Are you wondering how to find the best online personal trainer for you? It’s a big task! When you open up your training search to online, you go beyond the geographical limits of where you live. This opens you up to many more trainers, which is a good thing!
But how do you narrow down your search to find the right trainer for you? I’ll tell you! In this article, we’ll explore the essential steps you need to take to find the best personal trainer who aligns with your needs, goals, and preferences.
Who am I to tell you how to find the best online personal trainer? My name is Kathryn Alexander and I have been a personal trainer now for over 19 years. About half of my clients are online clients or hybrid online/in person clients. Let me help you save time and find the best trainer for you!
Are you wondering if online personal training is for you? Here’s an article that goes more in depth on the benefits and features of online personal training, so you can judge if it will work for you.
Define Your Fitness Goals
First, define your goals. Setting clear and specific fitness goals is the foundational step in finding the right online personal trainer for you. It’s ok if you don’t know all your goals just yet! You’ll probably learn more about what you like about exercise and what you want to get better at, as you go.
Start by defining specific objectives, considering your individual needs and preferences, and communicating your goals clearly, and you’ll set the stage for a successful partnership with a trainer who can help you realize your full potential.
Define Specific Objectives
Begin by identifying your specific strength and fitness objectives. Are you aiming to lose weight, build muscle, get stronger, improve endurance, enhance flexibility, or boost overall health and well-being? You might also be aiming to improve a specific lift, or become more athletic at a sport. Each goal requires a different approach, so it’s essential to be specific about what you want to achieve.
Be honest as you think through these questions. You get one body, and you are the one who lives in it. You deserve to feel good and love your body!
Consider Specific Needs and Individual Preferences
Consider any specific needs or preferences you may have that could influence your training plan. For example:
- If you’re training for a specific sport or athletic event, your workouts may need to incorporate sport-specific drills, conditioning exercises, and performance-focused training techniques.
- If you’re recovering from an injury or managing a chronic condition, you may require modifications to your exercises, rehabilitation protocols, and injury prevention strategies.
- If you have dietary restrictions or preferences, such as following a vegan diet or avoiding certain foods due to allergies, you may seek a trainer who can provide nutritional guidance that aligns with your dietary preferences and supports your fitness goals.
Reflect on Long-Term Goals
Consider your long-term aspirations and how they align with your short-term goals. Are you striving for sustainable lifestyle changes, or do you have specific milestones you want to reach within a certain timeframe? Understanding your overarching aspirations can help you and your trainer develop a comprehensive plan that supports your journey towards long-term success and fulfillment.
Research Online Trainer’s Credentials and Experience
When seeking out a personal trainer, it’s important to prioritize qualifications and experience to ensure you’re working with someone who can effectively lead you toward your fitness goals. Here’s a detailed exploration of what to look for in a personal trainer:
Certification from Accredited Organizations
Look for personal trainers who hold certifications from reputable and accredited organizations such as the The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), American Council on Exercise (ACE), The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) or The Cooper Institute. These certifications signify that the trainer is more likely to adhere to industry standards, and possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe and effective fitness guidance.
Experience and Expertise
Consider the trainer’s experience and expertise to ensure they have the practical skills and knowledge to meet your needs. Look for:
- Specialization Areas: Determine if the trainer has experience working with clients who share similar goals, needs, or challenges as you. Whether you’re aiming for weight loss, muscle gain, injury rehabilitation, or sports-specific training, finding a trainer with relevant expertise is one of the biggest benefits of having an online trainer. You can get so specific here!
- Client Success Stories: Review testimonials, before-and-after photos, and client success stories to gauge the trainer’s track record of helping individuals achieve their fitness goals. Positive testimonials and tangible results are indicators of a trainer’s effectiveness and commitment to client success.
- Years of Experience: While years of experience alone do not guarantee quality, they can provide insight into a trainer’s depth of knowledge, practical skills, and ability to adapt to various client needs and preferences. I’m a much better trainer now, 19 years in, than in the beginning. I have worlds more depth when it comes to client solutions. Consider whether the trainer’s level of experience aligns with your comfort level and expectations.
Continuing Education and Professional Development
In addition to initial certifications and experience, consider whether the trainer engages in continuing education and professional development to stay abreast of industry advancements and best practices. Trainers who pursue ongoing education, attend workshops, and seek additional certifications demonstrate a commitment to growth, improvement, and providing the highest quality of service to their clients.
Conferences and workshops have been the most crucial part of my education. The connections I make and coaches I meet are well worth the price of conferences, airfare, lodging, and time away from work. I am abundantly blessed and enriched by the other trainers and coaches who I can call on for help.
Compatibility and Communication
Finally, assess the trainer’s communication style, personality, and compatibility with your preferences and values. A successful trainer-client relationship hinges on effective communication, mutual respect, and shared goals. Schedule a consultation or introductory session to get to know the trainer, ask questions, and assess whether you feel comfortable and confident working with them.
