Why Some Online Trainers Are Snakes
The online fitness industry is booming, which is fantastic for people seeking to improve their health. But this growth has a dark side. For every qualified professional, there are dozens of crooked individuals and online trainers who are just snakes.
In my 20+ years in the fitness industry as a certified trainer, nutritionist, and coach, I’ve seen it all. I’m passionate about this field, and it pains me to see people get taken advantage of.
Many so-called “gurus” pop up overnight with no real qualifications. This guide will give you the red flags to watch for and the right questions to ask, so you can find a legitimate online personal trainer and avoid getting ripped off.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before starting any exercise program, changing your daily nutrition, or adding any supplements to your regimen.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Demand Personalization: A huge red flag is a “cookie-cutter” program sent to every client. A good coach builds a plan based on your specific goals, history, and needs, often using platforms like Trainerize or TrueCoach to deliver it.
- Verify Credentials: Don’t just trust a good physique. Ask for certifications and verify them. Look for NCCA-accredited certifications like NASM, ACE, or the NSCA-CSCS.
- Confirm Who Your Coach Is: Ask if you will be working directly with the person you’re hiring or a member of their team. Transparency is key.
- Look for Value Over Volume: A trainer handling hundreds of “personalized” clients at once is a sign of an automated, low-value service. Quality coaching takes time and focus.
Cookie Cutter Programs from Online Trainers
The first and most common scam is the one-size-fits-all program. You pay for a personalized workout or nutrition plan, but you receive a generic template that’s been sent to hundreds of other people.
These online trainers might change your name at the top and slightly adjust the calories, but the core workout and meal plan are identical for everyone. It’s a lazy and dishonest way to run a business. Eventually, clients talk, and the trainer’s reputation crumbles.
I’ve seen programs from some of these Instagram models that are complete garbage. They target people outside our industry, like busy parents, who might not know better. If the program looks like a generic page from a magazine, it probably is.
A legitimate coach will use professional software like Trainerize or TrueCoach to build and deliver your workouts. They will also conduct a thorough initial assessment to understand your history, abilities, and goals.
If your online trainer isn’t willing to modify your program based on your feedback or specific needs, that’s a massive red flag. You should immediately ask for your money back and go find a new online trainer.
Online Trainers Steal Programs from Others
Even worse than a generic program is a stolen one. Some online trainers will buy a program from a reputable coach, slap their own logo on it, and resell it as their own work. This is straight-up theft and a huge problem in the fitness business.
It’s hard for a client to spot this unless they happen to know the original creator. Often, competitors who become overnight coaches are just stealing material from their former mentors. It’s disgusting and unethical.
Just like with cookie-cutter plans, these trainers refuse to modify anything. They’ll claim the program must be followed exactly for the “best results.” This is just an excuse to avoid doing any actual coaching work. Their goal is to sign up as many clients as possible without using their brain to help anyone.
No Credientials
A great physique does not equal a great coach. Many people hiring a personal trainer never ask about their qualifications, and scammers count on this. Many online “trainers” are just a pretty face or a bodybuilder with no formal education or certifications to back up their claims.
You must ask questions to protect your investment and your health. An unqualified trainer can give you a program that is ineffective or, even worse, dangerous.
Don’t be fooled by a six-pack or a large social media following. Insist on seeing proof of certification from a reputable, accredited organization.
Look for credentials from organizations accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), which is the gold standard. Here are some of the best ones to look for:
- NSCA-CSCS: The Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association is one of the most respected certifications for working with athletes and serious clients.
- NASM-CPT: The National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer is extremely popular and well-regarded for general fitness.
- ACE-CPT: The American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer is another top-tier, widely recognized certification.
Most of these organizations have online directories where you can verify a trainer’s credentials in seconds. If they can’t or won’t provide this, walk away.
Some Online Trainers Use Other Trainers to Run Their Business
This is a bait-and-switch tactic used by some popular fitness influencers. You sign up thinking you’ll be working with a specific person, but your entire program is outsourced to a team of unknown, often less-qualified people.
There’s a well-known Instagram model with millions of followers who does exactly this. From the outside, her online training business looks legitimate. In reality, she doesn’t write any of the programs. She has a team that cranks out the same cookie-cutter plans for everyone.
You’re paying a premium for her name and image, but you’re not getting her expertise. The only time you’ll hear from her directly is if you get angry and demand a refund. This deceptive model was infamously used by Brittany Dawn, who faced a lawsuit from the Texas Attorney General for her misleading business practices.
If a business operates this way, it should be disclosed upfront. Ask this simple question before you pay: “Will I be working directly with you, or will my coaching be handled by someone on your team?” A transparent business will give you a straight answer.
Their Image Does NOT Correlate with Brains
Just because someone looks like they live in the gym doesn’t mean they have the knowledge to be an effective online personal trainer. Many of these fitness models spend hours every day working out, a luxury most clients with real jobs and families don’t have. Their personal routine is often completely unrealistic for the average person.
This goes back to credentials. You need to interview a potential coach before you open your wallet. Do they sound knowledgeable? Can they explain the “why” behind their methods? Or are they just repeating generic fitness advice?
If you don’t like what you hear, or if they can’t answer your questions clearly, move on. There are thousands of qualified trainers out there who have both the knowledge and the experience to help you.
Volume Over Value
A good online trainer knows their limits. They only take on the number of clients they can genuinely support and provide with incredible value. Bad trainers are only focused on volume.
When a coach is more concerned with dollars than with results, the client experience suffers. They start with 10 clients, then 20, then 50, and soon they’re overwhelmed. To cope, they automate everything, and personalization disappears. You become a number in a spreadsheet.
For high-touch, personalized online training, a single coach can realistically only handle about 30-50 clients effectively. If a trainer is boasting about having hundreds of one-on-one clients, it’s a major red flag that you’ll be getting a generic, low-effort service.
The core of any good coaching business is delivering results. If a trainer loses sight of that, they’ve lost their way. They need to step back and remember why they started in the first place, which should have been to help people.
Online Trainers FAQs
How much should I expect to pay for good online trainers?
Prices vary widely, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $500+ per month for quality, one-on-one online coaching. Prices on the lower end might involve less direct contact, while premium services include detailed video feedback and frequent communication. Be wary of anything that seems too cheap, as it often signals a cookie-cutter or automated service.
What’s the difference between online training and a fitness app?
Fitness apps, like those from Peloton or Apple Fitness+, provide pre-recorded workouts and generic programs for a low monthly fee. Online training, or online coaching, is a personalized service where a real human coach creates a custom plan for you, monitors your progress, and provides ongoing support and adjustments. Both have value, but online coaching is a much more tailored experience.
How often should I communicate with my online trainer?
This should be established upfront. A common and effective model includes a formal check-in once per week to review progress, submit videos for form checks, and discuss the week ahead. You should also have the ability to message your coach with quick questions. A reasonable response time for non-urgent questions is typically 24-48 hours.
Is online personal training as effective as in-person training?
It can be, and for many people, it’s even more effective. Online training offers greater flexibility, access to top coaches regardless of your location, and is often more affordable. However, it requires you to be self-motivated. If you need the accountability of a scheduled, in-person session to show up, then traditional training might be a better fit.
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