Interview with Generationally Speaking
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Interview with Generationally Speaking
Interview with Generationally Speaking
Author: detric
Reinvention
Finding someone who has built and held onto that kind of success is like looking at Tom Brady or LeBron James. No matter what you think of them off the field or the court, they are special. They’ve had to adapt to countless unprecedented circumstances. The game is brutal, and they found a way to keep climbing, no matter the curveballs.
Running a business takes more than a typical skillset if you plan to survive (and thrive) long term. And it’s not the type of game where you shake hands with your competitor at the end of the day- it’s cold and unrelenting.
Reinvention
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Let me shoot straight:
It’s rare for a business owner to survive beyond the decade mark.
Finding someone who has built and held onto that kind of success is like looking at Tom Brady or LeBron James. No matter what you think of them off the field or the court, they are special. They’ve had to adapt to countless unprecedented circumstances. The game is brutal, and they found a way to keep climbing, no matter the curveballs.
Running a business takes more than a typical skillset if you plan to survive (and thrive) long term. And it’s not the type of game where you shake hands with your competitor at the end of the day- it’s cold and unrelenting.
I’ve been in business with Results Performance Training for over a decade. Owning RPT has tested me and challenged me to my limit. I fought hard for these insights, and I hope they help prepare you for the wild journey of business ownership.
Always be ready for change.
Who you think you are now, how you run your business now, all your systems, all your knowledge of how your world functions… at some point, that will need to change. You started as just a trainer, but you will need to become a manager and leader- and so your relationship with your clients and employees will change. Relationships may end, even the ones you thought would last forever. The people you work with come and go.
The market changes. The industry changes. People change. Your business will change.
And you will change, too.
When you’re the owner, your business is your baby. It’s like watching a child go from a newborn to a 12-year-old hitting puberty. You love them just the same, but their needs are entirely different. One day you were changing diapers, and now they’re worried about dating, or flunking their math test.
And they just keep growing up- you have to learn to let go of your image of them. You need to let them be who they are. You have to get good at letting go.
But that’s an integral part of growth. Change is hard, but growth is impossible without it.
And too many businesses fail because they stick to a plan that worked when they started but failed to adapt to new circumstances.
So, be fully prepared to cultivate both resilience and flexibility. Some of your colleagues and employees will resist your transformation, especially when your success means change for them. You need to buckle down and stand by your vision, even when that means facing some uncomfortable situations.
Money may not be the end game, but it can end your game.
Most trainers don’t get into this industry for the money- we do it to help people. Well, guess what it takes to stay in this industry, to take care of yourself, and to impact even more lives? Yeah, money. If you’re holding onto judgments or fears around money, you’re screwed from the start.
Let the market give you the answers. Or, you can stick to your guns when the market isn’t responding, and go the way of Blockbuster (and if you’re young enough not to know what Blockbuster is, I rest my case).
Keep your head in the game.
Be prepared to make tough decisions- and make decisions based on numbers, not emotions. We don’t play this game with unlimited time. You only have so long to get the score you need to win, so sometimes you need to make decisions quickly, and following the numbers is the most reliable way to make those choices under pressure.
Again- staying in business helps more people long-term. Make this your mantra!
Stay sharp.
The better at your craft you are, the better you can adapt to your new roles. Stay invested in learning, and build your chops in training, marketing, sales, and leadership.
Life was so simple back when I was “just a trainer”. Now, I wear a lot of hats, and all of them require me to invest in my knowledge and skills so that I’m always expanding. I’m always preparing for the next step.
Know your worth.
You are providing a unique, special service that changes lives. That alone is worth its weight in gold, so feel confident charging your worth. You need to turn a profit to stay alive; no one will make it a decade by being a discount trainer. Identify what you bring to the table, and realize how valuable that really is.
Become an adaptable leader.
A successful business owner must become a leader. Eventually, you will have a team of employees. You will be put in unexpected situations and it’ll be 100% on you to direct the next course of action. You have to be ready to take that responsibility and the feeling of pressure that comes with it.
The physical and mental grind of business ownership will eventually require delegation. You’ll need to learn when and how to delegate with confidence. Those skills don’t always come naturally- it might feel uncomfortable at first. You’ll probably make some pretty dumb mistakes. That’s ok- it’s all part of the metamorphosis of your professional persona.
And once you’ve put in the years of grinding to become a good leader, you need to lead a generation you probably don’t have much in common with. You’ll need to find fresh tactics for interfacing with employees and clients. That will require reinvention, too.
