You Can Still Use a Personal Trainer During a Pandemic
Given the need for physical distance, it will take some time before many of us are comfortable with personal training. But given that the pandemic has caused many of us to lead a sedentary lifestyle due to the pandemic, establishing a fitness regimen is even more important, and personal online training may be just the right way to do this. If you are thinking about taking the plunge, there are several factors to consider.
What are your goals?
Personal trainers are not universal. This was the case before the pandemic and until now. Therefore, before choosing a personal trainer, it is worth thinking about what you want to get out of the class. Are you just starting a workout plan? Are you a seasoned athlete looking to learn new skills or do cross-training?
Some important factors to consider are the experience and qualifications of a personal trainer. If you’re a beginner, a coach who specializes in training high-performance athletes may not be the right fit. If you want to acquire a specific skill, you will need a trainer with extensive experience in teaching this skill set.
When it comes to the right coach, certifications are important, for example from the American College of Sports Medicine or the National Academy of Sports Medicine . However, certifications do not provide a complete picture of how effective a personal trainer is, so it is also very important to consider their level of experience. A good trainer must have knowledge of their specific area of fitness, as well as have experience teaching clients.
What level of support do you need?
There are several different forms when it comes to online sessions. An online personal trainer can range from one-to-one sessions, usually via Skype or Zoom, or it can be more flexible (often referred to as “chess sessions”) where your coach can help tailor your training schedule by offering suggestions and periodic feedback about your form via text messages, emails or occasional video chat.
One-on-one sessions will be the most expensive, but will offer more recommendations, while the sessions will alternately be more accessible, but will also require a little more independence. If you’re just starting out, you may need a little more support, especially in the beginning. If you already have a training habit and just want to adjust to it, alternating workouts may be the way to go. Which one is right for you will depend on your goals, your level of experience, and also your budget.
In any case, the most important aspect of a personal trainer is the ability to ask questions and receive suggestions tailored to your specific needs. Having someone to offer suggestions will be especially important during tough weeks when your workout seems to be not working or life’s stressors are getting in the way.
Whichever personal training regimen you choose, clear communication is key. This includes being able to ask questions about correct form, what signs of overtraining or injury look like, and getting suggestions when a workout is not going according to plan or progress is stalling. Progress is never linear and rarely easy. A good coach is someone who will help you in difficult situations.
What does your home gym look like?
You may already have a well-equipped home gym with ample workout space. You could live in a cramped apartment with no dumbbell in sight. Before you choose a personal trainer or a specific training program, you must make sure that it matches the resources you have. If not, you need to ask how you can adapt the program to your resources.
When it comes to finding a personal trainer, it is best to start locally.
One day the gym will be safe again. When it comes to finding a personal trainer, your best bet is to find someone local so that when it’s safe again, you can have a private activity. When it comes to finding a coach, your best bet is to call your local gym and ask if they offer online workouts. It’s also worth asking around if any of your friends or coworkers have any recommendations.
However, if a local coach is not the right fit, the advantage of in-person online training is that your coach can be from anywhere. It can be either an independent personal trainer or one of the largest companies.
When it comes to big companies, some of the more popular options include Trainiac , which offers a daily workout schedule with video workouts, as well as the ability to connect via video chats or text messaging, and Future , which customizes you. with personalized workouts, including videos, and a coach to talk to via FaceTime or instant messaging.
So take some time to think about what you need from a personal trainer, and then when you’ve done your research, get down to business.