Looking for a personal trainer? Try the Web

By: MICHELLE ROTELL - For the North County Times | Friday, March 17, 2006 10:51 PM PST ∞

Online personal training has become one of the biggest sources of personal training in the last few years.

Everyone knows we need to exercise, but most of us have no clue where to start.

You pick up a book or magazine and try to learn about diet and exercise to get motivated, but chances are the book will be closed after the preface, never to be picked up again. If you do manage to pass the first chapter, you may be too confused to incorporate any of your readings into your daily life or workout.

Next, you could call all the gyms in town to find out the best one for your budget and location. Or you stay up late at night and see the greatest machine to bring home and solve all of your problem areas ---- then cannot decide whether to work out at home or at a gym.

But what if you have your gym membership or your home equipment and don't know what to do?

Most gyms have personal trainers. Personal trainers are great ---- they keep you accountable, they are hopefully experienced and they teach you proper form and technique. They will also help you achieve your goals.

Then, there is online personal training. The biggest benefit of online training and e-coaching is the price ---- a typical session with a personal trainer can cost $50 to $150 an hour, but many online training programs cost as little as $5 to $10 a week. Online training, or e-training, also eliminates the hassle of scheduling an appointment with a trainer, many of whom are already booked during the most convenient training times.

Questions remain about whether the benefits of e-training can make up for the loss of face-to-face interaction with an exercise expert. Working with a trainer in person not only allows the trainer to monitor your form and progress but also forces you to stay committed to an exercise program.

Most trainers prefer you to work out with them at least twice a week so they can truly push you to your goals. And you will still need to work out on your own on your days off.

Online training is a way to stay motivated and accountable without paying for one-on-one training. You will still see the benefits if you do the workouts. There may not be someone to make you accountable at every workout, but most personal training Web sites will allow you to e-mail questions throughout the week.

Online training is also great for people who are self-motivated but are not sure what to do and how to go about it. You can work out at your convenience. There are some personal training Web sites that will ask you what you have available to exercise with and design your workouts accordingly. Make sure that you are using these sites so that you do not waste your money on a workout that you cannot do.

To find an online trainer, ask at your local gym if trainers there offer e-training services. An online search of "personal trainers" and "online" will yield dozens of potential trainers. If you're looking for marathon or Ironman training or even coaching for tennis or weightlifting, a more-detailed search will turn up several options.

Users of online training programs need to ask questions so they know whether they are getting personal feedback directly from the trainer or an assistant, or just a prepackaged workout. Users also need to check out the credentials of their trainers. Look for certification from the American College of Sports Medicine (acsm.org), the American Council on Exercise (acefitness.org), or the National Strength and Conditioning Association (nsca-lift.org).

Be aware of the "Lose 10 inches in 4 weeks" or "Lose 20 pounds in 4 weeks" promises. Check their years of experience. Be skeptical of some Web sites' testimonials. Some sites will steal testimonials or alter their images.

You will only see results if you work hard, but studies show that those who use e-coaching or online training stick with their workout programs and see more results by being connected to someone with the same goal in mind.

Contact certified personal trainer and fitness instructor Michelle Rotell at info@30minexpressworkout.com or mrotell@adelphia.net or visit her Web site at 30minexpressworkout.com. The Fitness column appears every other Saturday.

For your home


Here's some equipment you can add to your home gym:

> Resistance ball

> Hand-held dumbbells, ranging from 3-15 pounds

> Fitness mat

> Exercise band or tube

> Cardio equipment (treadmill, elliptical trainer, upright or recumbent bike

> Steps or a bench

On the Web


Here are some Web sites to explore for workout ideas:

> www.30minexpressworkout.com

> www.workoutsforyou.com

> www.gymamerica.com