Your evolution will constantly cycle to new levels and perspectives.
Who are you really competing with?
Be real with yourself- you probably aren’t competing with a major corporation any time soon. You don’t need to try to upstage a major big-box chain.
Who has a specific need you can cater to better than any other business? Zero in on that. You will only make things harder for yourself if you try to start a small business by just copying others.
Know your purpose.
You need a rock-solid foundation to support you through this. Make sure you have a clear, strong sense of purpose. Define it. Return to it when it feels like things are falling apart. If you don’t have that, you won’t have the fortitude to overcome the battles ahead.
What truly matters to you? Why is this your passion? Are you creating a high-quality, welcoming environment that gets people to kickstart their fitness? Are you supporting people’s transformations? Are you serving a niche market that gets shafted by the big-box gyms? What are your core values, and what is your mission?
Keep a written record of your answers, and let them be your guide when you inevitably hit one of those dark days where you question everything. Oh yes, I promise you- you will have those days!
But you’ll have ones where you’re on top of the world, utterly in love with what you’re creating, too.
The game isn’t easy, but if this is your calling, trust me- the level of transformation that awaits you is immensely rewarding. Remind yourself of your purpose daily, be willing to change, put in the work, and watch your creation flourish.
Low Cost Marketing options for Personal Trainers – Email Marketing/Newsletters
Low Cost Marketing options for Personal Trainers - Email Marketing/Newsletters
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WHY Email marketing?
Helps you close the long sale. They are all long sales!
The biggest sales mistake trainers make is not realizing how important follow-up is! I use my newsletter to follow up without feeling like a pain in the ass. I get in front of them every week with content that helps to solve their problems. They appreciate this more than “Hey, buy my stuff “ a million times.
You still need to have an offer in every single newsletter. You will also want to create a signature that explains the ways they can contact you and get started with your services.
- Helps you get members to return to your services!
Most of the people who leave you will come back at some point. They are going through this thing called LIFE. Bonus points if you know what song that came from!
The best way to stay in front of them is to continue to provide solid advice that lets them know you are the best option! A solid email marketing plan will allow you to set up reactivation campaigns to get past clients back in the doors.
Helps you build trust and increase the value of your services!
You will stand out from the rest if you put out solid content. Not the same ol thing that everyone else is doing!
Some tips …….
Create a Lead Magnet! – Create, or have someone else help you create, an ebook in exchange for their contact information.
Make it about your readers- It’s about them! If your average client is over 50 with an injury or two and has not worked out in 10 years, then videos of you deadlifting 500 pounds is not going to work! Dive deep into their specific problems. Survey your members on the type of content THEY want!
Have offers, but don’t go too crazy trying to sell – The quickest way to get them to unsubscribe is by sending out emails with buy my stuff every week! You must add value with quality content. I am NOT saying don’t ask for the sale!!
Have a super signature and subtle CTAs inside of the newsletter – Create offers that are weaved into your content. For example, if you need my business coaching services to help you figure out how to set up a solid email marketing campaign then text business coaching to 757 589 7028 🙂
Segment your list – If you serve different types of people then segment your list. For example, if you serve athletes and gen pop, then that should be two different lists.
Helps you become a better writer/communicator – Forcing yourself to write every week for your newsletter will improve your writing skills! Improving your communication skills will lead to more money.
Hire a writer if necessary – Too busy? Consider hiring a fitness writer to help you create content! If you need any assistance with this text “fitness writer” to 757 589 7028 and I can help you develop content for your target market.
Make a video – No time for writing? Make a video if that is your thing!
Repurpose this as your blog post and social media posts- No need to come up with different content for every platform!
How often should I send out a Newsletter?
Something is better than nothing! We say this to our clients all the time, but we often get hung up on the all or nothing mindset ourselves.
If you are crazy busy and don’t have as many clients, even once a month or twice a month can work. As you get more clients, increase the frequency to at least once a week, then maybe more than that. Focus on keeping the content quality! Don’t just send out something to send out something.
Can I use my regular email or should I choose a Platform –
Not a good idea to use your regular email. If you are truly in the beginning stages with next to no clients, then it’s not the end of the world.
There are quite a few platforms that can work and you are not locked into one forever. Aweber, constant contact, mailchimp, and quite a few others. These platforms allow you to track stats as to who has opened your email, what they clicked on, and will allow you to segment and schedule emails. You will want people to have the option to unsubscribe.
Detric Smith, CSCS, ACSM -EP
3 ways to work with me!
