General tips for personal training

[CuBanotTe_314]

Hey guys, I've been a long time reader of this site even though I've never posted much because I consider myself still a student of the sport as far as learning goes. However I do need to feed my baby and I recently made a career switch to personal training. I know most likely I'll be working with females, that's about 90 percent of clients down here in Miami according to my friends that are in the business. I just wanted to get some personal tips from you guys that have been in the game for some time now, really any input would be welcomed.

[SAHD]

What does your screen name mean first? I'm not posting anything if it means "Cuban Hottie".

[46er]

What does your screen name mean first? I'm not posting anything if it means "Cuban Hottie".

That made me laugh out loud, SAHD- probably a wise choice.

[CuBanotTe_314]

Hahaha, lol not it actually is the "agrandativo" of the word Cuban, meaning bigger. I also misspelled it though, and it could mean Cuba night in Italian, not that it makes any sense that way though

[SAHD]

Mate I am not a trainer so my opinion will be from someone who has been trained:

Keep it simple, don't try to show you know every theory, Don't use jargon you can't explain. I know who I have previously chosen has been clear and plane. The frauds know all the complicated words but can never explain it to any degree of satisfaction.

You seem to look the part which will be a bonus too.

And if 90% of your clients are women, don't sleep with any, they will want a discount.

[Daniel7908]

And if 90% of your clients are women, don't sleep with any, they will want a discount.

Hahaha, indeed... There ain't no such thing as free lunch, is there?

[Jared Ragsdale]

And if 90% of your clients are women, don't sleep with any, they will want a discount.

They will also spread the word and you will get a bad reputation. There is a guy here in my town that has been pushed from one gym to another of the same chain because he keeps sleeping with his clients and has a horrible reputation.. No one likes him or wants to train with him. Oh and he's just an all around better-than-you douchebag.

[Be Prime]

Is this a normal gold's gym/lifestyles type gym?

[CuBanotTe_314]

I'm more concerned with marketing myself, I don't plan to sleep with any of my clients as I am happily married. Even if I could, I wouldn't do it. It's very unprofessional.

It's a personal studio if you were asking me.

[bigcat801]

if you have any trainers(some with that type of clientel) in your area you could always invite them to a business lunch and find out what has been effective for them. boot camps usually are a great way to get multiple clients in the door and you can cut them breaks for buying x amounts of sessions get x amount free IMO

[pastorpump]

I know you won't but just to put it out there for others...never get involved with a client if you or her is taken. I don't care how "bad" her man is and you are trying to save her. lol . Stay off!
The most important thing to remember is you are providing a service so customer service is number one. Return client calls and e-mails. Don't be a push over but try to set yourself apart with not only training and knowledge of exercise but in personal interest of each person. Make them feel that you are worth every penny in all aspects.

[theroymccoy]

As Dusty advised me about my business, "treat every customer like they were your only customer." Great customer service is your best form of marketing since your client is marketing for you without you having to spend any extra time or money. Your current client is already trusted by the prospective client, and establishing trust is half the battle.

Get guerilla with it; go to other businesses that are health or beauty related (supplement shops, tanning salons, beauty salons, etc.) and cross-promo with them. Invest a bit of money and time into some high-quality flyers or posters or whatever; you only got one shot at making a great first impression so don't mess it up. Typos, poor-quality material will only make you look bad.

Make sure you are making it worth their while, too. Ask them for flyers or coupons to hand out to your clients so they are benefiting as well and not just you.

Try to develop a relationship with a major player from each industry. For example, you don't want to help out 3 different tanning salons. Why would they support you if you're supporting their competition? Really think about who you want to establish a long-term relationship with and build from there. You have an establishment and that's great. Take it upon yourself to print out large posters of the businesses you're promoting with and put it up in your studio. Take pics of it and show it to the owner to show you really want to help them out and in return, they'll take care of you too. Nobody wants to feel they're giving someone a free ride.

Realize that it's going to take time. It's a numbers game. You can send out 500 flyers and not get a hit, but that 501st flyer can be a hit.

[Be Prime]

Be confident in everything you do with them. You both should know that everything you have them do has a specific purpose.

Always leave them with something material. People may feel as if they are burning cash if all they do is workout with you then get on their way. Give them something to take home every time you see them. Im mostly talking about workouts.

Then to repeat what others have said, developing a good relationship with clients is huge.

[johngorman]

you need to find something that separates you from the other trainers- i know with me and my biz, it's always been lots of before/afters i get from their transformations. most trainers are there to just put people through workouts- dont be that trainer bro unless you just have so many clients that it doesnt matter. you have to get them results, most trainers scream "you cant write peoples diets!!!!" well fuck that shit, because if they are not on a good nutrition plan, well good luck with that. make RESULTS your first goal with them, and stay on it like stink on shit. because they are paying you for results bro (mostly, some are gay and want to have someone like you to bond with lol) so focus on results man, and you'll start to separate yourself in a world of worthless trainers that are everywhere.

[Trulyhuge]

Personal training is business, not pleasure. By this I mean more than likely you will have a client at some time who is "good-looking." Remember, you are helping her in the gym, not outside. I am very high on not mixing business with pleasure. And, as stated above, dating/sleeping w/ clients will more than likely give you a bad reputation. If you, however, are known as a good guy and are very helpful people/women will come to you and they will feel comfortable.

TH