[00:06]
One of the most common questions we get is, “Shouldn’t I just hire a personal trainer?”
One of the most common questions we get is, “Shouldn’t I just hire a personal trainer?”
[00:11]
I’ve got a fairly unique perspective on this. I spent five years in the City of London working as a personal trainer, and the last eight and a half years building an online coaching business where we’ve helped over 4,000 high-performing professionals get into the best shape of their lives.
I’ve got a fairly unique perspective on this. I spent five years in the City of London working as a personal trainer, and the last eight and a half years building an online coaching business where we’ve helped over 4,000 high-performing professionals get into the best shape of their lives.
[00:35]
So this is a balanced view — but one I’m very passionate about.
So this is a balanced view — but one I’m very passionate about.
[00:43]
Here’s the short answer: all things being equal, online coaching will always outperform in-person personal training.
Here’s the short answer: all things being equal, online coaching will always outperform in-person personal training.
[00:49]
Let me explain why.
Let me explain why.
The Myth of In-Person Personal Training
[00:55]
When people hear “personal training,” they assume it’s more personal, more intimate, and therefore better for results.
When people hear “personal training,” they assume it’s more personal, more intimate, and therefore better for results.
[01:09]
But in reality, the fitness industry isn’t designed in a way that consistently produces better outcomes from in-person training.
But in reality, the fitness industry isn’t designed in a way that consistently produces better outcomes from in-person training.
[01:17]
We’re also living in a world where busy professionals are short on time and overloaded with responsibility.
We’re also living in a world where busy professionals are short on time and overloaded with responsibility.
[01:27]
More and more of our members train from home because they want flexibility — not just financially, but from a time perspective.
More and more of our members train from home because they want flexibility — not just financially, but from a time perspective.
[01:44]
Going to the gym means commuting, getting changed, waiting for equipment, and repeating the whole process again afterwards.
Going to the gym means commuting, getting changed, waiting for equipment, and repeating the whole process again afterwards.
[02:00]
Those time costs add up fast.
Those time costs add up fast.
When In-Person Training Becomes a Problem
[02:16]
If you’re out of shape, short on time, travelling for work, or juggling family responsibilities, working with an in-person personal trainer becomes very difficult.
If you’re out of shape, short on time, travelling for work, or juggling family responsibilities, working with an in-person personal trainer becomes very difficult.
[02:33]
And that’s before we even talk about results.
And that’s before we even talk about results.
Why Online Coaching Goes Deeper
[02:48]
I want to share a conversation I had with my running coach, John Starrett
I want to share a conversation I had with my running coach, John Starrett
[03:00]
We were talking about how coaching is about far more than just reps and sets.
We were talking about how coaching is about far more than just reps and sets.
[03:36]
Both of us agreed that since moving online, the depth of transformation improved massively.
Both of us agreed that since moving online, the depth of transformation improved massively.
[03:52]
In person, conversations are rushed — squeezed between sets, in noisy gyms, with little space for reflection.
In person, conversations are rushed — squeezed between sets, in noisy gyms, with little space for reflection.
[04:18]
People don’t open up in the same way.
People don’t open up in the same way.
[04:31]
Online coaching removes that barrier.
Online coaching removes that barrier.
[04:42]
Firstly, being behind a screen makes it easier for people to be honest.
Firstly, being behind a screen makes it easier for people to be honest.
[04:58]
Secondly, there’s dedicated time for introspection through check-ins and feedback loops.
Secondly, there’s dedicated time for introspection through check-ins and feedback loops.
[05:20]
That’s where the real breakthroughs happen.
That’s where the real breakthroughs happen.
Why Training Isn’t the Main Factor
[05:23]
When it comes to body transformation, training is only a small part of the equation.
When it comes to body transformation, training is only a small part of the equation.
[05:32]
Roughly speaking, it’s about 50% stress and emotional management, 40% nutrition, and 10% gym work.
Roughly speaking, it’s about 50% stress and emotional management, 40% nutrition, and 10% gym work.
[05:48]
Most people don’t struggle because they don’t know how to train — they struggle because of habits, behaviours, and psychology.
Most people don’t struggle because they don’t know how to train — they struggle because of habits, behaviours, and psychology.
[06:11]
And those things rarely get addressed during an in-person PT session.
And those things rarely get addressed during an in-person PT session.