Are you a New Personal Trainer Looking for Guidance to Get certified and Survive your first year or two of training? Check out my “Certified, Now What?!” Coaching Services and TEXT “ Survive Year One” to 757 589 7028 to set up a No charge consultation to Learn More!
Trying to make a REAL Career out of Fitness?! Check out my individualized Business Coaching for Personal Trainers and TEXT “ PT CAREER” to 757 589 7028 to set up a No charge consultation to Learn More!
Are you a studio owner or Fitness Manager Looking for A Trainer/Studio owner with over 2 decades of experience to Develop your Staff? TEXT “Staff Development” to 757 589 7028 for More information!
Low Cost Marketing Options for Personal Trainers – Networking
Low Cost Marketing Options for Personal Trainers - Networking
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Most personal trainers ask me “How am I supposed to compete against the big gyms when it comes to marketing? I am broke! ”
I am sure you have heard business coaches say it takes money to make money. This is true to an extent. As your business grows,you should be investing back into your business in every possible way.
When you are first starting it’s a grind. But you have a few things on your side that can help you get clients, even if you are broke. In this series of blog posts I plan to discuss a few marketing methods personal trainers can use to get clients.
Network Marketing for Personal Trainers
About 15 years ago I moved to Williamsburg to start my personal training business. I knew absolutely no one in the area. I had a full time job as a teacher while training people before and after my school day.
I was not exactly breaking the bank as a teacher. I was not able to spend money on ads, direct mail, or anything to acquire clients. I had to hustle and use some grassroots techniques with the main one being networking.
Most trainers say they are networking, but they are not! They have no systems in place at all. They put no effort into it. And just like the clients they train, they have no patience.
A few strategies you will need to put into place….
Write it down! —
Create documents to organize your networking list. Every trainer I meet says they network, but they just have it up in their head. No!
Create a google doc , excel, or anything to record people you meet under categories. This is the first thing I do with the trainers that I coach in my Business Coaching for Personal Trainers program.
Use LinkedIN, FB, Instagram, and other social media networks —
Now I know most of you younger ones out there are not doing a lot with FB. I can hear you saying “but that is for old people!” Yeah, as in old people who have the money and time to actually pay you for your services!
I can also hear you old people saying “But I can’t keep up with all these platforms the young people are on! I did not grow up with that stuff!” You will be the first one’s getting left behind. Suck it up and adjust to the times!
When I first moved to the area I connected with a lot of local celebrities so to speak. Back then it was mostly using FB and LinkedIN. Your goal is to get people in your area to see you are connected to a lot of these people. Even if you do not train them. Others will assume you train them or you are a person they should meet.
These platforms will also help you organize your network. They help you see how people are connected. They will make you realize just how small this world is!
Don’t forget the obvious!
So many personal trainers forget to list their entire network of family , friends, or businesses they frequent.
“Oh, well they can’t afford my services” or “They won’t hire me as a coach.” Yes, that might be true. But I can GUARANTEE you they know someone who can.
It’s a small world out there! Think about opportunities and keep an open mind!
Get out to local events!
Get away from the gym and meet people in the community! I have been able to get so many clients from working at coffee houses, having conversations, and handing over my business cards.
Find local events that support nonprofits in the area. Most would be excited if you donated a silent auction gift around your training services.
Start a newsletter !
This is another great way to grow and organize your network! The best way to stay in front of a potential client long term is providing great content to their inbox!
Writing has made me so much money over the years! They will appreciate this so much more than hearing “buy my training” a million times from you! You want to be in front of them when they are ready to make a decision to change their health. This is a BIG decision for them, so use your content to build trust over time.
“But, I am not a writer!” Practice it, or hire a coach and/or writer! If you need any assistance developing content or finding writers text “fitness content creation” to 757 589 7028 and I can send you more info on hiring writers!
One more thing. If you like my content, make sure you sign up for my newsletter here => Detric Smith Newsletter
3 ways to work with me!
Are you a New Personal Trainer Looking for Guidance to Get certified and Survive your first year or two of training? Check out my “Certified, Now What?!” Coaching Services and TEXT “ Survive Year One” to 757 589 7028 to set up a No charge consultation to Learn More!
Trying to make a REAL Career out of Fitness?! Check out my individualized Business Coaching for Personal Trainers and TEXT “ PT CAREER” to 757 589 7028 to set up a No charge consultation to Learn More!
Are you a studio owner or Fitness Manager Looking for A Trainer/Studio owner with over 2 decades of experience to Develop your Staff? TEXT “Staff Development” to 757 589 7028 for More information!
