Interview with Generationally Speaking

Interview with Generationally Speaking

Interview with Generationally Speaking

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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.

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.

 
 
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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
Check out the whole podcast here!
 
 
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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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Not Another Group Class?

Not another group class?! Stand out from the competition with group sessions that feel personal and get real results

Group exercise is a great way to reach more clients and make a broader impact in your community. But with most gyms offering an endless parade of overpacked classes, how do you stand out so your sessions don’t get lost in the crowd?

Not Another Group Class?

Stand out from the competition with group sessions that feel personal and get real results!

 
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Group exercise is a great way to reach more clients and make a broader impact in your community. But with most gyms offering an endless parade of overpacked classes, how do you stand out so your sessions don’t get lost in the crowd?
 
Classes are an accessible way for members to start working out, but risk losing the customized adjustments that make personal training so effective. With a proper game plan for your sessions, you can bring your signature coaching style into a group setting, creating a next-level experience. Follow these tips to streamline your group training style so your clients get the most out of their workout.

 

 

 

1. Introduce yourself to new attendees and keep an eye out for them.

 

New members will probably need some extra individual attention, while returning clients probably have the hang of following along. Introduce yourself and let newcomers know you’ll be coming around the room and making adjustments, so they’re prepared and comfortable with it.

 

Keep new members together at circuit stations so you can help them at the same time, instead of bouncing all over the room. The last thing you want is for other clients to need to play trainer because you couldn’t help someone out.

 

 

 

2. Make sure your members know got their back.

  

A confident attitude and communication let your clients know they can trust you. If they feel like they’re in good hands, they’ll keep coming back for more. Don’t wait for clients to approach you- put yourself out there. Encourage them to ask questions and request help.

 

Check in with new gym members before or after sessions. Make sure they know their way around the facility and what to expect from class. Supporting clients in feeling at home at the gym is one of the best ways to encourage them to stick to a new program.

 

 

 

3. Prepare your program and modifications in advance. 

 

Plan your sessions in advance and take the time to review them before class. You don’t want to get stuck stumped for the next exercise or end up with an imbalanced workout.

 

A group format means you’ll have people of all ages, strength levels, and fitness backgrounds. You’ll always have members who need modifications. Make sure you have those programmed in advance and any necessary props already set out so you don’t lose the flow of the class. Be prepared to demonstrate all movements, and to help attendees figure out how to set up any equipment.

 

If you have some more advanced members, you can also add some progressions to add a challenge. Keep an eye out for anyone attempting a variation beyond their skill level and help them adjust to the appropriate version.

 

 

4. Don’t trap yourself front and center.

 

Move around the room! You probably aren’t observing the room as well as you think you are from the front. I’ve had members tell me they’ll slack off when they think the trainer isn’t watching. Cover all your bases and keep your group motivated.

 

Being more involved with the entire room creates a stronger sense of connection with you as a leader. It shows that you’re involved and creates rapport when you can’t talk to each client individually. Plus, demonstrating exercises from different spots helps everyone get a closer look.

 

 

 

5. Program efficiently.

 

A group is way more hectic than a one-on-one session. You’ll have a whole room of people to keep track of- so keep it simple! Make sure you don’t intimidate newcomers away because the moves are too complicated.

 

Be careful with jumps or moves that get up and down off the floor- always offer low-impact variations. This keeps the workout safe and accessible for beginners and older members. You also want to watch out for moves that require extra mobility or balance. Focus on foundational basics and move up from there. Take note if any exercises tend to give a lot of members trouble- you may need to swap those out for something more accessible or take extra time to demo in the future.

These tips might seem simple, but many group exercise instructors aren’t using their full powers of observation or bringing a critical mind to programming in the same way a personal trainer does. Gym members know when they’re getting a quality experience, and that keeps them inspired to show up week after week. Treat your group sessions with the same care as your one-on-one clients, and you’ll make a powerful impact for even more people. I’ll be exploring the specifics of how to coach groups more in depth in future articles, so keep an eye out for part two!

