Which Type of Online Fitness Trainer Are You?

Moving from running group sessions where you can see, talk to and touch your clients to only running remote virtual workouts is an incredible change.

With that change comes learning new skills and software so it’s completely normal if at the moment you feel like you are messing something up daily.

Not to mention that there are so many different ways you can continue to train your clients. It’s hard to know which one to pick and which one is right for you.

Well you’re in luck because I’ve observed 3 different types of online trainers out there.

Each type has a unique style that should dictate how they approach online training. Approaching online training in a way that doesn’t suit your type will leave you feeling frustrated, exhausted or both.

For example, if you’re an Inpirator doing sessions like a coach, you are going to feel worn out and bogged down by all the detail.

On the other hand, if you’re using the right tools and technique that do suit your type you’ll feel in your element.

Ready to find out which type you are? Great! Here they are:

The Presenter

The Presenter shines when they’re on a stage. Speakers, actors and aerobics instructors are often Presentors. They love connecting with a group of people all at once. Their energy is infectious, quickly spreading through the group and getting people moving and laughing.

You might be a Presenter if:

• even though you might get nervous beforehand, once you step on stage and start speaking or performing you feel in your element.
• you like to lead by example and join in with your clients when working out.
• you’re all about just getting people moving instead of spending a lot of time on explanations and technique.

How you should train people online:

You are an expert at engaging people and making them feel included so your training style should reflect that.

Focus on training people in a way that let’s you train a lot of people at once. Webinar software is your friend (or group calls that let you pin your video for everyone to see) because this let’s a lot of people join in at once.

Run shorter sessions (~30 minutes) so you can join in and lead the session. Run them live so that participants can enjoy your infectious energy and so you can engage with them.

Stay away from one on one coaching as it may make you feel sluggish and tired.

How you should market your sessions:

You sell your training best through letting people experience it so all of your marketing should be about getting people to come try a session. Free trial session or a free 1 week pass will work great for you.

On social media and in your newsletters share what you’re doing in your classes through pictures, videos and testimonials. Don’t get bogged down sharing technique videos or by trying to be the next Kayla Itsines. Your superpower is in your sessions so focus on getting people to try one out.

The Coach

The Coach is an epic geek, in the best sense of the world. They love learning the latest ways to train clients from other Coach Types like Kelly Starrett, Dr. Sarah Duvall, Bret Contrares and Pavel Tsatsouline. They geek out on things like corrective exercise and powerlifting/olympic lift techiques. Nothing gives them more joy than seeing a client make improvements in strength and better movement.

You might be a Coach if:

• you love to learn the technical aspects of exercise and nutrition.
• you are very methodical and technical when you train and plan sessions for your clients.
• when you meet someone new you can’t help but do a postural assessment on them in your mind.

How you should train people online:

Large group training may not be the best option for you right now. Without the ability to use your hands to assess and correct technique you might find training a large group via Zoom a frustrating experience.

Because you shine in getting technical with people you should look at offering one on one coaching. These can either be done live using Zoom/Messenger/Google Hangouts so you can watch their technique or you can leverage your time better by using an app like Trainerize.

If you love groups and want to continue them, it might be worth creating a self-assessment guide for your clients so they can work on their weak points and/or to run a few one on one sessions with new clients before they join the group. Also cap the group at a small number (6-8 participants) so you can use your technical expertise through out.

How you should market your sessions:

You’ve spent a lot of time and money on learning and improving your skills as a trainer. Now is the time for you to teach what you know.

Use your emails, blog and/or social media to create short videos and posts teaching your followers how to move better. Focus on helping to improve their understanding of movement and exercise, this will naturally lead to some wanting more help and support which you can offer them through paid training. You will find success through earning trust and credibility.

Consider creating a welcome pack that includes an assessment, some one on one sessions and group training sessions to offer to new clients. Getting them to commit to a month or three of training will give you time to help them start seeing results.

The Inspirator

The Inspirator wakes up in the morning with the burning desire to help others. To other people their lives can seem crazy and overly busy, but to them it all makes sense. They seem to effortlessly rally people to their cause, often taking on roles of leadership in committees and organisations. They’ve got strong beliefs about fitness and exercise and they’re not afraid to share them with the world.

You might be an Inspirator if:

• posting to social isn’t a chore, in fact you love sharing your message and life with others and what you share seems to resonate.
• you are willing to talk about topics typically considered taboo (you’re not worried about making people uncomfortable).
• your friends would say you inspire them.

How you should train people online:

Because your superpower is inspiring others, you should aim to get in front of as many people as possible. Pick training platforms that will let you scale the number of people you reach easily. Webinars might work well for you too (like the Presenter), but what will work even better is a platform that let’s your community engage with each other and you (a simple, cheap starting point could be a private Facebook Group).

You don’t need to run your workouts live because your face-to-face delivery skills aren’t why people follow you.

Technology probably isn’t your thing, so find a helper early who can do all the tech stuff for you. They could be a friend or client you trade free training with or a paid assistant.

How you should market your sessions:

Just. Be. You.

You are a natural marketer and salesperson. People either want to be around you or to emulate some part of you. Let them get more access to you by having a low-cost membership program or a high-cost super private program or both.

Don’t feel like you need to get into the nitty gritty of exercise and movement like the coach. Instead focus on feelings (how you feel after a workout/how you feel about this exercise) and imagery (workouts/funny moments/food porn).

Which one are you?

I hope this gives you some much needed clarity right now about how you should be changing your business and the best way for you to market your services.

Spending time trying to emulate others online who are a different type to you is going to leave you feeling burned out and frustrated.

Now is the time to focus on your strengths and do what you do best.

Which trainer type resonated with you the most? Share with us in the comments below.

(You might find you’re a blend of two types. I’m a mix of the Presenter and the Coach but my podcast co-host Dale is definitely a Presenter.)

Kyle Wood

Kyle Wood created Bootcamp Ideas in 2010 when he was hunting around on the internet for workout ideas. He ran a successful bootcamp in Victoria, Australia and spends his spare time managing this site, adventuring (or lazying) with his wife and find new ways to make bootcamps even better.