Top programming mistakes robbing your clients of great results
Top programming mistakes robbing your clients of great results
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You’ve earned your cert and clients are rolling in. Now it’s your job to keep them happy, coming back for more, and seeing fantastic results.
Fantastic results don’t happen without great programming.
You probably know a little bit about programming… well, you know what’s worked for YOU based on your specific athletic background. You know the basic model you studied for your certificate. You know how to throw someone through a high-intensity circuit and make them feel like they got their money’s worth.
But does that translate to stellar long-term outcomes?
I’ve worked with enough new trainers to identify these incredibly common mistakes that are preventing your clients from reaching their maximum potential.
Choosing “fancy” movements over the most appropriate exercise.
Never sacrifice quality movement to try and make your workouts interesting. Choose exercises that your client is capable of performing and that actually suit their goals.
There’s no point in doing a complicated combination or advanced movement your client can barely grasp if their form and muscle activation go out the window. Always explain your reasons for choosing specific movements, even if they seem simple. When your client understands the “why”, they will be on board with your program because you’re demonstrating your professional expertise.
Programming for novelty over optimal design.
Yes, some clients get bored with repetition, and you should include some fresh variations to keep them interested- but, you need to make sure you’re still creating effective programming. That means proper frequency, intensity, and progressive overload. You need to hit every muscle group at least twice a week, with enough increase in intensity to stimulate optimal muscle growth.
It’s important to repeat key movements with enough regularity to document an increase in reps/weight. Explain this to your client, so both of you are on the same page about tracking their results. Be sure to celebrate PRs! It keeps people excited about coming back to the same movements.
Skipping the foundation.
If your client is new to working out, chances are they’ll need a stabilization phase, or some kind of introductory phase, where you will train their coordination, mind-muscle connection, and overall endurance rather than hammering their strength or power.
Don’t be afraid to include a realistic timeline for this phase if your client needs it. If they’re starting from scratch with no prior athletic experience, that means they aren’t going to jump straight to the barbell, even if their long-term goals include bodybuilding.
Again- communicate with your client. Share your vision and get them on board with the long game. Show them you have their best interests at heart, and you want them to get the best results possible while ensuring injury prevention.
Skipping cardio, conditioning, or mobility.
Yes, resistance training is important- but cardio is also key to long term health, and can improve overall endurance and even work capacity for lifting. It’s also an easy way for clients to get used to more consistency and encourage fat loss. You don’t need to spend a whole session on cardio- they can do it on their own time. Just make sure it’s included in their overall program.
Many clients are coming from a sedentary lifestyle and really need mobility work. It can seem annoying to take time out of your session to teach stretching techniques, but if you spend a little time on it up front, your client can start implementing stretches and mobility drills on their own. Mobility is the key to injury prevention and overall recovery in fitness.
Conditioning is key to improving work capacity and recovery for clients of any level. Your clients will feel more energized and athletic, and recover more quickly between challenging sets and after intense workouts.
Overdoing frequency.
Do you hammer your client with daily full-body workouts that don’t allow enough recovery for each muscle group?
Or maybe you split the muscle groups up so much that they’re really only targeting a given muscle once a week, even though they work out nearly every day. It’s difficult to stick to this frequency, and if they skip a day, you’re stuck with a two-week gap between working that specific muscle. You won’t see much progress.
Or, you launch a beginner into an advanced split like a 6-day PPL routine, where they hit everything twice a week, but aren’t conditioned to lift heavy every day. This will leave your client exhausted, especially if they’re already busy.
Forgetting to account for your client’s lifestyle.
New clients are going to struggle with the lifestyle change of a new fitness routine, and it’s unrealistic to ask them for 6 sessions a week in the gym. Most clients only need 3-4 resistance training sessions a week plus some cardio and mobility work. That’s enough for them to stick to it, stay consistent, recover, and have some time and energy to work on their nutrition and sleep.
If you’re assigning a “homework” workout, make sure they can complete it in a reasonable time. Suggest activities that are enjoyable or even allow them to combine fitness with social time- hiking or outdoor sports, biking or walking on their commute, dancing… basically, make fitness motivating and flexible for where they’re at in life.
Always look at the big picture.
As a trainer, your job goes beyond a single workout- it’s about looking at the big picture and truly changing your client’s life. With a truly great program, you build the momentum of a client’s fitness journey to set them up for success for many years to come.
