The New Age of Virtual Personal Training

You can access nearly anything virtually today. The internet made it a growing trend long before a global pandemic made it a necessity in some cases. While some people are eager to get back to in-person activities and interactions, the same cannot be said for everyone.

People with chronic illnesses or weak immune systems continue needing virtual access to many services to stay healthy. Some people simply prefer to do as much as they can from the comfort of their own homes for reasons too numerous to list. And in some cases, you might have a client you’ve already been working with who is moving. Virtual personal training can let you still train together!

Whatever the case may be, people still want to work with personal trainers and the remote market is only growing. Being unwilling or unable to go to a gym hasn’t stopped people from wanting to get in shape.

While there are some artificial intelligence options for virtual training, nothing can replace the one-on-one expertise of a certified personal trainer. There are no shortcuts just because the training is virtual; you should still get the best personal trainer certification possible.

Top 8 Factors To Know About Virtual Personal Training

Let’s take a look at the top eight things to know if you’re thinking of becoming a virtual personal trainer.

1) Employed Versus Self-Employed

If you already have experience as a self-employed personal trainer, transitioning to virtual is going to be less of a hurdle. The only thing changing is where you’re doing the training.

If your only experience is working as a personal trainer for a gym, you’ll have more catching up to do. There’s a lot to know about self-employment, so start researching to make sure it’s something you can (and want) to do.

2) Technically Speaking

If you don’t already have equipment that will do the job, you’ll need to invest in some tech. The good news is that the bare-bones items you need are ones you probably already have.

You’ll need a camera, such as the one you probably already have on your mobile device. You’ll also need a device to run word processing or spreadsheets, such as a tablet or laptop.

3) Home Sweet Home

Odds are you’ll be doing your virtual training from home. Make sure your space has all the room you need to use equipment or demonstrate. Keep any area visible to the client tidy and professional.

Be prepared to stay on camera the entire time; keep your tech or anything else you use within easy reach. You can’t rely on the professionalism of a gym to make you look good, so go the extra mile.

4) Gear Up

Unless intentionally going without, you’ll need some basic gym gear such as dumbbells of different weights, bands, kettlebells, and a large ball. Your client should at least have dumbbells.

They don’t have to weigh the same as yours, but yours should be brightly colored to be seen on camera. If your client gears up, make sure you have the same gear so you can train with them properly.

5) A Light Touch

An easily overlooked issue with virtual personal training is lighting. While natural light is great, you won’t always have it. You want your space to look consistent whether it’s noon or night.

Get drapes or blinds for any windows that illuminate your space. You may also need some light directed to you from the front so you stay well-lit when training. Do some experimenting to get the light positioned just right.

6) Private Property

Make sure your training space looks and sounds like a training space. Your client is paying you to give them professional service, and your visual presentation is part of it. Family members walking in and out of frame, barking dogs, kitchen sounds, device notifications… None of these will make you look good. Do what you can to minimize distractions so your clients get the best value possible.

7)  Best of Both Worlds

One popular way to make money as a virtual personal trainer is by developing a line of instructional videos or courses. These can be targeted to specific niches and be a welcome way to earn extra money.

They won’t replace the tailor-made experience of a personal trainer, though. Why not do both? You can offer personal training and pre-recorded workout supplements to the same client.

8) Law and Order

Get familiar with all of the legal requirements and regulations needed as a self-employed personal trainer. You’ll also need to know about billing, taxes, insurance, and client files and documentation to be sure you’re in the clear legally.

Virtual Reality

Whether you’re a new personal trainer or a seasoned pro, going virtual has a lot to offer the enterprising individual. Network with other trainers and research to find what will work best for you, and you’ll be well on your way!

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