So, what is online training anyway?

Recently, I’ve gotten several questions about what online training is, and what Take Charge Fitness is all about more specifically.  Questions have included:

• “Is it just an app?” (Nope)
• “Who writes the training programs?” (Yours truly)
• “So, there’s videos?” (Yep)
• “Will I get the same level of expertise and support I’d get from an in-person trainer”? (Absolutely)
• “Is this a franchise, or your own business?” (Own business, unless there’s something I’m not aware of!)

All kidding aside, these are all great questions and I’ve gotten several others.  The best way to answer as many as I can is to describe what online training is as simply as possible and then explain some of the pros and cons versus in-person training.  I’ve also included thoughts about the type of person that may benefit the most from online training.  So, if you’re curious, read on!​

what is online training?

Online training typically works like this:

• You and your trainer have an initial consultation via phone, video conference, or in-person (if you’re in close enough proximity to each other).  During the consultation you and your trainer will discuss things such as your current fitness level (i.e., your starting point), any health issues or injuries you might have, your fitness goals, where and how you can best fit exercise into your life, and various other topics that can help your trainer really get to know you.
• If, after the consultation, you decide to sign up with the trainer, you’ll typically commit to ~3 months at a set cost (no per-training sessions costs as with in-person training) and then re-up if you’re satisfied with your progress and want to continue working with the trainer.
• If you decide to move forward, your online trainer will develop a workout program specifically designed for you based on your current fitness level, fitness goals, the time you’ve committed to exercising each week, and the equipment you have access to (if any). 
• The program will involve a set of different workouts you can do during different days of the week.  So, if you workout 3 days a week, you will likely have a program that involves 3 different workouts, one for each day.
• Your workouts will be delivered to you through a mobile training application that you can easily download onto your mobile phone.  When you go to the gym (if that’s where you work out), you simply click on your workout for the day and it will include - 1) the name of each exercise, 2) a short video demonstrating how to do the exercise, 3) a short written description of how to do the exercise, and 4) the number of sets / reps / duration to perform that exercise
• By logging into the training app and checking off exercises either during or after the workout, all of your exercise information will be accessible to both you and the trainer through the app including things such as days you worked out, the exercises you did, how much weight you used on certain exercises, etc.  This way both you and your trainer can monitor your progress on an ongoing basis.
• During the period you’re signed up, you can touch base with your trainer at any time so he or she can answer any questions you might have.  At the start in particular, many online clients have questions about how to perform certain exercises, how much weight to use, how to deal with any nagging aches and pains, etc.  The trainer will be there to answer all of your questions until you’re comfortable.
• During this period, you will also have regular check-in sessions with your trainer.  I like to do these every 4 weeks or so but they can be done more or less frequently depending on an individual client’s needs.  These conversations are useful just to touch base, provide encouragement, answer questions you might have, monitor your progress, and make updates to your program if something isn’t working.
• Depending on your goals and progress, your trainer will update your workout program every 4-6 weeks.  We do this for two reasons – 1) so you can continue to progress by doing exercises that keep up with your improved fitness level (primarily), and 2) so your workouts stay fresh and you don’t get bored (secondarily, but many clients LOVE this aspect of online training to avoid the monotony of the gym!).  Updating the program also gives us the opportunity to emphasize certain exercises that are working particularly well for you and come up with alternatives for those that are not.

What are the advantages of online training?

Compared to in-person training, online training provides several key advantages:

• A more complete, results-focused workout program - with in-person training, you typically go to the gym, meet with your trainer, do the workout out he or she gives you that day, and leave.  Nothing wrong with that, good workouts lead to great results.  The downside is after the workout is done, it’s done.  Online training provides a complete training program designed by your trainer specifically for you to achieve your fitness goals.  It includes multiple workouts you can do over the course of a week (and months).  It’s a holistic approach to training focused on workouts that, if done consistently, will get you the results you’re looking for.
• More ongoing support from your trainer - in-person trainers are generally good at what they do, but the really good ones have very busy training schedules and are only able to provide support when you’re with them.  Time is money, and the economics of in-person training usually means the trainer would prefer to coach you “on the clock”. With online training, you’re getting a coach throughout the entire time you’re working with them.  They’ll answer any questions you have, monitor your progress, and check-in with you regularly to provide encouragement and support.
• Training schedule flexibility - in-person training requires you and your trainer to both be available in order to get a workout in.  This isn’t a huge deal if you have a set day(s) and time(s) to meet with your trainer each week.  But scheduling can be a hassle, particularly if you’re someone with a busy or irregular schedule (or your trainer is).
• Get a workout in anytime and anywhere - as long as you have access to the equipment you need to train.  Your workouts are always accessible on your mobile phone including video and written instructions.  Just start your workout out and go!
• Much less costly than in-person training - in-person training is almost always the costliest workout option as you’re paying your trainer each and every time you work out with them.  And, unless they own their own gym, they have to share a percentage of their fee with the gym they work at so their prices tend to be inflated.  This is not the case with online training where you typically pay a set, monthly fee and receive workout programs and instruction, ongoing support and encouragement, and ready-access to expert support whenever you need it.

What are the disadvantages of online training?

​There are two, primary disadvantages to online training, which may or may not matter depending on the individual:

• No on-the-spot coaching - an in-person trainer can provide real-time coaching as needed to ensure you’re doing each exercise correctly.  While you have access to video and written instructions with online training, and can ask the trainer questions any time, they are not physically there with you working out.
• No on-the-spot encouragement – an in-person trainer and can provide real-time encouragement if you’re someone that needs motivation to get to the gym and work hard.  Online trainers can typically do this effectively through regular check-ins, but they won’t be there with you in the gym pushing you during every workout.

Who is online training ideally suited for?

Those who can benefit from online training the most typically:

• Have busy or irregular schedules – where it’s difficult to get to the gym on set days or times each week.  They need flexibility to get workouts in when they can.
• Are at least somewhat self-motivated – they want expert help with their training program, and value ongoing coaching and encouragement, but they don’t need someone physically with them at the gym to motivate themselves to work out.
• Have varying levels of exercise knowledge – one of the BIG misconceptions of online training is that you have to be an exercise guru BEFORE signing up to benefit from it.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Anyone can benefit from online training.  If you are willing to learn, and are prepared to work hard, you can achieve your fitness goals through online training - it’s that simple!
• Value individual training, but don’t want to spend a fortune to get it – as mentioned earlier, under almost any circumstances, online training is far more economical than in-person training.

​I started Take Charge Fitness because I’m a HUGE believer in online training that focuses on giving people the ongoing guidance and support they need to achieve their fitness goals, whatever their starting point is.  Some of our Success Stories on this site prove that out.  If you think it could be a good fit for you, email me directly ([email protected]) and let’s chat!

In Health,
Jim