Saturday 9 March 2024
Thursday 29 February 2024
Saturday 6 January 2024
Online Fitness Training: Fad or Future?
In a distant time and galaxy, skinny young men would hungrily devour muscle magazines to learn how to work out in the weight room. Gyms were full of Arnold Schwarzenegger aspirants pumping up on barbells or grunting under the load of Universal or Nautilus machines. Women who desired movie siren physiques could attend an aerobics session at a fitness club or recreational facility. However, women had a trump card on men! They could perform aerobics at home with a 'remote' aerobics instructor. It's true! All they needed was their TV set, a VHS or Beta player and a Jane Fonda aerobics tape. Yes, the 1980's were famous for more than just spandex-clad, hair rock bands, Miami Vice, and the Iran/Contra arms scandal. It was the beginning of the remote training era.
Remote Fitness Training is exactly that: remote;distant;virtual;detached. A Fitness Trainer/client virtual relationship is established online using computers or cell phones. Since the COVID-19 pandemic shut many fitness centers, online Fitness Training has multiplied exponentially. Social media has exploded with fitness influencers showing off their 'natural (or natty)' physiques on video platforms. These platforms often have a link offering to sell the secrets to how such physiques can be obtained.
At first glance, there are some obvious advantages to remote/online/virtual fitness training:
- Fitness trainers and clients no longer have to meet at a fitness center or studio.
- Fitness trainers can avoid rental fees at a fitness center or giving a sizeable cut of their earnings to that fitness center.
- Commuting and parking are no longer a factor.
- Geographical distance is no longer a deterrent.
- The fitness trainer can potentially schedule more clients into a day.
- Those who prefer to exercise with a degree of privacy now have that option.
- Clients usually pay less for online sessions.
- If the client works out at home, they can avoid fitness center fees.
My hesitancy to fully embrace remote fitness training is based upon numerous factors.
1. There is a lack of physical interaction between trainer and client.
2. The ability to perform a feasible and proper physical assessment may be compromised. This is especially problematic with a new client.
3. A client may be more susceptible to injury without a fitness trainer being physically present.
4. The probability exists of a higher dropout rate among clients without a fitness trainer present and offering encouragement.
5. It might be easier for a client to 'ghost' their trainer to avoid signing on for more sessions. Of course, this could also be advantageous for the client.
6. Protection from personal liability could be compromised. Do fitness training insurance policies even cover remote training?
7. There is the potential for scam artists posing as online fitness trainers.
8. People lacking fitness training credentials can, and do, portray themselves as experts online with few, to no, consequences.
There are experts still skeptical that any online method can adequately replace the actual physical presence of a live fitness trainer. To quote a trainer from the gym where I work out, "Personal training means just that - 'personal'. It has to be hands on. It is like physical therapy. You can't do physiotherapy from a distance." This particular trainer was also a former pysio-therapy aide which may have helped reinforce his 'hands on' view.
According to another expert, Edmonton based Fitness Trainer, Greg Harvey of Fit'N'Well, “There are visual cues that you can only pick up by being physically present while the client exercises. There is also the ethical consideration. Is it right to take money from people for advising from a distance?”
This would be less of an issue with an existing client that then opted to become an online client. In that case, the fitness trainer is already familiar with that person and with their exercise response. Can technology make up for the distance? Can the trainer/client bond thrive in this environment? The answers may depend upon the skills of the trainer/coach.
Despite the doubts, it appears that working with clients from afar is no passing fad. In 2021 remote training was the number 1 fitness trend. By 2022 it had dropped to number 9 and by 2023 to number 21. (1) That may be due to the fact that more people are returning to the gym rather than due to a drop in demand for online training. Despite the doubters, the trend is still alive.
There are typically 4 methods used for remote training.
1.Some trainers merely sell an exercise program for the client to purchase using an interactive website. There is one program for one fee. They are no longer exchanging time for money! Instead, they claim to be selling results for money! The question arises 'Does such a method benefit the buyer?' A generic 'cookie cutter' type exercise program would not be tailored to the client's individual needs. The person might get the same or better results by buying a fitness or muscle magazine and following those suggested work outs. If the remote trainer did some sort of long-distance assessment and had the client make clear their goals, objectives, and expectations, they could better personalize the program. Then the client might be receiving something of unique value for their payment.
