Online Coaching

Online coaching removes the geographic limitations of in-person training. You can work with clients anywhere in the world, at any time, without the constraints of physical location or synchronous scheduling.

For calisthenics coaching, online delivery is particularly well-suited. Clients need minimal or no equipment. You can assess form through video. Programs translate well to written and video formats. The potential to scale is significant.

This chapter covers how to build an effective online coaching practice, from programming delivery to video check-ins, technology recommendations, and hybrid models that combine online and in-person training.

Understanding Online Coaching Models

Online coaching exists on a spectrum from fully automated to highly personalized.

The Online Coaching Spectrum

Level 1: Digital Products Pre-made programs sold to many buyers.

• No personalization
• Minimal ongoing support
• Low price point
• Highly scalable

Level 2: Template Programs with Check-ins Standard programs with periodic coach interaction.

• Light personalization (starting point selection)
• Weekly or bi-weekly check-ins
• Moderate price point
• Moderate scalability

Level 3: Custom Programming with Support Individualized programming and regular coaching.

• High personalization
• Regular communication and check-ins
• Higher price point
• Limited scalability (15-40 clients typical)

Level 4: Premium Remote Coaching Full-service coaching delivered remotely.

• Fully individualized programming
• Frequent video calls and support
• Video form review
• Premium price point
• Low scalability (similar to in-person capacity)

Choose where you want to operate based on your goals, capacity, and target clients.

Delivering Programming Online

The core deliverable for most online coaching is the training program. How you deliver it matters.

Program Delivery Formats

1. Written Documents (PDF/Google Doc)

Simple and accessible:

• Weekly or block-based program documents
• Exercise descriptions with instructions
• Links to video demonstrations

Pros: Easy to create, works on any device, clients can print Cons: Static, no tracking, manual updates needed

2. Spreadsheets (Google Sheets/Excel)

More dynamic:

• Editable tracking columns
• Automatic calculations (volume, progression)
• Shared access for real-time updates

Pros: Flexible, includes tracking, easy to update Cons: Can feel impersonal, requires spreadsheet familiarity

3. Coaching Apps and Platforms

Purpose-built solutions:

• Professional presentation
• Built-in video demonstrations
• Client tracking and feedback
• Communication features

Popular platforms:

• Trainerize
• TrueCoach
• My PT Hub
• TrainHeroic
• Everfit

Pros: Professional, full-featured, clients like the experience Cons: Monthly costs, learning curve, platform dependency

4. Custom Solutions

Your own system:

• Website with member area
• Custom app development
• Notion or similar tools

Pros: Full control, unique branding, no platform fees Cons: Development time/cost, maintenance burden

Recommendation by Coaching Level

Start simple. Upgrade as your business grows and you understand what clients need.

Video Check-ins and Communication

Remote coaching requires intentional communication to replace the connection of in-person sessions.

Types of Check-ins

1. Asynchronous Video Check-ins

You and the client exchange video messages on your own schedules.

Client sends:

• Weekly progress update
• Form check videos
• Questions or concerns

You respond with:

• Video feedback
• Coaching cues
• Program adjustments

Tools: Loom, Voxer (audio), WhatsApp video, app messaging

Pros: Flexible timing, documented record, scalable Cons: Less immediate connection, response delays

2. Synchronous Video Calls

Real-time video conversations.

Use for:

• Initial consultations
• Monthly or bi-weekly check-ins
• Complex discussions
• When clients need more support

Tools: Zoom, Google Meet, FaceTime

Pros: Stronger connection, immediate feedback, better for complex coaching Cons: Scheduling challenges, less scalable

Effective Video Check-in Structure

For live calls (30-minute example):

Communication Frequency

Balance responsiveness with sustainability:

Minimum (budget offering):

• Weekly written check-in
• Response within 48 hours
• Monthly video call

Standard (mid-tier):

• 2-3x weekly messaging
• Response within 24 hours
• Bi-weekly video calls

Premium:

• Daily messaging access
• Response within 12 hours
• Weekly video calls
• Unlimited form checks

Clearly communicate response expectations upfront.