 
 
 
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Success without the filter: 5 ways social media lies to new trainers

Success without the filter: 5 Ways Social Media Lies to new trainers Signup For Newsletter Name: Email: We respect your email privacy Endless perfectly posed snapshots, smiling guarantees of skyrocketing sales, shocking client transformations… when you’re scrolling your feed, it’s easy to believe training is simply getting paid to do fancy workouts.   That shiny … Continue reading “Success without the filter: 5 ways social media lies to new trainers”

Success without the filter:
5 Ways Social Media Lies to new trainers

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Endless perfectly posed snapshots, smiling guarantees of skyrocketing sales, shocking client transformations… when you’re scrolling your feed, it’s easy to believe training is simply getting paid to do fancy workouts.
 

That shiny vision is every bit as filtered as the photos.

 

Too many great trainers give up on their career way too early, disheartened by unrealistic expectations and feelings of failure. Online business coaches claim you can make huge sales your first month in the game; they’re just selling something. Nobody goes viral talking about the grind.

 

You become a great trainer on the job. So what if you passed an exam for a cert? That just means you know some basics. There is no replacement for hours on the gym floor.  Don’t expect to be handed a full client roster without the confidence and hard-earned skills you win through years of consistent action.

 

 

Being a trainer is a rewarding but complex career. It isn’t always glamorous. Social media is necessary for the modern fitness professional, but you can be smart about it and protect your passion from burnout. You need to understand these 5 problems before scrolling:

 

 

 

1. The comparison trap.


Social media inherently generates comparison… but it’s not reality.


Carefully composed pics leave both trainers and clients comparing their natural bodies to flexed physiques in perfect conditions. Fitness is about more than aesthetics, and you don’t need to look like a seasoned bodybuilder or a fitness model to be a successful trainer.


Keep in mind that many of your idols have been at this for years. They had to start from zero, too. Your year 1 is not comparable to someone else’s year 20…or 10, or even 5… whether you’re looking at business or performance.



2. Fitness models and influencers aren’t trainers.


If you want to be a content creator or a fitness model, those are valid career paths… and entirely different from being a trainer.  Content creation is an advertising gig. It looks good- but has nothing to do with the deep understanding of programming and personal interaction that marks a great coach.


Training involves a unique combination of skills: understanding many styles of workouts and different types of bodies, as well as sales and business.  You need the knowledge and flexibility to adjust for circumstances and goals completely different from your own.


The focus is on serving your clients, not yourself. You can watch a hundred viral workout videos, but the real gold comes from talking to experienced trainers. That’s where you’ll find insight on how to relate to a difficult client or adjust an exercise for someone with a disability.



3. Social media is only a highlight reel.


Camera-worthy content hides the daily reality of training. It’s not pretty, so failure gets completely ignored on social platforms.


Tiktok won’t show the exhausting days of hustling to fill your schedule, rushing to squeeze in your own workouts or clients who suddenly quit. Coaches post promises of constant income when in reality, for every client you book, you’ll lose count of how many times you hear “no”… or get ignored.


No post can teach you to navigate those situations. You just can’t skip the “suck phase”. You know that part- when it feels like you don’t know what the heck you’re doing. You have clients you don’t know how to program for, half your consultations no-shows, sales are mediocre, client retention is patchy at best, and you have no idea if you’re building real rapport.


This is 100% normal. It pushes you to expand and grow. But first… you gotta buckle up and accept the suck. This is what separates trainers who are truly willing to learn the trade. Turn every mistake into a lesson, and failure will become your greatest asset.




4. Social media pushes chasing views instead of clients.


Followers are not a measure of success as a trainer. We’re conditioned to reach for that dopamine hit with every like, but don’t let your IG popularity distract you from gaining valuable experience on the floor.


Watch out for circus trick workouts and fad diets. New and unusual content gets attention- that doesn’t mean it’s useful. Stick with tried-and-true methods based on science. Do real research before adopting a new technique.




5. Training is about more than a “before and after” photo.


Fitness is a lifestyle, not just a 6-week bikini body crash program. Meaningful progress is often slow. Few clients are going to have perfect adherence to a plan, especially if they’re new to fitness. It’s part of your job to set realistic expectations. Social media can only show visual results, so other forms of progress are often underrepresented. Movement quality, increased performance, decreased chronic pain, improved posture, and the list goes on… Explore different kinds of progress, both for yourself and for clients.


