Personal Training Or Online Coaching?
Both work. They just suit different people. I offer both, so I've got no reason to push you towards either, and I'd rather you picked the one that actually fits your life than the one that sounds better.
What each one actually is
| In-person PT | Online coaching | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | UltraFlex Durham or Hii Club Gosforth | Any gym, anywhere in the world |
| Coaching | Live, every rep, hands on | Video analysis of your lifts each week |
| Programme | Written for you | Written for you, in the Trainerize app |
| Nutrition | Targets and guidance | Targets and guidance, reviewed weekly |
| Accountability | A booked appointment | A weekly check-in with a deadline |
| Flexibility | Fixed session times | Train whenever suits |
| Cost | Higher per week | Considerably lower per week |
When in-person is the right call
Choose in-person if
- You're a complete beginner. Learning to squat and hinge properly is far faster with someone adjusting you in real time
- The gym intimidates you. Having someone beside you removes the single biggest barrier
- You won't go unless it's booked. An appointment you've paid for is the strongest accountability there is
- You've had injuries and need someone watching how you move
- You've tried programmes alone and drifted. Be honest with yourself here
When online is genuinely better
Online isn't the budget option. For some women it's the better product.
Choose online if
- Your schedule is unpredictable. Shift work, kids, travel. Fixed appointments become the reason you quit
- You're not local. Durham and Newcastle are where I train in person, but coaching works anywhere
- You already know your way around a gym and need programming and accountability, not hand-holding
- You want more contact for less money. Weekly check-ins, nutrition and video feedback for the price of two or three sessions a month
- You want to train four or five times a week, which nobody can afford in-person
The cost comparison, honestly
Two in-person sessions a week across a month costs meaningfully more than a month of online coaching. But you're not comparing like with like: with online you're covering every session you do, not just the two I'm stood next to you for.
The fair question isn't "which is cheaper", it's "which one will I still be doing in six months". A cheap plan you abandon costs more than a good one you follow. There's a full breakdown of what personal training costs in Durham and Newcastle here.
The option most people don't consider
You can do both, and it's often the best value combination: online coaching for your programme, nutrition and weekly accountability, plus an in-person session every week or fortnight to fix technique and reset the plan.
Three questions that decide it
Answer honestly
- Would I actually go to the gym on my own next Tuesday? If no, in-person
- Do I know how to squat, hinge, press and row safely? If no, in-person first
- Does my week look the same each week? If no, online
Common questions
Is online coaching as effective as personal training?
For someone with basic gym confidence, yes, and sometimes more so because you get programming, nutrition and accountability across every session rather than just the ones you pay for. For a nervous beginner, in-person usually gets faster results early on.
Can I switch between them?
Yes, and plenty of clients do. Starting in-person and moving online once confident is the most common path.
What if I'm not in Durham or Newcastle?
Then online coaching is your option, and it works well. You'll get a full programme, nutrition targets, weekly check-ins and video technique feedback wherever you train.
Ready when you are
Reading is a great start. It all gets easier when the plan's built for you and someone's in your corner. Train with me at UltraFlex Durham or Hii Club Gosforth, or get coached online anywhere.
Train with me Online coaching