Case Study: Becoming an Online Fitness Coach

Bekah's vision led her to become an online fitness coach over eight years ago.

She recognised that, for many of her in-person gym clients, finding the time to workout was a balancing act between their job and family responsibilities. Responding to this pain point led her to explore the benefits of delivering her fitness classes in a virtual format via a membership website.

Bekah identified her customer persona to be busy women. This understanding of her target audience led her to launch her website, BekahFit, which features fitness routines that require limited equipment, time and space.

Besides convenience, her members appreciate the range and variety of classes available on her website and being able to customise their workouts according to their preference, schedule and body focus.

Bekah has gained a devoted member base by regularly posting new content and being responsive to the needs of her members. Her commitment and expertise are what keep her members renewing.

Can you tell us a little bit about your background and what led you to set up your site?

Fourteen years ago, while I was still in college, I started teaching aerobics classes. Later, I started giving personal sessions in addition to teaching many group exercise classes. I have been in the fitness industry for many years now and it is constantly changing and evolving. It is important to stay up to date with research, education and technology in order to be successful. I had been pondering the idea of an online fitness site for about a year before I actually got started, so I knew that the time was right.

Why did you decide to use SubHub and how did it work out at first?

I did some research online and came across SubHub. SubHub offered exactly what I needed and turned out to be extremely cost effective. Their customer service walked me through the process of setting up a a website and explained to me that they could handle the back-end. I started filming workouts each week and would add them to my website under specific categories. Both past and current clients signed up immediately and told me that they loved the workouts.

What is your passion?

My passion is definitely women’s fitness. Women are the most faithful customers when they trust you and believe in what you are selling them. Women are extremely loyal and over the years I have developed a large following of women who want to change their body and get in shape.

My workouts are geared specifically for women, although men are welcome to sign up as well. I design the fitness routines so they can be done at home by people with limited equipment, time and space. I use Facebook to create excitement about the new workouts each week and it lets me stay in contact with my followers.

What's the interaction like between you and your members?

I receive daily messages from women letting me know their weight loss progress, or how much they love the workouts, or how they can finally fit into their “skinny jeans” again. It’s fun for me because I get to be as creative as I want with the routines, and I thrive off the feedback from my members.

In conclusion

As a virtual coach, you must demonstrate understanding your member's fitness goals by responding with effective online solutions.

Virtual fitness coaches also need to show their ongoing commitment by regularly posting new content and utilising interactive formats like forums or live Zoom classes to foster community. These formats give you the opportunity to engage, motivate and provide the accountability many members need to sustain themselves on their fitness journeys.

By incorporating these in-person skills into your virtual practice, you can effectively connect with and guide your clients toward achieving their fitness aspirations, regardless of physical presence.