So you're thinking about hiring an online personal trainer. Maybe the gym intimidates you. Maybe your schedule is absolutely mental. Or maybe you just prefer working out in your pants without anyone judging you. All valid reasons, mate.
I'm Matt, and I've been coaching clients online for years now. Before that, I spent my fair share of time on rugby pitches and in gyms, so I get both sides of the fitness world. And I'll be honest with you, online personal training isn't for everyone. But for the right person? It can be absolutely game-changing.
Before you hand over your hard-earned cash to some random coach you found on Instagram, here are 10 things you genuinely need to know.
1. Not All Online Personal Trainers Are Created Equal
This one sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people just pick the trainer with the most followers or the best abs. Here's the thing, a six-pack doesn't mean someone can actually coach.
Look for proper certifications. Ask about their experience. Do they specialise in what you need? If you're after a running coach, don't hire someone whose entire feed is powerlifting content. And if you've got health considerations or injuries, make sure they actually know how to work around them.
The beauty of online personal training is that you're not limited to whoever works at your local gym. You've got access to specialists worldwide. Use that to your advantage.
2. You'll Need to Be Honest About Your Self-Motivation
Right, let's have a proper chat about this one.
When you train in person, your trainer is standing right there. You can't exactly pretend you did all your reps when they're counting them for you. Online? That accountability shifts heavily onto your shoulders.
I'm not saying you need to be some kind of discipline machine. But if you're the type who needs someone physically dragging you out of bed at 6am, online training might be a struggle. Good online coaches build accountability systems into their programmes: check-ins, progress photos, regular communication. But ultimately, you've got to want it enough to actually do the work when no one's watching.
Be honest with yourself here. It'll save you money and frustration.
3. Form Correction Is Different (But Not Impossible)
One of the biggest concerns people have about online personal training is: "How will my trainer correct my form?"
Fair question. Obviously, I can't physically move your elbow into position through a screen. But here's what good online coaches do instead:
- Provide detailed video demonstrations for every exercise
- Ask you to film your sets so they can review and give feedback
- Use live video sessions for real-time corrections
- Start you with simpler movements and progress as your technique improves
Is it exactly the same as in-person? No. But honestly, most of my online clients end up with better form than many gym-goers I see, because they actually pay attention to technique rather than just chucking weights around.
4. Your Equipment Situation Matters (But Maybe Less Than You Think)
"I don't have a home gym" is something I hear constantly. And my response is always the same: you don't need one.
Sure, if you've got a full setup with a rack, barbell, and dumbbells, brilliant. We can do loads with that. But some of my most successful clients started with literally nothing but their bodyweight and a resistance band they bought for a tenner.
The key is finding an online personal trainer who actually listens to what you have available and designs programmes around that. Not someone who sends you a generic plan requiring equipment you don't own.
Living room workouts are completely legit. I'll be writing more about this in my upcoming post "No Gym? No Problem: Training from Your Living Room": keep an eye out for that one.
5. The Price Range Is Massive (Know What You're Paying For)
Online personal training costs can range from basically free (apps and generic programmes) to well over a thousand quid a month for premium coaching.
Here's a rough breakdown:
| Type | Typical Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Fitness apps | Free – £15/month | Generic workouts, minimal personalisation |
| Pre-recorded programmes | £30 – £200 one-off | Structured plan, no ongoing support |
| Asynchronous coaching | £100 – £300/month | Custom programmes, check-ins via messaging |
| Live video coaching | £200 – £500+/month | Real-time sessions, high accountability |
More expensive doesn't always mean better. But dirt cheap usually means you're getting zero personalisation. Work out what level of support you actually need, then find someone who offers that.
6. Communication Frequency Varies Wildly
Some online coaches check in daily. Others you might hear from once a week. Some respond within hours; others take a couple of days.
None of these approaches is inherently wrong: but you need to know what you're signing up for.
If you're someone who thrives on frequent contact and quick responses, make sure that's what your trainer offers. Ask upfront: How often will we communicate? What's your typical response time? What platforms do you use?
Personally, I think regular check-ins are crucial for remote accountability. It's one of the secret weapons of successful online coaching. (I've actually got a whole post coming up on this: "The Secret Sauce of Success: Remote Accountability.")
7. Technical Issues Will Happen (Have a Backup Plan)
Your internet will drop out mid-session at some point. Your video won't load. Your audio will go weird. This is just the reality of online anything.
Good trainers have contingency plans. Maybe they'll reschedule. Maybe they've sent you a backup workout in advance. Maybe they'll switch to a phone call instead.
Before you start, make sure your own setup is reasonably reliable. You don't need fancy equipment, but a decent internet connection and a phone or laptop that doesn't crash constantly will make your life much easier.
8. You Might Miss the Social Side (Or You Might Love the Privacy)
Gyms have a vibe. There's something about being surrounded by other people working hard that some folks find motivating. You don't get that with online training.
If you're someone who needs that community energy, look for coaches who offer group elements: private Facebook groups, community challenges, group Zoom sessions with other clients.
But here's the flip side: plenty of people LOVE training alone. No waiting for equipment. No self-consciousness. No small talk when you just want to get on with it. If that's you, online personal training might feel like a dream come true.
9. It Works Brilliantly for Busy Schedules
This is genuinely one of the biggest advantages of online coaching.
No commute to the gym. No fixed appointment times (unless you want live sessions). Train at 5am or 11pm: whatever works for your life.
I coach people with mental schedules: shift workers, parents with young kids, business owners who travel constantly. Online training fits around them, not the other way around.
If your calendar is chaos, this could be the thing that finally makes fitness stick. I'll be diving deeper into this in "Busy Schedules & Big Goals: How Online Coaching Fits In."
10. The Right Coach Makes All the Difference
I could give you all the tips in the world, but ultimately it comes down to this: finding someone you actually connect with.
You want a coach who listens. Who adapts when life gets in the way. Who knows their stuff but doesn't talk down to you. Who celebrates your wins and helps you learn from the setbacks.
Take your time with this decision. Most decent coaches offer some kind of intro call or consultation. Use it. Ask questions. Get a feel for whether they're someone you'd actually enjoy working with.
This post is the first in a series I'm writing about online personal training. Over the coming weeks, I'll be covering everything from what to expect in your first month to why online coaching might actually be better than in-person training.
If you're curious about working together, or you just want to chat through whether online coaching is right for you, drop me a message. No pressure, no hard sell: just an honest conversation about what might work for you.
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