The pandemic decimated many businesses in the fitness industry. Unless you were selling fitness equipment, you felt the impact! But with the bad came the good. Virtual training became popular and it’s still going strong today.
Like other trainers, I had to quickly adapt. Virtual training was the obvious solution initially. Although I wasn’t sure how it would “work out” in the long run, I must say it’s been a huge success and has changed the way I operate my business.
I still run my private studio in Richmond Hill, Ontario, where I see clients regularly, but I no longer conduct in-home sessions—at least not in person. I now do them remotely through virtual training.
Before the pandemic, I was on the road two mornings a week. I’d leave my house at 6:15 a.m., return around 1:00 p.m., grab lunch, and then see clients in the studio from 2:00 p.m. on. Those mornings meant spending about two hours in my car. It gave me a chance to listen to podcasts and audiobooks—that part was good—but everything else… not so much!
When I first offered in-home sessions, I was on the road every weekday morning. After a few years, I felt more like a taxi driver than a trainer, so I weaned it down to three mornings (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays), then to two (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Now, it’s zero—and believe it or not, that’s been a blessing in disguise for both me and my clients.
I no longer deal with the stress of traffic, parking, and rushing to appointments. My gas bills have dropped, there’s less wear and tear on my car and body, and the extra hours have allowed me to take on more clients.
Most of the clients I used to train at home are now doing it virtually—and they love it! It’s opened up more scheduling options for them. Instead of being limited to twice a week, they can do more sessions now, and they don’t even have to be home. One client trains virtually three times a week—sometimes from her city home, sometimes from her country home, and even when she’s away in Florida. She never misses a session anymore.
It’s also a great backup for studio clients. If their car breaks down or the weather is terrible, we switch to virtual instead of canceling. Sure, we may need to tweak the workout based on available equipment, but the ball keeps rolling and consistency stays intact.
Virtual consultations have grown in popularity too. I’ve worked with people all across North America and the United Kingdom—whether it’s creating an individualized diet and training plan, or helping personal trainers with business, nutrition, supplementation, program design, or periodization. Everything is done remotely now through platforms like FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, and Google Meet.
Bottom Line: Virtual training became popular during the pandemic, and it’s here to stay. You don’t need to go to a gym anymore. You can train at home and have a professional guide you through your workout. If you’re reading this article on an electronic device, then you’re ready to make it happen—so stop making excuses and get started!
Virtual Consultation
Get direct, personalized advice from John Paul Catanzaro with a one-on-one Virtual Consultation. Choose from 15-, 30-, or 60-minute sessions to tackle your most pressing questions on training, nutrition, supplementation, or injury prevention—all from the comfort of your own home.
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