As industries make the move to virtual and tele-communication, those in the fitness space vary from online guru’s to Trainers wondering if Facetime or Zoom can get the job done. By no means am I an expert in anything, let alone dealing with a global pandemic. What I am hoping to do is share three key outcomes that I have had after the first 30 days of coaching daily virtual training sessions. My hope is that the Coach/Trainer/Fitness person reading this can compare and find their own takeaways that will help improve their own coaching and/or business performance.

1) Conduct a pre-call with your clients as they transition to online.

In the fitness industry we are accustomed to some kind of initial consultation process. Virtual is no different. But what is important for you, Coach, is one critical conversation to reassure your client and help guide them on new tasks such as where to position camera, test the quality of their camera, troubleshoot any technology gaps, and reset the expectations of each session.

Do not assume it’s as simple as load and go.

Likewise, on your end, make sure you have a set up for exercise demo’s and know where your screen will capture so you can set up in the correct spot. Nothing screams ‘rookie’like demonstrating a deadbug with your legs out of the camera angle.

2) Virtual can be more convenient for clients. Embrace it.

My favorite question I am asking clients right now is “what are you doing with your saved time?” or “since you don’t have a drive home, here’s what we can do right now”. Re-framing the scenario for clients is HUGE right now. Most see training at home as a detriment, but many probably just added an hour plus to their day. No commute, no locker room time, no side conversations on the way out of the gym.

Your client’s day just expanded, what are you going to help them accomplish?

3) Coaching never goes out of style.

Over the last 30 days I’ve been taking notes on different skills that I find myself using more, less, or not at all while coaching in a virtual model. Over and over I keep coming back to the concept of coaching rather than training.

Side note, I’m not one of those “I’m a Coach, not a Trainer” guy…but what I want to make a point of is that a Coach can deliver more than just the training session.

As each session begins, we have a conversation on goals and desired outcomes. At the beginning of the week we lay out the plan for the next 5-7 days. We have strategy sessions that have nothing to do with ‘fitness’ but rather coping with other aspects of life. My biggest takeaway is that your clients probably come for the ‘training’ but stay for the ‘coaching’. I’m embarrassed that these conversations didn’t happen more while I was coaching in-person, but am thankful that this time spent in the virtual world has helped solidify this new process for me.