Online Personal Training Guide #3/4: How to Deliver Private Online Workouts Like a Pro
Part 3/4 of FitMyTime Instructor Handbook

Online home workouts are increasingly gaining popularity, as more and more personal trainers discover the benefits of online training. Offering one-on-one session is a great way to expand your opportunities as a fitness or Yoga instructor.
In order to get people to book your online private classes, you need to master the ins and outs of online training. This requires time and practice, which is why we recommend newbies to run trial classes with friends or someone who can give you meaningful feedback.
In this inspirational podcast episode, Shannon Crow talks to Rosslyn Kemerer about teaching online yoga classes via Skype. Rosslyn provides many useful tips, such as how to create a sense of intimacy online: “Private yoga instruction is truly a heart-to-heart teaching. It’s meant to be intimate. Technology might feel incongruous to something so soulful, but with a little practice and intention, we can retain that sense of intimacy online.”
Another great resource for online yoga teaching is Francesca Cervero’s vlog, in which she thoroughly describes the online teaching experience.
We have prepared a few (mainly technical) tips that will help you deliver fab private online yoga and fitness workouts:
The booking process:
- Before you accept a booking request on FitMyTime, chat with your client, using the platform’s internal messaging platform.
- Check with the client to make sure you understand their needs and goals, and if they have any physical limitations, aches, or pains.
- Conduct a short test to make sure the video chat link works well and that you connect properly. Send your video chat link to your student in advance, using FitMyTime’s massaging system. All they need to do is click that link on the scheduled time. Clicking it will enable them to join the class.
- Time zone differences: If your client is in another time zone, use the time zone converter to make sure you meet at the right time.
- You can advise your client to record the live online class so they can use it later for their practice.
Preparations for class:
- Connections: Double-check that your internet and video connections are working.
- Music: Music is great to motivate, but the volume should be low enough that the client can hear your instructions.
- Background noise: Pets, children and construction can disturb the work-out experience. Make sure your work environment is relatively quiet.
- Light: Your studio should be well-lit so that your trainee can see you clearly.
- Battery: Video chat apps can drain your battery quickly, so make sure its full or that you are plugged in during class.
- Microphone: The easiest way to communicate is by using a Bluetooth headset with built-in-microphone. Otherwise, make sure that your computer/telephone’s built-in-microphone is loud enough for you to speak and be heard even when you are standing a few meters away.
- Screen: You can use a laptop, tablet, or even your smart TV (cast your mobile screen to your TV) for the video chat. Mobile phones are a bit more challenging, but if you are willing to spend some time making sure your phone is stable and at the right angle for class, that could work as well.
During class:
- Place your laptop, smartphone or tablet on a couch, chair, table, or even on the floor.
- Check to make sure that your trainee can see you properly, and that you can see your trainee. Make adjustments if necessary.
- Be sure to explain your exercises clearly in order to compensate for the fact that you cannot physically correct your trainees’ form.
- Listen to your trainee! Make sure you can hear their responses to your instructions.
- Make sure to ask each one of your clients to write a review on your page. Reviews are a valuable promotional tool and they are important for potential customers who visit your class page.
Do what you already know and love to do — provide motivating professional fitness coaching!

FitMyTime welcomes fitness and yoga instructors who are interested in teaching online and joining our community to apply here.
Meanwhile, you can read more about how it works.
More posts from our Instructor’s guide:
Online Personal Training Guide #1/4: How to Create a Compelling Instructor Profile on FitMyTime
Online Personal Training Guide #2/4: How to Create a Great Online Class Page
Online Personal Training Guide #3/4: How to Deliver Online Live Workouts Like a Pro
Online Personal Training Guide #4/4: How to Promote Your Online Class
FitMyTime is a global marketplace for online fitness and yoga classes. We connect trainers and trainees from around the world for live online one-on-one fitness and yoga classes.