If you’re ready to level up your programming game and spark amazing results for your clients, check out my Mentorship Opportunities After over 20 years of experience in the industry, I can improve your Programming and Coaching Skills and Take your Business to the Next LevelTake your Business to the Next Level.
Certified! Now what?
Certified! Now what?
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This is NOT the time to hand over all your money to fake business coaches promising you 6 or 7 figures, before they even take the time to know if you are a good trainer!
You need to build a foundation. And it’s about all the other stuff they never teach you in your certification programs!
What if you had a team in your corner that ………
Explained what you should expect and told you exactly what to do. Now, you do. In this 6 week course we will jumpstart your fitness career and go over the following lessons….
- Marketing and sales —
Creating a networking plan for you with other fitness professionals and potential customers in your local area400
Helped you with low cost marketing options that fit into your new trainer budget
Helps you save money by finding the best low cost options for websites, graphic designers, and many more professionals!
Basic sales training
Positioning yourself as the expert for people who actually have the money to pay you, and not just like your photos on IG
- Find your ideal job/Interview prep—
Helps you research your local area for Training positions
Helps you create a resume that stands out amongst potential employers
Helps you with mock interviews so you are prepared and confident for your next session
Professionalism from the eyes of the “old school” owner/trainer who will be interviewing you! ….How should I dress for a personal training interview?
Other priceless lessons on guidelines for phone, text, email, and social media professionalist
Helps you understand the different types of jobs in fitness and which one is the best fit for you based on your experience and personality
Program design and coaching skills–
Write program design alongside you, for your actual clients. We will also help you create templates and workouts based around your ideal client
For those local- lessons at our studio /potential internship options…for not local, virtual lessons and phone one on one phone calls
Talks over speciality certifications you may, or may not need
Emotional intelligence and how it impacts your fitness career
From employee to independent?
Are you ready to be independent? The basics of being an independent trainer and how to know if you are ready or not?
This is ONLY for dedicated trainers ready to reach the next level in their training career! This is NOT for someone who just wants to be an “influencer” or in it just for the money.
You will need to have time for….
Weekly calls with Detric
Homework for the week
Accountability check-ins
If you are interested in setting up a 15 min call to see if this program is a good fit for you, text 757 589 7028 with “Certified, now what?” to Learn more about the program and set up a no charge consultation!
Building Your Fitness Dream Team
Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Let me guide you in building an effective dream team of your own.
Building Your Fitness
Dream Team
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Are you ready to take your business
to the next level?
Hiring a team is a critical step that will make a significant impact on your fitness career. Your success can hinge on which roles you hire first, and who you choose to fill them.
If you’ve never worked with a team, you’re probably feeling lost as to where to start. After a decade of studio ownership, I’m deeply familiar with the nuances of hiring and managing a cooperative, productive team that allows you to grow your business. This article is your guide to building an effective dream team of your own.
Things to know before you start
Be realistic about how much time it will take to hire and develop employees. Set aside time in your schedule for this process. Hiring won’t be an overnight success or a smooth process. You’ll make mistakes, learn, and grow as you go. Be prepared for unexpected setbacks and roll with the punches.
Finally, check with your lawyer and make sure you have everything classified correctly when you hire someone. You need to know whether they’re paid as an independent contractor vs an employee.
The fitness team members
Administration
- Admin is always your first hire.
If you know you could fill your client books, but you’re spending a lot of time on other tasks, it’s time to outsource! Your first major hire is almost inevitably going to be an administrative role. You can delegate admin tasks at a lower cost than doing them yourself, and use that time to train more clients.
Virtual vs In-person
We have one virtual and one in-person admin. You should match up tasks based on their skill set, when they’re available, and what fits their lifestyle. While having two admin can make communication more complex, it means we always have a backup on deck if one person is sick, or leaves. If you only have one admin, be prepared to pick up the slack yourself in an emergency.
Delegate strategically.
You should always aim to maximize the value of your time. Document everything you do and identify what could be offloaded for less cost. Create systems to support you.
Prioritize effective communication.
Your admin’s schedules and personality styles need to work together to ensure fluid, consistent communication so tasks don’t fall through the cracks.
Marketing and advertising
You don’t need to do it all alone.
A lot of new trainers waste a lot of money trying to do everything themselves at first. Facebook, Google, and IG have ever-changing algorithms that require experimentation and knowledge to gain real traction. You might be better off delegating social media to someone who can do it correctly, instead of spending money and time on zero results- at least at first.
Once you get a better understanding of those systems, you can run social media and paid ads yourself.
