Covid-19 For Coaches: How to Train Clients Via ZOOM, Skype and Facetime
For all my in-person coaches, trainers and group instructors out there, let me first start by saying, WE WILL MAKE IT THROUGH THIS.
Is this a strange situation? Undoubtedly. It’s like nothing we have ever seen and it is impacting the service industry in a unique and quite disruptive way.
What you must understand is that your obligation at this time is the same it has always been. To help people achieve a healthier life through fitness leading with integrity. If you're reading this with the sole intention of making more money, you can stop right here.
The clients you have and the people that need your help right now are worth more than the price of any one session. Fitness professionals need to learn to lead from the front and lead with the intention of helping. If you do this, I promise the money will be there.
One thing that has been hard for in-person PTs/Coaches during this COVID-19 situation is the gym closures. There is genuinely no place to really train clients, and even if there was, it’s probably better to maintain space. As important as fitness is at this time, perhaps more important than ever, now is not the time to be doing large group classes or running hours of back to backs out of clients’ homes. I believe there is a safer, equally impactful way.
How do I know? Simple. It’s exactly what I have been doing throughout all of this. And it’s work tremendously...
The method I will outline below has kept my clients happy, healthy, motivated, and excited to push their fitness and health forward even during uncertain times.
What have I been doing?
VIRTUAL SESSIONS USING A VIDEO INTERFACE.
Here is how, why, and every step you will need to replicate my system.
Step One, Client Outreach:
This is the easy part. Simply reach out to your clients via text, or email and let them know that you are willing to offer a virtual session to them. The first one may have to be free for them to comprehend exactly what it is you are offering, and that’s ok. Remember, if you won’t give your time away now (when you have more of it than ever) you are missing the point. Once you have reached out and gotten a few clients on board, which you will because your clients want to train - I’d guarantee it, we can proceed to step two.
Step Two, Thorough Instructions:
How this goes is really dependant on the software your clients have access to. If you both have Iphones, I find facetime works great. If you don’t, try to zoom or skype. Send your clients the following instructions:
Set up your device so that you can see yourself, the ground below you and about 1-2 feet overhead.
Please make sure you are attached to WIFI and a power source (important for older clients).
Make sure your device won’t move if you jump or set something down.
Make sure you have variable surfaces. Carpet, tile, hardwood, yoga mat, etc. Not all movements are conducive to all surface types.
Please attach a picture of all relevant equipment/equipment like objects in an email or text (more on this in step three).
Tell the client the duration of the session, when it will start and when it will end. Do what you can to keep this as close to your normal sessions with them as possible.
PRO TIP: Use a laptop or tablet instead of a phone if you can. Use headphones to minimize any audio getting crossed over.
Step Three, Get a Picture of the Equipment:
This is BIG for replicating the coach/client dynamic. Nothing will kill the vibe quicker than saying “hey can you angle me a bit so I can see the equipment you have.” A normal session should never sound like this, and neither should a virtual one. Get a picture of everything they have and start thinking about what you can do with the list before this even starts. If they have nothing, read THIS. You should honestly just read it anyway. Being prepared and being able to direct a client to grab X equipment at the drop of a hat is vital for maintaining a coach/client dynamic throughout the whole session and will be more enjoyable for both parties that a scatterbrained game of “remind me again what you have”.
PRO TIP: Keep the picture pulled up on your device so you can easily reference all equipment.
Step Four, Draft your “I’m Stuck” List”
This is a big one most trainer’s miss. Create a list of quality exercises (core and mobility) than can be done if you need time to collect or gather your thoughts. If a client is struggling with a movement due to the VEB (virtual explanation barrier) this is also a good time to consult this list. Remember, things do not have to be perfect. But that’s no excuse to not try and make them so.
Step Five, Write the Workout:
Perhaps this is a bit of a DUH, but it’s worth throwing out there. Have a plan and write it down somewhere so you're not just guessing.
PRO TIP: When asking them to do exercises that are new or ones they have not done in a while, explain the WHY behind your selection.
Step Six, Ask for Feedback:
Upon finishing the session, be sure to stick around for a minute to answer any questions, comments, and concerns that may have presented themselves. A few questions for you to ask your client are:
Were there any movements I could send you additional instruction on?
Were there any movements that were challenging that you would like to see again?
Did anything illicit pain or discomfort?
Step Seven, Determine a Fair Transaction and Determine Your Payment System
How you handle this will largely depend on the type of business you are running and what you already have in place. But some options you have are:
Square and Square Cash
Venmo
Paypal
Apple Pay
Cash (perhaps best at this time if you can find a safe, none-germ transmitting way to make this happen).
Hope this helps, if you are a coach with questions please email me directly at danny@coachdannymatranga.com - I’d love to help you troubleshoot the implementation of a system like this.