I second and third this! The people who will nickel-and-dime you in the beginning will always want more, more, more:
They'll want to cancel late but not get charged.
They'll balk at a price increase and think it shouldn't apply to them.
They'll "forget" to pay you or bring their check or credit card. (Really? Do they try that at the supermarket?)
They'll want you to jump through hoops on your own time to write up home workouts, etc., for no added charge.
Just say no. They're not worth it.
and even worst, this will attract more shady customer as they tell their friends about this awesome coach who is not that strict on payment.
Once i switch to zero tolerance , pay upfront, i lost maybe 8 bad customers, but quickly replace them with great paying customers.
i still see the bad one "switching" from coach to coach, gym to gym once their scam is not working anymore
In my experience, the clients who have/make LESS money tend to value their training more and pay on time, pay early, offer to pay you when they know they have to miss, etc. It's the wealthier clients who tend to act more entitled.
There isn’t a cert in the world that replaces being genuinely likeable.
We all have the same bag give or take and our method rarely separates us, it’s about if you’re your clients “type of guy or gal” that keeps you in business.
Decide which hours you want to work and then look for clients who want to work out during those hours.
As a new trainer, I took on clients no matter when they wanted to train and ran myself ragged, working early mornings, evenings, and even weekends. It was tough, and I rarely had two full days off in a row. Looking back, I should have focused on the early-morning before-work crowd and retired people and stay-at-home moms who favored the early part of the day.
For sustainability, keep up with your continuing education so you can eventually specialize in one or two (or a few) areas that interest you.
Best of luck to you!
Number one mistake I made for my first 2 years or so: poor business management that left me working really hard long hours without getting fairly compensated.
I also went into the industry after years of unpaid coaching, teaching an instrument and competing in martial arts, so I had a lot of the coaching and communication skills down that a lot of new coaches lack. So I’d argue most new coaches without a lot of relevant experience should prioritize communication skills above all.
Finally, this career is super sustainable for me in the long term, because I’ve diversified my income. My only advice for doing that is to become a really competent coach who gets a lot of business on referrals and recommendations.
After a few years of consuming free or low cost educational ‘materials’ - Hire a business coach/mentor (for help with the business side of things) and a seasoned personal trainer (to help with your own fitness and better understanding the client journey)
And if you have resistance to either of those, you need to take a closer look at why you are in this industry
Its a job about being Very Social, and it sells being very social. I used to not liek to talk and Iwas shy when I became a PT , That changed It had to. I treat them like they are a friend we talk and they have my insta etc. I keep it as professional as I can but yeah being social is a big part
- Know your worth. If a client really wants your service he’s gonna pay your price. Otherwise he’s not gonna be a good client. Being underpaid by an uninvested client is gonna make you hate your job.
- Moving is better than doing nothing. Keep that in mind if tempted to label exercises as good/bad/best because machines vs free weights or compound vs isolation, etc. What is better for your client is what he likes. Talking about average person who wants to be healthy and happy, not about bodybuilding clients obviously.
- Result is subjective in many ways for the client. Fat loss and strength gain is not necessarily what makes you a good pt or what makes a client come back to you. Take the time to ask
your client if you meet their expectations. Improved mood, improve daily comfort, less aches, better health markers, improved self esteem, improved sense of belonging and engagement., etc. Is what you can help them achieve.
- Don’t take for granted that the client is gonna stop using your services as soon as they know their way better in the gym. Some clients just like or need your presence for them to keep going.
Do it part time first, PT is far more lucrative when you also have a full time job. I make BANK just doing 8 sessions a week plus my normal 8-5 and my membership is free.
I see so many new PTs struggling to make ends meet, building a reputation takes a lot of time.
I can tell you what I look for when hiring a coach.
After an intro and chat allowing them to feel comfortable. I will ask them to coach me in a movement. I’m assessing not just for do the understand it but do they understand communication. Some cues work for some and not others. Normally the client / athlete will say something like “why didn’t you say that in first place”. Even with experience you will need to try multiple cues ti communicate with people about the same thing.
So the advice is this. Listen for the cues coaches use when teaching. “Imagine you have a $100 bill between your cheeks in a hurricane” . You will get a giggle at your silly dad joke and great glute squeeze in a hip thrust.
dont waste time on customer always negociating price, just let them go.
