Thread: Starting a Personal Training Business

Register your business. Insurance.

One thing I can tell you is that your business will grow VERY slowly and word of mouth is your best friend. Take tips from real estate agents and simply go out and meet as many people as you possibly can. Don't expect flyers to work very well at all. In my 7 years doing this I have landed far more clients from meeting people at parties than from my website or any direct marketing. One major thing about PT is that you have to attract people with your personality. As soon as people at parties hear I'm a trainer they start asking questions about everything and inevitably it can end up with someone wanting to see you.

Also, learn to do stuff for free. There are lots of opportunities out there for you to get in front of a group (small business networking breakfasts are awesome if you have a local business bureau) and talk about fitness and health. Even though I don't need to I still do talks on nutrition and biomechanics for local running stores and make dozens of new contacts. If even one person signs up, it's worth your time.

In terms of rates, I do it based on the person and what I know about their financial situation - what can they reasonably afford? If I get a 25 year old student, it's $40 a session. Then I have some rich lawyers I charge $100 a session and they don't even blink. Remember a lot of PT is also learning to sell - not only yourself but also your business.

Good luck man, if you work hard within 3-4 months you could be doing okay.

you should ask your cousins

Originally Posted by jrstrangfeld

I've trained people for about two years now but only part time. Recently I've lost my job and I'm in serious trouble but I think I'm in an area where training would be a great opportunity and very lucrative. I'm having trouble getting a gym to accept the idea so I've decided to focus on in-home 'house calls' so I can keep all of the money made without splitting a certain percentage.

I've come up with a flyer and I will make some business cards. I'll put the flyers everywhere I can (marketing guaranteed results, free consultation, my experience, etc) - on cars, handing them out on the street, gym parking lots, grocery stores, random people, etc. i figure if i hand out a couple hundred.. i'm bound to get a couple calls? I have no idea how else to market

I also train people online but again it's very hard to find clients. I trained one person for free to use them as a reference and his before/after pictures would make you crap yourself. I'm confident enough to say that results are guaranteed.

I certainly look the part, I've been working out for about 8 years, I've trained people for about 2 years now like I said, and I've broken some world, national, and state powerlifting records. Experienced with people of all ages (I've trained over 60 people total)

I also don't know how much to charge. I figure 50/session would be a good starting point, and if packages are bought, a significant discount could be had.

I'm not sure what I'm missing. Any pointers? Motivational words/advice? Thanks in advance

Hold clinics and seminars for people. Advertise that, instead of a flyer that says "Personal Training". No one gives a shit. they all want to know what you can do for them. What kind of info they can get. Put up a flyer that says "Fat Loss Seminar! Fat Loss tips revealed.....march 16th. $20 admission". If you get even 1-2 clients out of it, it is worth it. Get good results with those clients and start building a referal system.

Originally Posted by jrstrangfeld

I've trained people for about two years now but only part time. Recently I've lost my job and I'm in serious trouble but I think I'm in an area where training would be a great opportunity and very lucrative. I'm having trouble getting a gym to accept the idea so I've decided to focus on in-home 'house calls' so I can keep all of the money made without splitting a certain percentage.

I've come up with a flyer and I will make some business cards. I'll put the flyers everywhere I can (marketing guaranteed results, free consultation, my experience, etc) - on cars, handing them out on the street, gym parking lots, grocery stores, random people, etc. i figure if i hand out a couple hundred.. i'm bound to get a couple calls? I have no idea how else to market

I also train people online but again it's very hard to find clients. I trained one person for free to use them as a reference and his before/after pictures would make you crap yourself. I'm confident enough to say that results are guaranteed.

I certainly look the part, I've been working out for about 8 years, I've trained people for about 2 years now like I said, and I've broken some world, national, and state powerlifting records. Experienced with people of all ages (I've trained over 60 people total)

I also don't know how much to charge. I figure 50/session would be a good starting point, and if packages are bought, a significant discount could be had.

