Why My Online Clients Improved More Than My In-Person Clients: A Surprising Discovery

By Laurent Le Bosse

Why My Online Clients Improved More Than My In-Person Clients: A Surprising Discovery

After years of training clients on-site, I transitioned to offering my coaching online. At first, it felt like a compromise—a way to adapt to a new era. I assumed the physical distance would lessen the results. But to my surprise, something unexpected happened:

My clients began progressing faster.

Not just slightly faster—measurably and noticeably faster.

This realization didn’t come overnight. It took months of observing patterns and comparing notes. The only significant change in the training setup was this:

They were alone.

They were physically by themselves, but I was guiding them live through a streaming video system. No mirrors, no gym distractions, no social environment—just focused presence and a direct connection between coach and client.

At first, I couldn’t understand the difference. But slowly, the answer revealed itself.

The Power of Conscious Movement

When clients are alone, without others around or a trainer physically present beside them, something shifts:

They are required to be present.

They must listen more attentively, feel more deeply, and engage more consciously in their own movement. There is no one to imitate mindlessly. No external rhythm to follow. Instead, they are invited into a space where they must understand what they are doing—and why.

This condition stimulates autonomy. And autonomy unlocks true embodiment.

I noticed they began asking more thoughtful questions. They corrected their own form before I did. They tuned into their breath, their alignment, and the effort they were producing. The training became less about repetition and more about intention.

From Passive Execution to Active Engagement

Many people train on autopilot, especially in a gym environment. They do the movement because someone tells them to. But that’s not enough for transformation.

Real progress happens when clients become active participants in their own process.

In the online setup, they had to own their space. They had to organize their environment, be ready on time, and set the tone. I was there guiding them, correcting them, motivating them—but they were in charge of their experience.

And that created a deeper level of commitment.

The Science Behind It

What I observed is backed by science.

1. Autonomy Improves Learning and Motivation:

According to Deci & Ryan’s Self-Determination Theory (2000), autonomy is a core psychological need that enhances intrinsic motivation and performance. When people feel in control of their actions, they become more engaged and committed to the task.

2. Attention Enhances Motor Learning:

A study by Wulf & Lewthwaite (2016) emphasizes that attentional focus—especially internal awareness of movement—leads to more effective motor learning and skill retention. Conscious attention enhances neuromuscular coordination.

3. Mindful Movement Improves Outcomes:

Research published in Frontiers in Psychology (2020) shows that mindful movement practices, where individuals are aware of bodily sensations and movement mechanics, improve both mental focus and physical performance.

Together, these studies explain why being alone in a guided online environment—rather than relying passively on a trainer’s physical presence—can lead to better awareness, deeper learning, and improved results.

Final Thoughts

Technology gave me the opportunity to keep training during a time when the world was shifting. But it also helped me uncover a hidden truth:

Presence is more important than proximity.

Whether you’re right next to someone or guiding them from miles away, what matters most is creating the conditions where they can be present, engaged, and responsible for their journey.

Online or offline, this principle changes everything.