In-Person Coaching Works— It’s Okay If You Haven’t Gotten Results On Your Own
If you’ve ever tried to get stronger, recover from an injury, or finally commit to a workout routine—only to find yourself stuck, sore, or simply out of steam—you’re not alone.
Maybe you’ve downloaded a training app. Maybe you’ve printed off a “perfect” workout plan. Maybe you’ve even committed to showing up at the gym… for a while.
And yet, here you are—wondering why the results aren’t showing up.
Let us say this loud and clear: It’s not your fault.
Getting lasting results isn’t about “trying harder” or “wanting it more.” It’s about having the right guidance, at the right time, from someone who knows exactly how to get you from where you are to where you want to be.
And now, there’s brand-new research proving what our clients at In Motion Physical Therapy have known for years: In-person supervised training for injuries doesn’t just help—it changes everything.
The Benefits of In Person Fitness Training: The Science That Backs You Up
A 2025 study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research compared three types of training:
- In-person coaching (real-time guidance, technique feedback, encouragement)
- App-based training (videos, tracking, delayed feedback)
- Self-guided training (PDF plan, no feedback)
All groups did the same exercises, three days a week for 10 weeks. The difference was how much support they got.
The result? In-person coaching won in every meaningful category:
- Highest workout attendance (88% vs. 52% for self-guided)
- More strength gained in complex lifts like the squat (+26.6 kg vs. ~19 kg for others)
- Greater muscle growth and fat-free mass gains
- Bigger boost in mental well-being
- Higher satisfaction with their training
Why This Matters If You’ve Been Struggling
Here’s the truth: most people can’t keep perfect form, stay motivated, or push at the right intensity without an expert there to guide them. Even experienced athletes benefit from having someone watch their every rep, because small changes in technique can mean big changes in results.
And if you’ve been dealing with a nagging injury? That’s an even bigger reason to have a professional watching you move. One wrong angle, one extra rep when you’re fatigued, one skipped warm-up—and you can be right back where you started.
We see it all the time at In Motion:
- The runner whose hip pain kept them off the road for months
- The golfer who kept losing yardage because of back stiffness
- The busy parent who tried online workouts but just couldn’t shake knee pain
When they tried to figure it out alone, progress stalled—or pain came back. But when we stepped in with personalized, in-person coaching? That’s when things clicked.
Exactly How In Motion PT Helps You Win with In Person Fitness Training
We don’t hand you a plan and send you off—we’re in it with you, every step. Here’s what that looks like:
- We start with your body, not a cookie-cutter plan.
Before you lift a weight or stretch a muscle, we assess your movement, mobility, and injury history. This ensures every exercise works for you, not against you. - We coach you in real time.
You’ll never wonder if your form is “good enough.” We’ll cue your movements, adjust your setup, and give you instant feedback so you know you’re training safely and effectively. - We adjust on the fly.
Bad night’s sleep? Shoulder feeling cranky? We change the plan right then and there so you can still train without setting yourself back. - We keep you accountable.
You’ll show up because you know we’re expecting you—and because you’ll feel the difference after every session. - We celebrate your wins.
Stronger squat? No more knee pain climbing stairs? Better drives on the golf course? We’ll be the first to cheer you on.
It’s Time to Stop Going It Alone
You’ve been working hard. You’ve been trying. And if you haven’t seen the results you hoped for, it’s not because you’re lazy or unmotivated—it’s because you haven’t had the right kind of help.
Let us be that help.
Whether you’re aiming to get back to your sport, recover from an injury, or finally feel strong and confident in your body again, in-person fitness training at In Motion PT gives you the best possible chance of success—and the science backs that up.
Your next step: Book an evaluation with one of our Doctors of Physical Therapy. Don’t let that nagging knee pain hold you back anymore. Let’s make the next 10 weeks the start of your strongest, healthiest, most confident season yet.
Laura Sommer has been practicing as a Physical Therapist since 2011. She graduated from Northeastern University, where she was a member of the Women’s Soccer Team. Laura is the owner of In Motion Physical Therapy located in Farmingdale, NY.
