The popularity of using an online program to exercise has been increasing over the last few years. This new format has slowly but surely been replacing the past method of going to a physical gym and working out with an in-person trainer. But most people are usually a little confused about what an online fitness program will include and what it will do for them.
An online fitness program has a customizable format, which means you can pick when and what part of your body to work out. It makes exercising much more flexible to your needs and at a much lower price than in-person exercising.
The following article is a more detailed description of what an online fitness program would typically include. It also includes a few specific reasons why online fitness programs are worth the investment.
Article Contents
What Does an Online Fitness Program Entail?
All online fitness programs are a little bit different, depending on the instructor that runs them. But all of them have the same core attributes, which include training plans and motivational help from your instructor.
The way every program presents these might be a little different. For example, you might only get a few of the above benefits if you purchase a certain tier or package on their website. However, the benefits mentioned above are typically included in an online exercise program.
What Are Training Plans?
Training plans are the heart and soul of any online workout program. They are week by week exercise plans created by your instructor based on the information you gave them. The information that online fitness coaches typically ask for include:
- Your average weekly schedule
- Your exercise goals
- What equipment you have access to
The instructor takes all of this information and creates a plan for you to follow based on what they think would benefit you most. For example, if you have a busier weekly schedule, then they might recommend a short exercise to do every day. Or, if you have a goal to be a certain weight, they’ll give you exercises to achieve that goal as quickly and healthily as possible.
Some online fitness programs also have plans that you can create completely by yourself, depending on your fitness goals. It will show you the most popular exercises to do to reach your fitness goals and let you create a plan that you feel works best.
Another training plan option that online fitness programs have is letting you choose which workout you want to do each day. This is a great option if you aren’t able to work out every day or keep up with a consistent schedule.
Most online fitness programs have the majority of their workout selections on their website for free. There are also some premium workouts you can purchase for a monthly price, but it’s entirely up to you.
What Does an Online Fitness Program Instructor Do?
An online fitness instructor is similar to an in-person fitness instructor. They walk you through the workouts and answer any questions you might have. The primary difference is that an online fitness instructor can give you more personalized assistance.
In person fitness instructors tend to group their clients together and create workout plans that won’t benefit everyone individually. With an online fitness instructor, you get a much more personal exercise experience.
Not only can online fitness instructors help you create the best workout plan for you, but they can also help you with your nutrition. Eating healthy is just as important as exercising when it comes to fitness, but the task can seem daunting. This is especially true if you are completely new to eating healthy and don’t know where to start.
Online fitness coaches can help ease you into eating a healthier diet with a personalized touch. They will help you create a nutrition plan by getting to know your food preferences and why you want to eat healthier. Online fitness coaches make it much easier for you to have a say in your nutrition and fitness plan. You get to choose what you want and don’t want while still getting the advice of a professional.
Same with the different training plans, online fitness programs have different nutrition plans you can purchase. You’ll likely have to purchase a subscription to gain access to a nutrition plan. You can still choose if you want a more personalized nutrition plan or a general plan to follow.
Overall, online fitness training programs usually follow a similar formula. Each one has their own unique attributes, so researching a few before deciding on one is the best option.
3 Reasons Online Fitness Programs Are Worth It
Even though every online fitness program is a little different, each one has a few undeniable benefits. The benefits of an online fitness program can’t be achieved with a subscription to a physical gym or hiring an in-person professional trainer. The three main things that make an online fitness program worth it are:
- It’s very flexible to your needs
- Developing healthier lifestyle choices
- Getting the same results at a lower price
It’s up to you to build the habits necessary to receive most of these benefits, but they make online fitness programs worth the time and money.
1. Online Fitness Programs are More Flexible
Possibly the most beneficial thing about online fitness programs is their flexibility. In addition to their flexibility with workouts and nutrition plans, they are also very flexible in aspects such as:
- When you can workout
- Where you can workout
- What equipment you can work out with
Public gyms and personal trainers typically have a preset schedule for what workout times are available. Every single spot is usually taken during the mornings and evenings. This is because they’re the only times most people have to themselves, before they start their day or after their day is done.
With online fitness programs, you can choose whatever time you want to exercise. You have 24/7 access to numerous workouts you can do, and all you have to do is open your laptop or phone. You can also select how long you want to workout. For example, if you have a busy day, you can elect to work out for 10 minutes.
Online fitness programs don’t require you to be in a gym for each session. You can work out wherever you are able to, whether it’s at home or at work in the office. There are workouts you can select that can be done anywhere and don’t require specific equipment.
Lastly, online fitness programs are able to help you create exercise routines with the equipment you have available. If you don’t have access to barbells or treadmills, there are still ways to create an effective exercise routine. The flexibility of online fitness programs is unmatched when compared to physical gyms or in-person trainers.
2. Develop Healthier Lifestyle Choices
It is possible to set out on completing your fitness goals alone, but it’s also very difficult. Setting a goal by yourself, without anyone to hold you accountable or check up on you, makes it easier to slip back into old habits. Having someone there to support you and make sure you’re sticking to your goals can be extremely helpful in developing healthier habits.
Online fitness programs can help you develop healthier lifestyle choices by holding you accountable and providing support when you need it. Online fitness instructors will usually have something for you to fill out that keeps track of your workouts and your nutrition habits. You’ll typically fill it out every day and turn it into your coach at the end of the week.
This way, your online fitness coach is able to see what your strengths and weaknesses were that week. Filling out what you’ve done to reach your fitness goals each day helps to keep you on track and hold you accountable. The knowledge that you must tell someone about your progress acts as a motivator for you. It prompts you to do your best to reach your goals for that week.
The more you are held accountable, the quicker you will start to develop healthier habits. Of course, you sometimes might be unable to reach your fitness goals for the week. When that happens, your online fitness coach is also there to provide you with support. For example, if you aren’t able to reach your goals because you’re new to healthy living, they will help you reanalyze the plan and edit it as needed.
The added support also makes it easier to develop healthy habits since it’s a plan edited for you. The plan you and your trainer come up with together is specifically tailored to the lifestyle you already have, with a few improvements. Implementing these habits into the lifestyle you already have is much easier than changing your lifestyle completely.
3. You Get the Same Results at a Fraction Of The Price
The last main benefit of online fitness programs is that they are much more affordable than hiring an in-person trainer or going to a physical gym. The average price to hire a personal trainer ranges from $50 to $100 per session. This means that every time you work out with them, you’ll be paying that amount.
This amount can rack up over time, making hiring an in-person trainer incredibly expensive. But getting a subscription to a physical gym isn’t much better. The average monthly cost of a gym membership ranges from 30 dollars for low-tier memberships to 50 dollars for premium memberships. This can add up to being 500 to 700 dollars per year, just for a gym membership.
With online fitness programs, you get to choose how much you pay. The average cost to use an online fitness program, whether it’s a website or on an app, is about 50 dollars a month. But there are some that cost as little as 10 dollars a month. The amount you pay highly depends on the coach running the program, but you’ll always get the same results at a much quicker pace than the other options.
Final Thoughts
The effectiveness of online fitness programs largely depends on you. Even though they offer plenty of easy and customizable exercise and nutrition options, they won’t work unless you commit to implementing them. Online fitness programs are a great way to get some guidance if you’re new to fitness or get some help with getting back into it. But it’s entirely up to you to decide if you want to commit to implementing those changes or not.
