Right before writing this article, I pulled up apps on my smartphone and looked through the Health and Fitness category. In the Classes and Trainers section, I was presented with apps for “P90X,” “Jillian Michaels Slim-Down Solution,” “Nike Training Club” and more. Many of these apps, if purchased, would have provided me with exercise videos, recipes, journaling, a weight tracker, fitness coaching and more — all for about $5 or less.
Some of your members are likely being tempted to purchase these apps as well, and some may even be currently using them as cheap alternatives to personal training. Scott Larkin, the director of personal training for Gainesville Health & Fitness, recognized smartphone apps as training supplements, but not replacements for personal training.
“People can get programming through the apps and even record nutritional content,” said Larkin. “What they can’t get through the app is accountability.”
According to Larkin, one of the many reasons members find success through personal training is due to personal trainers holding members accountable for working out and eating right. Apps, he said, are incapable of doing so. In addition, apps are incapable of providing the coaching aspect of personal training, which includes correcting exercises if a member is doing them wrong.
“The coaching is the main thing,” said Larkin. “This includes correcting movement patterns and motivating clients. Motivation is only truly achieved when you’re with somebody. It’s hard to get motivation from a smartphone.”
However, Larkin commented that training apps could be used as complements to personal training, if used correctly. “I recommend my clients use the app Gym Buddy or other free apps to keep track of what they’re doing,” he said. This has allowed Larkin to see what his clients are doing outside of personal training sessions. “What’s nice about that is there’s a record of what the client has done,” he said.
Whether or not members believe in the value of personal training versus a smartphone app comes down to results, said Larkin. “It always comes down to results,” he said. “With anything, I’d ask the member, ‘are you getting results with what you’re doing?’” If they’re not via a smartphone app, suggest they try personal training instead.
Rachel Zabonick is the assistant editor for Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@clubsolutionsmagazine.com. Reach out to her about exciting events or programs your club has implemented, or to share the amazing accomplishments of a member.
