After announcements from the prime minister in 2020, stating that everyone in the Uk must work from home, many personal trainers were left bewildered as to what to do next. They were forced to think of innovative ways to deliver their training programmes. Thus, the progression of virtual personal training.
Virtual Personal Training
With the whole of the UK in lockdown unable to partake in usual exercise routines and significantly more focus being put on individuals' health and wellbeing (GSK, 2020). The need for a virtual personal trainer (PT) was extremely desirable. Numerous gyms and PTs were forced to adapt to the new norm and develop online coaching programmes to combat the growing demand for online fitness and wellbeing services
A sports specific insurance company (Insurance4Sport, 2020) interviewed 1,000 PTs to see how they adapted during the pandemic. They reported that 74% of PTs took their business online, using platforms such as Youtube, Zoom, Facebook, and Instagram to live stream classes. Popularity of online classes increased significantly, with Joe Wick's Online PE class breaking the world record for online streams of a live YouTube video (UK Active, 2020). This study also reported that 65% of those partaking in online classes were streaming them from their local instructor.
The effects of online exercise interventions have been studied extensively with many visible benefits. A study by The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (McNamara et al, 2008), compared the use of traditional gym sessions to online video sessions within student populations. They found that the online training was just as efficient at improving knowledge of weight training, but not as successful when increasing strength. This is said to be down to a lack of motivation and inaccuracy when self-reporting exercise. A more recent study has been conducted including less active older adults. The study concluded that online interventions are significantly effective in promoting motivation and increasing physical activity amongst these populations (Baez et al, 2017).
What a Virtual Personal Trainer Can Offer
The variety of virtual PT programmes differs greatly in terms of support and price. Popular mobile apps such as "TheSculptYou" or "FiiT" offer online forums, classes, and video demonstrations for as little as £10 a month. However, these programmes offer little support for a beginner with more complex needs. Companies such as "VintageFitness" offer virtual PT for older adults including webinars, E-books, live one-to-one online sessions and even arrange for a tablet to be sent out if the client does not have access to the internet. More supportive programmes like this one come at a much higher price starting at around £150 a month.
What's Best for You?
After reviewing the current literature on virtual PT, it is clear it does have its benefits and could be favourable to certain populations. Including busy individuals who want training plans created for them that can be performed anywhere, or even an older adult who does not feel safe or comfortable exercising in a gym environment. Although it should be noted that the virtual PT does not offer the same in person motivation and support that the traditional PT does.
References
Baez, M., Far, I.K., Ibarra, F., Ferron, M., Didino, D. and Casati, F., 2017. Effects of online group exercises for older adults on physical, psychological and social wellbeing: a randomized pilot trial. PeerJ, 5, p.e3150.
FiiT.TV, 2022.
GSK, Covid-19 Prompts Increased Focus on Self-Care, 2020.
Insurance4Sport, How Has Coronavirus Affected UK Personal Trainers? 2020.
McNamara, J.M., Swalm, R.L., Stearne, D.J. and Covassin, T.M., 2008. Online weight training. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 22(4), pp.1164-1168
TheSculptYou.com, 2022.
UK Active, Covid-19 Impact Report, 2020.
VintageFitness.ca, 2022.
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