After working in the health and fitness industry for six years, I decided to make a career move. I was afraid to enter personal training as a profession because I didn’t want to kill the enjoyment I gain from the working out. I decided to take the chance and do it anyway. I’m glad I did. I now have my own business, set my own hours, and I’m doing something I love.
The following tips will help you establish a personal fitness training business.
Work as a contractor.
As a personal trainer you have the option of working for a gym or for yourself. I like the flexibility of working for myself. I contract with a local gym. Signing clients, scheduling hours and collecting payment are up to me. My business is my responsibility. The gym receives a percentage of the client rate.
Offer in-home personal training.
One way to get new clients is to offer in-home training. Many clients may like to start out in their homes. Most people have some type of home cardio equipment. If they don’t, you can train using aerobics and HIIT (high intensity interval training) workouts.
I carry a few hand weights, resistance bands, kettle bells, and even a curl bar in my SUV for easy in-home training.
Establish policies and pricing before you start.
You will keep your sanity and quickly determine whether a prospect “qualifies” as a client by offering only set rate prices. Divide up package pricing according to the number of days the client will train, how long sessions will be and how long the client is willing to commit. Offer discounts for clients who purchase by the month, etc. Be sure your clients understand payment is due in advance.
Get liability insurance. Liability insurance for trainers is available through certifying organizations. Many trainers have never had repercussions from an injured client, but in this business injuries are inevitable. When it comes to injury and litigation you have to cover yourself.
Don’t skimp on the basics.
Never take client intake for granted. Make sure that you have a personal training intake package that includes a liability waver and questionnaires for health, medication, injuries, lifestyle, goals, diet, and nutrition. You need this for success, but you take a monumental risk without this information.
It’s a great business if you enjoy health and fitness. I encourage you to get certified (ACE, NASM, ISSA) and start your own personal training business.
