By Christy Rogers, Owner and Instructor at Training Umbrella
Virtual training isn’t just about what learners see on screen—it’s about how well you can show up for hours at a time. A thoughtful physical setup supports energy, confidence, and focus.
Power & Connectivity Backup (Because Stuff Happens)
- Fully charged laptop as a failover
- Hotspot ready—just in case
❗An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or battery backup for your computer and internet.
Here’s what I use →
I have dual Tripp Lite UPS Systems 1.5kVA (now owned by Eaton). These are a bit larger than what most people might need, but we are a tech and gadget family. 🤖
One is dedicated to my dock and laptop, and one is dedicated to my monitors. I also have another smaller Tripp Lite UPS hooked up to the main router in my home office area. It runs just the router if the power goes out.
I have another UPS downstairs in the basement where the internet comes in on the Google Fiber router. It’s a medium size Tripp Lite giving me a run time of about four hours.
Overall, if the power goes out, I can run my setup for about 90-120 minutes. This gives me the time needed to either hope the power comes back on or at least wind down and wrap up a class.
And if things get wild, I also have a Battery Generator in the garage I can plug into. It’s an EcoFlow 768Wh Power Station. This would run my laptop and the internet most likely for an entire day.
This isn’t paranoia—it’s professionalism.
A Real, Intentional Background (Not Virtual)
Some will disagree, but avoiding virtual backgrounds is your best option. A real background builds credibility and avoids the glitches of virtual ones.
Best practices:
- Clean, uncluttered, and calm
- Bookshelves, plants, artwork, or branded elements
- Neutral colors that don’t steal focus
- Background, light blocking curtains. I have a window directly behind me and it produces a glare while I’m on camera. To avoid a washed out background, here is what I use → Sun Zero Curtains
- Proper Lighting💡 I really struggled with this one. I don’t like light shining directly into my eyes, so we used a smaller cone-shaped shop light strategically positioned to give upward indirect light.
Trainer Ergonomics (Long‑Session Survival)
- Screen height aligned with eye level = Less Headaches
Your camera and primary screen should be at eye level so you’re not looking down (or up) at participants. This improves posture, reduces neck strain, and creates stronger eye contact—making you appear more confident and engaged on camera.
- Camera, Action!
SO. MANY. CHOICES. I’m currently using a Logitech camera with the Logitech StreamCam app. This allows for remote control including auto framing and the ability to nudge my camera up/down, left/right to get the look just right.
A friend of mine and tech guru, Jason Terry, recommends the Insta360 Link camera. Looks snazzy. The customer reviews praise the webcam’s 4K resolution for professional calls and appreciate its AI tracking.
Bottom line, you may have to test several cameras before you find THE ONE, or two. It’s not a bad idea to have a backup.
- Standing for high‑energy portions; sitting for demos
Standing boosts energy, voice projection, and movement—perfect for facilitation, storytelling, or discussion. Sitting works better for screen‑share demos or detailed explanations where precision and stability matter.
- Stretch breaks for you, not just participants.
Trainers need breaks too. During short breaks, you might see me doing squats or calf raises. On a longer break, getting outside for a quick walk up and down the street can give me the reset I need to finish the day strong.
❗ Virtual training is closer to performance than presentation—you need stamina.
The “Trainer Control Center” Mindset
✅Primary screen: shared content
✅Secondary screen: chat, notes, timing
And yes, I have a third screen. When my husband (and IT support) made the suggestion and started setting it up for me, I firmly stated, “I do NOT need that. Not sure I’ll even use it!” Welp, I use it ALL the time.
Personal comforts are a must. I have a soft rug that extends under my feet and chair, a heater nearby for those cold winter days and my favorite K-State mug within reach.
A well‑designed setup lets you focus on facilitation, not friction.
Great virtual training isn’t just about the platform—it’s about designing an environment where the trainer can show up calm, confident, and fully present.
❓ What do you keep in your Go-Bag for your virtual environment? Tell me in the comments!
