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1:1 virtual personal training session
Fitness
Published Monday Apr 13, 2020 by Lauren McAlister

How to Find and Book a Virtual Personal Trainer

Fitness
Motivation
Virtual Classes

If you’ve been joining live stream group classes or tuning in to on-demand workouts, then you already know the benefits of staying connected to your favorite studio(s) from home.  

That said, you may feel like something is missing. Maybe you’re not as motivated as you normally are, or perhaps, you’re missing the one-on-one interaction you usually have with your favorite trainer or instructor. (Trust us, your studio misses you too.) If that sounds like you, it might be time to try private virtual coaching sessions.  

Virtual personal training one-on-one sessions could be right for you if:  

•   You're looking for the personal attention that's missing in a virtual group fitness
    setting.

•   You want to master an exercise or set of movements that requires the trainer to
    see and correct your form.  

•   You have an injury, are pregnant, or have another condition that requires
    modifications to your workout or special attention.  

•   You want a customized, at-home fitness plan. 

•   You need help setting exercise goals, or you're looking for extra accountability. 

•   You’re ready to take your workouts to the next level.  


Ready to give private virtual fitness sessions a try? Let's find the right personal trainer/instructor—and make the most out of your 1:1 sessions.  
 

Start with your favorite studio.

If you’re a regular at a fitness studio or gym, you probably already have a relationship with at least one instructor or personal trainer. Start there.  

Head to the facility’s website to see if and how they’re approaching one-on-one virtual coaching sessions. Hopefully, they’ve updated their service pages. If not, reach out directly for details. 

If your go-to spot isn’t currently offering private online personal training sessions, head to Mindbody and search “VIRTUAL” to see which fitness facilities are. With virtual, it really doesn’t matter where the studio or gym is located—you can connect with a qualified trainer/instructor anywhere in the world.  

Pro tip: Ask if the studio/gym is offering special COVID-19 pricing or an introductory offer for virtual fitness privates. Many studios are creating special packages to introduce clients to online personal trainers.


Ask about qualifications and specialties.

Regardless of your age, goals, or current health status, it's essential your personal trainer or instructor is qualified to work with clients one-on-one. Don’t be shy—ask about their education, certifications, and areas of expertise. If you do have a health condition or a certain goal in mind (weight loss, athletic training, etc.), make sure your personal trainer is specifically qualified to help you. If you're currently pregnant, for example, you’ll want to work with someone specialized in prenatal fitness—once you've been cleared by your doctor, of course. 


Request an initial consultation.  

When it comes to private sessions, it must be a good fit for both client and trainer. Ask your personal trainer or instructor if they offer a complimentary, or discounted, first session before you commit to a package or membership. That way, you can see if their personality and training style are right for you. 

A consultation won’t necessarily be the same duration as a regular coaching session, but it should provide adequate time for you to ask questions and discuss your needs and goals for one-on-one training. The trainer will likely want to see your current fitness level, too. This may include a movement assessment to understand your current state of strength, balance, and flexibility. This helps your trainer see how you move and identify any areas for improvement.  


Ask if you can rent or borrow equipment.  

Depending on your current workout-from-home gym setup, you may need additional equipment to make the most of your personal training sessions. Rest assured, a good personal trainer will help you get your workout on with minimal or no equipment if that’s your preference. However, a kettlebell here and a band there can certainly reduce monotony and up the intensity, depending on your goals. If he or she is local, ask if you can rent or borrow equipment to use in your own home. If you're virtually training from afar, see if your instructor/trainer will sell equipment that can be sent directly to your front door.  


Create a workout schedule together.  

You don’t need to work out with your virtual trainer every day to see and feel results. That said, you’ll want to create a routine that makes sense for your body, budget, and schedule. 

Ideally, your trainer or instructor will also be hosting live stream or on-demand classes. If so, create a workout plan together that includes both private virtual sessions as well as live or on-demand classes for days you’re not working together. A good trainer will reiterate the importance of listening to your body, refueling properly, and taking rest days, too.  

Pro tip:  If necessary, ask your instructor to walk through modifications for commonly performed movements in their live stream or on-demand classes. That way, if high knees are too jarring for you (as an example), you’ll know to march in place instead—without them even having to call out the swap during class.  


Private virtual sessions may be new for you (and your trainer, too) so, be patient, have fun, and embrace the unique bond you’re sure to develop. After all, the biggest benefit of working 1:1 with someone is the relationship you build. And, although it may be virtual for now, that connection will last long after you walk through your studio’s doors again. 

