If you’ve been trying to get in shape on your own, you already know the hard part usually isn’t finding a gym. It’s knowing what to do when you get there, and actually sticking with it when life gets busy.
That’s the real choice in front of you. Not “gym or no gym.” It’s whether you want to keep figuring it out alone, or work with a trainer who builds the plan and stays with you — even if you’re not in the same room.
I’m Ryann Foss, a personal trainer with 14 years of experience and an ex-pro athlete. I live in San Diego, I’m a dad and a husband, and I train people online. You can do the work from home, at a gym, in a hotel, or outside. The plan comes to you.
If that sounds like what you’ve been looking for, you can apply for a free fit call and we’ll talk it through.
What you’re actually choosing
A lot of people think hiring a trainer means driving to a studio and meeting someone at 6 a.m. That used to be the only option. It isn’t anymore.
When you look at online personal training, you’re not buying a building. You’re choosing three things:
- A plan built for you, not a generic PDF you downloaded
- Someone who checks in and adjusts the work as you go
- Training you can actually fit around work, kids, and travel
Going it alone can work for a while. Plenty of motivated people do well on their own — until the plan gets stale, a trip throws off the routine, or they’re not sure they’re doing the lifts correctly. That’s usually when progress stalls.
A gym membership gives you a place to train. It does not tell you what to do on a Tuesday when you only have 40 minutes and you already missed Monday.
I get why people try to go it alone first. Apps and YouTube can take you a long way if you’re disciplined. The gap shows up when you need a decision: should you push today or back off? Is your form breaking down? What do you do when your schedule blows up for two weeks? That’s where a trainer earns their keep.
What you can do with online personal training
Online doesn’t mean you’re left with a spreadsheet and no one to talk to. Here’s what it looks like when you train with me.
A 100% custom workout plan
Every plan I write is custom. I don’t hand you a one-size template and hope it fits.
On the fit call, I want to know your goals, your schedule, what equipment you have, and how long you’ve been training — or if you’re just getting started. Then I build the work around your real life, not an ideal week on paper.
You might train two days a week or five. You might have a full gym, a pair of dumbbells at home, or mostly your body weight. The plan should match that, or it won’t get done.
You can see how the online training programs are set up, from beginner to more advanced weekly plans. The right fit is something we figure out together.
Weekly check-ins and direct access
A plan only works if it can change. That’s why weekly check-ins are part of the training.
You tell me how the week actually went. What felt hard. What you had to skip. What’s getting easier. Then I adjust. Maybe we add weight, swap an exercise, or scale a day down because you were on the road and sleeping badly.
You also have direct access to me. If a movement doesn’t feel right, or you want a second look at your form, you don’t have to wait a month for your next appointment.
Live virtual sessions
If you want to train with me in real time, we can do that too. Virtual personal training sessions are one-on-one, over video, from wherever you are.
Some people like a mix: a custom plan they follow most days, plus a live session when they want more eyes on their training. Some prefer the plan and check-ins. We can talk through that on the fit call.
What you still have to bring
I’ll be straight with you. Online personal training is not a shortcut, and I’m not going to do the work for you.
You still need a place to train. That can be a gym, a corner of your living room, a hotel fitness room, or a park. I’ll build around whatever you’ve got. If you don’t have much equipment, I’ll just write the plan differently.
You also need honest effort. Show up for the days we planned. Tell me when you didn’t. Tell me when something hurts. The training works when we’re both straight with each other.
And you need a little patience. Getting stronger, leaner, and moving better takes consistent weeks, not one perfect workout. I can give you the structure. You have to put the work in.
If that sounds fair, you’re the kind of person I like training.
Who online personal training is a good fit for
This works especially well if any of this sounds like you:
- Your hours are all over the place, and a set studio time never sticks
- You travel for work, or your week never looks the same twice
- You’re a parent (I get it — I am one) and the gym window is short when you get it at all
- You don’t live in San Diego, or you do and you still don’t want the commute
- You’ve tried going it alone and you know you do better with a plan and some accountability
- You’re a beginner and walking into a gym feels like a lot
- You’ve been training for a while and you want a smarter plan, not just more of the same
I work with people at different starting points. You do not need to already be “in shape” to start. Everyone has to start somewhere.
When you might still want in-person help
Online training is not the right answer for everybody, and I won’t pretend it is.
If you want someone standing next to you for every session, hands on, in the same room, you may be happier with a local in-person trainer. That’s a fair preference. I don’t offer in-person training at RSL Fitness, so I won’t try to talk you out of that if it’s truly what you want.
For a lot of people, though, that preference is really about confidence, form, or accountability. Those are things we can handle online with a custom plan, check-ins, and live virtual sessions when you want them.
If you’re not sure which side you’re on, the fit call is the easiest way to find out. There’s no pressure to sign up on the spot.
How to get started
Starting is straightforward.
- Apply for online training. It takes a couple of minutes. Tell me your goals, how many days you can train, and anything else I should know.
- We hop on a free fit call. I’ll ask about your schedule, equipment, training history, and what you want out of this. You can ask me anything, too.
- If we’re a good fit, I build your custom plan and we get to work — with weekly check-ins and direct access to me.
If you want to know a little more about me first, you can read about me and how I train. I’m a 5-star rated trainer, and what I care about most is that the plan is 100% custom and that you can actually do it from anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
Does online personal training actually work?
Yes, if the plan is built for you and you follow it. The training is the same work you’d do in a gym. The difference is that you have a trainer writing it, checking in, and adjusting as you go, instead of guessing between sessions.
Do I need a gym for online personal training?
No. Plenty of people train at home or outdoors. If you have a gym, I’ll use it. If you have a small setup — dumbbells, a band, a little floor space — I’ll write around that. Tell me what you have on the fit call so the plan matches your space.
What happens on the free fit call?
We talk. You tell me what you want to work on, what your week looks like, and what equipment you can use. I listen, ask questions, and tell you honestly whether I can help. It’s a conversation, not a pitch. You can apply here and we’ll set it up.
Is online personal training only for advanced athletes?
Not at all. I train beginners and people who have been at this a long time. If you’re just getting started, we’ll keep the plan simple and build from there. If you already train, we’ll make the work more specific to your goals.
How is this different from a fitness app or a downloaded workout plan?
An app can give you workouts. A downloaded plan is the same for everyone who bought it. Online personal training with me means the plan is written for you, it changes when your life or your strength changes, and you can actually reach your trainer. That’s the difference.
If you’ve been going it alone and you’re ready for a plan that fits your life, apply for a free fit call. Tell me what you want to work on, and we’ll take it from there.