2. Other virtual trainers will take the client through the program using e-mail and/or cell phone chat lines along with an introductory video session. They are also known as online or virtual coaches. This method would realistically be of greater benefit to the client but more time-consuming for the trainer. At least there is constant communication. They are like fitness pen pals. The trainer/client relationship becomes more personalized than the method where the client just purchases a training program without interaction..
3.The technically adept fitness trainer/online coach can rely on visual communication technology such as Zoom or Skype to simulate face time. There also exists an abundance of new online fitness trainer apps, such as Trainerize or Everfit, promising remote fitness training methodology and online assessment techniques. Using such technology, the trainer can demonstrate movements and observe the client in real time. With this scenario the trainer is 'eyes on' if not 'hands on.' The Fitness Trainer can look for visual cues, imbalances, or technique flaws that would be missed using the other two methods. (2)
4. Many fitness trainers use a hybrid method in which they work with a client both in person and online. These are often existing clients that find it more convenient than always having to travel to the fitness center or studio. Such a model would presumably have the most chance for success. This hybrid works best (if at all) when fitness trainer and client are in geographic proximity.
There is a step-by-step process that Personal Trainer's should follow to prepare a new client and to protect themselves from legal repercussions. The steps are:
1. Verbal Consultations: Get familiar with the client. Determine goals and objectives. Ask the client about any health concerns.
2. Medical Forms: (In Canada the form is the Par-Q- Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire) This screens the client for possible health concerns. If the client answers 'Yes" to any Par - Q questions, they must answer a second level of questions. If the client clicks 'Yes" to any of these, they must be referred to a medical doctor before they can be prescribed any exercise program or perform any active portion of a fitness evaluation..
3. Waiver Form: This is to absolve the trainer of any blame in case of injury or ill health of the client. A waiver might not provide protection against trainer negligence.
4. Fitness Evaluation: Take the client's resting heart rate and blood pressure and measurements. Determine baseline fitness and strength levels. The client may be tested for aerobic capacity. Abnormally high heart rate or blood pressure can further screen the client. Severe under- performance in the baseline fitness level tests should also raise a red flag health- wise.
The first three steps can be accomplished online. As stated above, a waiver is not always absolute protection. In the U.S.A., states such as Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico and Virginia, fitness trainer waivers are 'not enforceable'. (3)
The fitness evaluation could pose challenges. A physical assessment under the observation of the fitness trainer is the norm. Assessing blatent muscle imbalances or physical deficiencies using still photos online is passable at best. Using modern video technology apps to monitor the client's ability to perform various movements from differing angles might provide the most accurate alternative to an actual physical presence.
When I first heard about remote, or online Fitness Training, one thought was foremost in my mind. What about liability and insurance coverage? Many of the major Fitness Training certifications do come with insurance coverage. The National Strength and Conditioning Association certificate even has an insurance policy that has coverage for sexual abuse and molestation. Hopefully such types of misconduct related improprieties would be minimized with online interactions. Most fitness certifications actually do offer remote insurance protection now. However, the coverage may be null and void unless the fitness assessment is performed using the protocol of the certifying agency! For example, my Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology certification provides coverage using the fitness testing methodology from their training manual. If I used another modus operandi instead and got sued by an injured client, I could be in legal jeopardy.
A Fitness Trainer should read the fine print on their policy to be sure that remote fitness is specifically included. A telephone clarification with the insurance representative would be a prudent step. Remote Fitness Training across legal jurisdictions such as countries, states or provinces could prove problematic in cases of injury or customer dissatisfaction.
Fitness trainers should be aware that should they go beyond their scope of practice, the liability protection may be null and void! For example, a Fitness Trainer without specialty training may not be insured to work with special populations. A Fitness Trainer can give general advice on healthy eating habits but they are not Registered Dieticians. Potential clients with suspected eating disorders should be referred to the proper professionals. If and when they reconnect with recommendations from an expert, then an exercise prescription can be discussed. The lack of physical connection may not absolve a Fitness Trainer of negligent practice.
The pandemic saw a boom in home exercise equipment with interactive capabilities such as Peloton. Peloton now faces a lawsuit over a fatality on its treadmill involving a child. If a large corporate exercise machine company can get sued, so can an online fitness trainer! So far, the only online training lawsuit of note has been against an American Social Media Influencer/fitness model. The state of Texas filed a lawsuit against her for failure to deliver on promised nutritional advice and diet plans to online clients. We live in a litigious world. More lawsuits are sure to follow. Know the law, the insurance policy and the training contract, whether you are a fitness trainer or a client.
Liability concerns should not be taken lightly.
