I'm Matt, and if you'd told me five years ago that I'd be coaching clients from my laptop while they trained in their living rooms across the world, I'd have laughed. Personal training meant being there in person, right? Counting reps, adjusting form, maybe giving the occasional motivational nudge when someone wanted to quit mid-set.
But here's the thing. The fitness world has shifted massively. And online personal training isn't just some pandemic trend that stuck around. It's become a genuine, effective way for people to get fitter, stronger, and healthier, without the faff of gym commutes or rigid schedules.
So let me break down why everyone's banging on about online personal trainers right now. And why you might want to pay attention too.
The Shift Nobody Saw Coming
A few years back, working with an online personal trainer felt a bit… alternative. Like something for tech bros or people who lived in remote villages with no gym access. But that's changed dramatically.
Now? It's mainstream. And for good reason.
The fitness industry woke up to something important: most people don't fail their fitness goals because they don't know what exercises to do. They fail because life gets in the way. Kids need picking up. Work runs late. The gym's a 30-minute drive away. The class times don't fit.
Online personal training removes those barriers. Completely.
What Actually Is Online Personal Training?
Right, let's clear this up because I still get asked this a lot.
Online personal training isn't just someone sending you a generic PDF workout and wishing you luck. That's a template. That's not coaching.
Proper online personal training means:
- Customised programming built specifically for you, your goals, your equipment (or lack of it), and your schedule
- Regular check-ins where we review progress, troubleshoot problems, and adjust the plan
- Ongoing support via messaging, video calls, or app-based communication
- Accountability that keeps you on track even when motivation dips
It's personal training. Just not face-to-face every session. And honestly? For a lot of people, it works better than the traditional model.
Why It's Exploding in Popularity
There's a reason your mate at work is talking about their online coach. And your cousin. And that person you follow on Instagram who's suddenly looking rather fit.
Flexibility That Actually Works
This is the big one. With online coaching, you're not tied to a specific time slot. You're not racing across town after work hoping to make your 6pm session. You train when it suits you.
Morning person? Train at 6am before the kids wake up. Night owl? Get your session done at 9pm. Travelling for work? Your programme comes with you.
For busy people with unpredictable lives, this flexibility is everything.
It's More Affordable
Let's be honest: in-person personal training isn't cheap. Sessions can run anywhere from £40 to £80+ per hour, and most people need multiple sessions per week to see results.
Online personal training typically costs a fraction of that. You're getting expert guidance, personalised programming, and ongoing support at a price point that's actually sustainable long-term.
And sustainable matters. Because fitness isn't a six-week thing. It's a lifestyle thing.
You Get Access to Better-Matched Expertise
Here's something people don't always consider. When you go in-person, you're limited to trainers at your local gym. Maybe there's one or two decent ones. Maybe none that specialise in what you actually need.
With online coaching, geography becomes irrelevant. Want to work with a running coach who's helped dozens of people smash their marathon times? Done. Need someone who understands training around injuries or specific conditions? You can find them.
I work with clients across the UK and beyond. They chose me not because I happened to be at their local gym, but because my approach clicked with what they needed.
"But Doesn't It Feel Impersonal?"
I get this concern. It's probably the biggest hesitation people have.
Here's my honest answer: it can feel impersonal if you're working with the wrong coach or the wrong setup. But done properly? The connection is absolutely there.
I know my online clients' lives, their struggles, their wins. We chat regularly. I see their form videos. I know when their kid's been ill and they've had no sleep. I know when work's been mental and they've barely eaten a proper meal all week.
That knowledge shapes how I coach them. It's not less personal. It's just different.
The Accountability Factor
This one surprises people.
You'd think having a trainer physically waiting for you at the gym would be the ultimate accountability, right? But research and real-world experience show that remote accountability works incredibly well.
When everything's tracked: your workouts, your check-ins, your progress photos: there's nowhere to hide. You can't just "forget" to mention you skipped three sessions. Your coach sees it. And more importantly, YOU see it.
That transparency creates a different kind of accountability. One that's actually more consistent because it's woven into your daily routine, not just a one-hour appointment.
Who's It Perfect For?
Online personal training isn't for everyone. Nothing is. But it's particularly brilliant for:
- Busy professionals who can't commit to fixed gym times
- Parents juggling childcare and work and everything else
- People who travel frequently for work or pleasure
- Anyone who feels intimidated by traditional gym environments
- Runners and endurance athletes who need structured programming but do most training solo anyway
- People in areas without great local trainer options
If you've got a smartphone and some basic equipment (even just bodyweight works), you're good to go.
What About Running Coaching?
Since I work as a running coach as well as a general personal trainer, I see this question a lot.
Running is actually PERFECT for online coaching. Think about it: you're already training alone most of the time. You don't need someone standing next to you while you run. What you need is smart programming, progressive overload that doesn't lead to injury, and guidance on pacing, recovery, and race prep.
All of that can be delivered brilliantly online. I've helped clients go from struggling with 5K to completing half marathons, all through remote coaching.
This Is Just the Beginning
This blog post is the first in a series I'm writing about online personal training. Over the coming weeks, I'll be diving deeper into:
- Why online training can actually be better than in-person
- How I coach clients from anywhere in the world
- Training effectively from your living room with minimal equipment
- How remote accountability really works
- Making online coaching fit around the busiest schedules
- What to expect in your first month working with me
If you've been curious about working with an online personal trainer but haven't taken the plunge, stick around. I'll be answering all the questions I get asked most often.
And if you're ready to chat about whether online coaching might work for you, you can find out more about my personal training services or drop me a message.
The fitness world has changed. And honestly? It's changed for the better.
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