An online personal trainer can bring fitness directly to you, right through the phone in your hand. However, there are some huge differences between in-person training and online training. In your quests to finding a personal trainer, you should consider all options before making a decision. Here are the pros and cons of going the digital route.
Pros of an Online Personal Trainer
Pro: Cost-Effective
One of the biggest reasons people go for an online personal trainer is because of the cost. Whether you’re getting personalized workouts through an app or an actual online trainer, the cost can range from $50 to $200 per month. In comparison, in-person training usually costs about $100 per session.
Pro: Accountability
Having an online personal trainer offers the same accountability as an in-person one. Whether your trainer is providing workouts alone or nutrition plans as well, you usually have a set check-in day each week. Knowing that you’ll have to recap with your trainer can provide an extra push to stick to the plan rather than deviating toward old unhealthy habits.
Pro: Fewer Time Constraints
Most online trainers offer customized workouts that you can do on your own time. That means you never have to find a time that works for the both of you, as you would with an in-person trainer. If you’re someone with a tight schedule and minimal free time, online training allows you to fit in workouts wherever that works for you - even if that means it’s in the middle of the night!
Cons of an Online Personal Trainer
Con: Inner Motivation
Unless you’re doing Zoom workouts at an agreed-upon time, you’re dependent on your own motivation to complete the workouts. With in-person training, you have a set schedule with an appointment to meet. Just like you wouldn’t miss a doctor’s appointment simply because you don’t feel like it, you can’t skip out on your trainer either. With online training, you don’t have this pressure. You have to be the sole motivator.
Con: No Real-Time Feedback
One of the most immediate rewards of in-person training is feedback on your form. Working out with a trainer at the gym means you’re getting advice and tips catered specifically to your body as you do the moves they’ve set out for you. Unless your online personal trainer uses Zoom, they won’t be able to see if you’re doing a move incorrectly or are at risk of injury. One of the reasons many people set out in finding a personal trainer is that they can’t get the same results on their own. If you don’t have much experience working out, you might not know what some of the assigned moves are, and you certainly won’t know if your form is correct. In that case, in-person training may be better for you.
Con: Less One-on-One Connection
There is something about working out with another human being that adds to your energy and connects you to the workout you’re doing. Without an in-person trainer, it feels a lot more like you against the world. If you’re a self-starter or a lone wolf, online training might be better for you. If not, in-person is the way to go.
Con: Online Training Scams
Unfortunately, there are some scammers online who cannot provide what they claim. For example, hundreds of women lost money when they paid Instagram influencer and trainer, Brittany Dawn, for personalized workouts and meal plans with ongoing support. Instead, they received cookie-cutter, mass-distributed plans and never heard from her again. Of course, there are plenty of great trainers online - just be sure to do your research and vet out any potential bad eggs.
Finding Personal Trainer Online
Ultimately, finding personal trainers should be based on your specific goals and needs. In a survey of 600 personal trainers, 65% of clients preferred one-on-one training, and only 7% preferred online training, with group and couples training falling in the middle. Online training is great for some - but not most. If you’re ready to take the next step and hire a personal trainer, OneWorkout is here to help. Find certified personal trainers while you’re on the go by searching through our trainer database.