If you have a busy schedule or travel frequently, an online personal trainer may be a great option for you. A professional will be able to create workouts that you can do anywhere. They can even work around your existing equipment, such as dumbells or a kettlebell set.
In addition, a good online personal trainer will provide detailed explanations of the exercises they prescribe for you. They may also ask you to send videos of your exercise form for assessment and feedback.
Cost
Online personal training can be accessed via video call, text or email. It can be an effective option when travelling to a physical therapy clinic isn’t feasible or possible. However, online PT isn’t free and may require an upfront investment.
You should also be prepared to share your health and fitness goals with your trainer. This will be discussed during the initial consultation, which can take place over a phone call, video call or text. Some PTs will even ask you to do a few mobility movements with them to see what your abilities are.
A good PT will create a bespoke program based on your needs and goals. If they’re offering a ‘cookie-cutter’ generic programme, it may be worth looking elsewhere.
Accessibility
Online PT is an excellent option for people who don’t live close to a gym or are too busy to travel to one. It is also a great choice for those with chronic illnesses or injuries that prevent them from working out in person.
Telerehab is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with many conditions, and it can improve outcomes and reduce costs. It is also a valuable revenue stream for private practice physical therapists during a pandemic.
However, using telehealth technology to treat patients requires a different approach to documentation and billing. For example, if two therapists co-treat a patient during the same hour to address different issues, each therapist should bill for their full session. This should be done on a HIPAA-compliant digital communication platform.
Convenience
Online PT is a great option for those who cannot attend in-person sessions because of work, family and travel commitments. Typically, a trainer will set up an initial consultation to discuss your health and fitness goals and what results you want to achieve. They will also ask about your medical history and any injuries or pre-existing conditions that you may have.
During the first consultation, your trainer will also find out your schedule and how often you can train each week. They will also ask you to log your workouts and provide feedback for each session. This allows you to track your progress and ensure that your trainer is always up to date on what you are doing. In addition, it gives you reassurance that your workouts are being taken seriously.
Flexibility
Online PT can be accessed from any location that has access to the internet, which is ideal if you don’t live close to a gym or travelling to one each week isn’t practical. Your PT will take the information that they have collected from your consultations and start to curate a personalised training programme.
They will also be able to work around your schedule, as they will know when you are most available to train. They will often offer video guides of each exercise to ensure that you can carry them out correctly and safely in your own home.
Some services even offer access to multiple trainers, depending on your package choice. This gives you a wider choice of trainers who can all offer different areas of expertise, such as weightlifting and endurance exercise.
Technology
As digital health technologies evolve and expand in use, physical therapists and PTAs are using them to enhance patient care. They can enable clinician support, facilitate client self-efficacy, and deliver critical data on client outcomes. PTs and PTAs can also use them to speed access to services, expand patient reach, and mitigate the cost of care.
For example, in addition to live video chat, online PTs can use a platform to track their clients’ progress and provide feedback. This can help clients track their own progress and motivate them to work harder. Using this technology can be particularly useful for people with disabilities who need specialized care. However, it is essential that online PTs are highly qualified to ensure they are creating appropriate and safe programs for their clients.