The prospective client should also be wary of scams. In many cases they will be giving banking or credit card information to a complete stranger. Sadly, the fitness industry has had its share of charlatans, shysters, and shady practitioners. Refunds for poor product delivery may not be easily obtained. Filing legal action against a trainer in a foreign jurisdiction could also be a daunting task.
Learning how to become an online trainer/coach has spawned an industry of its own. My social media accounts are inundated with advertisements offering to teach or sell me the secrets of online training for a fee. Other advertisements flaunt apps that will provide the technology and simplify the process. Most ads promise a path to countless clients and immense financial profit. Some appear to be legitimate; others seem dubious. Business seems to be booming!
Despite my own doubts about remote training, I almost worked for an online training company. This company would have let me use their banner to advertise online and also offered to send numerous potential client referrals my way. I would match clients to a proper exercise prescription using the company's 'Artificial Intelligence' training app. The 'artificial intelligence' was just the app assigning exercises to the client according to the profile given which consisted of ; age, health concerns, size, goals, objectives, and available exercise equipment. There was nothing space age about it.
There was a catch to the proposal. I had to sign up at least one client on my own to their network. Not surprisingly, most of my fitness contacts were wary of divulging their banking information to a third party that was not well known. Giving over such details to famous brands such as Amazon or PayPal was different than providing financial exposure to an unknown entity. This particular company seemed legitimate but my fitness contacts were not convinced enough to turn over such data. I did convince someone to sign up for two months. No leads or clients were sent to me from the company. Was this a lost opportunity for me or a save from a possible losing partnership?
As I stated previously, remote/online/virtual fitness training is not going away! Potential clients will have more choices. Old style fitness trainers will have more competition than ever before. Besides the existing threat of other trainers soliciting your clients away, the menace of online poaching could become an actuality. Modern fitness trainers may have to adapt and adjust either through using a hybrid system or by completely accepting the online model. Those that do may be are most likely to succeed in the everchanging, often unstable, sometimes unconventional universe of the fitness professional.
To complicate the situation even more, there is a new player in the fitness game called ChatGPT. This is an 'Artificial Intelligence 'program known as a chatbot. ChatGPT is reputedly able to answer questions with genius level precision. Using such technology, a fitness trainer could create the ultimate personalized fitness prescription for any client. More ominously for fitness trainers, prospective clients could potentially post a query and receive a state-of-the-art personal workout plan. If it works, why pay for a trainer?
Search engine news platforms such as MSN, Yahoo, and Google all have health and fitness sections. Often there are health and fitness articles such as 'Take the four-week fitness challenge.' or 'Three weeks to a stronger core.' or 'Strip away belly fat!' Interested readers could attempt the challenges that best seem to suit their needs at no cost. This is a modern version of getting training advice from muscle magazines.
The implication for personal fitness trainers and remote fitness trainers could be profound. Conversely, these new options could make the fitness training profession obsolete. My prediction is that such technology could thin the ranks of working fitness professionals while making the job easier for those that survive.
To quote the famous folk singing troubadour and fitness influencer, Bob Dylan "The times, they are a changing."
Keep Pumping Up
Little Bobby Strong
References
1. Thompson, Walter R, Ph.D. FASCM (2023): "Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2023, American College of Sports Medicine, page 17 https://munideporte.com/imagenes/documentacion/ficheros/009EF95D.pdf
2. da Silva, Martins, Haas, Goncalves (2022): Online Exercise Program for Brazilian Older Adults: Effects on physical fitness and health related variables of a feasibility study in times of COVID19. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/21/14042 https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/21/14042
3. Riley, Sean, JD,MS, (2008): The Pitfalls of Online Training Idea Health and Fitness Association https://www.ideafit.com/personal-training/pitfalls-online-training-0/
Links
Friday 29 December 2023
Sunday 21 May 2023
Monday 21 November 2022
Little Bobby Strong : Social Media Influencer
I have an unique side hobby. I collect fitnesss and fitness training related certificates. I recently completed an online course with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).According to the certificate, I am now a Social Media Influencer, specifically in the world of fitness.
The course was interesting although not quite what I expected. The course was more theory related than technical. Being the tecno klutz that I have always been, I was hoping for more practical knowledge on creating and editing videos and growing my video audience. Much of the information presented was general with not much on specifics. They did provide links to other sites that an aspiring Social Media Influencer could use to build their brand. In summary, this course was average but left me with many unanswered questions on how to make my mark.Much of the information could probably be obtained for free on the internet. I would rate the course two and a half stars out of five.
