Why I Don't Use a Coaching App (And Why That's a Good Thing)

If you sign up to work with me online, I'm going to ask you to do something that's genuinely unusual in the current fitness industry.

I'm going to ask you to not download anything.

Most online coaches lead with their branded app. Custom colours, progress dashboards, habit trackers with little streak animations. It looks premium. The problem is that those apps cost thousands to license and maintain — and the only way to cover that overhead is to build it into your monthly fee.

You end up paying for a software subscription, not better coaching. And you'll be numb to all that flashiness before the first week is up.

I use WhatsApp and Google Sheets. You already know how both work. They don't crash, they don't require you to create an account, and they create a faster and more direct feedback loop than any app I've seen.

What gets reviewed?

The question with remote coaching is always: how do we make sure you're moving safely? That's where the structure comes in. I review your movements for 3 things: your safety, movement efficiency and consistency, and intensity. And for all of them I am looking at different things.

Your safety and movement efficiency

The safest way to move is also the most efficient. So these two only really differ in scale. I am looking at things like the path of the weights and handles, your bracing and position. If you want to do barbell squats for example, I am looking at whether the bar stays over your foot or if it drifts forwards. I am also looking at how you have braced yourself and maintained that brace.

Efficiency and consistency

Efficient movement also allows for consistent movement. If you're sloppy as a boot at the bottom of a lake one week, and poised and controlled the next -- are we really measuring strength improvements or technical finesse? However, by keeping things efficient and consistent, we know improvements are strength improvements.

Intensity

You can see intensity in a set, if you know what you're looking for. Everything from facial expressions, the change of the exercise speed, whether the last rep was even completed. I will also ask you for your review of how it felt, so: film the lift and then give the review before you finish recording. I am listening to what you say, of course. But I'm also listening for how out of breathe you were.

Trust me, after 8 years coaching, I know what I'm looking for.

So, how does it all work?

One-to-one form reviews

If you're on my 1-to-1 programme and you're approaching a heavy compound lift or a technical movement you haven't done before, you don't have to guess whether your technique is right.

Film it at a light, comfortable weight. Send it to me on WhatsApp or share with my Google Drive. I'll review it, record a detailed breakdown, and get feedback back to you before your working sets.

It'll either be scheduled the week before -- practice this movement. Else, it'll be an week of movements at low weight making sure we have the technical base to move on.

The Google Sheets archive

Your personal spreadsheet is a live record of your training. Every form review and piece of technical feedback is hyperlinked directly next to the relevant exercise. Weeks later, you can look back and see exactly how your movement has evolved — which is more useful than any progress photo.

Group form reviews

For group programme clients, the process is slightly different. You submit your form videos during the week, and I address them all together on our weekly group video call. Everyone gets to see the common patterns, understand the corrections, and learn the mechanics — not just fix their own issue in isolation. All reviews are delivered well before you next approach that workout. And if you'd rather stay anonymous, that's easy to arrange.

The honest version of accountability isn't a streak counter or a gamified habit app. It's a coach who actually watches your videos, tells you the truth, and responds quickly enough for it to be useful.

That's what I'm set up to deliver.