Outsource time sinks.
You can use sites like Fiverr or Upwork to find freelancers who can take care of graphic design, copywriting, and even social media posts. Don’t spend hours sucked into social media or writing if that isn’t your skill set.
Understand the big picture.
You do still need a solid understanding of the basics of sales and marketing so that you can figure out which people are good to work with and how everything works together in your overall marketing strategy. Familiarize yourself with marketing strategies and writing sales copy, even if you aren’t writing everything yourself.
Trainers
All-star teams don’t always win.
You need different options that fulfill your client’s needs, including diverse skill sets, backgrounds, and genders. You need to hire in the context of how the entire team works together to serve the success of the business. That’s not necessarily going to be the trainer with the best physique or the most certs.
Make sure they’re a good fit.
Your new hire should be a good match in terms of career goals and your company culture. Make sure you are on the same page about your expectations. If they just want to train as a side hustle while they’re in school, but you’re looking for someone to sign on for 40 hours a week and develop long-term, that’s not a good match. If someone wants to be a full-time trainer but you can only bring them on for a few hours a week, they might get frustrated and be more likely to leave for a different opportunity.
Develop your trainers
Train people to coach group classes and expand their skills so they can take on more clients. Block out time to meet with each trainer to set goals, give feedback, and develop specific skills, such as working with groups, client relationships, or anything else that can impact their career beyond their typical training skills.
Interns
Unpaid interns
Unpaid interns are usually college students interning for credit and are more observation oriented. They’ll shadow sessions and classes, but won’t be coaching anyone hands-on.
Paid interns
My paid interns are people we want to develop into full trainers. They function as assistant coaches for group sessions. This means they also help out with program design and typically eventually take over a group class.
I also give them a certain number of free sessions for friends to practice personal training, which doubles as marketing for the studio.
Create an amazing experience.
Focus your internships on your interns’ personal goals. Create a wow experience for them. If they feel supported, they’ll be inspired to be a strong asset to the team and recommend you to future interns. They might even want to work for you full-time! As your business grows, you may also want to take on marketing and admin interns, not just trainers.
Turns interns into hires.
An internship is a great way to vet potential full-time **hires because you’ll be able to see a large sample size of their work before making your decision.
To find interns, you can reach out to local colleges, place paid ads, or advertise to your current members. Once you hire interns, you can use them to help recruit more.
Create Systems.
Experience will help you create structured systems to help interns learn quickly and succeed on your team. Track everything related to how your employees and interns help each other. Have your interns help you create documents with step-by-step instructions, delegation, and protocols that will help the next intern.
Internship programs
Research certifying bodies for internship programs, such as the NASM Gymternship. You might be able to set up a program through your own studio. Organizations like NASM and WITS are always looking for placement for their students.
Sales
Delegate sales last.
As the owner, sales is ultimately your responsibility. You don’t need dedicated sales reps until your business gets much bigger.
Train your trainers to sell.
You will need to train your trainers to handle sales and have systems in place for sales protocols. Most trainers you hire will hate sales and struggle with it at first, but it’s a skill that can be trained!
I still prefer to do sales consultations myself and hand off clients to trainers, but trainers still need to understand how to handle walk-ins, actively promote in your local community, and be able to discuss the benefits and features that make your studio stand out.
- Fill out the contact form below!
Renting a Space for Your Personal Training Business
If you’re ready to take your personal training business off the ground, it’s time to rent a space that’s perfect for training clients. This won’t happen overnight, so be sure to get through this checklist to make sure you’re on the right track to securing the perfect space.
Renting a space for your personal training business
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If you’re ready to take your personal training business off the ground, it’s time to rent a space that’s perfect for training clients. This won’t happen overnight, so be sure to get through this checklist to make sure you’re on the right track to securing the perfect space.
One of the biggest mistakes I see trainers make is waiting for the perfect situation before making the jump. The same way we tell our clients to take baby steps, we need to do the same thing.
After years of training experience, I rented space from dance studios and rec centers before committing to a long lease. I still remember carrying my equipment in and out for every single session! I was able to pay these locations by the hour to avoid having a massive overhead. This allowed me to save up my money and eventually get my ideal location.
You don’t need to have the best of the best when it comes to equipment. You don’t need to have the biggest, fanciest space. You need to have love for the game and a crazy work ethic to keep taking those baby steps that will eventually lead to your dream location.
Reach out to everyone! Don’t be shy! Just because a location is not advertising rental space, does not mean they will say no!
