Online coaching to support your fitness journey

Whether you’re just getting started on a fitness journey, or already a dedicated fitness fanatic, online coaching is an effective way to get fit, and level up your training.

If you’re in search of accountability, motivation and structure around your training efforts, then online coaching might be a smart choice.

There are 1000s of online coaches out there offering coaching programs to help support your fitness goals. During the recent lockdowns, online coaching also became increasingly more popular, with many people looking for new ways to get fit and stay active, from the comfort and safety of their home. The multitude of fitness coaching apps in the market, in addition to a wide variety of free video conferencing technologies, have removed many barriers to entry into the fitness industry and helped make online coaching possible.

However, it can be overwhelming to get started. I know there’s a lot of confusion around exactly what online coaching is, how it works, and how it can support your fitness journey.

Here’s 5 frequently asked questions to help you decide if online coaching is for you:

1. What is online coaching?

Online coaching is a way of bringing a coach and client together to achieve fitness and health goals without time, location, or logistics being an issue. Coaches provide you with tailored workout programs to follow in a home, outdoor or gym setting, using machines and equipment available to you, or some may offer bodyweight only options.

Once goals are discussed, coaches will create personalised set programs for you to follow. You can decide upfront how long for and specify what you need, and plan check-ins and progress calls.

For example, many of my online clients are based overseas. They look to me to personally program 2-3 weekly workouts they can follow by themselves. They either choose a set period for their plan, say 10-12 weeks to prepare for an event, a wedding or a holiday, or they opt for a rolling monthly online plan, which is most common. Clients make online coaching part of their daily lives, and use it as a way to stay on track, with fitness or food plans personalised to them.

2. Who is online coaching for?

It can be for everybody. It depends on exactly what you’re looking to achieve. It can be a short-term option, or long-term based on your desired goals and lifestyle.

Existing clients – An existing client may come to me looking for additional workout guidance, as an add-on to their existing personal training sessions with me. They may already be having 1-2 sessions with me weekly, and unsure what to do in their own gym or workout sessions.

New clients - Typically, I help clients to lose weight, gain lean muscle, feel stronger, or support overall fitness levels and activity as part of their daily life. They are looking for a tailored plan and some structure to follow, to help them train effectively and efficiently to achieve their goals. Some may be brand new to exercise, and looking to follow a detailed plan in the gym so they know exactly what to do and how to get started using equipment.

Clients looking to level up in a sport or hobby - Some clients have very specific requests, such as becoming better at a sport or hobby (tennis, dancing or running for example) and looking to have me coach them towards these goals. We’ll work on movements designed with those goals in mind. For example, I train two tango dancers at the moment via my online coaching platform. Core strength and stability, postural alignment and balance work in addition to lower body power and agility is key. We work on specific exercises to help improve these things, in addition to overall muscle endurance.

Clients looking to get pregnant - Some of my female clients are planning to have children, and are looking to be in the best shape of their life in preparation for the pregnancy. They understand the importance of being strong and healthy, and building better bone density and overall core and back strength.

Clients with hectic schedules or jobs -Many of my clients work in full-time high stress jobs, or jobs which involve a lot of travel. They are looking for a set plan they can follow, without even thinking about it. They know when they can expect their online coaching plans and check-ins and know exactly what exercises to do, how many sets and reps, weight ranges and specific mobility movements and exercises to complete.

Client’s looking for an add-on to personal training sessions - For some clients, it’s just not possible to have more than 1 personal training session a week. Face-to-face or virtually. Finances, busy work schedules, weather or travel are all factors behind this, so online coaching is a perfect option. It’s cost effective (my basic level monthly coaching plans work out at just over £5 a day) and accessible anywhere, any time. (I use a fitness coaching app, which is free for clients which they download to their phone and use to access their workouts, wherever they are!)

3. How can I be sure I’m doing the exercises correctly?

All exercises have video demonstrations available in the app. For example, if I add ‘bench press’ to a client’s workout program, a video of the exercise being performed will be tagged. The client can watch closely to see exactly how the movement should be done, to stay safe and to achieve the desired result from that specific exercise. I also attach detailed notes and coaching pointers where it’s needed, so that clients know exactly what to do. If a client is unsure, they typically add a comment under the exercise. I can add more coaching points for next time, or will film myself doing the movement from another angle to make it clear.

4. How can I track my progress?

Everything can be tracked and noted in most fitness coaching apps. My clients add detailed notes to specify weight ranges achieved week after week. This information helps me better tailor their plans, and allows me to progressively overload their training. This way, clients are always working towards their goals, in an accurate and measured way. For fat loss and muscle gain clients, progress pictures can be shared in addition to regular weigh ins or check ins. Clients also have regular follow ups with me if they want to, over the phone, via the coaching app messenger tool or just via email or text. The contact is always there, and the accountability to achieve the desired results stand with the coach and the client.

5. How can I get started?

Easy! Book a free phone consultation with me and you’ll be on your way! We’ll discuss your goals, lifestyle, motivational drivers and take it from there. You’ll download the free client app and will have access to your personalised online coaching plan. We’ll decide on a cadence for your workouts and progress check-ins in advance, to help keep you motivated and accountable. There are no additional sign-up fees, or contracts to lock you in.

Online coaching is about making fitness easy and accessible wherever you are, and whatever your goal. Make the first step today by booking a free phone chat with me, and let’s get you started!