Technology has changed the way we operate and it was only a matter of time before it revolutionised the fitness industry. Research any training program online and you’ll find a variety of options in a matter of seconds.

For those with limited time or other considerations, the internet offers alternatives to accessing personal training, but requires research and a good idea of what your goals are. As more personal trainers (PTs) switch to online options, it’s important to understand what this means to you in terms of choice.

Complex technology has made the fitness industry even more competitive. There are more programs and trainers than ever promising to make your dreams come true, and they’re all having to compete on cost and the quality of their offerings.

Do your research

A good rule of thumb before investing in a PT or program is, “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”. That said, there are some outstanding trainers available, so do your research and take advantage of the good ones’ expertise!

Recent industry research suggests the average career span of a PT is six to twelve months, with many working long hours and needing a second job. Those who have embraced the digital era have seen mixed results, with some becoming ‘internet sensations’ on social media, partly fuelled by the lockdowns a few years ago, and partly by the rise of ‘super’ fitness marketers.

A new online trend is remote personal training. This allows PTs to continue to build a relationship with their clients, while giving themselves a wider reach and their clients greater freedom of training flexibility.

Custom-written programs are the best form of online training, as they address your needs directly. Trainers specialise in a certain niche, you can contact them directly with a specific goal in mind and they create a program to help you achieve that goal.

Affordability vs. effectiveness

Remote PTs are generally more affordable (provided you have access to equipment at home or a gym membership), but unless you post clips of yourself training, there is the risk of incorrect form on some exercises.

Another consideration is the ability of the trainer to identify your training needs and meet these through their program design. Despite these challenges, I would recommend this method as a good option for intermediate clients and those on a limited budget.

Another growing offer is online or app-based training. You buy a program, download it to your device and follow it for a set period to achieve your goals. The nature of online training means it can be rather impersonal, depending on the process the trainer/program uses and what you’re able to afford.

This method is better for intermediate to advanced people and, dependent on the program, those who are tight for time or looking for low-cost interventions.

Problems with motivation

With minimal accountability to your PT, beginners in particular have higher injury risks and more difficulty staying motivated, especially when results may be slow. For these reasons, I’d generally only recommend online/remote fitness methods to more experienced people, unless the trainer makes a provision for regular check-ins.