What's your biggest training setback? Is it a lack of consistency or uncertainty about your lifting form? Or maybe your programming is random, based on what other people are doing, or, well, just plain awful. If that’s the case, online coaching may be right for you. And Barbell Logic Online Coaching (BLOC) in particular is a virtual coaching platform and app that offers individualized coaching tailored to your lifestyle and budget.
But if you're not sure if online coaching is right for you, don't worry. We answer all your questions in this Barbell Logic Online Coaching review. So if you are ready to get sweaty and strong, grab a barbell and let's get lifting.
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Barbell Logic Online Coaching Options
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Executive
SPECS
- Price range: $899 per month
-
Equipment needed: A gym membership, or -
- A basic squat rack or squat stand
- A 15-lb. or 45-lb. barbell (depending on age, gender, strength)
- Olympic plates: BLOC recommends men start with around 400 lbs. of weight - 4 (45-lb.) plates, 2 (25-lb.) plates, 4 (10-lb.) plates, 2 (5-lb.) plates, and 2 (2.5-lb.) plates). Newbies, some women, and seniors will also need at least 1 set of 10-lb. bumper plates.
- Fractional plates in 1/2 lb. -1.25 lb. increments
- A flat bench for bench pressing
- A phone with video recording ability
- Number of coaches: 1
- Course options: 4
The Executive Level membership is made for people who want gains fast. Don't let the price tag scare you off just yet, especially if you are a competitive lifter looking to take their strength to the next level or someone who wants instruction from a coach with more than 20 years of experience.
The package includes your choice of coach, custom programming, a one-hour monthly Zoom call with your coach, nutrition coaching, four in-person sessions with Barbell Logic Founder & CEO Matt Reynolds, and access to a private online community. This is the most individualized and holistic package offered by BLOC.
What We Like
- Fully comprehensive—a true whole-body and mind experience
- Choose your own coach
- 4 in-person training sessions with world-class instructor
What We Don't Like
- Won't fit everyone's budget
- Have to travel for the in-person sessions, cost of travel not included
Editor’s Pick for Best Alternative: Future
SPECS
- Price range: $149 per month
- Equipment needed: Depends on the training plan but basic equipment like kettlebells, dumbbells, and a bench are typically needed
- Number of coaches: 1
- Course options: Custom based on your goals
For a more affordable alternative to online coaching, we like Future. Future is a personal coaching app that creates a custom training program for you. You start by filling out a survey, answering questions about your goals, current fitness regimen, and likes and dislikes when it comes to working out. Then, you get paired with a coach who creates your workouts and monitors your progress.
We like that there’s a wide variety of coaches to choose from—everything from bodybuilders to strength and conditioning coaches. Plus, it’s easier on the budget at just $149 a month.
What We Like
- More affordable
- Choose your own coach; wide variety available
- Can access workouts from your phone
- Get a custom training plan
What We Don't Like
- May experience glitches in app from time to time
BUY: Future
Exclusive
SPECS
- Price range: $285 per month
-
Equipment needed: A gym membership, or -
- A basic squat rack or squat stand
- A 15-lb. or 45-lb. barbell (depending on age, gender, strength)
- Olympic plates: BLOC recommends men start with around 400 lbs. of weight - 4 (45-lb.) plates, 2 (25-lb.) plates, 4 (10-lb.) plates, 2 (5-lb.) plates, and 2 (2.5-lb.) plates). Newbies, some women, and seniors will also need at least 1 set of 10-lb. bumper plates.
- Fractional plates in 1/2 lb. - 1.25 lb. increments
- A flat bench for bench pressing
- A phone with video recording ability
- Number of coaches: 1
- Course options: 1
The Exclusive Coaching experience is similar to the Executive level in that you have the option to choose your coach and stick with that one premium coach for the duration of your training. What we love about these coaches is that they all have, at minimum, five years of training experience. In addition, they each have a specialty. There are coaches who know how to help women postpartum (or prenatal) start or get back to lifting. Others know how to help an athlete recover from injury while gaining strength, some can help train people with disabilities, and some know how to train seniors.