I'm not sure what I'm missing. Any pointers? Motivational words/advice? Thanks in advance

why wouldn't the gyms/clubs in your area allow PT? it is money in their pocket.

do you hold any certifications? this can help with marketability and credibility to potential clients. the ISSA is a good first certification, they also help with the business end: http://issa.lockton-ins.com/pl

you need to get insured: http://issa.lockton-ins.com/pl

I would try a small ad in your local newspaper and anywhere you can put a flyer, i.e. gyms, rec centers, YMCA, health/nutrition stores, etc.

as far as how much to charge this can definitely vary by the area you're in, your experience, and since you are just starting out and trying to build up a clientèle I would keep the price at the low end, i.e. $25 hour. once you build a solid business you can start charging more and word of mouth will bring in new clients. offering a free first session is a great way to get new clients, you train them for 40 minutes and then use the remaining 20 minutes to sell them.

i'm not exactly sure why the gyms in my area won't allow it. it doesn't make sense to me either

where would i be able/allowed to hold a seminar?

Originally Posted by jrstrangfeld

i'm not exactly sure why the gyms in my area won't allow it. it doesn't make sense to me either

where would i be able/allowed to hold a seminar?

at a hotel

Originally Posted by jrstrangfeld

i'm not exactly sure why the gyms in my area won't allow it. it doesn't make sense to me either

where would i be able/allowed to hold a seminar?

1) do you have any certifications?

2) what can you offer people? you have to show your worth. do you have client testimonials?

3) what type of niche(s) are you trying to appeal too? athletes? fat loss? post re-hab? elderly?

4) developy differnet marketing strategies for each niche, since you need to offer something else for each one to be able to show appeal and value.

Originally Posted by P-funk

1) do you have any certifications?

2) what can you offer people? you have to show your worth. do you have client testimonials?

3) what type of niche(s) are you trying to appeal too? athletes? fat loss? post re-hab? elderly?

4) developy differnet marketing strategies for each niche, since you need to offer something else for each one to be able to show appeal and value.

I've been training people for two years. I've trained over 65 people. Yes, I have references (many) as well as some before/after pictures.

I've worked with everybody and there's not a group that I don't feel comfortable with. Athletes, injured, elderly, layperson, etc

good point on how i need to diversify the marketing for each demographic

okay, so I don't understand the problem then? You have trained over 65 people....what happened to them? Why can't you train them as a way to start your business? Why can't you get referals from them? Where did they all go that you have no business anymore?

Also, you never said whether you are certified or not.

Ask your friends and family if they could put a flyer up on a company bulletin board. I don't think flyering on cars is that effective.

Originally Posted by jrstrangfeld

his before/after pictures would make you crap yourself. I'm confident enough to say that results are guaranteed.

I've broken some world, national, and state powerlifting records. Experienced with people of all ages (I've trained over 60 people total)

Advertise this.

i've moved to a different area. sorry.. forgot to mention that

and i've only been 'certified' by the gym that i used to work at. credibility for certifications is relative to one's own opinion/experience. i know i'm qualified and so did the people i've worked with

Originally Posted by jrstrangfeld

i've moved to a different area. sorry.. forgot to mention that

and i've only been 'certified' by the gym that i used to work at. credibility for certifications is relative to one's own opinion/experience. i know i'm qualified and so did the people i've worked with

I know, certs don't matter.

But, in order to start your own business (unless you plan on buying a facility), you are going to need to carry a certification and insurance.

So, there is your first step. Take a test, get certified, get insurance and then begin.

Building a good PT business is dependent on knowing that, no matter how much you think you know, you know nothing. Spend your free time thinking that every one of your clients is trying to replace you, that way you never become complacent.

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

Building a good PT business is dependent on knowing that, no matter how much you think you know, you know nothing. Spend your free time thinking that every one of your clients is trying to replace you, that way you never become complacent.

I like that.

It sounds like you're knowledgeable, confident and intelligent. I'm sure you'll do just fine. Good luck.

Are you hitting on me?

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

Are you hitting on me?

Absolutely not. Don't be ridiculous.

I was hitting on the poster of the thread, you egotistical bastard.

Originally Posted by Squaggleboggin

Absolutely not. Don't be ridiculous.

I was hitting on the poster of the thread, you egotistical bastard.

RACIST!!!!!!!!!!!