Unlock Your Potential: 5 Reasons to Embrace the Power of Online Coaching
Something I’ve always prioritised as a coach is to be constantly learning. I’ve been an active coach for 12 and a half years, and in that time I’ve had a multitude of different people teaching me and guiding me through various aspects of my journey. I’ve spent tens of thousands of pounds on certifications, workshops, in person and online coaching, and mentorships. Often a lot of what I’ve learned along the way has actually felt priceless. So I more than understand the value of having a coach.
I’ve been coached in person and online, and there are wonderful benefits to both. I’ve also worked as an in person and online coach, and so I’ve been on both sides of the experience. While I don’t think one is better than the other, because it depends on what an individual needs as to what will suit them best, I want to talk about the benefits of online coaching.
My own journey as an online coach began when I started working for GMB Fitness doing customer support back in 2014. Back then online coaching was quite a new concept, but prior to this I’d had a good couple of years of online coaching myself so I knew that it worked. At GMB I was answering emails, a lot of which were coaching questions about the company and their programs. And I quickly I learned skills like how to communicate feedback and advice clearly in writing, and how to assess movements via videos. I coached in Alpha Posse their online community, eventually becoming community leader. I was answering coaching questions, offering video feedback, making video tutorials, and creating mini programs. I also coached online workshops on a range of topics, which I’m still doing today.
So, why hire an online coach, I hear you ask? That is an excellent question. Here are my top 5 reasons why:
1. You’re not limited by location
This is actually pretty exciting, to know you’re not limited by where you live. Although it could pose a different issue, since if you’re not limited by location you could choose any online coach available in the world… So how do you choose? Ultimately you’ll just get a feeling about someone. You’ll know in your gut that this is the person you want to help you with your goals. It’s pretty phenomenal that these days we have so many options, so take advantage of this and reach out to the coach who’s sparked your interest!
2. Online coaching creates containment
A lot of online coaches will offer a minimum commitment of 1-3 months. This might seem like quite a scary commitment at first, especially if you’ve never had coaching before. But when you commit for a length of time, it takes the pressure off. You don’t need to rush. You’ve got a path laid out for you for this length of time and you can go at your pace, and your coach is there to guide you every step of the way. Think about how long it would take you to learn everything you needed to independently follow a program if you only saw someone for one hour per week? Having this time frame creates safety and gives you the time and space to really progress.
3. There’s a lot more flexibility
If you lead a busy life, an online coaching program will likely have the flexibility you need to integrate your training into your schedule. And a good coach can customise programming to fit specific time constraints. You might need to spend more time in the first week or two looking over videos and learning movements, but once you’re into the groove of your training, it’ll take up as much time as you’ve allocated for it. This can help it to feel digestible and sustainable, and allow you to make long term changes to your relationship with exercise.
4. Technology enhances the experience
Technology is what allows online coaching to be possible. And the technology we have access to these days can make the whole experience of online coaching pretty sweet. From Zoom and video chats, to messaging, to community platforms, to goal tracking apps, these options for communication and checking in with your coach can help with accountability and motivation. It’s a whole different way to work with someone, and can be made seamless with the right technology.
5. From the comfort of your own home
Not everyone wants to train at the gym. And not everyone has the time either. If you have a space at home, you can create the set up you need. Again, a good coach can help you achieve your goals with the tools that you have. Not having to travel to a specific space can help offset against the cost of your coaching. While not all online clients train at home, because some just prefer to be in a gym setting, only online coaching gives you this option.
So how do you know which coach is the best for you?
Consider what your goals are, and have a look for someone who specialises in those areas. Do they look as if they practise what they preach? Is it really clear what they’re offering? As I mentioned in my first point, you’ll often get a feeling about someone, and know in your gut that they are the person to help you. This is how I choose my coaches. So if you get that feeling, I’d recommend you go with it.
And of course, if you have any questions for me about this blog post, or about the online coaching options that I offer, you can email me at info@verityb.com
Happy Training!