That's right, I said videos! I will still write blogs but I will also create video blogs (or vlogs) related to fitness, exercise and sports. To view them, type Little Bobby Strong into the search engine on the YouTube platform.I hope to apply the same critical and sometimes irreverent search for answers in the unique world of fitness. Why be a Fitness Influencer unless I can influence somebody?
.Here are some links for your viewing enjoyment.
Do not hesitate to Like, Comment, Share, or Subscribe!
Little Bobby Strong
Monday 29 August 2022
Kicked Off or Kicked to the Curb with Kickoff.com Personal Training?
I am always on the look out for opportunities to expand my fitness trainer horizons! I first saw the posting for Kickoff.com in the fall of 2021 on Indeed.com which is generally regarded as a reputable job website. Kickoff Personal Training is a California based company that used to go by the name Kudos.When I clicked on the Kickoff.com job description, what greeted me looked extremely promising.
- Kickoff.com needs fitness trainers or 'health coaches' to train clients remotely. That means that the trainer coaches the client over the internet using the Kickoff training app.
- Kickoff has their own Artificial Intelligence to set up training routines.
- The client provides their current fitness, goals, access to exercise equipment (if any), work out preferences, and any history of injuries or health concerns to the trainer.
- The Artificial Intelligence then determines a potential workout regime based on the information provided.
- The trainer texts the client daily for feedback and makes adjustments accordingly.
- Daily meal suggestions can also be incorporated using the Artificial Intelligence.
- The client pays $3.00 per day for a basic package or $90.00 per month.
- Since an actual in person fitness trainer can change from $30.00 to $75.00 plus for an hour session, the client can save significant money.
- The trainer and client are not limited by geographic location.
- There is also the option to sell or upgrade the client to live video training sessions.
- With live video training, the client would pay more and the Fitness Trainer would be paid more.
Job Type: Part Time - Salary: $3,000 to $5.000 per month
"Say what?" That is a significant amount for an extra income. My interest was definitely piqued. At the same time I had certain reservations about online Fitness Training.
- How do you perform a thorough physical assessment of a client without being physically present?
- Can the trainer ensure the safety of the client without actually being there?
- There could be potential liability issues if an online client is injured.
- The liability insurance that I have with the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology provides coverage using their assessment protocol in which a fitness trainer is supposedly there in the flesh.
- Online training could make the liability insurance null and void!
"Congratulations! We’ve reviewed your application to coach on Kickoff and would like to invite you to do a trial with us. We think you’ll be a great addition to the team! As a Kickoff coach, you’ll have an opportunity to join a community of coaches who earn $2,500-$7,000/month. helping clients lead better, healthier lives. Our technology enables you to help 40-70 clients at a time in 15-25 hours per week, working when and where you want."
This was sounding better each time! The potential earning bracket was expanding. I was expected to attract the first client on my own by attaching my profile to their banner and posting ads on Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram, andTwitter. I could also rustle up former clients or contacts.
I inquired about the liability issues. Kickoff e-mailed a contract for me to sign and a copy that they give to the client.There was a strongly worded waiver for the client that looked legally sound.As long as I didn't deviate from the Artificial Intelligence assigned exercise, my butt should be protected from any lawsuits.
The e-mail from Kickoff also stated:
"We'll help you recruit 1 or more clients from your network and pay you a premium for doing so.This is the only client that that we'll ever require you to acquire." (Remember this line!) The Kickoff email continued with "After 7 days, the app will review your work and provide feedback. Once you pass and show us that you'll do a good job, we'll begin sending you clients that we recruit for you." (Remember this line as well.)
I pondered the offer for a few days. Finally I decided "Let's do it!" I signed their contract. I also completed a pictorial portfolio that I posted to various social media platforms. I had to get internet on my cell phone to download the Kickoff coaching app before I could transfer the app to my laptop computer. Now I just had to lure in a potential client.
After a week, I decided to tap into my contact list. I recruited an e-mail acquantaince who agreed to be my first client - after some gentle arm twisting and craft brew bribery. My client downloaded the app, signed up. paid for the month, and requested that I be his online coach.He did make it very clear that he would only participate for 2 months - no more.
I texted him his weekly workouts as suggested by the Kickoff Artificial Intelligenge system.I also added the Kickoff meal suggestions. It should be noted that I am a Fitness Trainer, not a Registered Dietician. It was up to the client to follow the Kickoff eating ideas. I also texted my client every day for feedback. I would scale back or eliminate any exercises that he found difficult or uncomfortable. Payments from my client were done efficiently. Payments to me were done in a timely manner. So far - so good. My client did complain that the workout app video did not always play properly and the meal choices were not always realistic.
