Just thought of getting a website to teach people through video conferencing, anybody has similar experience like this? would love to know coz sometimes i guess answering questions online can be another source of income to a PT.
I'm sure it's being done, but I personally would hate it. What's the point? There are usually more than enough local people in need and willing to pay, and I am a very "hands-on" trainer anyway, I would hate it. My opinion, FWIW.
It would probably be good to get some offline clients first or offer a free session so you know who you are working with and then just use the video conferencing for follow up.
That also makes sense. It's just really hard to see everything in 2D. After you have some established key words for correcting form or something perhaps online updates would work. I don't think it will be a profitable model for trainers though. People go to trainers to get in shape. They stay with trainers because they like them and like being around them (and hopefully because they are also getting results). You lose a lot of that if you haven't been in their physical presence before.
I think the whole on-line thing works as an add on to face to face training. I have had a few clients who have used on-line training, but they have all said to me that it was hard to get into.
In terms of add ons i think youtube lectures, youtube exercise programs, on-line resources are all a great way to keep client interest.
I completely agree with everyone in terms of difficulty to train people that you have no direct contact with. However, most of the people I deal with/help online are those that know a thing or 2 about lifting and they just need direction. I particularly like working with newbies because you know how to do the lifts but just suck at knowing what to do, how to do it, and for how long. This is where I step in and say "eat like a horse, lift 3-4x per week, and let me do the thinking while you do the lifting."
I can't understand how anyone can do on-line training with being able to perform a complete assessment on the client.
this is where the 2 differ. I dont see online training as something you can do with complete beginners. Its just not going to be very effective. Pure beginners need coaching and for someone to teach them the correct way to lift. Guys and gals that have been at it a while, know the basics etc sometimes just need some guidance.
For instance. I am working with a young guy right now. He just lost a ton of weight via PSMFing. He knows how to lift, but is still in the newbie stage in terms of strength and LBM. He is smart and educated. He knows what works and what doesnt. However he lacks the confidence to put it all to good use. Therefore he has turned the thinking over to me. I just write out his diet and workouts for him.
I'm not doing this yet...but am hoping to launch an Online Program for my clients by July the latest. At least at first, I will keep it limited to only clients that meet with me. I plan on restricting "Personal Training" clients to people who will meet with me 2-3x/week, anyone who cannot meet with me at that frequency will become a "Coaching" client. Meaning they get 2 hour long sessions each month in addition to online guidance and support. For the logistics on the online stuff, I would like to set aside a private discussion forum for clients to post their training blogs and I would load video tutorials of exercises that I've taught them in our one-on-one sessions for their convenience.
The main benefit I see to having an online program is that it would enable me to work in my business at times when clients may not be available or have interest in training (i.e weekends + afternoons) and to a certain extent would give me more freedom as well. Sleeping in on Sundays becomes more of a possibility if the only work I need to do is film tutorials and respond to questions rather than show up to actual appointments
I do have mixed thoughts about this because I am such a believer in the benefits a "real life" trainer can offer...BUT...I do currently work with a handful of people online. I don't see it as a big stream of additional income, but it's worth it to me. I wouldn't offer this type of service to a complete newbie. The upside is that i'm helping people who live elsewhere, they are accountable to me, seeing progress, and i'm also building an extensive exercise video/picture library in the process. I guess that's kind of a side project i've been working on for a few years. I've brought this up before, but I don't use any "online trainer" website or software. Tried that and the site was bogus and i'd never put my name on it. I create my own documents/writeups/etc and email them to my clients. I have a PayPal account.
__________________ "If you love what you do, you'll never have to work a day in your life." Visit my blog:"Outside the Box" Training!
I don't favor online training when it is exclusively online. I DO provide online consulation to my home clients. For instance, I set up all my home clients with Fit-Day profiles using their last name as passwords. Then every night, I will check their nutrition input and send them an email to encourage, remind, or suggest them on different menu's. This has been a blast for my clients, becuase once a week they have me in their house training them (and you can't beat having Izzo in your house) and then they have constant encouragement and support from me through email.
I have one managment consulting international client that we deal exclusively through email, but they are not pertaining to fitness training. We deal more with managing a fitness staff and I shoot him advice. Its works out very well.
Again, I am not a big fan of "training" people online without ever meeting them. I know there is a big business out there for it, but I don't feel I can't be as effective when I am trying to change someone's life by typing. I need interaction.
Train people? Not so much. Coach people? Definitely.
It requires a lot of video, a person who can convey things very well in video and word, as well as a client who provides frequent video or pictures.
As for postural analysis, you cant do everything, but you can do a lot if you know what to look for. When things require touch or are out of my realm, I suggest further work via chiros, massage therapists, etc.
__________________
"The strongest steel goes through the hottest fires."-Anonymous
"When you begin to believe nothing is heavy, all weights become light." -Rossbow
"Just remember, somewhere there is a little Chinese girl warming up with your max."-Jim Convroy
"It's a round hole, dammit. Everyone fits."--Anonymous Mod at Strengthmill
Just thought of getting a website to teach people through video conferencing, anybody has similar experience like this? would love to know coz sometimes i guess answering questions online can be another source of income to a PT.
I do train fitness and sports performance professionally, and I have tried to make the online presence just as effective as the in person. Obviously, it can't be completely the same because of the lack of visual feedback by the trainer, but it is damn close I tell ya. We have the clients do self assessments (waist to hip, pushup reps, weight, sit and reach, etc.) and track their results.
In fact if anyone (trainers) is interested in further information about this, please PM me and we can discuss this further, as this service will eventually be available for you to use!!
__________________
"A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link"
I think it depends on the client. Some people just won't do it at home but with the right program and a motivated person I feel it is doable. Programs like p90x, Chalean Extreme etc are great programs and come with meal programs and coaching motivation.
Anyone has experience teaching clients online?
Linear Mode