What will You Need?
To rent out the right space for your business, you’ll need clientele, a budget, and an established brand.
- Clientele
If you haven’t already, set the scene to attract the attention of potential clients. You won’t want to rent out a space until you’re already making some money in the business.
Start with people you know and trust and consider offering a first free session to hook new clientele. It’s always a good idea to start off working for bigger gyms and having mentors before jumping out on your own.
Focus on customer experience to help spread the word, and consider where your clients live when choosing a training space.
- A Budget
Every business needs a budget, personal training included. Calculate your costs and the maximum amount you’re able to pay for a training space. Know how many clients you’ll need to maintain your business, and try to keep your personal budget separate from the one at work.
- Websites and Social Media Accounts
Nowadays, if your business isn’t online it is going to lose hundreds of potential customers. Set up your website and social media accounts to show what you offer. If you’re tech-savvy you could also start your own website. Like with everything, it will not be perfect. But you have to start somewhere.
- An Established Brand
In conjunction with your social media, you’ll need to clarify your brand. This includes a clear and easily-remembered brand name, mission, and target audience. This will also help you choose the location and amenities of the personal training space you’re looking for.
- What to Consider
Now that you’re ready to browse spaces, it’s time to figure out what kind of personal training space you’re looking for.
- Price
Pricing is perhaps the most important factor when choosing your personal training space. It will vary a lot based on location and the type of studio.
Some gyms will allow you to rent out space by the hour, where others will do this by the week or month. I strongly suggest finding a location that will allow you to pay by the hour if you are just getting started. Nothing worse than paying a ton of money, and not being able to get clients.
If you’re looking at open spaces instead of gyms, you’ll need to account for the cost of equipment. If your business or the gym requires things like liability insurance from the state, you’ll also have to factor in these costs.
- Square Footage
Do you plan to do group training classes or one-on-one sessions? Will your clients be doing cardio or focusing on weight-lifting? All of these things will impact the size of the space you need.
- Equipment
There are hundreds of exercises you could teach as a personal trainer. The equipment varies greatly and will depend on your chosen training methods.
We recommend assuring that the space you rent has the main equipment you plan to use. Purchasing and transporting equipment otherwise – unless you’re renting out a private space long-term – can be very ineffective, expensive, and tiring.
Some gyms won’t let trainers use all of their equipment, so clarify this before signing a contract with a gym.
- Location
If most of your brand’s followers live in the city center but you rent a space out in the suburbs, don’t be surprised when your clientele doesn’t follow you to your new training spot. Consider your clients – both current and future – when looking for potential training spaces.
How to Negotiate Price
As with all businesses, networking is key for personal trainers. If you can develop a relationship with the owner of the space, you’re likely to get breaks in pricing.
You could consider volunteering to teach a class for them in exchange for a discount or offering your personal training services to their members at a discount. This won’t work for all situations, but networking will always come in handy somehow.
IN SUMMARY
Renting a space for your personal training services is a vital step towards solidifying your business. Once you have established your brand, potential clientele, and personal training goals, you can start to find the right space by considering your budget, necessary equipment, space sizing, and location. With a little negotiation and networking, you’re sure to find the space that meets your needs and helps progress your business goals.
If you are looking to rent space for your fitness business in the Williamsburg, VA area send me an email or text! My studio, Results Performance Training, might be the perfect fit!
If you are a trainer looking to make a career out fitness but don’t know where to start, set up a FREE consultation with me to Learn more about my coaching services. TEXT 757 589 7028 or email [email protected]
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Cool, Calm, & Chaotic: It’s not that Serious
Had a great time connecting with Mark Zarate on the Cool, Calm, and Chaotic podcast!
Cool, Calm, & Chaotic: It's not that Serious Podcast
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Had a great time connecting with Mark Zarate on the Cool, Calm, and Chaotic podcast!
We discussed….
- My background and story
- Tips for starting or staying on a fitness program
- Top exercises that most people leave out of their program
- Advice for personal trainers looking to make a career out of fitness
Music, Food, football, Life in VA + more
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Why advanced programming is slowing down your client progress
As a new trainer, you’re probably excited to jump right into an epic workout and hammer your clients all the coolest moves. The truth is, flashy exercises are not the most effective choice for 99% of clients. New trainers often lack the experience to understand how to work with clients who have never been active, never played sports… maybe they’ve never even been to a gym before!
