I remember being stood in a gym, late 2018. I'd just put a client through a killer workout. They'd achieved some amazing things in the session and were feeling good. Then at the end of the session, full of enthusiasm, we got our diaries out to book the next session in.
"Can you do next Tuesday evening?"
"I'm afraid not, I have another client booked in then. How about Friday morning?"
"Sorry, I've got a meeting then, how about Sunday morning?"
"Ah really sorry, I'm not working on Sunday".
The realisation hit-I couldn't help people if I couldn't see them. My client was busy, I was busy, there was competition for popular training times. I had to find another way.
Starting in January 2019 I spent 14 months developing my Online Personal Training Service. People accused me of being a psychic when I launched it the weekend before we went into lockdown!
Many people were sceptical before trying it, but once they saw how much more support I could give them and how much more convenient it was for them, they became converts. Like Jon, who said: "I was a bit unsure about to start with but now I am a complete convert......I feel that since I have moved to online training my personal training has moved to another level."
It's taken some time to get the message out that this isn't something that I did in response to the pandemic, it's something that was developed over a long time to allow me to give a better service to the people I train. Now instead of supporting someone for a session, I support them for their whole week. Clients get as many workouts as they need from me and I personally review, adapt and feedback on everything they do. Instead of booking appointments, clients do their workouts where and when suits them, with full guidance and support from me.
Jenny was another person who was unsure, but who has really noticed the benefits: "I have to say I am a convert now. Steve has tailor made my programme to suit my needs exactly. He gently keeps me accountable and adapts the workouts / stretches to make sure I can fit them into my life. Steve also gives great nutritional support through online training."
My clients can access their workouts, programs and coaching from me on any device connected to the internet anywhere in the world! Most clients use their smartphones for their online training, but some use their tablet or even their computer if they’re training at home. Online training has allowed me to continue helping people with their fitness when they’re travelling nationally and internationally for work and holiday, and even when they’ve moved abroad.
I'm very passionate about being an Online Trainer, because it allows me to give more support, more coaching, and really help people. Essentially, it puts the "personal" into personal training.
