Virtual Personal Training Using Zoom
The advent of the internet and social media has connected the world in ways that were not possible just decades ago. We can obtain full degrees, certifications, and teach – all online. Even fitness classes are available virtually and on-demand.
As more of the United States goes under quarantine to limit the spread of COVID-19, trainers and coaches have gone virtual using services like Zoom to connect with clients and stay afloat.
In addition to moving your body, and getting all the endorphins that come with that, working out in a group offers positive energy, a sense of community, and a shared goal. It may not be the same as going to a gym or studio, but hopefully, it can help fill the void, and get you and your clients moving during long stretches at home.
What is Virtual Personal Training?
Virtual personal fitness training takes many forms. It can be a collection of streaming videos that are live or pre-recorded and shared through a platform or app like Zoom. It can include live training and coaching sessions offered in a variety of ways. There are even some hybrid training where coaching is blended with in-person and online training.
Virtual personal training can also take the form of exercise program design and instruction. In other words, virtual personal training is not a limited part of the industry. What can you imagine offering in a virtual world?
If you’re super passionate about changing lives, it is much easier to reach people online. As an online or virtual personal trainer, there are more options for clients of when and where you can meet with them. You can be with clients all around the world and still work from the comfort of your home.
Being an online or virtual personal trainer means a lot of time spent at your desk. Instead of spending hours in the gym, you’ll be spending hours in front of your laptop working on marketing, messaging, creating programs, evaluating client feedback, creating social media content, editing videos, emailing, etc. If you love writing, creating, designing, and the thought of reaching more people, then virtual personal training and coaching might be a good fit!
Using Zoom to Run Fitness Classes and Personal Training Sessions
If you have decided to go down the route of continuing your class and personal training schedule as normal, without effecting your rates. We suggested using Zoom.
Zoom is a remote conference software, which has the ability to go into webinar mode. This will allow you to easily host live online sessions, and share them with your clients.
Zoom lets studios and instructors re-create some semblance of a fitness class or training session. As an instructor or trainer, you will have the ability to be front and center, taking up the big box on the video chat screen.
To do this, you will first need to select a Zoom package. Head over to their pricing page for more information on attendee limits, video lengths, etc. and select a package that suits your needs. We highly recommend opting for a package that includes Webinars as these are the best way to facilitate a group class or training session.
Zoom packages start from $0 per month and go up to approx $20 per month. They usually offer a 30-day trial before committing to a payment plan.
Zoom Integration with gymGo
Now more than ever, being connected is so important and we know that you want to give your clients a sense of community during their group classes! It’s now possible because gymGo has added Zoom
integration; you can train your clients in an open environment where you can build an online community!
Integration Benefits:
- Train as many clients as your Zoom account will allow
- Clients can see each other and interact
- Create Zoom sessions directly from your gymGO calendar
- No need to send a Zoom link
- Attendance is tracked
- Your Zoom session is now behind a paywall
- Clients follow the same process to sign-up and join Zoom sessions
Making your Zoom Fitness Class Look Professional
Once you set up your email notifications and edit the relevant classes, you then need to work on your content. Before you jump into recording, make sure you have a good set up.
Make sure you have plenty of light and try having a clutter-free background. If you don’t have access to good lighting try using natural light whenever possible. You should test this out before going live to ensure you have no harsh shadows or dark spots.
Your audio is important, especially if you are a trainer known for providing a lot of verbal feedback. You may consider investing in a lapel microphone to enhance quality
Make sure you practice and plan your session in advance! since this is live you want to minimize any mistakes you might make by practicing first and working on your camera presence. Record a test and get some feedback from colleagues.
Many trainers and instructors are creating playlists and sending them to their clients in advance. This is especially useful if music has played an important part in your training program or classes.
Setting-up Your First Zoom
Once you’re ready to go, log-in to Zoom and select ‘My Account’
From here you will see a bar on the left-hand side, from this list select ‘Meetings’ and the option to schedule a meeting will be shown on a button.
You can select a date, time and give your meeting a title
You can then generate a link to share with your participants via email, in a Facebook group, directly via text, or however, you prefer to communicate with clients. (Note that these meetings can run for a maximum of 40 minutes with up to 100 participants on the standard package, so you will need to upgrade if you want them to run longer)
We recommend recording the session so it can be shared again at a later date
Starting an Online Training/Coaching Business
Check out what it takes to start a career in personal fitness training. This is your most affordable and fastest way to become a highly qualified personal trainer.
If you are ready to start your online business, you will really enjoy this very comprehensive training course.
There is always something exciting about earning a new training or coaching certification and applying that new knowledge of how you train your clients. This also helps you hit the reset button.
NESTA and Spencer Institute coaching programs are open to anyone with a desire to learn and help others. There are no prerequisites.
That’s it for now.
Take action!
PS: Click here to see many helpful business/career resources
