By Alan Shaw, Co-Founder and Head Coach of Rhapsody Fitness in Charleston, SC
You’re making a significant move to prioritize your health by pursuing online personal training. Big step, right direction.
Whether you’re starting your research, signed up for a program or just joined the ranks of Rhapsody Online Personal Training, let’s talk about how to maximize your experience and get the most out of your relationship with your coach.
Virtual is not synonymous with impersonal. Here are my top six tried and true rules of engagement for building and maintaining a strong, successful relationship with athletes across the globe.
Keep communication open
As much as I wish I could, I cannot read your mind, so share the good, bad and ugly from the get-go as we both find our feet with your personal training program.
Tell the truth
If you miss a workout or eat a gallon of ice cream for dinner, tell me. This is a safe space and I’m not here to judge – I’m here to support you and hold you accountable. If you’re not honest with me, I won’t have all the information I need to tweak and adapt your plan as we go.
Be specific and pointed
Want to be faster? Let’s shoot for a new personal record for your one mile run. Want to be stronger? Give me tangible benchmarks you intend to bust. From initial expectations to overarching goals, success stems from measurable, repeatable and actionable metrics.
Create structure
I am responsible for crafting your customized plan, coaching you through the workouts, and having your back through thick and thin. You are responsible for making and holding space for the work. Establishing a routine will pay off in spades on your path to your fittest self.
Feel your feels
You deserve to feel safe and supported from day one. Our dynamic should not be driven by guilt, shame or fear of “getting in trouble.” That’s not how I roll. If there is an emotional barrier getting in the way of your progress, let’s face it and work through it together.
Buy in
This is not about quick wins or silver bullets – this is about you committing to health and fitness as a lifestyle. If you’re going to give this a shot, be prepared to see it through for at least 90 days as anything less is simply a false start.
You’re considering or have already made the choice to raise the bar on your health and fitness from wherever you are in the world. Now it’s time to commit, make that genuine connection with your coach, and get to work. 3-2-1-GO!
If you have any questions about Rhapsody Online Personal Training or would like to learn more about our program options, visit us online.
