If it seems like everybody always wants a piece of the fitness studio trainers’ time, it’s probably because demands are high and ever-increasing.
Trainers are often called upon not only for one-on-one and group training, but also for scheduling, developing programming, monitoring safe exercise execution and countless other vital tasks.
Fitness is no different than many industries who are always looking to stay on top of trends. Fashion has its waves of top styles and colors, restaurants have the favorite dishes and flashy ingredients we all look to have on our plates.
Being in fitness for 12 years myself, I have seen my share of what has stayed mainstream and what has fallen to the wayside.
“We can’t escape fear. We can only transform it into a companion that accompanies us in all our exciting adventures; it is not an anchor holding us transfixed in one spot.” This quote from the book “Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway” is a perfect example of what happens to most people in life and business.
Fear is our natural reaction to danger. But honestly, at this point in world history, how much physical danger are we actually in?
Most studio owners have been affected by ClassPass in one way or another. There are those of you who have used it as a marketing tool to get an increasing number of bodies into your studios and classes. For others, you have been fighting against it as you watch some of your clients and members walk out the door.
In case you are not familiar, ClassPass is "a new kind of gym membership that grants you access to thousands of different classes at studios and gyms in your city and around the world,” per their website.
You are probably already full speed ahead in working toward your fitness goals – get it! Remember that you are in this for the long haul - your sustained effort over time is important - pace yourself and enjoy the ride.
As you probably know, memberships and physical activity levels tend to increase and peak during the first quarter of the year (January – March), and then drop off throughout the rest of the year.
There are approximately 100 million baby boomers (aged 50 and over) in the United States making up 30% of the nation’s population and three-fourths of its wealth[i]. This group is expected to live longer than previous generations. This is the largest population segment in our economy and they are seeking professional help for their aging bodies.
As this group ages, we are seeing a significant increase in obesity, chronic disease and individuals with multiple medical conditions.
Clients come into a fitness studio for diverse reasons. They may want to lose weight, increase strength, train for a specific activity, or simply feel and look better. Clients across age and conditioning levels tend to share certain motivating factors. They are often strong on desire for physical transformation, and short on confidence, patience and time.
Resistance incline bodyweight training—both equipment and training methods—can be the perfect studio solution for at least five important reasons.
Building a team of dedicated and engaged employees sits at the foundation of every business strategy. In the fitness space, this becomes more critical as success in our industry means we provide a service that enables people to live a healthier quality of life. It’s a grandiose mission with (typically) a less than grandiose compensation plan.
Ask any manager, trainer or even instructor, none of them chose this career to make a lot of money.
As personal trainers and coaches, it is essential that we find out the “why” when it comes to our clients. Why are they training? Without this information, it is almost inevitable that one day that client will walk away from training with you. So, what are the main areas of motivation for clients?
There are four categories of client we’ve all seen. They want to change their appearance, relieve pain, feel healthier, and/or train or prepare for an event.
Typically, marketing is impersonal. It involves putting up a cleverly worded offer in a newspaper or online and then waiting for the clients that you’ve never met or spoken with to respond. For many types of products and services across many industries this approach works.
However, when it comes to aging adults and fitness this approach is seldom fruitful. Yet it is still the most common way for fitness professionals to try to get clients. This leads to a vicious cycle of frustration.
• Trainer, Manager or Owner • Beginner or Veteran • 500-10,000 sq.ft.