If you scroll through Instagram right now, everyone seems to be an "Online Coach." You have fitness influencers selling PDFs, personal trainers selling Zoom sessions, and licensed doctors offering telehealth. It’s confusing. As I launch my new Online Coaching practice, I want to clear the air. I want you to know exactly what you are buying, what you can expect, and why I chose this specific model to help you reach your goals. There are really three different lanes here: Online Physical Therapy, Online Personal Training, and Online Movement Coaching. Here is the breakdown of how they work, and how to know which one is right for you.
1. Online Physical Therapy (The Medical Route) This is essentially a standard medical appointment, just done over video. Because I am a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), I do offer this, but it comes with significant "red tape" because it is a healthcare service.
The Goal: To treat a specific medical diagnosis or injury (e.g., "I tore my rotator cuff" or "I have acute back pain that stops me from walking").
The Geography Rule: Because this is medical care, I can only treat you if you are physically located in a state where I hold a license. For me, that is Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. If you are on vacation in Florida, legally, I cannot treat you.
The Money/Insurance: You can often use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or insurance benefits, but it’s usually considered "Out of Network," meaning you might have to fight for reimbursement.
The Hurdle: Depending on your state and insurance, you might need a referral from a physician just to get started.
Verdict: Great if you are injured and live in VA/WV/PA/MD. Too restrictive if you just want to get fit.
2. Online Personal Training (The Standard Fitness Route) This is what you usually see online. It’s often a monthly subscription where you get access to an app or a library of workouts.
The Goal: General fitness, weight loss, or muscle gain.
The Problem: Most of these models rely on volume. They give you a template (the same one 50 other people got) and charge you a monthly fee whether you do the workout or not.
The Gap: While many trainers are great, they often lack the medical background to navigate your history. If you have an old knee injury or a "bad back" from pregnancy, a standard trainer might just tell you to "push through" or skip leg day entirely. They don't know why it hurts, only that it hurts.
Verdict: Good for general fitness if you have zero injuries, but often impersonal and subscription-heavy.
3. Online Movement Coaching (My New Offer) This is the hybrid model I built to bridge the gap. It combines the safety and clinical brain of a Physical Therapist with the flexibility of a Personal Trainer.
The Goal: To help you move better, get stronger, and feel capable in your body—safely.
No Red Tape: Because this is coaching (education and fitness) and not medical treatment for a diagnosis, I can work with you anywhere. You don’t need a referral. We don’t deal with insurance claims.
The "PT Brain" Advantage: I am not diagnosing a medical condition, but I am using my clinical background to design your program. I know how to build a plan that respects your old injuries, your postpartum recovery, or your stiff neck, so you can train without fear.
The Model: No monthly subscription "guilt tax." You pay for the
Intake Visit, I build your custom plan, and we check in every two weeks. You pay for the guidance, not just "app access."
So, which one do you need?
Choose Online PT if: You have a specific, acute injury (sprained ankle, post-surgery, sharp pain). You live in VA, WV, PA, or MD. You want to use medical insurance benefits.
Choose Online Coaching (My Offer) if: You are generally healthy but have "nagging" aches or past injuries you want to work around. You want the expertise of a DPT but the goal is fitness and longevity, not rehabbing a surgery. You live outside my licensed states (or just don't want to deal with insurance headaches). You want a plan tailored to you, not a generic template.
The Bottom Line I created my Online Coaching program because I saw too many people who were "too healthy" for physical therapy but "too complex" for a basic personal trainer. They fell through the cracks. They stopped exercising because their knees hurt, or they got bored doing rehab exercises forever. I want to get you out of that middle ground. If you want a smart, safe, customized plan designed by a pro—without the medical red tape or the monthly subscription bloat—this is for you.
I am currently accepting my first 10 Founding Clients for Online Coaching at a special launch rate ($120 for the Intake Visit + First Month Plan). If you’re ready to build a system that works for your life, let’s talk.
Alejandro Gonzalez
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