Building a business takes as much time and practice as building muscle. Don’t expect to go from 0 to 10 clients overnight.

 
 

So what does success for a new trainer actually look like?

You don’t tell a beginner client they’ll be deadlifting two times their body weight in no time. You focus on small increases every week. Do the same with your progress.

Track these markers over time:

  • Increased sales and higher percentage of sales conversion
  • Increased client retention
  • Happier client feedback
  • Feeling more confidence when prospecting, selling, and training
  • More effective programming, communication, and training style

Any measurable improvement in these areas demonstrates you’re on the right track!


Are there any positives to using social media?

Even if the most important aspects of training happen offline, social platform presence is crucial for a modern entrepreneur. Use it to your advantage with these tips:

  • Since so many people use social apps every day, regular posts are a great way to inspire people and remind them to stay on track.
  • Your platform is a tool to spread informative content rooted in facts instead of fads. Show your audience you’re knowledgeable and reliable, not just after likes.
  • You get to create authentic content that represents your values as a trainer and provides a hub for current and prospective clients.

Ultimately, social media is just a virtual tool. It can never capture the intensity of working hands-on with clients every day. Every moment that feels the exact opposite of Instagram-worthy is a stepping stone to success. Embrace unfiltered reality and milk each lesson for every drop of knowledge it contains. That’s the mark of a smart trainer playing to win the long game.


  • Fill out the contact form below!

What is Detric up to?

Detric Smith’s Weekly Wrap Up

DETRIC SMITH | WEEKLY WRAPUP

02.12.22

Detric’s Weekly Wrap Up

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 Trainer Tips

Like this? Follow me in Instagram!

 

CHECK OUT MY NEW YOUTUBE VIDEO: 

TOP 10 Landmine Exercises

 Stuff I’m Featured In

 

Check out my latest article that was originally featured on Muscle Fitness – “9 Top Coaches who shared the fitness trend that we hope would go away forever”

 What Am I Reading

 

 

 

Diets Don’t Work: Why Restrictive Eating Plans Fail And What Can You Do Instead – Tony Gentilcore

 

 

 

Fitness Culture And The Internet: The Absolute Worst Combination For Good Mental Health – Lee Boyce

 

 

 

 

Respect Your Season Of Life – Ace Fitness

 


Looking to become a better trainer? Make a career out of fitness?
Here is how we can help.

  • Send over your questions so they can be featured in our weekly Q and A
  • Sign up for our newsletter to get updates
  • Set up a no charge success session so we can discuss your goals in the fitness industry?

Looking to get into the best shape of your life?
Follow me over on my Results Performance Training site
https://resultsperformancetraining.com/

Fill out the contact form below!


How To Be A Featured Fitness Writer

Writing about fitness and writing this well is a great way to reach new audiences, solidify your knowledge, get more personal training clients, earn more money, and be seen as a person who can be trusted. But none of this happens overnight. Much like your own training, you have to put in the reps.

How To Be A Featured
Fitness Writer

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The best way to get better at writing is to write more. Sometimes it is easy to overlook the obvious. But the best way to get your writing featured on well-known health and fitness websites, that’s a little less obvious.

Writing about fitness is a great way to reach new audiences, solidify your knowledge, get more personal training clients, earn more money, and be seen as a person who can be trusted. But none of this happens overnight. Much like your own training, you have to put in the reps.

Before we go any further let me get this out of the way. This isn’t going to be about the Xs and O’S on the skill of fitness writing. I’m assuming you know how to put together a few coherent sentences and your knowledge of the human body and coaching is up to snuff.

But this article will show you how and why writing about fitness helps your training career. Plus, I will share all the tips and advice I’ve picked up through my 20 years of training clients and writing for websites.

 

Let’s dive in. 

Before we go any further let me get this out of the way. This isn’t going to be about the Xs and O’S on the skill of fitness writing. I’m assuming you know how to put together a few coherent sentences and your knowledge of the human body and coaching is up to snuff.

But this article will show you how and why writing about fitness helps your training career. Plus, I will share all the tips and advice I’ve picked up through my 20 years of training clients and writing for websites

Let’s dive in. 

 

Where I’ve Been Featured

 

Okay, this is the part where I brag a little.  But this isn’t to show off but to prove to you I’ve put in the reps. Here are a couple of major publications I have written for.