Form Review and Video Feedback

Assessing technique remotely is essential for effective online coaching.

How Clients Should Film

Provide clear instructions:

Filming angles by exercise:

• Push-ups: Side view and rear view
• Pull-ups: Rear view and side view
• Squats: Side view and front view
• Handstands: Side view

General guidelines:

• Full body visible throughout movement
• Stable camera (propped, tripod, or helper)
• Good lighting (face the light source)
• Multiple reps (3-5) for assessment
• No music or distracting audio

Sample instruction: "Set your phone about 10 feet away at waist height. Prop it against something stable. Face a light source. Film 5 reps of each exercise from the angles specified. Upload to [platform] for review."

Providing Video Feedback

Option 1: Written feedback Timestamp-specific notes: "At 0:15, notice your hips drop during the push-up. Focus on maintaining that hollow body position throughout."

Option 2: Screen recording Record yourself watching their video, pausing and commenting: "Okay, let me watch this... good setup... see here at the bottom, your elbows are flaring out..."

Tools: Loom, Screen recording built into devices

Option 3: Annotated video Mark up their video with drawings or text overlays.

Tools: CoachNow (designed for this), video editing apps

What to Look For

Assess the same things you would in person:

• Joint positions and alignment
• Tempo and control
• Range of motion
• Compensation patterns
• Breathing and tension

The main difference is you can't physically cue or adjust. Your feedback must be clear enough for them to self-correct.

Technology and Tools

Running an online coaching business requires technology infrastructure.

Essential Tools

Programming/Delivery:

• Coaching platform (Trainerize, TrueCoach, etc.) OR
• Document/spreadsheet system

Video Calling:

• Zoom, Google Meet, or similar

Asynchronous Video:

• Loom, Voxer, or platform messaging

Scheduling:

• Calendly, Acuity, or similar

Payment Processing:

• Stripe, PayPal, or coaching platform payment

Exercise Video Library:

• Record your own OR
• Use platform libraries OR
• Link to existing YouTube demonstrations

Nice-to-Have Tools

Client Management:

• CRM to track client details, notes, history

Document Signing:

• DocuSign, HelloSign for contracts

Automation:

• Zapier to connect tools and automate workflows

Community:

• Facebook Group, Discord, Circle for client community

Technology Recommendations by Budget

Minimal Budget:

• Google Docs/Sheets for programming
• Free Zoom for calls
• WhatsApp or email for communication
• Stripe for payment
• Google Forms for intake

Growing Business:

• Entry-level coaching app ($10-20/client/month)
• Calendly free tier
• Loom for video
• Simple CRM

Established Business:

• Full-featured coaching platform
• Paid scheduling tool
• Comprehensive tech stack
• Possibly custom solutions

Hybrid Online/In-Person Models

Many coaches blend online and in-person training.

Hybrid Options

1. Primarily In-Person with Online Support

• Regular in-person sessions (1-2x/week)
• Online programming for other days
• App or document for independent workouts
• Messaging support between sessions

Works well for: Local clients who want more than just session time

2. Primarily Online with Periodic In-Person

• Online programming and video check-ins
• Monthly or quarterly in-person sessions
• In-person for assessment, skill work, or special focus

Works well for: Clients who travel to you occasionally, or you travel to them

3. Phase-Based Hybrid

• Start with intensive in-person phase (learn movements, establish form)
• Transition to primarily online with periodic in-person check-ins

Works well for: Clients who need initial hands-on coaching but become independent

4. Local Clients, Online Delivery

• Clients in your area but you deliver primarily online
• Available for in-person sessions if needed
• Best of both worlds

Works well for: Coaches transitioning from in-person to online

Pricing Hybrid Services

Hybrid often commands premium pricing because clients get the best of both worlds:

Example pricing:

• Online only: $300/month
• Hybrid (online + 2 in-person/month): $500/month
• Hybrid (online + 4 in-person/month): $700/month

The in-person sessions add significant value and justify higher prices.

