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By request, I am now creating custom {written} workout plans to help women achieve their physical fitness goals. These workouts are perfect for women on the go, the busy Mama, or even the powerhouse exec…all looking to take their fitness to the next level, but with limited time to commit to in-person sessions.

You will complete 3 -30 minute workouts each week at your own space…and you will receive new workouts every 4 weeks!

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I’m so excited to be offering this service to all of you! It is allowing me to expand my reach and connect with even more Lean and Green Body® ladies across the county.

Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have… click HERE to contact the Lean and Green Body® team

I am so excited for today’s interview! I’ve known Caitlin on/off since we were kids, our families literally grew up across the street from one another! In the last few years Caitlin has really made her mark in this personal training arena, and I am so excited to introduce you all to her!!

Caitlin Harrington, ACSM-CPT, PN-1 is an ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Personal Trainer, as well as a Certified Nutritionist through Precision Nutrition. She is currently the Director of Iron Plate Online, and trains clients virtually all over the country.

Let’s jump right in!

I am so happy to have you on my blog! Why don’t you begin by telling everyone about your personal training journey.

Caitlin: I’ve been personally training on and off for close to 15 years. I actually never wanted to be a personal trainer haha. I started training part-time in a fitness club while I studied exercise science in college. It was great as a part-time job, but I never saw it as a career. Under a larger company you’re largely responsible for the sales portion of personal training, (Something I’m not great at!), there was very little room for creativity and I never felt a close client/trainer connection. My original goal was to be an athletic trainer, but I ultimately graduated seeking a career in cardiac rehabilitation. I worked in medical fitness and cardiac stress testing for about 5 years, and began personal training again when my husband and I relocated to Hoboken, NJ. I found Kristin, the owner of a small private 1:1 studio: IronPlate Studios. She just happened to be getting busy enough to need some extra help. I found the more intimate studio gave me the freedom to utilize my education and work experience more effectively, allowing me to really connect and create positive healthy changes with our clients. I was only planning on personal training part-time, but I truly began to love what I was doing and who I was working with so I jumped on what Kristin and I like to call the “crazy train”! Before I knew it I was working full time hours and she and I were building the IronPlate business. So here I am 8 years later training clients virtually during a pandemic! :-)

That’s awesome! I love how our journey’s are so similar. I also started personal training in college as a side job, and never intended to make it a career - or a large part of my business like I have.

So where do you train your clients? I know the pandemic has really “helped” us pivot our businesses in ways we may have never dreamed of!

Caitlin: Currently I am training virtually out of my house under IronPlate Studios. I do 1:1 FaceTime training sessions and online training where I create personalized workout programs for clients to complete on their own time. My family and I relocated to upstate NY and IronPlate Studios and I parted ways for a short time. We begin to expand IronPlate Studios to the virtual world shortly after.

That’s awesome!

What was the transition like for you when COVID-19 hit? Were your clients receptive to moving their training 100% virtual? I know that some of my client’s had a tough time with the transition.

Caitlin: Honestly like everyone, we never imagined we’d STILL be in this situation. We were lucky in the fact that we launched our online training in the fall of 2018, so we had a lot of the kinks already worked out. During the warmer months the studio was still able to train some clients outdoors; but as it became more clear that none of us were going anywhere anytime soon, many studio clients decided to give FaceTime training a try. Clients were definitely hesitant at first. It’s a big change going from working out in a fully equipped facility to a small apartment with little or no equipment and neighbors below you. We were prepared with effective workouts to fit those needs and the feedback from everyone who made the switch is that they absolutely LOVE it!

Yay! I love that. What would you say is the biggest learning experience with going virtual?

Caitlin: I think the biggest learning experience was going from a more demonstrative and hands on approach with training to giving more verbal explanations and cues. When you can’t physically correct someones form you have to be able to explain to the client how to move, or how to change their body to the correct form. I definitely stumbled over this a bit in the beginning, but like with anything you do for a while, it starts to become more natural.

Yes, that is so true! It’s such an adjustment going to solely verbal cueing.

I also work with clients virtually and would love to get your take...in your opinion is training clients virtually as effective as in person training? Do you see this becoming more popular?

Caitlin: I absolutely think training virtually is as effective as training in person. I am still able to monitor and correct form as needed, and have gotten pretty creative with household items as workout equipment! Body weight training is also highly effective and I know some of my clients have been surprised by how difficult a session can be with little or no equipment.

I definitely see virtual training becoming more popular. It gives people more flexibility and requires less time traveling to and from a gym. I have several clients who aren’t always at their home location and they are still able to keep their training sessions with me wherever they may need to go. It works the same for me. I am able to travel more without having to cancel clients, (don’t get me wrong I still take true vacations, but it allows me more flexibility on travel dates or visiting family). I am also able to be home with my kids and work around their schedules.

I love it! Personally, I think many of us are getting used to this new lifestyle, and even if things go back to “normal” I think many of us will keep the new habits we have created during this time.

When you are not training what do you like to do for fun?

Caitlin: I am Mom of 2 little ones, so when I’m not training you can find me chasing two giggling kids. Under “normal” times we love to travel and explore new places. I also enjoy hiking and spending time at one of the many surrounding lakes in our area. Really anything where we can be outside!

Love it! You live in such a beautiful location too, we absolutely love it up there!

Is there anything else you would like to add for our readers?

Caitlin: While this year has not been without challenges, I feel really lucky to have a career that was able to be an outlet or an escape for many people. I know it helped me feel more connected to the outside world during a time when we’ve been so isolated. And though I can’t wait to get back to “normal”, I am so happy for the former clients I have been reconnected with due to COVID and for the new ones we’ve gained. Thank you so much for taking the time to hear my story!

You are such a bright light in the training world! I am so honored to have you on my blog!

Alright, where can everyone find you!!
Caitlin: You can follow me on Instagram @charringtonfitness @ironplatestudio

or visit IronPlateStudios.com for more info!