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How to Choose an Online Personal Trainer
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Once thought to be the exclusive domain of the rich and
famous, personal trainers have become increasingly popular among
the general public. Today, personal trainers are riding the
dot-com wave, making their services more accessible and
affordable than ever. Despite the obvious benefits of online
training, cyber-training is most effective as a supplement to
working one-on-one with a qualified trainer. Due to the
complexity of many strength-training and conditioning programs,
novice exercisers should begin with a hands-on trainer.
Making Your Choice
With new personal training sites springing up all over the
Internet, it can be difficult to pick the best one. There is
also the added danger of unqualified trainers with questionable
credentials doling out potentially hazardous fitness advice.
With that in mind, consider the following tips for picking and
utilizing a safe and effective online personal trainer.
 | First and foremost, check the qualifications of the staff
that will be training you. Sites should provide background
information about their staff. Make sure the personal trainers
have a college degree in an exercise-related field and/or are
certified by a well-known organization such as the American
Council on Exercise (ACE), the American College of Sports
Medicine (ACSM) or the National Strength and Conditioning
Association (NSCA). To check if a trainer is certified by ACE,
call 800-825-3636. If the site offers nutritional advice, make
sure registered dietitians are on staff. |
| Inquire about the trainers’ experience with your age group
or with your particular needs or health challenges (e.g.,
specialization with older adults, weight management). Be wary
of sites that rely on “celebrity trainers” or professional
athletes to sell their services. It’s important to find out
who will actually be designing your workouts. And always avoid
sites that make exaggerated claims or guarantee fitness
results. |
| Make sure the site is easy to navigate. If it’s too
complicated you probably won’t stick with it. Some companies
will allow you to “tour” the site before signing up. |
| Look for a sample workout plan. If available, make sure
the plans are thorough and detailed (e.g., weight, sets,
repetitions, intensity) and not simply a list of exercises.
Also determine whether the site provides a method for visually
communicating proper exercise technique as text-only
instructions can be difficult to follow. |
| The site should provide an easy means of contacting your
trainer for questions or concerns. Most sites provide e-mail
contact, but also look for sites that have a toll-free number
so you can actually speak to a trainer. Questions should be
addressed in a timely manner. |
| Look for a site that provides bulletin board-type forums
and online group support that you can use to communicate with
other exercisers with similar goals. |
| Finally, avoid training sites that “prescribe” nutritional
supplement programs. Trainers should not be advising you on
nutrition (beyond the food guide pyramid) unless they are
registered dietitians. |
Using and Evaluating Your Online Personal Trainer
| Once you’ve decided to sign up, make sure the site
requires you to complete a detailed health-history
questionnaire. This evaluation should address, among other
things, your goals, present level of fitness and health
concerns. Trainers need to this information to customize a
program to fit your needs. Online exercisers should be honest
when filling out the evaluation forms. In other words, don’t
lie about your age, weight or experience level as it could
reduce the effectiveness of your training program and possibly
lead to injury. |
| Determine whether the workouts are truly customized for
you. Some sites use computer programs to provide preset
workout plans based on how you answer their evaluation form.
If you receive a plan immediately, a computer likely created
your workout. These plans are fine for some exercisers, but
you may wish to find a site that provides you with a more
personalized fitness program. |
| Is your program updated regularly? Does the site have
online exercise logs and do you receive e-mail responses or
postings that address your progress? |
If you are unhappy with the answers to these questions, or
with the service of the site you have chosen, don’t hesitate to
request a refund and seek out another more suitable online
personal trainer. To experience the benefits of a personal
trainer, virtual or otherwise, you must feel completely
comfortable and confident in his or her ability to help you
reach your health and fitness goals.
A Bargain for Some, Not for Others
On average, hands-on personal trainers charge between $35 and
$100 per hour, depending on the market. Their cyber counterparts
are available at a fraction of the cost, with some charging as
little as $10 per month. Online training is also accessible to
anyone with a computer and modem, making it possible for busy
travelers or people in remote areas to have access to a personal
trainer. This type of training is recommended primarily for
intermediate and advanced exercisers or those with very specific
goals such as training for a marathon or triathlon. |
This ACE Fit Fact is taken from ACE FitnessMatters®
magazine. Want more information like this delivered directly to your
home? ACE FitnessMatters, the bi-monthly magazine from the American
Council on Exercise (ACE), is the source for the most accurate,
up-to-date fitness information you need to live a healthy, active
life. Subscribe to ACE FitnessMatters Magazine directly from ACE at
http://www.acefitness.org/fitnessmatters/ or call
1-800-825-3636.
The American Council on Exercise® of San Diego,
California (ACE®) does not endorse or promote the companies,
products or services that reside on this Web site. ACE does not
receive revenue generated from any organizations that advertise on
this Web site. Copyright 2003 American Council on Exercise. All
Rights Reserved.
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