Online coaching has helped thousands of people lose weight, build muscle, and get healthier without ever stepping foot into a gym with a trainer.
It’s also not magic.
Like anything worthwhile, there are challenges.
If you’re considering hiring an online coach, you deserve to know what could go wrong before you spend a dollar.
Here are seven things I think every potential client should know.
1. You Might Feel Like You’re On Your Own
This is probably the biggest fear people have.
“What if I sign up, get a workout and meal plan, and never hear from my coach again?”
Unfortunately, that does happen.
Some programs are little more than an app with your name on it.
How to avoid it
Before you hire anyone, ask exactly how communication works.
- How often do you check in?
- Can I message you between check-ins?
- How quickly do you respond?
- What happens if I hit a roadblock?
A good online coach doesn’t disappear after onboarding. They coach. They answer questions. They help you through real life.
The program should feel personal, not automated.
2. The Program Might Not Actually Be Customized
Just because someone says “custom” doesn’t mean it is.
Many coaches simply plug your information into software that spits out the same workout and calorie target everyone else gets.
How to avoid it
Ask what makes the program customized.
Does it account for:
- Your schedule?
- Your injuries?
- Your hockey schedule?
- Your equipment?
- Your experience?
- Your travel?
- Your food preferences?
A good program should fit into your life, not ask you to rearrange your life around it.
3. Motivation Will Eventually Wear Off
This one surprises people.
The excitement of starting something new fades.
That’s normal.
No one stays motivated forever.
How to avoid it
Don’t look for motivation.
Look for accountability.
The best coaching programs build systems that keep you moving forward when motivation disappears.
The people who get the best results aren’t the most motivated.
They’re the most consistent.
4. Life Is Going To Get In The Way
Kids.
Work.
Vacation.
Injuries.
Busy hockey seasons.
Late nights.
There will never be a perfect stretch of life.
How to avoid it
Ask your coach what happens when life gets messy.
Do they adjust workouts?
Modify nutrition?
Help you get back on track?
Or do they simply tell you to “try harder?”
The best coaching plans bend without breaking.
5. You Might Not Like Tracking Everything
Not everyone enjoys weighing food.
Logging meals.
Tracking habits.
Taking progress pictures.
For some people, it becomes overwhelming.
How to avoid it
Find a coach whose tracking style matches your personality.
Some people thrive with detailed numbers.
Others do better with simple habits like:
- Protein at every meal
- Daily walks
- Hydration goals
- Strength workouts
The best system is the one you’ll actually stick with.
6. Results May Be Slower Than You Expected
This isn’t usually because the program doesn’t work.
It’s because real, sustainable progress isn’t flashy.
You might lose one pound this week.
Nothing next week.
Then three pounds the following week.
Progress isn’t linear.
How to avoid it
Judge success over months, not days.
Focus on:
- Better energy
- Stronger workouts
- Clothes fitting differently
- Better sleep
- Feeling better on the ice
The scale tells part of the story.
Your life tells the rest.
7. You Still Have To Do The Work
This may sound obvious.
But coaching isn’t something that’s done to you.
It’s done with you.
Your coach can’t do your workouts.
Your coach can’t make your food choices.
Your coach can’t go for your walks.
How to avoid it
Be honest with yourself before signing up.
Are you ready to participate?
You don’t need to be perfect.
You don’t need to be highly motivated.
But you do need to be willing.
The best coaching relationship is a partnership.
Not a rescue mission.
Online Coaching Isn’t For Everyone
This might sound strange coming from someone who sells online coaching.
But it’s true.
Some people simply aren’t a good fit.
If you’re looking for someone to force you to exercise…
Online coaching probably isn’t for you.
If you’re unwilling to communicate…
It’s probably not for you.
If you expect results while ignoring the plan…
It’s definitely not for you.
And if you’re looking for a quick fix before a vacation or reunion…
There are plenty of people selling those.
I’m not one of them.
The people who thrive in online coaching are different.
They’re busy.
They’ve tried diets before.
They’ve started and stopped more times than they can count.
They’re tired of guessing.
They want a plan built around their life.
They want someone in their corner who can adjust when life changes.
They understand that lasting results come from consistency, not perfection.
Is Online 1-on-1 Coaching Right For You?
The answer isn’t whether online coaching works.
It does.
The better question is whether you’re ready to use it.
If you’re looking for a coach who will build a personalized plan around your schedule, your hockey, your family, your goals, and help you adapt when life inevitably throws you a curveball, online coaching can be one of the most effective investments you ever make.
But if you’re looking for someone to do the work for you, save your money.
No coaching program can replace your effort.
The right coach doesn’t guarantee your success.
They dramatically increase your chances of achieving it.
– Coach Marty
