MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VIRTUAL PT

Interactive coaching can bring a trainer into your front room, but that trainer still needs help. ‘I can only see what you let me see onscreen,’ says coach and MH US fitness director Ebenezer Samuel. Get more for your money with these tips

Create A Gym Space

Try not to train in the space that you work or relax in, says veteran trainer Lauren Kanski. Set a corner in your room (a yoga mat could do the trick), so that your training space feels unique. ‘It’ll help you mentally escape, says Kanski.

Headphones In

When possible, wear Bluetooth headphones for workouts, says Daniel Giordano, the head physical therapist at Bespoke Treatments. This lets you move around, and even if you move far from your screen, you’ll always hear your trainer’s cues.

Skip Your Close-up

Your trainer will want a full-body view of each exercise; that can’t happen if your phone is on the ground. Buy a cheap tripod, says Don Saladino, who has virtually trained Ryan Reynolds, or lay your laptop or phone on a table or chair.

Stock Up On Kit

If you’re buying an app subscription, invest in basic gym tools, too. This will keep the workouts fun. ‘It won’t be motivating to stick to a plan with a makeshift broomstick,’ says Kanski. Start with a pair of 10kg dumbbells or a medium-strength resistance band.