On-line trainers and coaches, experience?

I would definitely approach SideSteel with this inquiry.

Good luck!

In to read replies. I'm currently doing on-line coaching but it's in what I would call "beta testing stage" at the moment. Curious to hear other people's experiences.

I've been working with one for about 6 months (chrisdavey here on MFP). He's in Australia, so we do everything through his website (cdnutritionandfitness.com). I have my own page where we both upload and have access to files (training spreadsheets, weight and measurement spreadsheets, lifting videos, progress photos, etc.), and we can send and receive messages through the site, so everything is kept in one place.

I think it's great for people who already have some experience in the type of training they want to do and for people who are motivated to train on their own. I wouldn't recommend it to people who are total beginners or who would constantly skip or half-*kitten* their training sessions if they didn't have an in-person coach breathing down their neck.

I was pretty strong and had already lost a ton of weight when I started working with Chris, but programming and more advanced diet strategies were beyond the scope of my knowledge and really beyond what I had time to research and figure out on my own. It has really simplified my training to have three months of work and a definitive goal laid out in front of me.

The key piece of advice I would offer about choosing an online coach is find someone who is truly interested in YOUR goals. I really think that should be one of the first questions they ask you, if not the very first one. You are going to work the hardest for the things YOU want to achieve, not for what someone else wants FOR you. So be insistent about that. You will likely come across a variety of lazy trainers who have a portfolio of a whopping TWO programs to offer, and they'd much rather sell you on one of those than spend time creating something that fits what YOU want.

And if you're looking for continual coaching and not just someone to write a program for you, I also agree that you want someone who is responsive enough that you can tell they value having you as a client. It is also important that he/she offers genuine, personal feedback on your form, your diet, or whatever it is you're paying for. If it seems like you're getting the same "Everything looks great" that they are sending to all their clients, then you're clearly not getting your money's worth.

ETA: When I first signed up with Chris, I filled out an extensive questionnaire about my training experience, including current routine and current PRs, my injury history, my diet history, even how much traveling I do, so I agree with the point you made above about the importance of assessing current strengths and weaknesses and your general ability to successfully complete varying levels of programs.

Tagging to follow

I've been working with one for about 6 months (chrisdavey here on MFP). He's in Australia, so we do everything through his website (cdnutritionandfitness.com). I have my own page where we both upload and have access to files (training spreadsheets, weight and measurement spreadsheets, lifting videos, progress photos, etc.), and we can send and receive messages through the site, so everything is kept in one place.

I think it's great for people who already have some experience in the type of training they want to do and for people who are motivated to train on their own. I wouldn't recommend it to people who are total beginners or who would constantly skip or half-*kitten* their training sessions if they didn't have an in-person coach breathing down their neck.

I was pretty strong and had already lost a ton of weight when I started working with Chris, but programming and more advanced diet strategies were beyond the scope of my knowledge and really beyond what I had time to research and figure out on my own. It has really simplified my training to have three months of work and a definitive goal laid out in front of me.

The key piece of advice I would offer about choosing an online coach is find someone who is truly interested in YOUR goals. I really think that should be one of the first questions they ask you, if not the very first one. You are going to work the hardest for the things YOU want to achieve, not for what someone else wants FOR you. So be insistent about that. You will likely come across a variety of lazy trainers who have a portfolio of a whopping TWO programs to offer, and they'd much rather sell you on one of those than spend time creating something that fits what YOU want.

And if you're looking for continual coaching and not just someone to write a program for you, I also agree that you want someone who is responsive enough that you can tell they value having you as a client. It is also important that he/she offers genuine, personal feedback on your form, your diet, or whatever it is you're paying for. If it seems like you're getting the same "Everything looks great" that they are sending to all their clients, then you're clearly not getting your money's worth.

ETA: When I first signed up with Chris, I filled out an extensive questionnaire about my training experience, including current routine and current PRs, my injury history, my diet history, even how much traveling I do, so I agree with the point you made above about the importance of assessing current strengths and weaknesses and your general ability to successfully complete varying levels of programs.

x2

On-line trainers and coaches can be a great, cost saving approach. However, you really need to have your goals in order to ensure it is right for you.

Reasons you may need face-to-face rather than online:
- You'll need assistance with learning proper form on exercises.
- You know you'll benefit more from training with the push you'll get with a live person in the gym with you.
- You need motivation to show up at a particular time/place.
- You have certain physical limitations that having live feedback would aid.

Reasons you may do better with an online coach:
- Your work/travel make it difficult to be at the same gym week after week.
- You already know the exercises but want someone to help you build effective programs.
- You are self motivated, but like the accountability to a trainer (even if they're online).

If you do go with an online coach, you should expect a few things from them:
- They should be responsive.
- They should provide individual attention and customized programs (not some canned workout they send out weekly).
- They should use the technology to provide an equal service (evaluating video you send them, skype sessions, providing relevant information via email and text).

Enjoy!

Great reply ! I'm a trainer and health coach. Many of my clients are online. It can work very well, for the right clients. A good online coach has tools / skills to provide fitness assessments, write customized programs for YOU, provide virtual education on form and technique, interactive feedback on the program and effective communication !

As with any trainer - interview them, ensure that it is a good fit for YOU.

In general, online coaching is geared toward intermediate/ more experienced trainees, not beginners. Sounds like you may very well be a good fit for online coaching. Good luck !