Virtual training can sometimes be challenging, especially for individuals who love to combine their social time with workout time. Getting to catch up with friends while working out benefits both physical and emotional health. An online personal trainer can play a crucial role in maintaining accountability by providing personalized guidance, creating structured workout plans, and offering real-time feedback. With current events putting a huge push for virtual training for social distancing purposes, fitness time with friends decreases, and individuals are held accountable for getting in their fitness workouts on their own. Here are some accountability tips you can use with virtual training:
1. Schedule Your Training Like an Important Meeting
Why It Works: Scheduling your workout like an important meeting ensures that you have blocked out a specific time in your personal schedule to complete that task. All other events, such as work or doctor visits, will be scheduled around that time block.
How to Do It:
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Set a Specific Time: Choose a consistent time each day or week for your workout. This helps create a routine and makes exercise a non-negotiable part of your day.
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Use Calendars and Reminders: Input your workout sessions into your digital calendar and set reminders. Treat it with the same importance as a work meeting or a doctor’s appointment.
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Stick to Your Plan: Commit to your scheduled workout time. Avoid rescheduling unless absolutely necessary. Developing this habit will make it easier to stick to your fitness routine.
Expert Tip: Certified Health and Wellness Coaches and certified personal trainers use this trick to help their clients manage time and fitness for balanced health. By prioritizing your workout like an important meeting, you are less likely to skip it. Additionally, share your workout schedule with a friend or family member who can help keep you accountable. Certified personal trainers often have real conversations with clients about their actions matching their words, particularly in relation to nutrition and adherence to the workout program.
Connect with Online Fitness Groups for Personal Accountability
Why It Works: Connecting virtually with other fitness groups is a great way to continue being part of the active fitness community and stay motivated. Engaging with a supportive community can enhance your sense of commitment and provide valuable tips and encouragement.
How to Do It:
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Join Online Communities: Platforms like Facebook, Reddit, and fitness apps have groups for various fitness interests. Join groups that align with your goals. Look for active communities with regular posts and engagement.
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Participate in Check-ins: Engage in daily or weekly check-ins. These check-ins often include posting about your workouts, sharing progress, and supporting others. Some groups even have challenges or accountability partners to help you stay on track.
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Take Advantage of Resources: Many online groups offer free training plans, challenges, and motivational quotes to keep you engaged. Participate in these challenges to push yourself and stay motivated.
Expert Tip: Online fitness groups are also great resources to obtain training plans for multi-sport athletes and other fitness enthusiasts who want the extra push and challenge for their virtual training. Use these platforms to ask questions, share experiences, and learn from others who are on a similar journey. Fitness professionals use these groups to hold clients accountable and support their fitness journey by providing personalized workouts, meal plans, and progress tracking.
Let Your Friends and Family Know About Your Fitness Journey
Why It Works: Sharing your goals with friends and family can provide external motivation and support. They can offer words of encouragement and even help create opportunities for fitness training. This social support can significantly boost your accountability.
How to Do It:
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Communicate Your Goals: Clearly explain your fitness goals to your friends and family. Be specific about what you want to achieve and why it’s important to you.
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Seek Support: Ask for help when needed. For example, a friend might entertain your kids for a short playdate so you can work out, or a neighbor might invite you for evening walks. Involve your loved ones in your fitness journey by inviting them to join you for workouts.
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Inspire Others: Your commitment might inspire friends and family to join you, creating a supportive fitness community around you. This shared goal can foster a sense of teamwork and mutual encouragement.
Expert Tip: Friends and family can be great accountability partners. They can remind you of your goals and celebrate your achievements with you, providing that extra push to stay committed. Consider creating a shared fitness challenge or goal with your friends and family to keep everyone motivated. Additionally, personal trainers offer personalized workouts, meal plans, and enhanced progress tracking, which can further support and hold you accountable in achieving your fitness goals.
Keep a Training Log for Your Training Program
Why It Works: A personal fitness training log is a visual reminder of what needs to be done and a display of all the hard work you have put forth so far. It helps track progress and maintain motivation. Seeing your progress written down can be incredibly satisfying and motivating.
How to Do It:
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Choose Your Format: Decide whether you prefer a paper journal, an online spreadsheet, or a fitness tracking app. Select a format that you find easy to use and access regularly.
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Log Details: Record details of each workout, including exercises, duration, intensity, and how you felt. Include notes on any challenges you faced or milestones you reached.
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Review Regularly: Look back at your log regularly to see your progress and identify areas for improvement. Use this review to set new goals and adjust your training plan as needed.
Expert Tip: Training logs can be incredibly motivating. Seeing the progress and writing it down can help keep you on track and accountable for your workouts. Personal training clients benefit greatly from tracking their progress and staying accountable, as it helps them stay motivated and committed to their fitness goals. Even small workouts, like stability exercises with a core stability ball or core balance ball, can be logged to show consistent effort. Share your training log with a coach or a trusted friend to get feedback and further accountability.
Conclusion
Consistency and accountability are key to staying on track and reaching your personal fitness goals. By scheduling your workouts, connecting with online fitness groups, enlisting support from friends and family, and keeping a training log, you can maintain motivation and ensure steady progress. Embrace these tips to enhance your virtual training experience and achieve your fitness objectives. Personal accountability, fostered through effective communication, empathy, and intrinsic motivation, is crucial in empowering you to take ownership of your fitness journey.