The Reality of Most Personal Trainers
[07:02]
A typical session looks like this: the trainer’s late, there’s a bit of chit-chat, reps get counted, and then you’re sent on your way.
A typical session looks like this: the trainer’s late, there’s a bit of chit-chat, reps get counted, and then you’re sent on your way.
[07:22]
There’s no nutrition support, no lifestyle coaching, and no accountability outside that one hour.
There’s no nutrition support, no lifestyle coaching, and no accountability outside that one hour.
[07:38]
They’re essentially rep counters.
They’re essentially rep counters.
[07:44]
There are exceptions — about 1% of trainers do the full holistic job.
There are exceptions — about 1% of trainers do the full holistic job.
[08:52]
But they charge £500+ per week, operate only in big cities, and most people can only afford them for a few months.
But they charge £500+ per week, operate only in big cities, and most people can only afford them for a few months.
When Personal Trainers Do Make Sense
[08:00]
In-person training can be useful short-term — for example, learning technique or building confidence in the gym.
In-person training can be useful short-term — for example, learning technique or building confidence in the gym.
[08:27]
But it rarely delivers long-term transformation on its own.
But it rarely delivers long-term transformation on its own.
Why Online Coaching Works for Busy Professionals
[09:49]
For busy parents, executives, or people who travel for work, fixed gym appointments just aren’t realistic.
For busy parents, executives, or people who travel for work, fixed gym appointments just aren’t realistic.
[10:20]
We’ve seen clients lose 30kg training at home for 30 minutes, three times a week.
We’ve seen clients lose 30kg training at home for 30 minutes, three times a week.
[10:53]
That level of flexibility simply isn’t possible with in-person training.
That level of flexibility simply isn’t possible with in-person training.
Accountability: The Biggest Difference
[11:13]
With personal training, accountability is limited to turning up.
With personal training, accountability is limited to turning up.
[11:17]
With online coaching, accountability exists daily.
With online coaching, accountability exists daily.
[11:32]
That includes habit tracking, coach messaging, weekly reviews, community support, and performance data.
That includes habit tracking, coach messaging, weekly reviews, community support, and performance data.
[12:12]
Accountability becomes 24/7 — and that’s why results improve.
Accountability becomes 24/7 — and that’s why results improve.
Cost Effectiveness
[12:28]
Online coaching is also far more cost-effective than high-quality in-person personal training.
Online coaching is also far more cost-effective than high-quality in-person personal training.
[12:35]
Cheap personal training often ends up being expensive because it doesn’t work.
Cheap personal training often ends up being expensive because it doesn’t work.
How to Choose the Right Online Coach
[13:04]
Look for a proven track record with people like you.
Look for a proven track record with people like you.
[13:19]
Check how long they’ve been delivering results consistently.
Check how long they’ve been delivering results consistently.
[13:33]
Assess the quality of their education, live content, and client interviews.
Assess the quality of their education, live content, and client interviews.
[14:23]
Look at the strength of their team and accountability systems.
Look at the strength of their team and accountability systems.
[15:14]
And finally, make sure their mission and values align with yours.
And finally, make sure their mission and values align with yours.
Final Thoughts
[15:49]
If you’re trying to decide between a personal trainer and online coaching, this should help you cut through the noise.
If you’re trying to decide between a personal trainer and online coaching, this should help you cut through the noise.
[16:01]
Online coaching isn’t about convenience — it’s about depth, accountability, and long-term results.
Online coaching isn’t about convenience — it’s about depth, accountability, and long-term results.
About RNT Fitness
[16:08]
If you’re a high-performing professional stuck in cycles of yo-yo dieting and inconsistency, this is your moment to change it.
If you’re a high-performing professional stuck in cycles of yo-yo dieting and inconsistency, this is your moment to change it.
[16:19]
At RNT Fitness, we help busy people get into the best shape of their lives — and stay there.
At RNT Fitness, we help busy people get into the best shape of their lives — and stay there.
[16:33]
No extremes. No guesswork. Just a proven, structured transformation system built around your lifestyle.
No extremes. No guesswork. Just a proven, structured transformation system built around your lifestyle.
Next Steps
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Book a 1-1 strategy session with my team to find out more:
👉 https://www.rntfitness.com/applynow
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Find out if you’re ready for a transformation:
👉 https://www.rntfitness.com/transform
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