Let's get one thing out of the way: the "best" way to train is the one you'll actually show up for. Not the fanciest one. Not the one your mate swears by. Not the one your favourite influencer posts about 8 days a week. The one you'll do on a drizzly Tuesday when the sofa is calling your name and a cup of tea sounds like a perfectly good plan. You know the ones when the baby slept only 2 hours, your boss would not leave you alone all day and you haven't even thought about what to cook for dinner? Because like I always say, real life is not going anywhere and fitness needs to work for your life not the other way around.
I'm a NASM-certified trainer with 10+ years experience, and I've coached people in the gym and through a screen. Both can be brilliant. Both can flop. It comes down to what fits you.
The "I can't cancel, she's waiting for me" option aka in-person
In-person training is the classic for a reason. It's you, a trainer, and the weights. They are literally right there watching your form, adjusting your programme on the spot, and telling you when you've got one more rep in you (you usually do). There's something powerful about walking into a gym knowing a real person is expecting you. It takes the "should I go?" debate out of your head, because the decision has already been made. For a lot of people, especially when they're starting out, this structure is what turns "I'll start Monday" into actually starting.
Live form correction. I can see your squat from three angles and fix it before it becomes a habit (or an injury).
Built-in accountability. Someone is expecting you at 7am. That's powerful.
Zero planning. Show up and we handle the rest. You don't have to think, just lift.
Energy. Some people simply train harder when someone's cheering them on. No shame in that. I can cheer.
The trade-offs: it usually costs more per session, you're tied to a location and a schedule, and you're limited to whoever lives nearby. (Hint: the best trainer for you doesn't necessarily live in your postcode)
The "fits into my real life" option aka online coaching
Online coaching gets a bad rap from people who picture a generic training app and a "good luck!" email. Done properly, it's nothing like that. It's a real coach building a programme around your schedule, checking your form through videos, adjusting when life gets messy, and staying in your corner all week instead of just during the one hour you're in the gym. You can train in a hotel room, your apartment, or a gym on the other side of the world. If your life doesn't fit neatly into a 7am appointment (and whose does, honestly?), this might be the option that finally makes training stick for you.
Flexibility. 5am, midnight, hotel gym, living room floor. Your call.
Support every day, all week long. A good online coach is available to you every step of the way.
Access. You can pick the right coach for you, not just the closest one.
Value. Online programs cost less than regular one-on-one sessions.
The tradeoff: you need a bit of self-motivation because you're the one starting the session.
So, which one are you?
If you are brand new to working out, hands-on might be just what you need. Think about this: Do you need an appointment in the diary? Are you the “I’ll totally do it later” type? (we all know that means you’ll do it never) And will having a real human right next to you as you push through the reps help you actually get those last reps?
On the other hand, what if your schedule is unpredictable, or you travel a lot. Or you may feel totally comfortable in the gym and simply want structure and support without the per-session price tag.
Here’s another thought, you don't have to marry one option forever. Lots of people start in person to nail the basics, then switch to online. Others train online and book an occasional in-person session for a form tune-up.
Let me tell you about Alex
Alex trained with me in person for almost two years. She was a gym girlie through and through, the kind of person who said "I could never work out at home" with total confidence.
Then she got pregnant, and we kept going. She trained through her pregnancy with me, adjusting as her body changed.
After the baby arrived, Alex made a call I didn't expect: she wanted to stay home instead of going back to the gym. So we moved online. She bought a small amount of equipment, and we got right back to work.
That baby is almost three now, and Alex and I are still training online. And here's my favourite part: she always thought she was a diehard gym girl. Turns out she's just a workout girl, and training at home is her thing. It wasn't a downgrade or a compromise. It was the version that finally fit her life.
That's the point of this whole post: the "right" option isn't the one that looks best on paper. It's the one that actually fits your real life.
What to look for in a trainer, either way
A recognised certification (like NASM)
A clear answer to "what's actually included?"
Communication that suits your style: Do you like daily texts? Or do you want some space?
A plan built around your life, not a generic app
Not sure what's right for you?
That's exactly what I'm here for. https://www.joannamar.com/contact. Tell me about your goals and your schedule, and I'll point you in the right direction, even if the answer turns out to be someone else.