The Exclusive Coaching membership is also great for lifters who could use advanced programming but who might not need nutritional help (though you can add that on for a reduced cost). If you break it down, the package costs about as much as a weekly in-person personal training session, but you're getting a lot more.
What We Like
- Choose your coach
- Specialized training for your specific needs and goals
- Good bang for your buck
What We Don't Like
- Still fairly expensive, especially when you can get almost the same thing for $60 less in the professional membership
- No in-person options for those looking for that experience
Professional
SPECS
- Price range: $225 per month
-
Equipment needed: A gym membership, or -
- A basic squat rack or squat stand
- A 15-lb. or 45-lb. barbell (depending on age, gender, strength)
- Olympic plates: BLOC recommends men start with around 400 lbs. of weight - 4 (45-lb.) plates, 2 (25-lb.) plates, 4 (10-lb.) plates, 2 (5-lb.) plates, and 2 (2.5-lb.) plates). Newbies, some women, and seniors will also need at least 1 set of 10-lb. bumper plates.
- Fractional plates in 1/2 lb. - 1.25 lb. increments
- A flat bench for bench pressing
- A phone with video recording ability
- Number of coaches: 1
- Course options: 1
If you’re in need of accountability and consistency, BLOC's Professional membership option is perfect for you. While the Exclusive package is more for those who need special attention for a specific issue or goal, the Professional plan is more for people looking for an overall fitness regimen with some structure. You will still have a dedicated coach who will design a solid program to help you make gains.
What We Like
- Individualized programming
- Feedback on your form within 24 hours
- Good bang for your buck
What We Don't Like
- Programming is more broad compared to the Executive and Exclusive plans
- Don't get to pick your coach
Club
SPECS
- Price range: $155 per month
-
Equipment needed: A gym membership, or -
- A basic squat rack or squat stand
- A 15-lb. or 45-lb. barbell (depending on age, gender, strength)
- Olympic plates: BLOC recommends men start with around 400 lbs. of weight - 4 (45-lb.) plates, 2 (25-lb.) plates, 4 (10-lb.) plates, 2 (5-lb.) plates, and 2 (2.5-lb.) plates). Newbies, some women, and seniors will also need at least 1 set of 10-lb. bumper plates.
- Fractional plates in 1/2 lb. - 1.25 lb. increments
- A flat bench for bench pressing
- A phone with video recording ability
- Number of coaches: Multiple
- Course options: 1
Need to stick to a budget? The Club package is great for those who need to keep costs down. And even though the price tag is cheaper, you still get a custom training plan and feedback from BLOC coaches.
The main difference between Club and the other membership levels is that you work with a pool of associate BLOC coaches. These trainers have less experience than coaches you would get at higher levels, though they are still trained in BLOC fundamentals and highly skilled.
What We Like
- Incredibly affordable
- Customized programming
- Feedback on your form within 24 hours
What We Don't Like
- Have multiple coaches, not a dedicated trainer
- Associate level coaches with less experience
Nutrition
SPECS
- Price range: $200 as a standalone service or $150 per month with a training package
- Course options: 1
Nutrition can make or break your fitness routine. BLOC's nutrition program will help get you on track. You'll get one-on-one monthly calls with a nutrition coach who will help you track your body composition metrics and offer diet guidance.
To start, you'll keep a visual food diary for your nutrition coach to analyze. After an initial call to discuss strategies, you will continue uploading photos of your meals. Your coach will provide tips twice weekly to help you find a good, balanced diet that matches your lifestyle and activity level.
What We Like
- Easy to upload what your eating, takes minimal effort
- 1-on-1 sessions
- Lots of feedback
What We Don't Like
- No meal planning, just strategic nutrition training
- Coaches are not certified nutritionists and do not provide medically-based diets
What is Barbell Logic Online Coaching?
