According to Wikipedia, a Personal Trainer is defined as: “An individual certified to have a varying degree of knowledge of general fitness involved in exercise prescription and instruction. They motivate clients by setting goals and providing feedback and accountability to individuals, while teaching proper form and technique of specific exercises and movements performed in a fitness facility.”
For the most part, I would have to say that this is a fairly accurate description of what most Personal Trainers do. However it’s not quite as accurate when it comes to what I do with my clients as a fitness professional. Because quite honestly, there really is only so much that can be taught and learned in a 30 or 60 minute training session. And as all of our clients know, their overall training experience with us goes far beyond those 30-60 minutes in the gym. And this is where my scope of practice goes beyond the barbells and dumbbells. Removed from the squat racks and into my clients’ kitchens. This is where the Online Training experience truly begins…..
Shameless Sales Tactics
Before we go any further, I want to make it perfectly clear that I’m not trying to promote or advertise our own Online Training Services that we offer on our website. Yes, we do work with many clients online by creating customized Nutritional Plans and Training Programs designed towards each individual’s specific training goals, level of fitness and current lifestyle. And yes, this particular service has become extremely popular in the past 5 years. In fact, our Online Training Services now make up over 40% of our annual revenue that our company generates each new year. But this week’s blog is not about trying to explain why you should work with us online. This week’s blog is about trying to explain why you should consider hiring a reputable and knowledgeable Online Coach. But not just any Coach. A Coach that you feel confident that can help you maximize your results both in the gym with your training and in the kitchen with your diet, for the times when you are not with your Personal Trainer or if you don’t even have a Personal Trainer.
I Can Do It On My Own
Sure you can! The reality is that anyone can go to the gym and train on their own. And quite honestly, it’s not that difficult to download and follow some generic nutritional plan or cleanse that has worked for the masses. We live in an age where a person can easily watch an exercise video on YouTube or follow some diet that they find on Instagram, and copy and incorporate what they see into their own training and their own diet plan. However in my experience, this typically is a sure fire way to get injured or sick. Having an Certified and Licensed Health and Fitness Professional on the other hand, can help you avoid from making any costly mistakes or errors that may cause setbacks in both your health and your physique. In fact, working alongside a Coach that knows your goals and understands your physical limitations can guarantee that you maximize your results in the safest and most efficient ways possible.
To Be the Best, You Need to Work With the Best
Whenever I work with a new client, whether it’s online or in person, I always ask them as to where they heard about me or how they found me. Now even though the majority of people of whom I work with, have been referred to me by many of my own clients, I always want to make sure that each new client feels 100% confident in my level of service and expertise. It’s important that my clients trust that I have their best interest in mind, or else our relationship will never work. With that said, first impressions are therefore extremely important. Along with my educational background, years of experience in the fitness industry, and countless testimonials with regards to my services that can easily be found on our website, I make it easy for my clients to get in contact with me at all times. No question goes unanswered for more then 12 hours. I am after all, offering an online training and nutritional service that offers unlimited questions through email support. A service that also doesn’t take into account weekends or holidays. My clients rely on me to get back to them in a reasonable time frame. And a reasonable time frame is not two days from tomorrow! I expect only the best effort from my clients so therefore why should they expect any less from me?
Do Your Due Diligence
If you are considering hiring an Online Health & Fitness Coach you NEED to do your due diligence. If you end up hiring someone who takes days to respond to your questions or sends you generic training programs or nutritional templates that make little to no sense, then you only have yourself to blame. This is your body and your health after all. Therefore, if you’re going to trust someone with it, you need to do your research. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and don’t settle for mediocre responses. And remember, just because someone has a lot of online clients, does not necessarily mean that they are good at what they do. I personally have a limit as to how many people I will work with online for a given period of time. I feel that the only way that I can continue to provide a high quality service, is to not overextend and exert myself by working with hundreds of people at one time. If you find yourself not receiving the level of service or results that you have come to expect, then it’s time to move on and find someone else to work with.
The Final Word
So is Online Training for you? I don’t know. Only you can answer that question. But if you find yourself wondering aimlessly through your workouts or are completely lost on how to fuel your body properly through diet and nutrition, then hiring an Online Coach that specializes in these particular areas might be for you. Just remember to do your homework on the person that you decide to work with. The Cyber World after all can be full of empty promises, false pretences and deceiving appearances.
“It is not a shame to be deceived;
but it is to stay in the deception”
Olivia
Yours in Good Health,
Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Performance