Lauren McAlister being intense
Written by
Lauren McAlister
Marketing Content Specialist
About the author
Lauren is the co-owner of McAlister Training, a fitness studio in San Luis Obispo, California, a Nutritional Therapy Consultant, and a Mindbody content marketer.
When she’s not busy with one of her three jobs/passions, she’s baking paleo(ish) treats, working out at her studio, or dreaming of the day her landlord lets her finally adopt a corgi.
people in upward dog practicing yoga on mats
Fitness
Published Wednesday Jul 28, 2021 by Bree Lewis

Sweat Redemption: 5 Tips for Getting Back Into Your Hot Yoga Practice

Yoga
Fitness
Expert Advice

If you’ve ever taken a hot yoga class, you know it’s always going to be one thing—outrageously hot. Not the “let’s hang by the pool and get that sun-kissed glow” kind of hot either. I’m talking that “I can't believe I have this much sweat in my body” and “I may or may not pass out” kind of hot. It’s nothing to mess around with, and after a year or so of not being able to go, it’s easy to forget just how serious that heat can be.

To get the maximum enjoyment and benefits out of your heated yoga classes, you need to prepare yourself before and take care of yourself afterward. Luckily, I’ve been taking some classes (sweating enough for the both of us) and I’ve listed my five favorite must-dos to help you readjust to your heated classes and get back to the hot yoga summer that we all want.

1. Go at your own pace

Heated classes are difficult in nature. The normal difficulty of regular poses is mixed in with the added challenges of sweating and dealing with the humidity and the heat (at times, I’ve seen the thermostat climb to 108 degrees—yikes!). Depending on what type of yoga class you’re taking (sculpt, Bikram, power vinyasa), the difficulty level and temperature are going to vary. It’s also important to remember that each person in the room is going to practice in a way that’s unique to them. Hours slept, hydration levels, food intake, and different lifestyles are all contributing factors that make our practices different. What you practice on your mat is your own––trust your body and only do what feels right to you.  And remember, it’s okay to take breaks!

2. Hydrate like your life depends on it (honestly, it might)

The rise in temperature mixed in with the humidity that we all know and love creates the perfect recipe for sweating—like A LOT. You go into a heated class dry and come out feeling like you just took a dip in the pool. Before heated classes, I had no idea it was physically possible to sweat that much. If you’re going to a heated class, especially after a long break, it’s easy to forget just how much you might sweat. Is it possible to lose that much water if you haven’t consumed it first? Trust me, going into your heated class super hydrated is going to make a world of difference and help you feel good throughout your practice. And don’t forget to take some sips of H2O while you’re practicing!  

3. Nourish your body

Heated classes are challenging, but I can’t stop going. Nothing quite compares to overcoming the challenge— and experiencing the cleanse my body feels after I’m done. It’s the perfect blend of hard and rewarding, but I couldn’t do it if my body wasn’t properly nourished. On the days I know I have a heated class booked; I like to make sure I am eating right. I make sure to take my vitamins and fuel my body with fruits, vegetables, and my favorite superfood shake. I hold off on food about an hour before my practice, so I feel comfortable. After the class, I like to replenish with a big protein shake (boosted with collagen to aid with muscle recovery and skin elasticity). There is no one-way path for properly nourishing your body but making sure you’re fueled for the challenge of a heated class is essential for getting the most out of your practice and feeling good on and off your mat.

4. Replenish those electrolytes

Increasing and maintaining your water intake on the days you take a heated class is important, but sometimes you need something a little extra. If you’re sweating that much, you’re basically an athlete (at least in my book) and if you’re performing like a rockstar yogi, you need to hydrate like one as well. That means replenishing those lost electrolytes. Reward yourself and your body for the hard work and treat yourself to your favorite drink. I switch off between electrolyte-boosting drinks and coconut water depending on what I’m in the mood for that day. Adding these to my post-practice self-care routine has helped me feel more hydrated after and ready to take on the world again after especially sweaty classes.

5. Bring the right equipment

Usually, a yoga mat is all you need for your practice––but heated classes are a different ballgame. I’ve gone with just a mat, and I’ve slipped all over the place. Let me tell you, there’s nothing worse than having sweat drip all over the place while you’re trying to hold a pose that makes you grip your mat for dear life (never again). Make sure you bring a towel to place over your mat, this will help with support and grip. Bringing a smaller towel is also a good idea. You can use the smaller towel to dry yourself off during water breaks or whenever you’re feeling just a bit too sweaty. This is a small step that makes a world of difference during those super-hot classes.

So, there you have it. Five of my favorite tips (more like lifesavers) that have helped me readjust to those heated classes I love so much. Getting back into it is a challenge for us all, so know you’re not alone. No matter where you’re at in your practice, remember to be kind and gentle to yourself––celebrating your health and your body’s ability to do what you love. We’re all just getting back out there, together.

Ready to jump back into your hot yoga routine? Browse Mindbody to find the perfect class for you. 

While you’re at it, check out some Intro Offers near you that can help you get back to your cadence of hot yoga classes.

bree lewis headshot
Written by
Bree Lewis
Marketing Content Associate
About the author
Born and raised in a small mountain town just south of Yosemite National Park, Bree is an avid lover of health, wellness, and connecting to the outside world around us. As a Cal Poly English major alumn, she has a knack for books, writing, and all things words. In her free time, she enjoys being outside, drinking craft beers, and keeping life jazzy!