The idea of having a virtual personal trainer has always been interesting to me. Now that many of us are conducting business or connecting with friends via online sharing sites, why not? I got the opportunity to do a series of online workout sessions with a fitness consultant from Nielsen Fitness. Here are my thoughts about it.
Online assessment
The first thing I was asked to do was fill out an online assessment to determine what my needs were and to find the best personal trainer for me. It was a series of questions about my fitness goals, some health information, weight, and measurements.
Assignment to a coach
Once my coach was determined we set up a schedule so we could connect on Google Meet. Nielsen Fitness uses a variety of online platforms such as Zoom, Webex, and Teams, but Google Meet is their standard go-to. It all depends on your preference. I was assigned Liz as my virtual personal trainer.
Requirements for online fitness coaching
If you have a space to work out in that’s at least 5’ x 5’ you’re good to go. I live in a small house so the space in my bedroom next to my bed is barely that big. If you live in a tiny home, that could be a problem. It also helped that I have a large throw rug on the floor, so it was comfortable doing floor exercises. You can also use a workout mat.
I was asked if I had any equipment on hand. I had a set of 2lb and 5lb light weights. Equipment isn’t necessary and you can make do with whatever you have. Food cans or filled-up water bottles work just as well.
The other thing that was helpful for me was my webcam. You can use the camera on your laptop, tablet, or even your smartphone but I was able to move my webcam into different positions so Liz could see what I was doing without having to move my laptop around.
I would also suggest having a water bottle on hand to sip when necessary.
Our first exercise session
We spent about a ½ hour discussing my fitness goals, general health, nutrition, and other details at our first session so that Liz could get to know me better. This was imperative so she could plan exercises that would be most helpful to meet my goals and protect me from injury. As a woman who is over 60, I didn’t want to do jumping jacks or any other exercise that would cause a knee or back injury.
Liz is young but extremely knowledgeable and seemed to know just what I needed. We started with a warmup and then did some floor and standing exercises.
I want to lose weight so she suggested that I keep a meal diary during the week so she could evaluate it at our next session.
Subsequent fitness coaching sessions
I emailed Liz my food diary before we met again. We met again and she was pleased with my choices saying that they were balanced and healthy. Our session consisted of a warmup, a circuit of strength training, and floor exercises and ended with a cool down. I felt the exercises were reasonable but were still challenging enough to work up a sweat. Liz was fun, energetic, and well-organized so that helped too.
The next two sessions were similar with different exercises and each time I felt like I accomplished something to meet my fitness goals.
What I liked about having a virtual personal trainer
It was great working one-on-one with someone who could check my position and give me feedback. I also loved that I didn’t have to get in my car and drive across town to a gym. I could work out in the comfort of my own home instead.
Before hooking up with Nielsen Fitness, I walked every day for about 45 minutes to an hour depending on the weather. My roommate, neighbor, and I also work out watching our favorite YouTube exercise videos. It’s fun but not as focused and strenuous.
Strength training was something I had been neglecting and it’s best to do it when someone is spotting you, so you don’t do it wrong.
I also thought it was cool that I was in Los Angeles and Liz was in Toronto, but it was like we were in the same room.
Possible cons about working with a fitness coach online
My experience working out with Liz was very positive overall. However, during our final session, Google Meet had an audio and video issue so we couldn’t hear or see each other. It resolved itself and we were able to conduct the session even though it started a little late. That’s technology for you! LOL!
The biggest problem might be the space you are using and dealing with the technical aspects of loading the sharing software, aiming your camera, or audio issues. You want to have enough room to move around, and perhaps a blank wall or chair you can use for exercises and/or balance. If you have dogs or kids underfoot, or other distractions it could take away from your experience.
About Nielsen Fitness
Virtual personal training sessions start at about $50 per session but can go up depending on the type of service you desire.
Some of the goals you can work on with their fitness coaches include lowering your blood pressure, reducing stress, reducing body fat, increasing bone density, building healthy habits, nutritional advice, functional strength, better posture, injury rehab, quality longevity, sports performance, and building up muscle.
Each fitness trainer must have a pertinent health sciences degree or diploma in fitness and health promotion, kinesiology, or another related field. They are taken through a diligent and practical interview and screening process before working with any Nielsen Fitness clients.
Visit the Nielsen Fitness website and, sign up, here.
I was given 4 comp sessions to try out Nielsen Fitness and write this review but all my opinions are my own.
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