Finding an online fitness trainer that is right for you

Reaching fitness goals has never been easier, whether it’s losing weight, gaining muscle or sustaining a healthy life. There’s a lot of information out there about nutrition and fitness that’s inaccurate. It can be overwhelming knowing where to start for someone who doesn’t know much about fitness, so hiring a coach might be a great solution to start down the path toward a healthy lifestyle.

Finding a coach who inspires you is important because they will keep you accountable and teach you everything you need to know to sustain a healthy lifestyle.

Step One: Identify your fitness goal

When looking for a coach, you need to know what kind of coach you want to hire. If your goal is to run a marathon, you need to hire a running coach. But if your goal is to become a bodybuilder, you need a coach that will prepare you for competition.

Your goal doesn’t have to be complicated – it could be something as simple as having more energy in your day-to-day life.

Step Two: Find an online fitness coach

There are a few ways you can search for a coach. If you know someone who has worked with a fitness coach before, ask them for a reference. If you don’t have any leads, type “fitness coach online” on Instagram or Google and a number of people will pop up.

Find a coach whose philosophy and approach resonate with your fitness goal. Look for someone who either started from a similar point or chat with their clients for a reference. Most importantly, chat with the coach to see if you would enjoy working with them.

Step Three: Check their credibility

There’s a lot of inaccurate information online, and you have to be careful not to fall for it. In Canada, there are a few certifications you should look for, including a personal training certification.

Certifications are great, but there are some people online who don’t have any certifications. Instead, what they have is years of experience. These types of coaches have done hours of research to be relevant and accurate.

Here are a few red flags that identify a coach that doesn’t use sustainable practices:

• A coach who encourages clients to eat 1,200 calories
• A coach who provides generic workout programs
• A coach who doesn’t have weekly check-ins
• A coach who only provides meal plans
• A coach who doesn’t justify or explain their clients’ specific protocols

Step Four: Set up a call to ask your questions

The best way to know if you will enjoy working with a coach is by setting up a call with them and seeing if their personality matches yours. You should ask questions about their program; the way they help you track food and the way they structure their exercises. After the conversation, you will know a rough idea if this the right coach for you.