Getting Started
How Online Personal Training Works
A personal trainer's honest guide to online personal training: how it works, what it costs, who it suits and when in-person is better.
Online personal training means getting a trainer's plan and support without being in the same room. I run a personal training studio on Northcote Road in Clapham, and I also offer online programmes for people who can't get to me. Here is how it works, what to look for and when in-person is the better choice.
What Is Online Personal Training?
Online personal training covers two quite different things. Some trainers coach you live over video, session by session. Others give you a structured plan and an app, with check-ins on top. Both are called "online personal training", so check which one you are buying.
The Two Main Types
- Live video coaching: you train at set times with your trainer watching on a video call. It is closer to in-person training, but it is usually the more expensive option and you need to be free at fixed times.
- Programme and app: you follow a written plan in your own time, log your sessions and track progress. Some include regular check-ins. It is usually cheaper and more flexible, but there is less hands-on form correction.
What Should a Good Online Programme Include?
- A plan written for your level, not a generic template
- Progression, so your training gets harder over time
- A way to track your sessions and results
- A clear way to ask questions
- Honest information about what it does not include
How Much Does Online Personal Training Cost?
Prices vary widely. A programme and app can cost much less than live coaching, and live video sessions are usually priced per session or per month. My own programmes start at £119 for 6 weeks (Standard) and go up to £549 for 12 weeks with weekly check-ins (Coached). You can see them on my online personal training page.
Who Online Training Suits
- Busy adults who want to train on their own schedule
- People who live outside London or travel a lot
- People who are comfortable training independently and following a plan
- People who want a weights-based approach to fat loss
When In-Person Is the Better Choice
If you are new to lifting and want someone correcting every rep, if you have a complex injury, or if you struggle to stay consistent without someone in the room, in-person training is usually the better fit. If you are near Clapham, you can book a free trial session and see for yourself.
Why Weights, Whether Online or In-Person
Fat loss that lasts comes from building and keeping muscle. Weights-based training does that, whether you do it in a studio with me or follow a plan at your own gym. If you are new to lifting, my beginner's guide to strength training is a good place to start.
How The Parlanti Method Works
You choose a 6, 8 or 12-week programme, fill in a short questionnaire, and you get the programme for your level, written by me, with 3 to 5 training days a week and every plan built around push, pull and legs. You follow it in the app, and with Coached you get a weekly check-in with me. See the full details and prices.
Want to Train With Me in Clapham Instead?
My studio is at 25 Northcote Road, SW11 1NJ, about a 5-minute walk from Clapham Junction station. Book a free trial session and see what it's like.
FAQs
Online Personal Training FAQs
Is online personal training worth it?
It can be, if you will follow the plan consistently. It works best for people who are comfortable training on their own and want structure. If you need someone with you for every session, in-person training is usually better value for you.
Is online personal training as good as in-person?
For the training itself, it can be just as effective, because results come from progressive strength training. What you lose online is hands-on form correction, which is why beginners and people with injuries often do better in person.
How long does it take to see results from online training?
It depends on your starting point and consistency. Most people notice changes in strength and energy within the first few weeks, with visible changes in body shape over a full 6 to 12-week programme.
Can I do online personal training at home?
Only if you have the equipment the plan needs. My programmes are weights-based, so a gym membership is the easiest way to get the most from them.