Can you really get fit from home?

  (photo credit: INGIMAGE)
(photo credit: INGIMAGE)

Not everyone enjoys working out, but everyone wants to be fit and healthy. So where do you begin? With all the information we have at our fingertips you’d think it would be easy, right? Well, unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Going it alone can be really intimidating. There is a lot of conflicting information out there and most people just don’t have the time or energy to spend trying to decipher what’s a marketing scheme and what's a legitimate fitness and nutrition plan. 

I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all been there. You get a gym membership and show up for a few days or a few weeks. Maybe you were even able to stick it out for a few months. But then something inevitably comes up. Perhaps you need to travel somewhere or maybe you’re just too tired to go that day, so you tell yourself you’ll just go the next day. Then tomorrow rolls around and you had a stressful day at work or perhaps you had to pick up more hours and now all you want to do is relax on the couch. So, you tell yourself the same thing. 

Pretty soon you’re just paying for a gym membership that you never use, but don’t want to cancel because it feels like giving up. So, what can you do about it? Well, in today’s world there is a myriad of tools at our disposal designed to help us reach our fitness goals. If the gym isn’t really your scene, that’s okay. Lifting weights or having to plan your schedule around a morning cycle class are not the only ways to be successful in your health goals. Enter online fitness training.

What should you know about this growing fitness trend? 

Online fitness training has taken the world by storm. In 2020 most gyms around the world were forced to close down for an unforeseeable amount of time due to the pandemic. This meant that people had to find ways to stay active outside of the gym which gave rise to the movement of online fitness training. People slowly started to realize the benefits of online fitness training and its popularity has steadily been increasing ever since. 

Today, some of the most popular forms of online fitness training include the utilization of YouTube videos with hundreds of free workouts that are uploaded by certified personal trainers, fitness apps that feature things like workout plans, calorie, and macro trackers, or intermittent fasting trackers, and virtual personal training which is exactly what it sounds like.

If you've ever thought about getting a personal trainer, but you don’t have the time or funds, or you’re not comfortable being in the gym and working out in front of others, then consider working with an online trainer. Unlike traditional personal training, a virtual personal trainer allows your schedule to be flexible since you’re not working around when the trainer is available. Virtual personal trainers are able to communicate with their clients almost exclusively online, so you’ll be able to access your workout routines and meal plans all on your smartphone, laptop, or tablet. 

Disadvantages of online training, to be considered 

Online fitness training is not for everyone, though. Some people just need to get out of the house and into an environment that puts them in the right headspace to be able to challenge themselves physically. It’s not always as simple as going into another room just down the hall to pump some iron. 

Others simply need to be around other people who can encourage them to keep pushing as they grow together. Whether that be a group pilates class, cycling, Zumba, Yoga, etc, fortunately, virtual fitness trainers can coach you along no matter what setting you’re in. Not to mention fitness apps that you can use in virtually any setting.  

How to choose an online trainer 

There are hundreds of different online fitness trainers out there so you may be wondering how you decide who’s going to be the best fit for you. Determining the best online fitness trainer will depend on what you’re looking for. To narrow down the search, you’ll need to factor in a few things. What sort of fitness plan do you wish to implement? What is your fitness level? Do you need a nutritional guide? Not all fitness trainers are created equal, and they all offer different specializations. 

Realistically, people want something straightforward and simple when it comes to following a fitness plan and above all, they want to be able to achieve sustainable and long-lasting results. A simple way to reach this goal is by training with Welltech app. Ideally, you would like to utilize a fitness app alongside a personal trainer that can help you track your progress and support your fitness goals. A great example is FitCoach. Training with this app is akin to training with a personal trainer as it offers all the same benefits such as a structured training regimen with a comprehensive and detailed workout routine and different types of exercises available including cardio, strength, stretching, yoga, pilates, HIIT, boxing, and loads more.

In addition to that, it includes an intermittent fasting tracker and a personalized meal plan with step-by-step recipes and nutritional info. Thousands of people have changed their lives by working out at home on their own time with the help of online trainers and fitness apps to support their journey. 

How to prepare for online training 

Once you’ve decided on the best online fitness trainer, you’re going to need a few basic things to get started. First, you’ll need comfortable fitness clothes. Now, you don’t need to go out and buy a brand new pair of expensive leggings or the newest popular running shoes. You can use any old clothes that you don’t mind getting sweaty and worn out. The most important thing is that you are comfortable and able to focus on your workout. So, just make sure you get a good quality pair of shoes if you’ll be running or jumping and ladies, make sure you have a supportive sports bra that fits appropriately. 

Second, you’ll need a water bottle. It’s important to stay hydrated during your workout and it’s easy to forget to drink enough water throughout the day when you’re busy. As they say, out of sight out of mind, so keep your water bottle next to you.

Third, be sure to grab whatever fitness equipment you’ll need for your workout. This includes things like a yoga mat, quick-dry towel, dumbbells, resistance bands, or whatever else your workout may require. Be proactive in your fitness journey and you will be setting yourself up for success. 

All in all, getting fit and healthy at home is entirely possible if you give yourself the right tools to succeed. This means ensuring you hire the right online fitness trainer, utilizing a quality fitness app that will support you in your journey to get healthy, and preparing ahead of time by acquiring the necessary gear you’ll need to succeed. 

This article was written in cooperation with Welltech LLC