An overview of the unique advantages that make online coaching the future of personal training
When hearing the phrase "personal training," many people still think of the old style, an adult P.E. teacher standing over a client, counting reps, observing form, possibly holding a clipboard, definitely wearing gym shorts. While there are certain populations that benefit from or potentially require this traditional form of personal training, for many people there is a better option. Remote fitness coaching! I know, this can sound a little counter-intuitive. Let me explain...
Flexibility
No, no, not stretching and touching your toes. We're all adults. With a variety of responsibilities, duties, and commitments. It happens all the time when working with in-person training clients: the run-of-the-mill hurdles we all need to attend to turn into scheduling conflicts and missed sessions. Depending on where somebody is on their fitness journey, this can snowball from a missed session to the new habit slipping and eventually giving up on attaining their goals. The truth of the matter is, those of us who are the most consistent and dedicated in our fitness pursuits aren't always at the gym within the same 5-minute window for every session. Why should our clients have to be? Remote coaching allows room for the normal daily variance of your life, removing the stress of strict appointments.
Self-Efficacy
Departing from a topic with more obvious benefits to clients, we have the subject of self-efficacy. An often overlooked key to a lasting fitness transformation is confidence in one's self and abilities. If you don't believe you can achieve your goals, how can you commit to them? Traditional personal training helps this in some ways, such as through performance accomplishments made during a session. There is a trade off however, as many can feel dependent on their trainer. Confident enough to complete workouts but uncertain if they could do it without constant guidance and oversight. With remote coaching, we are still there to provide all manner of support needed, but at an arms length. Allowing us to rapidly foster the development of that critical self-efficacy and deep belief in one's ability to achieve their chosen goals.
Value
Few investments provide the type of return that personal training yields. In the short term, you'll feel better. In the midterm you'll look better. And, most importantly, in the long term, you will have a higher quality of life with far less risk of all manner of chronic diseases (and the medical bills they entail).
Remote coaching takes this value proposition one step further. Traditional personal training often becomes cost prohibitive beyond a couple sessions per week. In many cases, a client stands to benefit from more sessions than their budget allows. While I can't speak on behalf of everyone, most of us provide our remote coaching services at a flat rate so we can build the perfect plan for you, and adjust as necessary. All without concern over affordability. The majority of my roster is in the gym 4-6 days a week. If done in person, this would be a monthly bill well into the quadruple digits. No more compromised potential!
Coaching > Counting
The Pareto principle. The 80/20 rule. Often cited in the world of business and economics, this can be summarized as the tendency for the majority of results (80%) to come from a minority of disproportionately impactful actions (20%).
Much of what a coach does in the course of a traditional personal training session is rather unimpactful. Following clients around the gym, assisting with setting up equipment, and counting reps as they complete their exercises. That isn't what provides results. In fact, many would prefer not to have someone watching everything they do, and as outlined earlier in the self-efficacy section, this can turn into a crutch.
So, what are the moments that matter? The 20% of actions that account for 80% of results? Those come from meaningful conversations in which trust and rapport are built. So the coach can understand the client's unique goals, motivations, and struggles. And the client can trust the coach's expertise and feel comfortable seeking guidance on their fitness journey whenever uncertainty arises. All held together by intelligently designed programs and dietary strategies. Remote fitness coaching is personal training without the fluff, refocused on what matters.
Adherence
Last, and most importantly of all, the advantage that all the others culminate in...
ADHERENCE!
Ask any evidence based fitness coach worth their salt what the single most important factor is in a successful health transformation, and you will hear one answer. Adherence. There is no gym routine designed well enough or diet strict enough, in the short term, that can ever net better results than years of consistent effort. The idea of long-term change can sound intimidating, but that's only because the manner in which many have approached fitness in the past is simply unsustainable. Our job is to show you ways that work. Remote fitness coaching, along with its unique advantages of better flexibility, fostered self-efficacy, superior value, and focusing on the moments that get results. All of this naturally leads to a painless incorporation of fitness into a person's lifestyle that they can stick with. Permanently!
So, whether you are reading this because you are considering working with me, another remote fitness coach, or are merely curious about how this modern form of personal training can be beneficial, I hope this has given you ample food for thought. Remote coaching is the future of the personal training industry. Giving clients both an unparalleled experience and the best odds possible at finally achieving fitness goals they only dreamed of.
-Coach Kevin
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