Barbell Logic Online Coaching provides virtual personal training via their website and the BLOC app. The coaches and trainers at BLOC are committed to getting their clients feeling strong mentally and physically. They accomplish this through individualized training plans.
They try to meet people's needs and budgets by offering five different membership options ranging from $155 to $899 per month. Every level of membership BLOC offers comes with a customized and adaptable training experience.
How Does Barbell Logic Online Coaching Work?
Once you sign up, BLOC will send you emails with useful content and access to the app where you will record your workouts. You will also get access to an exclusive Discord channel where you will meet a community of BLOC athletes.
Strength clients will get paired with a coach who will have you do a fitness test. This test is different for everyone. You will record your test workout, then upload it to the app for your coach or coaches to check out. They will use it as a foundation to build your customized strength training program. From there, you will start training and simply record your sessions to get feedback from your coach on your form. They will alter and adjust your workouts week over week to help you progress.
What We Like About Barbell Logic Online Coaching
If you feel like you show up at the gym without an idea of what to do, or if your form is correct, or if you are in a place where you think you have plateaued, the logical step is to seek out an experienced professional. Barbell Logic Online Coaching has some of the most knowledgeable personal trainers in the field who are dedicated to their clients' progress.
The BLOC coaching staff is well-versed in getting their athletes to the next level. They do so by keeping movements and lifts simple (think: squats, deadlifts, bench presses, overhead presses). So you won't be expected to string together complex lifts or do anything you're uncomfortable with. By keeping it straightforward and easy to follow, you'll be more likely to stick to the plan.
Finally, we love that you can get masterful programming that you perform at a time and place that works for you. And even though the trainer isn't there in real-time, you will get feedback almost instantaneously. This method of training ensures you have accountability, but it doesn't take all the onus off you. Oh, and, perhaps most importantly, you can give BLOC a try for free and then decide whether or not it's right for you.
What We Don't Like About Barbell Logic Online Coaching
If we had to complain about Barbell Logic Online Coaching, our main gripe would be that it works best with a gym membership. Most beginning and intermediate lifters are not going to have a 45-lb barbell with plates in their basement gym. So when you look at the cost per month, factor in the price of a gym as well.
If you're someone who likes a lot of variation in your workouts, this might not be the ideal plan for you. While BLOC coaches can adapt and change things to suit your needs and desires, they will be focused on the basic movements and improving your strength through the standard lifts.
Final Takeaway
All in all, we found that Barbell Logic Online Coaching lived up to its credo of being simple, convenient, and great for all levels of fitness. We love that you can start with a short quiz about your current exercise habits and goals to get matched with the right coach for you.
FAQs About Barbell Logic
Is Barbell Logic part of Starting Strength?
Barbell Logic is a rebranded version of Starting Strength. BLOC uses many concepts from Mark Rippetoe's Starting Strength as the foundation of its theories and training programs.
How do I get the most out of an online coach?
To get the most out of your online coaching experience, make sure you are regularly talking to your coach and communicating your needs, goals, issues, injuries, life events, and feelings. Tell them what is working and what you're struggling with, and they will adjust your plan to make sure you succeed. But remember—they are there as a resource, they cannot do the training for you. They'll give you the tools, but you have to follow the plan. Additionally, be serious about taking the cues they provide regarding your form.
Is Barbell Logic Online Coaching worth it?
If you are in a training rut, looking to get started, or wanting to take things to the next level, then yes, Barbell Logic Online Coaching will transform your body and attitude. Luckily, there are five different options with different monthly prices. If you want to join the training fun, one will surely fit your budget.
About the Author
Ali Nolan is the author of Master the Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide for Women. She is the former features editor for Runner’s World and has written for Women’s Running, Self, Sport Literate, and Livestrong. Ali has been featured as a running expert on Good Morning America with Amy Robach, as well as the podcasts 8020 Endurance, I'll Have Another with Lindsey Hein, and Greenletes.
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