Working out at homeis something Ive never really been into.
I get bored, and its hard for me to push myself.
OK, I wasnt reallyallby myself.
Corey Towers
Thanks to the magic of Google Hangouts, I was with 15 strangers and Nashville-based celebrity trainerErin Oprea.
(Opreadoes virtual sessionswithmany of her famous clients); trainer Kira Stokes regularlyFaceTimes client Candace Cameron Bure.)
But they’re not just for the rich and famous.
Trainer Erin Oprea’s at-home setup for teaching virtual fitness classes
Google virtual personal training and youll get literallymillionsof hits.
It was weird and wonderful and the best damn workout Ive done in a while.
If possible, use lights that shine on your face.
My at-home personal training center (AKA my bedroom floor).
This will make the picture more clear.
But the whole working-out-on-my-bedroom-floor-while-broadcasting-that-footage-to-strangers-across-the-internet thing really just didn’t sit well with me.
(Cue nervous butterflies again.)
The screens were too small to discern if they, too, were feeling awkward.
I instinctively laughed, and quickly forgot about the oddness of this unconventional situation.
The class would be comprised of various four-minute bursts that together target nearly every major muscle group.
Post warm-up, we dove right into our first Tabata round, a grueling set ofone-legged lunge jumps.
And despite the intensity, it was also just plain fun.
The collective, obedient boogey-ing that followed cracked me up.
The class concluded with 10 minutes ofstretchingand chatting, where Oprea invited us to ask any health/fitness-related questions.
No one had any burning inquiries (maybe, like me, they were all too tired to speak?
), so Oprea instead told us about her Fourth of July plans and gave details on future classes.
All that said, there are a few drawbacks to consider.
Lastly, working out live with a personal trainer will likely be pricier than using a non-interactive app.
After all, youaregetting their time, attention, and personalized expertise.
You always want to ensure you’re signing up for sessions with a reputable pro.
Second, consider your goals and reasons for wanting a virtual personal trainer.
Do you want to learn how to do specific exercises or new workout formats, like Tabata or HIIT?
Are you looking for direct feedback on your form?
Or perhaps youre seeking the motivation and encouragement of a personal cheerleader?
My bedroom floor, comfy as the carpet may be, was a wee bit cramped.
If youre interested in Opreas classestheyre held Mondays at 6 P.M. CSTcheck outher website for more infoand registration details.
Other resources offering group and/or individual live virtual personal training sessions includeGixo,VFit StudioandMyBodWellness.
