Social Media platforms have apparently made many fitness professionals around the world virtual superstars and household names in recent years. It is a super competitive industry driven often by image over substance. However, within this broader fitness market, the evolution of ‘Online Fitness Programs’ has been particularly noticeable. If, like me you are being bombarded with Instagram and Facebook marketing that offers you the latest way to get ‘shredded’, or ‘transform’ your dad-bod, it can all be a bit overwhelming.
How do you know if what is being offered works, and equally how do you know if it will work for you? Well here are 5 really important things to consider if you are looking at an online program.
- Intrinsic Motivation
Regardless of the merits of the program itself, you really need to be aware of your own levels of intrinsic motivation. That is, do you enjoy training, and the feeling it gives you for its own sake? As opposed to seeing working out as a chore, only worth doing for the reward that it offers. For example, I am not a person who works out because I enjoy it, although the endorphin kick at the end is great. I believe I really do it because I feel it allows me to enjoy some ‘bad’ foods and I don’t won’t to be completely unhealthy. I would say I am not intrinsically motivated, but rather I am motivated by external factors. I generally need rewards, or external motivators like a group workout environment to get the work done. Having a reasonable level of intrinsic motivation is important to being able to get the most out of your online programming investment, because you are more likely to both do the work at the intensity level required, and also stick with it for the long term.
- Is it FREE
When it comes to the cost of getting fit, ‘perceived’ value is an interesting topic in itself. There are a lot of offers marketed as FREE, or at least they say they are for a period of time. The important thing to be clear about though, is what happens at the end of that FREE period. There are really two things here to think about as far as cost is concerned. One being that if something is free its very easy to dispense with, and so therefore paying, or investing in a program, means that you have some ‘skin’ in the game. Your care factor will naturally go up. If you lack a little of that intrinsic motivation, this can be important in making the time to get your daily workout done.
- Is a big name better?
The short answer here is maybe, or maybe not. Content is the important thing to research here, along with genuine testimonials. If the program is demonstrated to both have success with people that you personally relate to (in terms of goals), and it includes content that will help you achieve those goals (see point 5, Value Adds) then the value is likely to be higher for you.
- Accreditation and qualifications
It is also very important that you complete due diligence on the organisation or person providing your fitness program. In Australia that means that they are Cert III/IV in Fitness qualified (at a minimum) as far as the programming aspect is concerned. If it is a more specialised fitness program being offered like CrossFit, then the more advanced their CrossFit Coaching Certifications the better. If they have Sports Science qualifications then that’s even better. Also, the nutrition element is really important. Personal Trainers are often not nutrition experts, unless they have completed the relevant study. They can provide general nutritional advice and guidance as part of their duty of care to their clients, however only a qualified nutritionist can provide a personalised diet plan. Being provided with ‘weight loss’ or ‘muscle building’ recipe options or books endorsed by nutritional experts is OK, but it is not going to provide an optimal personalised nutritional solution based on your specific needs.
- Value Adds
This can be as simple as an online Facebook closed group, or an actual program specific app where as a member of the program you can engage with your program community, get feedback, record and celebrate success, get feedback and feel like you are being held to account. This would be the minimum you should expect. It is also one thing to have the group/interface, but it also needs to be active, and engaging. Other value adds can include access to video’s, blogs, diaries, and other content that helps you get the most from the hard work you are putting in. Merchandise items are nice, but remember they won’t help you get fit.
So do the research, feel free to contact us about our online Minerva Method Program, and get started!
Mark Yule
Personal Trainer (Cert III/IV)
CrossFit Coach (Lvl 2)