Fitness professionals face competition from online workouts

Personal trainers are finding they must now compete with the rise of accessible fitness programmes that can be downloaded straight to a smartphone.

Ever since the introduction of Kayla Itsines’ ‘Bikini Body Guide’, fitness gurus worldwide have written their own downloadable workout guides and sell them for a one-off price.

Often including meal plans and workouts that range from traditional weights to functional training using only the individual’s bodyweight and free weights, the plans are easy to follow and work through.

Natasha Watson has been a gym member on and off for five years and thinks personal trainers are not as necessary with e-books being so readily available.

“They are easily accessible, generally way cheaper than a trainer and there are many programmes out there to change up routines.“

However she notes there is a risk of incorrect form and potential for injury.

“You don’t have someone there next to you making sure you’re performing properly.”

Kiera Greenacre, a Remuera-based personal trainer agrees, saying e-books can be too generalised.

“Mixed opinions on them. I think it's really important to have someone there to correct form and technique.

“Everyone is different in terms of what type of exercise they react best to in terms of body composition and body type.”

Just Workout member Matthew Foxal thinks personal trainers are still vital.

“Trainers promote motivation for clients and this may well be the most crucial part to progress.”

Online searches also provide access to pirated, free versions of such workout programmes.

Alessandra Trovato, one of the writers of the Fitazfk e-book said: “The problem with putting things online is that it can easily be copied and distributed for free, which is a loss to our business.”