Why advanced programming
is slowing down your
client progress
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As a new trainer, you’re probably excited to jump right into an epic workout and hammer your clients all the coolest moves. The truth is, flashy exercises are not the most effective choice for 99% of clients. New trainers often lack the experience to understand how to work with clients who have never been active, never played sports… maybe they’ve never even been to a gym before!
Workouts are not about looking cool, and personal training is not about getting clients to fit a mold of what you think a workout looks like. It’s about meeting each client at their level and creating sustainable results.
Truly professional trainers know how to ace the fundamentals even with the trickiest clients. Skillful programming strikes the right balance between a solid foundation and a creative approach.
Are you ready for some game-changing tips to start programming like a pro? The first step is self awareness of your habits and limitations. Check out these 5 mistakes new trainers always make:
1. Programming to look cool.
Can your client perform a bodyweight squat correctly?
Do they know how to hip hinge?
Don’t jump straight into complex combos until the fundamental components are mastered.
Always nail foundations first. Focus on creating muscle memory in all the basic movement patterns. Every client needs to have these 100% ingrained to successfully progress to more complex exercises.
Programming to nail the basics is more complex than it seems. You need to account for each client’s unique strength and mobility limitations, plus address imbalances in the chain as soon as possible. For example, one client’s squat might be held back because of tight hamstrings, while another might struggle with stabilizing their knees. Each one will warrant a different approach.
Learn a variety of regressions and what equipment works best for different issues. Boxes, bands, and balls are all incredible tools, but they need to be applied intentionally- not just because they seem fancy.
2. Skipping assessment.
Your cert probably walked you through some of the basic movement compensation patterns, but do you really know how to spot and address issues across a variety of body types?
Assess your clients regularly in every exercise they perform. Really watch what their bodies are doing. Think critically about the patterns you observe and choose exercises that they can perform correctly, or can safely adjust if their form slips. Practice using different form cues and learn what your clients respond to best.
Over time, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of the mechanics of every exercise and how to troubleshoot more efficiently. Be honest with your clients. Tell them if they need to regress an exercise and why. Explain how their programming will help them reach their goals. Communicating your strategy builds rapport by showing them you have the expertise to guide them, even if the workout looks different than they expected.
3. Changing it up too soon.
Let’s be real- when it comes to gaining strength, progressive overload is king. Effective programming is always repetitive. Progress typically looks as simple as moving a few more pounds of weight, or grinding out a few more reps every week.
Successful programs can look pretty boring. Make sure your clients know that. Sure, keep things fresh and switch out a movement here and there, but don’t let it distract you. You can’t track changes in performance without repeating exercises. If you don’t come back to the same staples, you could easily spin your wheels because you aren’t assessing meaningful changes.
4. Hammering the intensity for no reason.
Beatdown workouts and fancy plyometrics will definitely leave your clients panting for breath… maybe even throwing up. But what are you really accomplishing?
Overdoing the intensity can scare some clients off- and for most people, it’s actually overtraining. Just because it feels intense doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for reaching your client’s goals. HIIT style circuits don’t need to take more than 15 minutes, sometimes even less for a beginner, and there are lower-impact programming options for building work capacity, including LISS cardio and strength training.
5. Getting stuck in your comfort zone.
As a new trainer, most of your experience comes from training yourself. It’s easy to fall into a rut of just training clients how to do your personal favorite exercises. You’re also more likely to overlook problem areas you haven’t personally struggled with. If you’ve never had lower back pain or a muscle imbalance, and haven’t worked with other clients with similar issues, you won’t have the knowledge to quickly and intuitively program for those problems. Your textbook might have touched on them when you studied for your cert, but that is no substitute for hands-on experience.
Sure, there are plenty of exercises that are effective 99% of the time, but if you notice your overall programming looks essentially the same among clients with different goals, stop and analyze your approach.
Ask for feedback and mentorship from more experienced trainers for a fresh perspective. In fact, one of the best ways to deepen your knowledge is to hire your own trainer and experience a new approach firsthand.
Or, take continuing education workshops and certificates. Mix it up by attending different fitness classes. Exploring new modalities helps you expand your toolbox and better serve your clients. You never know what amazing techniques you might discover by trying a new style of workout.
If you recognize yourself in this article and are worried you’ve been doing it all wrong… that is 100% normal! You have to trust the learning process to make it in this industry, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Use this opportunity to identify your next step to becoming a better trainer. Pay attention to your clients and honor their unique needs. Focus on creating direct, goal-oriented workout plans and taking steps to expand your knowledge a little more every day. Stellar results are built one simple step at a time.
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