A compatible communication style is one of the biggest must-haves for a productive client-online personal trainer relationship. Consider whether the trainer listens actively, communicates clearly, and provides constructive feedback in a supportive and encouraging manner.
Do they take the time to understand your goals, preferences, and concerns? Are they responsive to questions and feedback? A trainer who communicates effectively will tailor their approach to meet your needs questions. Technology and online personal training go hand in hand, to allow trainers great communication channels with their clients. With training apps, messaging, and social media, there are so many ways to support clients now!
Seek Recommendations and Reviews
- Ask friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations based on their personal experiences with personal trainers.
- Check online reviews and testimonials from past and current clients to get a sense of the trainer’s reputation, professionalism, and effectiveness.
Seeking recommendations and reviews provides firsthand insights into the trainer’s reputation, professionalism, and effectiveness. Here’s a deeper exploration of how to utilize recommendations and reviews effectively.
Ask for Personal Recommendations to find the Best Online Personal Trainer
Reach out to friends, family members, or colleagues who have experience working with personal trainers. Ask them about their experiences, including what they liked or disliked about the trainer, the results they achieved, and whether they would recommend the trainer to others, or work with the trainer again.
Personal recommendations offer authentic insights and perspectives from trusted sources, helping you narrow down your options and make informed decisions.
Check Online Reviews and Testimonials
In addition to personal recommendations, check out the trainer’s website, Yelp, Google, and even social media for feedback and testimonials from past and current clients. Look for patterns in the feedback, paying attention to comments regarding the trainer’s professionalism, communication style, effectiveness, and ability to deliver results. Positive reviews and testimonials from satisfied clients can help you gauge your compatibility.
Look for Consistency and Authenticity
Pay attention to the consistency and authenticity of recommendations and reviews. Look for reviews that provide specific details about the client’s experience, including their goals, challenges, and the outcomes achieved. Authentic reviews often include personal anecdotes and specific examples of the trainer’s impact, lending credibility to their credibility. Be wary of overly generic or exaggerated reviews, and prioritize testimonials that offer genuine insights into the trainer’s capabilities and effectiveness.
Trust Your Instincts While Evaluating Reviews
Ultimately, trust your instincts when evaluating recommendations and reviews. While feedback from others can be valuable, your intuition and gut feeling are powerful indicators of whether a trainer is the right fit for you. Consider how the feedback resonates with your own values, preferences, and goals, and trust yourself to make the best decision for your fitness journey.
Evaluate the Trainer’s Training Style and Approach
When selecting a personal trainer, do a little research into their training style and approach to fitness to ensure compatibility with your preferences and goals. Here’s a detailed exploration of what to consider when evaluating a trainer’s approach:
Consider the Trainer’s Philosophy
First things first, here’s my training philosophy. Hint: it’s about more than just the gym! Begin by understanding the trainer’s overarching philosophy toward fitness and health. Some trainers may prioritize a holistic approach that encompasses not only physical exercise but also nutrition, mindset, and lifestyle factors. Others may focus more narrowly on specific training skillset or sport. Consider whether the trainer’s philosophy resonates with your own beliefs and values regarding health and wellness, and strength.
Assess Training Methods
Evaluate the specific methods and techniques employed by the trainer in their training programs. Do they emphasize strength training, cardiovascular exercise, flexibility, or a combination of modalities? Are they well-versed in a variety of training techniques, such as resistance training, HIIT, functional training, or plyometrics? This isn’t necessarily a must-have; some coaches are extremely skilled in specific lifts. If you need the powerlifts, don’t hire a well-rounded fitness trainer. Hire a powerlifting coach!
If you need weight loss, don’t hire a sport coach; hire a weight loss specialist. This goes back to defining your goals well, and seeking a coach or trainer who is skilled at helping people reach those results.
Consider whether the trainer’s methods align with your preferences and goals.
Compatibility with Goals and Preferences
Ultimately, evaluate whether the trainer’s style and approach align with your specific goals, preferences, and personality. Do you feel comfortable and confident working with this trainer? Do you believe their approach can effectively help you achieve your desired outcomes?
Trust your intuition and instincts when assessing compatibility, and prioritize finding a trainer who can support and empower you on your fitness journey.
Schedule Consultations and Interviews
Reach out to potential personal trainers to schedule consultations or interviews to discuss your goals, needs, and expectations. When searching for how to find the best online personal trainer, scheduling consultations or interviews is a critical step in finding the right fit for your fitness journey.
These meetings provide an opportunity to assess the trainer’s qualifications, expertise, and compatibility with your goals and preferences. Use this opportunity to ask questions, clarify any concerns, and assess the trainer’s compatibility with your personality and fitness philosophy. Here’s how to make the most of your consultations.
