Online training has recently become the latest
"craze" among fitness enthusiasts, ranging from those who would just
like to get into better shape, to the more serious athletes. The first time I caught on to online training
was 5 years ago, a year later I met up with my Coach, Nathan Harewood all the
way in Calgary, Canada. Four years
later, and we still going strong, and it has worked amazingly for us. Three years ago I took my business the online
route, and it's grown steadily over the last couple of years. But I have picked up some problems.
Probably the biggest attraction about online training, is
the fact that it's more affordable and you can manage your training to your own
time schedule. However, it has its
downside as well, and these are just a couple of points that you need to
consider before going this route.
1. Problem: You have to know your
way around the gym and especially the weights room. If you have never seen the inside of a gym,
to start off with, your program will probably be complete gibberish, never mind
trying to attempt the exercises.
Solution: Do your research.
If it’s not on the internet, it doesn’t exist. You-tube is a fantastic option to find
training videos. You can also ask you
Coach to send you the relevant video clips.
Ask for help. If your Coach is
out of town, then ask someone trustworthy to assist you. Maybe even invest in a session with a
reputable trainer to take you through your program.
2. Problem: Ladies often feel intimidated in the weights
room, and that is with a trainer.
Solution: Get over it! You deserve to be there just as much
as anyone else. If you need to use a
piece of equipment, and someone is busy on it, ask, no one is going to bite
your head off. The gyms are also open
all hours of the day and night, maybe in the beginning try to go in off-peak
times.
3. Problem: You need to be able to push yourself. There is no one there to tell you to push
harder and make sure that you finish every set, every rep. If you don't push yourself, your progress
will be very slow.
Solution: Keep a
training diary. You have your training program
and nutrition plan, write down every day what you train, eat, tick off that you
have taken all your necessary supplements, how much cardio you have done, how
much water you drank. This way you can
keep close record to make sure that you cover everything your Coach wants you
to do on a daily basis. Especially on
the training side, you need to make sure that you progress every week, even if it’s
just a little bit. But be honest in your
diary, if you skipped a workout, write it down.
This way when it comes to assessment time, you and your Coach can have
clear understanding of your progress, or lack thereof.
4. Problem: You need to be committed and consistent. No one is waiting for you at the gym to make
sure you pitch for your session.
Solution: Again you’re
training dairy. Also schedule your day
in such a way that there can be little or no interference with your gym
sessions. Planning is everything, same
as with your meals, plan your training accordingly.
5. Problem: I am a BIG believer in
proper form when it comes to weight training, you need to make sure that you do
the exercises 100% right, or again your progress will be very slow, and most
importantly, you can pick up serious injuries.
Solution: Again do your research and discuss with your
Coach. Start off slow, make sure that
you perform every rep perfectly before moving up to a higher weight. Concentrate and watch your form at all time.
Most importantly, go out there and enjoy your sessions! A new training
and nutrition plan, is like a holiday.