 

  • Breaking Muscle
  • Stack
  • Bodybuilding.com
  • Elite FTS
  • Tony Gentilcore
  • NCSA

Not only have I written but major fitness sites such as Men’s Health and Men’s Journal interviewed me for my expertise. Plus, I regularly publish content for trainers over on my site detricsmith.com. Okay bragging over.

How Writing Helps Your Career

It’s pretty exciting to see your name in the by-line and it never gets old. There is a personal sense of satisfaction that people will read your work and get something out of it. Here are five other ways writing will help your career. 

Builds your reputation- this doesn’t happen overnight, but when people see you produce good work, you’ll develop a name for yourself in the industry.

Solidifies your knowledge-  I’ve attended dozens of conferences, tons of continuing education credits, and read hundreds of books. The best way to condense all this knowledge I’ve accumulated over 20 years is to write about it. Once it’s down on paper I can always refer back to it if need be. 

Positions you as an expert- Growing up reading fitness magazines, I used to hang on to every word and took this training advice as gospel. When someone reads your work, they may feel the same way too.  

Can add another income stream- if you are lucky enough to get compensated for your writing, it can add another income stream. Do not expect to get paid for your first few writing jobs. Have patience, put in the work, and focus on getting your work out there. 

 

Helps you get clients- when you can point potential clients to your written work or someone comes across your writing, they’re more likely to hire you than not. You want to be top of mind when they are ready to buy. 

6 Writing Tips To Help You Get Featured

Assuming you’ve read this far, and you are in it for the long haul, here I’ll outline a few tips and tricks that have helped me along the way. Again, this isn’t an x’s and o’s on writing. There are other people for that. It is my hope you take this advice and apply it to your own writing so you can also get featured on fitness websites

Hire A Coach

4 years ago, when this writing thing became serious, I hired Nick Tumminello to take me to the next level.  Nick explained to me that my writing was negative. My tone was one of writing down to people. There were no takeaways, and I was leaving the reader unfulfilled. This changed after I hired Nick. He also explained how to network my work to reach my ideal audience.   

Find Your Voice

There are tons of great fitness writers who may seem smarter and more qualified than you. But you have one thing over them. Your voice and your experience.  None of these writers have your voice, your perspective, and your set of experiences. 

If you’re struggling to find your own voice, take notes on writers who resonate with you. I bet they are authentic and tell a story with their writing. Think about how you can weave your perspective and experiences into your writing so the reader connects with you! 

 Write For Free

If you want to get featured and nobody knows who you are, then it is up to you to start making a name for yourself. And that starts with writing for free to display your talents. A good place to start is HARO where journalists are looking for people to contribute to stories. There you will get a feel for what magazines want and you’ll learn the art of writing and pitching your article ideas.

Read More

Read everything you can get your hands on. The act of reading is like osmosis for your brain. You will pick up vocab, style, ideas to write about and increase your knowledge. If you want to be a better writer, it starts with being a better reader.

Develop Relationships

When you read something that resonates with you,  reach out to the author or leave a comment on their page. Social media is an easy way to develop online relationships with other coaches and writers. When you develop a relationship, it will be much easier to ask them questions or  they might allow you to write a guest post. This is a great way to get your name out there.

Seek Editorial Opinion

You have to be a big boy or girl and let other people read your work. When you’re too close to your work, you don’t see your opinions rubbing people the wrong way. It’s also a great idea to have someone review your work for grammatical errors. Either way, it helps to have a second pair of eyes on your work. If you have developed relationships with your fellow coaches(point above), this will only make your work better.

Wrapping Up

 

Adding another string to your coaching bow with the written word will help you get clients, earn the respect and admiration of your fellow professionals, and add money to your wallet. Plus You’ll always enjoy the feeling of seeing your name up in lights. 


Looking to become a better trainer? Make a career out of fitness?
Here is how we can help.

  • Send over your questions so they can be featured in our weekly Q and A
  • Sign up for our newsletter to get updates
  • Set up a no charge success session so we can discuss your goals in the fitness industry?

Looking to get into the best shape of your life?
Follow me over on my Results Performance Training site
https://resultsperformancetraining.com/

Fill out the contact form below!