After a week of daily communication with my client, Kickoff sent me a message saying that I had passed the trial! This signalled to me that I should prepare for the potential clients that they will send me. This did not happen. Kickoff notified me that although I had passed the client audit, my profile audit 'needs review'. Say what? My coach profile contained: a headshot, an action shot and a 'humanizing picture. According to Kickoff, the headshot and the action shot were 'too grainy'.These were my first portfolio shots.
I thought this one showed youthful vigor and a full head of hair. Too 'grainy'they said.
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This more recent pic. The balding 'Man of a Thousand Wrinkles' when smiling. Accepted!
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Arguably, my best ever action shot. Too 'grainy' for them.
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They finally accepted this action shot for my coach profile
In between my first picture submissions and the final ones there were at least 20 rejected pictures. Meanwhile, time was being wasted! No clients or leads came my way even though I had passed the
Acquired Client Trial Audit. In fact, three months had passed. My acquired client had said that he would commit to only two months. By the third month, I was getting suggestions on my coaches app that trainers that get clients to re-sign get more leads. It is now six months since I passed the client audit and three months since getting my coach profile accepted. There are still no clients or leads being forwarded my way.
Remember an earlier section of this blog. ''This is the only client that that we'll ever require you to acquire." This was followed by the statement Once you pass and show us that you'll do a good job, we'll begin sending you clients that we recruit for you." Why has this not happened? I did everything that was asked of me and had good daily rapport with my acquired client. My client gave me good reviews. However, if you look at the above underlined section that may explain Kickoff's non action. Since my client did not continue after 2 months did that indicate that I did not do a good job? Maybe this was their out clause!
During this six month period, Kickoff held periodic webinars. At first they got me pumped up. Now I see a pattern. The Trainer Coaches always talked about the trainers attracting their own leads. One trainer said that she had family and friends afar wishing that she lived close by to train them. Her point was that, now with the Kickoff app, she could train them remotely. Little was mentioned about Kickoff.com actually attracting leads and then sending then to their remote trainers!
I also went back and reread the coach's contract that I had signed with Kickoff. Nowhere was it actually written that they would send clients or leads to me! The e-mails were obviously misleading but their inclusion of the words of 'show us that you'll do a good job' likely provides them protection legally. It seems as though they never intended to send me leads.Those trainers that pull in their own clients and continually re-sign then might be sent leads from Kickoff as a reward. Fair enough, but this fact was never explicitly stated during my recruitment process!
I tried to contact my Coach/Trainer but she was on maternity leave. When she returned, her response was to check out some other app that handles business queries.Once they start throwing more technical roadblocks in my way, I begin to lose interest. I eventually messaged the Kickoff CEO just to see if anything would happen. A week after that my Coach/Trainer messaged me about my Calendly (scheduling app) availablity. A few days later I was sent a lead with a consultation time.
The consultation time was booked during my free period for me and my wi-fi connection was temporarily giving me issues with video chats. I told Kickoff to transfer the lead to another trainer.It was just the wrong time after being eager to go for months. By this point I was ready to mentally move on from the Kickoff experience. The fact that it took a semi irate message to finally spur them to action was also a red flag! I am now on a Kickoff hiatus.
How would I summarize the Kickoff experience?
- They provide the Kickoff banner for someone to advertise their remote coaching services.
- If you draw clients this way, Kickoff takes a very minor percentage.
- A Fitness Trainer can just do this without Kickoff except that they would not have the brand recognition.
- Pulling fitness clients out of cyberspace is a longshot at the best of times.
- A trainer with an established clientele may find that they can reduce travel, time and cost by going the remote training route.
- They can always use their own online methods that may surpass the Kickoff app.
- The liklihood of earning $3,000 to $7,000 per month with Kickoff.com seems improbable.
I gave it a try. It just didn't pay off for me. The most successful Fitness Trainers are usually the ones that slowly and gradually build their own clientele through hard work, perseverence, self advertising, and referrals. They rarely rely on some magic third party that claims that they can access a multitude of the unfit masses looking for the right Personal Trainer................
**A final note on this matter. As of Sepember 12, I can no longer open my Kickoff coaching app. Maybe I really was Kicked off of Kickoff!**
Until Next Time, Keep Fit
Little Bobby Strong
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