Building Your Online Coaching Offer

Define Your Service Levels

Create 2-3 distinct offerings at different price points:

Example Structure:

Foundation (Online Only) - $200/month

• Custom monthly programming
• Weekly written check-ins
• 48-hour response time
• Monthly video call
• Form review (2 videos/week)

Performance (Enhanced) - $350/month

• Custom weekly programming
• 2x weekly check-ins
• 24-hour response time
• Bi-weekly video calls
• Unlimited form review
• Nutrition guidance

Elite (Premium) - $500/month

• All Performance features
• Daily messaging access
• Weekly video calls
• Priority response
• Quarterly in-person session (if local)

What to Include

Beyond programming, consider:

• Video demonstrations for all exercises
• Nutrition guidance (within your scope)
• Mobility routines
• Recovery protocols
• Progress tracking
• Access to client community
• Educational resources

More inclusions = higher perceived value = higher prices justified.

Managing Online Clients at Scale

As your online roster grows, systems become critical.

Client Capacity

How many online clients can you handle?

Factors:

• Your programming style (template vs. fully custom)
• Check-in frequency
• Response time commitments
• Tools and systems efficiency
• Other work (in-person clients, content creation, etc.)

Rough guidelines:

• 15-25 clients: Manageable with basic systems
• 25-40 clients: Requires good systems, some templates
• 40+ clients: Needs templates, possibly team members

Batching and Systems

Program writing:

• Batch program creation (all programs on Sunday, for example)
• Use templates where appropriate
• Save exercise combinations for reuse

Check-ins:

• Dedicated time blocks for responding
• Don't check messages constantly (batched response)
• Standard response frameworks for common questions

Onboarding:

• Automated welcome sequences
• Standard intake forms
• Template documents and videos

Maintaining Quality

As you scale, protect quality:

• Regular review of client progress
• Feedback collection
• Continuous improvement of systems
• Knowing when to stop taking clients

Scaling too fast without systems leads to burnout and poor service.

Marketing Online Coaching

Positioning

Why should someone choose you for online coaching?

• Your specialty (calisthenics expertise)
• Your approach (methods, philosophy)
• Your results (client transformations)
• Your accessibility (personality, communication style)

Lead Generation

Content marketing:

• Educational content demonstrating expertise
• Free workouts and tips
• YouTube, Instagram, blog content

Free offers:

• Free assessment or consultation
• Free intro program
• Free challenge or workshop

Paid advertising:

• Facebook/Instagram ads to free offer
• Retargeting to engaged audience

Referrals:

• Happy clients tell others
• Affiliate arrangements with other creators

The Online Funnel

Typical path from stranger to client:

1. Discover content (social media, search, referral)
2. Engage with free content
3. Download lead magnet or join email list
4. Receive nurture emails
5. Book free consultation
6. Convert to paying client

Build each step intentionally.

Common Online Coaching Mistakes

1. Underpricing: Online coaching is still coaching. Don't drastically undervalue just because it's remote.

2. Over-promising response times: Saying "always available" when you're not leads to frustrated clients.

3. Generic programming: If your programs aren't personalized, why pay for coaching?

4. Ignoring relationship building: Without in-person contact, you must work harder to build connection.

5. Poor technology choices: Clunky systems frustrate both you and clients.

6. No systems at scale: Taking too many clients without systems leads to burnout.

7. Neglecting form review: Remote coaching without video assessment is just program design, not coaching.

Your Online Coaching Action Plan

Before moving to the next chapter:

1. Decide where on the online coaching spectrum you want to operate
2. Choose your program delivery method (start simple)
3. Define your communication frequency and response times
4. Create clear instructions for clients to film form videos
5. Design 2-3 service level offerings with pricing
6. Outline your technology stack

Online coaching opens new markets and creates schedule flexibility. With the right systems, you can serve clients worldwide while building a sustainable business.

In the next chapter, we'll explore passive income streams - how to create income beyond direct coaching.