side counting your reps. There are many benefits to this, like not worrying about “getting ready” and wearing whatever you want at home! But it also means you must hold yourself accountable to complete the workouts. Your trainer will motivate you and check in with you, but they won’t be next to you, making sure you are actually completing the exercises. That is still your own responsibility!

So how can you ensure you reach your goals with online training?

Stay motivated by remembering your “why” and goals. Remember why you signed up for your fitness program! You can be given all the motivation, best workouts, and healthy recipes to reach your goals, but you must do the work!

Connect with your trainer often. It’s so important to keep your trainer updated on what’s going on, so they can help you overcome any problems. You will be much more likely to reach your goals when you check in with them often. Sometimes trainers will offer you to connect with a smartwatch like a FitBit or Apple Watch for even greater accountability!

Let’s do this!

Whether you are looking to lose weight for a special event, build muscle or become the healthiest version of yourself, working with an online personal trainer will simplify the process, and you will be more likely to follow through on your goals!

About the Author

Stephanie Thomas, CPT is a certified personal trainer, health coach and yoga teacher living in Annapolis, Maryland. As the founder of Stephanie Thomas Fitness and creator of The Bridal Body Workout Guide, she helps brides develop healthy habits and a well-rounded workout routine they’re obsessed with. When she’s not creating workouts for her clients, you can find Stephanie reading the latest health book, spending time in nature or taking a walk with her two cavalier pups. You can grab her free Bridal Arms Mini Guide and sign up for her free wellness newsletter (featuring fun freebies!) on her website.