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Bring Your Gym Online: How to Run Virtual Classes and PT with Orlo
Your gym doesn’t stop at the studio door—and now, neither do your sessions.
With Orlo’s new Virtual Sessions feature, you can run live group classes and 1-on-1 personal training online, directly through the platform. No Zoom links. No third-party tools. Just one click to enable video, chat, and screensharing for any event on your schedule.
Whether your client is on holiday or just stuck at home with a sick child, virtual sessions let them stay on track—and keep you connected.
How it works
- Create an event (weekly or one-off) and tick the "Virtual" checkbox.
- Clients will see a “Join Session” button on their dashboard 10 minutes before class starts.
- Trainers can join from the staff timetable with a single click.
That's it! It works for both group sessions and personal training, with no caps on attendees beyond your defined group size.
Video, chat, and screensharing are built in—so you can demo exercises, answer questions, and keep the vibe personal and professional.
Why virtual sessions matter
Virtual access isn’t just a pandemic-era fix. It’s a smart long-term strategy to:
- Retain clients while they travel
- Prevent cancellations on bad weather days
- Offer more flexible training times
- Run follow-ups or check-ins between in-person sessions
- Expand your reach to remote or hybrid clients
It also helps build community and routine—even when life gets in the way of showing up physically.
Tips for great virtual sessions
Running an engaging online workout takes a bit of prep, but it’s easier than you think. Here’s what we recommend:
- Use a training plan. Clients can fill in their weights side-by-side with your video, and contribute to the same progress tracking they build up during in-person classes and PT.
- Set expectations. Let clients know in advance what they’ll need (equipment, space, etc.)
- Start with names. Greet clients personally to break the screen barrier.
- Keep your setup clean. Good lighting, tidy background, and stable internet go a long way.
- Use the chat. Share music, drop links, or check in with quiet clients.
- Be flexible. Expect the occasional tech hiccup—it’s part of the game.
Ready to go virtual?
If you’re already using Orlo, just start ticking the “Virtual” box when you schedule sessions. Your clients and team don’t need to install anything—it all runs directly in Orlo and is available to all customers.
Let’s keep clients moving—wherever they are.
Steve Brewer
@svpersteveLast updated 06 Aug 2025