Schedule a free consult with me here!
Reach Out to Potential Trainers
Start by reaching out to potential personal trainers to inquire about their availability for consultations or interviews. Many trainers offer complimentary initial meetings to discuss your goals, needs, and expectations. Reach out via email, phone, or through their website to schedule a convenient time to meet.
Prepare Questions and Topics to Discuss
Before your consultation, take some time to prepare a list of questions and topics to discuss with the trainer. Consider asking about their training philosophy, experience working with clients similar to you, approach to goal setting and progress tracking, availability, and pricing structure.
Additionally, prepare to share details about your fitness goals, any health considerations or limitations, and preferences regarding training style and frequency.
Clarify Goals and Expectations
During the consultation, use the opportunity to clarify your goals, needs, and expectations with the trainer. Be honest and transparent about what you hope to achieve, any challenges you may face, and your timeline for reaching your goals. This information will help the trainer understand your unique situation and tailor their approach to meet your needs.
Ask Questions and Address Concerns
Don’t hesitate to ask the trainer questions and address any concerns or uncertainties you may have. This is your opportunity to gain insight into the trainer’s qualifications, experience, and suitability for your goals.
Ask about their certifications, training methods, client success stories, and any additional services they offer. Use this time to assess whether the trainer’s approach aligns with your personality, preferences, and fitness philosophy.
Assess Compatibility and Rapport
Pay attention to the trainer’s communication style, demeanor, and professionalism during the consultation. Assess whether you feel comfortable and at ease interacting with them, and whether there is a mutual sense of rapport and understanding.
Consider Professionalism and Integrity
Evaluate the trainer’s professionalism, integrity, and ethical standards in their interactions and conduct. Look for qualities such as honesty, transparency, and accountability in their communication and business practices. Choose a trainer who demonstrates integrity and professionalism in all aspects of their work, ensuring a trustworthy and reliable partnership.
Follow-Up and Decision-Making
After the consultation, take some time to reflect on your interaction with the trainer and how well they align with your goals and preferences. Consider scheduling consultations with multiple trainers to compare their approaches and make an informed decision.
Once you’ve gathered all the information you need, follow up with the trainer to discuss next steps, such as scheduling sessions or signing up for a training package. You are well on your way to answering the question of how to find the best online personal trainer!
Assess Communication and Support
Evaluate the level of support and guidance offered by the trainer beyond the training sessions themselves. Consider whether the trainer goes above and beyond to support your progress and well-being. Look for the following indicators of comprehensive support:
Note: you might not want all of these. Some of my clients want progress photos, some do not. Some of my clients want to talk frequently, others only reach out with questions.
- Availability for Questions: Ask if the trainer is accessible for questions and clarification outside of scheduled training sessions. I ask my clients to message me anytime. I’m sometimes slower to respond on the weekends and holidays, but I’ll always get back to them asap.
- Progress Tracking: Assess how the trainer tracks your progress and monitors your achievements over time. Do they use tools such as progress photos, measurements, or fitness assessments to measure your success? Tracking tools can help you see progress and stay motivated.
- Accountability Measures: Consider whether the trainer implements accountability measures to keep you on track with your fitness goals. This may include regular check-ins, completed home workout sessions, goal setting, and milestone celebrations.
- Adaptability and Flexibility: Ask if the trainer is available to adjust sessions when you need. You might need adaptability and flexibility if you travel or have a challenging schedule. A supportive trainer will be responsive to feedback and willing to modify your workouts to optimize your results and accommodate changes or challenges in scheduling and equipment, and other situations that arise.
Trust Your Instincts and Gut Feeling
Finally, listen to your intuition and trust your instincts when searching for the best online personal trainer. You know what kind of personalities you work well with. Does this potential trainer fit that for you? Notice how you feel in their presence and whether you trust and communicate well with them. Choose someone who makes you feel comfortable, motivated, and confident in their ability to help you achieve your goals.
Reflect on the personal chemistry and rapport you feel with the trainer. Finding a trainer truly is a match making process. You really have to like their personality, because you will be asking and allowing them to challenge you in sometimes less than comfortable situations. By this I mean, physical discomfort of exertion. 🙂
Choose the Best Online Personal Trainer For You
Ultimately, trust your decision and instincts when selecting a personal trainer. Believe in your ability to discern what feels right for you and trust that you are making the best choice for your fitness journey.
Remember also that you can change! This is hopefully a decision that makes a great difference in your life. Choose a trainer who makes you feel comfortable, motivated, and confident, ensuring many happy times in your strength and fitness journey.
I’d be so honored to work with you on your fitness goals! Reach out to me for a free consult here.
About the author
Kathryn Alexander is a strength coach and personal trainer in Austin, Texas. She loves hiking, college football, and the feel of a perfectly knurled barbell. Read more about Kathryn here.
