Online personal training: Τips for fitness safety in the new year

Health and fitness consistently remain at the top of the list of goals for the New Year worldwide, according to annual data. Indicative of this trend is the latest fad of online personal training, which is being heavily promoted by social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. At the start of their journey to improve fitness in the new year, many people are turning to these services without fully realising the potential risks to both their personal safety and that of their data. To help users meet these challenges safely, Kaspersky provides guidance on how to avoid the risks and take steps to ensure a breach-free experience.

Social networks are reshaping personal training in ways that offline services cannot compete. By creating engaging content such as exercise demonstrations, transformation stories, fitness tips and more, personal trainers are becoming self-made influencers who reach audiences around the world, urging followers to pay for their services. The global online fitness market is even expected to see a compound annual growth rate of 29.6% through 2033.

Signing up for such virtual programs, however, often involves sharing sensitive personal information, such as health data, progress photos and payment details, with people you may have never met. A significant part of this exchange often takes place through the trainer's social media profile or messaging services, usually without a contract or an appropriate formal agreement. This significantly increases the risk of users' personal data being compromised or misused. Although no breaches specifically related to online personal training services have been widely reported, fitness apps often feature prominently in the news for similar problems. Given the commonalities between fitness apps and virtual trainers, it is necessary for users to be cautious.

Some of the forms of data abuse in this context include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Exposure to third-party tools: coaches often use third-party apps or platforms for scheduling, payments, communication, and personalized fitness programs. If these tools are not secure, they can be weak links in data protection.
• Exploitation of progress photos: Progress photos, which often include sensitive images, can be used without consent for malicious purposes or leaked online.
• Risks of impersonation: If an influencer's account is compromised, hackers could impersonate them and solicit personal information or payments from unsuspecting followers. Online personal training programs are not inherently safe, yet users often overlook simple precautions that could protect them from significant problems. Before you dismiss these programs altogether, take precautionary measures to protect yourself.
• Verify the identity of the coach: Investigate his or her qualifications and certifications through reputable organizations. Look for reviews and testimonials from confirmed clients. Check if his social media profile is verified (blue tick or its equivalent).
• Avoid clicking on unverified links: Never click on links sent via spam or emails claiming to offer fitness deals. Instead, visit the official website or the coach's trusted platform directly.
• Check for HTTPS: Make sure that any website you are directed to uses HTTPS in the URL, which is indicative of its security.
  Avoid unnecessary sharing of information: Provide only the necessary information and make sure that sensitive data, such as medical records or progress photos, are shared via secure and encrypted platforms.
• Use antivirus software: A reliable antivirus, such as Kaspersky Premium, protects your devices from viruses and malware in real time, blocking malicious websites, phishing emails, infected ads and credit card skimmers that hackers craft to steal your data.

These precautions greatly enhance security, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of online fitness programs with greater peace of mind and limited exposure to potential data breaches.