What Is Remote Coaching?

Some called it a fad. Others said it would soon fade out of popularity.

But the verdict is in: Remote training is here to stay. We can attribute this to many things, not the least of which is the current state of the world and the global health pandemic.

However, that still leaves many with questions on how remote training actually works.

We have worked as coaches in the industry for years training both in person and remote clients, and our goal is to demystify remote training and make it more understandable for everyone.

Like, Instagram Coaches Right?

No. Well, sometimes. But not in the way you are thinking.

It’s true that online coaches often market themselves on instagram. And why wouldn't they? It’s not only free, but also the most effective way for them to target their audience.

But just because someone is a coach on instagram doesn't mean they are a good coach, or even a coach at all.

So how do you know if someone is a good coach?

We always recommend that you work with a remote coach who has previously or currently still does work with in person clients. This may be a bias to our past experiences, but we truly believe that in person coaching develops the necessary skills to provide a good remote service

We also always recommend that you make sure the person who is coaching you is certified. It doesn’t really matter the certification as long as their principles are sound, although some certainly are more well respected than others in the industry. What it really comes down to is making sure that you are working with someone who has done the bare minimum to make themselves both legal and established. If not, that will most likely reflect in the delivery of their services as well.

Lastly, we always tell people to take into account the fact that coaching is a relationship driven by communication. You aren’t just hiring a coach, you are hiring a human being to help guide you on your training journey. It is usually a good idea to make sure that the prospective client and coach have similar training values and are a good fit. That’s one of the many reasons that we provide consultations for any of our individualized services. Although we are fully confident in our ability to provide you with a high quality service, we also want to make sure that it is a good fit for both parties.

So What Actually is it?

So what actually is remote training? While the specifics will look different depending on who you work with, remote training is when you receive your training remotely as opposed to in person. This can provide a variety of benefits which we will further discuss below.
From there, as with in person training, the sky's the limit as to how the training experience will be delivered. This is both the beauty and the curse of the training industry and also why it can be so hard to find a good coach. There are simply so many different options out there that have utilized a variety of different systems and methods. Choosing between them can be overwhelming and even downright frustrating.
When many people think of remote training they are actually talking about virtual training. This is when the session is done live with your coach either watching you or performing alongside you. While this is a fantastic service offering for some, it is actually not something that we provide at Ascent. That’s why it is always good to check and see what type of remote training is being offered.

How Do I Get My Program?

When you work with a trainer in person you rarely see your program. That is because the coach handles the program on their end and what you see is the end result and the delivery of that work. In rare cases, or upon request, you can have access to your program spreadsheet via electronic access or a printed version.

When working remotely you receive access to your program through some sort of software. This is because you will be responsible for following the program on your own. A coach provides guidance and knowledge, but it’s up to you to actually progress yourself through the program.  Some coaches utilize a spreadsheet, while others use a third party app to deliver the program. There is no ideal between the two although there are some benefits and drawbacks from a usability standpoint with both options.

The benefit to receiving your program electronically is that you have access to it at all times and have the ability to edit it in real time, which your coach can see. Many programs also come with video links built into the program to show you how to do the specific exercises as well as written descriptions for further instruction. Through the proper leverage of software and communication we often find that remote coaching allows the client to be more involved with their program and delivers a higher level of autonomy over the process. This only goes to drive long term adherence and success.

Is it as good as in person training?

Ah, the big question. And honestly this is the most difficult one to answer. As with most things, it depends on a variety of factors. In short, it really comes down to the needs of the client. Some people simply need that in person communication and experience, although in our experience that population is actually quite small.

In reality, a good remote coaching experience includes all of the valuable aspects of in person coaching and then some. In most cases you actually get more contact with your coach throughout the month, as in person coaching really can be expensive to meet on a daily basis.

Regardless of whether the service is provided in person or remotely, communication is the driver of success. That’s why we emphasize the importance of communicating with your coach during our remote coaching process. Your coach is available to you via email and through the chat feature in the Train Heroic app, as well as through weekly and monthly check ins.

How Do I Know If It Is Right For Me?

Honestly, I think this is the question that most people should be asking. Once you start to learn more about remote training, you know that it really just depends on your situation and can be just as effective as in person. As a result, the only question you really need to ask yourself is if it is a good fit for YOU.

The biggest question to ask yourself when pondering this is whether you feel you need that actual in person connection. Although remote coaching can come with the same level of communication and help from your coach, some people simply need the experience of being in a gym and having that actual physical connection to their training environment and coach.

For most though, remote coaching will provide all of the benefits of in person training without many of the burdens that come along with it.

How Much Does it Cost?

This is eventually something everyone asks us and it really depends on the level of service you are looking for. As with all things, you get what you pay for in terms of quality. Very cheap remote coaching is something to be suspect of, unless it is provided in a team setting or more generic template approach. This is something that can be incredibly beneficial, and is actually what we provide in our monthly membership, The Ascent. This costs less than you pay for coffee a week, and provides you with a program and knowledge base and community on which to fuel your training journey.

However, if you are paying for a high level of communication and service from your coach in a 1:1 remote setting then the prices can be higher. Expect to pay a minimum of $150 a month, with the average being around $250 per month for high quality remote coaching. On the higher end this may go up to $500 and more per month, again depending on the service and coach.

While this may sound somewhat steep, remember that these prices pale in comparison to in person coaching. On average an in person session will cost $70, with city prices climbing up to $150 and over for an hour. Two hours of in person training can easily cost as much as an entire month of remote coaching from the same coach. This makes it a very budget friendly way to receive high quality coaching you may not have been able to afford otherwise.

That’s All, Folks!

That’s the low down on remote coaching. If you still have further questions please leave them in the comments below or contact us via email.

If you are interested in remote coaching and it sounds like a good fit for you then you're in luck! We just so happen to offer that service ourselves. Book a consultation below if you are interested in working with us, or simply want to find out more about our services.

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to read this, and we hope that it answered some of the questions that you may have had!