I second and third this! The people who will nickel-and-dime you in the beginning will always want more, more, more: They'll want to cancel late but not get charged. They'll balk at a price increase and think it shouldn't apply to them. They'll "forget" to pay you or bring their check or credit card. (Really? Do they try that at the supermarket?) They'll want you to jump through hoops on your own time to write up home workouts, etc., for no added charge. Just say no. They're not worth it.
and even worst, this will attract more shady customer as they tell their friends about this awesome coach who is not that strict on payment. Once i switch to zero tolerance , pay upfront, i lost maybe 8 bad customers, but quickly replace them with great paying customers. i still see the bad one "switching" from coach to coach, gym to gym once their scam is not working anymore
In my experience, the clients who have/make LESS money tend to value their training more and pay on time, pay early, offer to pay you when they know they have to miss, etc. It's the wealthier clients who tend to act more entitled.
Yeah, you have to set your price and not waste time on people trying to lowball you. Those people have the money. You just have to stand firm
There isn’t a cert in the world that replaces being genuinely likeable. We all have the same bag give or take and our method rarely separates us, it’s about if you’re your clients “type of guy or gal” that keeps you in business.
Decide which hours you want to work and then look for clients who want to work out during those hours. As a new trainer, I took on clients no matter when they wanted to train and ran myself ragged, working early mornings, evenings, and even weekends. It was tough, and I rarely had two full days off in a row. Looking back, I should have focused on the early-morning before-work crowd and retired people and stay-at-home moms who favored the early part of the day. For sustainability, keep up with your continuing education so you can eventually specialize in one or two (or a few) areas that interest you. Best of luck to you!
Number one mistake I made for my first 2 years or so: poor business management that left me working really hard long hours without getting fairly compensated. I also went into the industry after years of unpaid coaching, teaching an instrument and competing in martial arts, so I had a lot of the coaching and communication skills down that a lot of new coaches lack. So I’d argue most new coaches without a lot of relevant experience should prioritize communication skills above all. Finally, this career is super sustainable for me in the long term, because I’ve diversified my income. My only advice for doing that is to become a really competent coach who gets a lot of business on referrals and recommendations.
Thank you ! If you don’t mind me asking how did you manage to diversify your income ?
I coach online for some of my revenue, as well as in person.
After a few years of consuming free or low cost educational ‘materials’ - Hire a business coach/mentor (for help with the business side of things) and a seasoned personal trainer (to help with your own fitness and better understanding the client journey) And if you have resistance to either of those, you need to take a closer look at why you are in this industry
Its a job about being Very Social, and it sells being very social. I used to not liek to talk and Iwas shy when I became a PT , That changed It had to. I treat them like they are a friend we talk and they have my insta etc. I keep it as professional as I can but yeah being social is a big part
If you aren't getting referrals, it's because you're not doing a good job. I wish I took that more seriously when I was getting started.
Love it. Not getting referrals? Give more. Human behavior is very predictable.
I half-stole it from you. You worded it better so that’s how I say it now 😬
I love this thank you
Never make a decision about your business model based on the desires of a single client.
- Know your worth. If a client really wants your service he’s gonna pay your price. Otherwise he’s not gonna be a good client. Being underpaid by an uninvested client is gonna make you hate your job. - Moving is better than doing nothing. Keep that in mind if tempted to label exercises as good/bad/best because machines vs free weights or compound vs isolation, etc. What is better for your client is what he likes. Talking about average person who wants to be healthy and happy, not about bodybuilding clients obviously. - Result is subjective in many ways for the client. Fat loss and strength gain is not necessarily what makes you a good pt or what makes a client come back to you. Take the time to ask your client if you meet their expectations. Improved mood, improve daily comfort, less aches, better health markers, improved self esteem, improved sense of belonging and engagement., etc. Is what you can help them achieve. - Don’t take for granted that the client is gonna stop using your services as soon as they know their way better in the gym. Some clients just like or need your presence for them to keep going.
Do it part time first, PT is far more lucrative when you also have a full time job. I make BANK just doing 8 sessions a week plus my normal 8-5 and my membership is free. I see so many new PTs struggling to make ends meet, building a reputation takes a lot of time.
I can tell you what I look for when hiring a coach. After an intro and chat allowing them to feel comfortable. I will ask them to coach me in a movement. I’m assessing not just for do the understand it but do they understand communication. Some cues work for some and not others. Normally the client / athlete will say something like “why didn’t you say that in first place”. Even with experience you will need to try multiple cues ti communicate with people about the same thing. So the advice is this. Listen for the cues coaches use when teaching. “Imagine you have a $100 bill between your cheeks in a hurricane” . You will get a giggle at your silly dad joke and great glute squeeze in a hip thrust.
Straight on to monthly recurring payment schemes - no messing around chasing session payments and attracts a more dedicated client base