The power of virtual training is a guide for coaches to introduce and implement this new medium.
It's a strange time to be alive and an excellent time to be a coach. We as trainers and coaches have the knowledge to master these challenging times and to lead our customers to new effective routines and health habits. With our insight and promise of accountability, our clients have a rare opportunity to recover from this pandemic while maintaining their exercise habits.
This recovery is largely due to technological advances (virtual training) that enables us to be present without having to physically contact the customer. As a thought exercise, imagine that these shutdowns were in effect before Zoom, What’s App, Skype, and FaceTime existed.
I've been a coach for over six years, and I've only recently seen the severity of the impact we can have on a person's well-being if the chips wear off. But:
- How do we do our job when there is no job?
- How can we work efficiently without equipment?
- And how in the world are we going to have effective one-on-one conversations without being face to face?
Fortunately, as a trainer, we are adaptable. When a client presents us with a new injury, sprained thumb, or pain, we adapt. We reprogram and get to work to find a safe and effective way to get around the limitation.
That makes us intelligent trainers. We can be flexible and give the answer when it doesn't seem so obvious, while keeping an eye on our customers' goals, limitations and habits.
In essence, COVID-19 is the violation and virtual training is the modification. Virtual training is the platform that not only supports our companies during shutdown, but also enriches our customer experience when the doors are opened again. Imagine that your customer, who travels every two weeks, can now remain consistent with their actual coach due to the virtual training.
Of course, a resistance band row in a hotel door rope is less effective than a pendlay row. However, a resistance band row in a hotel door rope is ten times more effective than fifteen repetitions when changing channels and one repetition when ordering food at the hotel bar. We can be the anchor for our customers' travel plans, but first we need to discuss how we can be efficient in this new medium.
Client conversion
We can assume that our customers naturally have reservations about switching to an online training platform. Your willingness to make the change, however, is primarily guided by our enthusiasm as a trainer.
Until they learn first-hand that the platform can offer a programmatic approach to fitness, they will be skeptics. As your trainer, we have to outline what you can expect. And always remember to promise too little and deliver too much.
If you share this fear as a coach, try to train another coach or friend on a virtual platform and challenge each other to put together effective training. Once you experience the value for yourself, it will be a more real conversation that will explain to your customers how it will impact.
It is important that you divide your customer list into the following three categories before discussing the conversion:
- Excited to convert – These are customers who love your programming and brand. They are the ones who do their homework every week, show up on time with enthusiasm and communicate how they feel and what they eat outside of sports lessons. These customers also happen to see the best results.
- Reluctant to convert – This group is generally reluctant to apply new practices. Perhaps they show resistance to changes in programming, despite scientific research into why you do what you do. These customers need social proof that other customers are already training and having fun online.
These customers love to work out with you, but without the gym they don't see how that can work. It is important to communicate with these customers on a weekly basis and always remind them that the door to virtual training is open and that you are eagerly awaiting your first session because you know how powerful it will be for them. - Will not convert – Once you have categorized your customers (I recommend this in an Excel spreadsheet), you can contact them and bring them to the new platform.
Regarding the fact that this is a completely new experience for you and your customer, I strongly recommend following these five guidelines for a successful online session.
1. Replicate the training environment
Make your training site similar to the environment in which you train. The fewer different things are, the more likely the customer will feel virtually at home.
For this purpose, I recommend wearing the same work clothes that you wear in one session. If you have a branded banner, place it behind you so that the customer can see it in the viewfinder. Have the same devices as tapes, iPad, and notepad ready so you can take notes that demonstrate your attention.
2. Come prepared
I would suggest programming in advance, just like you would in the regular session. Email your client the training day in advance so they know you are taking the time to think about their training beforehand.
It's also a good time to ask questions and make adjustments so that sailing goes smoothly at the start of the session.
3. Eye contact is everything
During a virtual session, your customers continuously refer to the screen for advice, pointers, and repetitions. So it is crucial that you pay attention when looking up. Fight the urge to keep your phone handy and scroll through Instagram or Twitter.
This time is your hour, treat it as such. If you use your phone, tell us why, d. H. "I'll use my timer for your rest time." In this way, the customer understands that this is for a reason.
4. Test your connection
Make sure your WiFi connection is strong. Sitting near your router makes a big difference in connectivity, as many homes have bandwidth issues due to the high concentration of people working from home.
I also recommend turning off WiFi on your phone and letting your customers do the same. If you communicate this in advance, the customer will be shown that this is not your first online training, which will further validate the medium.
5. Plan additional time
If a typical session starts and ends on the hour, I would recommend starting and ending 5-10 minutes earlier. This time enables troubleshooting and communication problems.
Your customers will also appreciate the willingness to stay with them to ensure they have a positive experience.
Integrate virtual training into regular business
We do our job best when we can be physically one on one with the individual. This method works best in an environment with the necessary equipment, and this makes me believe that virtual training will not replace one-to-one lessons for a long time.
For customers who travel frequently, however, virtual training can be the X factor in their habit management. If you bring your customers up to date now, you will strengthen your business if they cannot physically get to the gym.
This virtual training also gives us time as a trainer. Imagine going to Bali and while you are there you can virtually train customers, keep them up to date and put income in your pocket.
Trainers on vacation have not earned any income for decades. One hour of lost sales if a session is not run. Virtual training has the potential to diversify our income and attract a distant clientele that we otherwise would not have access to.
There is no better time than now to offer a customer a free virtual workout and speed up the return to the gym.