Starting a personal training business!

[BigBoyJ]

Well, I have figured out that I just can't have a boss. I can not stand having someone in control of my time. Telling me when I have to be at work, when I can eat, how long I have to eat, what time I can leave, bitching when things aren't perfect even though I've done all that I could possibly do. I can't take that shit. I don't know how the hell anyone can stand having someone in control of their life like that. I would almost rather be dead than have a boss, it's like fuckin' prison to me. My hat's off to you guys who can swallow your pride and do what you have to do to provide for your families. I just can't do it. Luckily, I don't have any kids or anything. I do have a wife and thankfully she's been very understanding.

Anyway, I have decided to start my own personal training business. I know I will still have problems to deal with, but at least I will be in control to a much greater extent than when I am working for someone else.

I was a personal trainer a few years ago, but I got out of it. I was working for a doctor, who also owned his own gym. He got pissed because I just couldn't bring myself to follow his methods (because they sucked) of training, so I ended up quitting. My clients got results about 3 times faster than the trainers using his method and within around 3-4 months, people were asking to be trained by me instead of the others. I think the biggest problem was that the doctor realized I was right and he wasn't, so his ego got deflated. We had argued training and nutrition theories for a long time, so to see my clients doing better than his just pissed him off.

So, now I have decided to renew my certification and get back into it on my own. I am going to get my cerfication from ACE (where I had it before). There are ONLY TWO NATIONALLY ACCREDITED Personal Trainer certifications. One is ACSM and the other is ACE. These are also the two most widely known and marketable cerfications. I know others will argue, but do your research first, because I have. The national accreditation means that a governing body is insuring that the standards of the certifying orginization are high and that the certified professional is actually competent in his field. Without the accreditation, you could be getting a shitty certificate.

On the other hand, I don't believe that the certifation makes the trainer. Hell, like the doctor I worked for proved, you can have a masters and an md and still not know shit about practical training. And a person with a $15 certificate can be a complete genious in terms of training and nutrition. For my purposes, I'm mostly just concerned about marketability and recognition.

After I get my personal trainer certification, I plan on getting the clinical exercise specialist cerficate as well. I enjoy working with people who have physical problems to overcome. They generally seem much more determined and willing to follow your advice.

I was thinking of leasing a small building somewhere and doing group classes along with some one on one sessions. Does anyone have any other ideas for making this successful? I'm really wanting to devote myself to this and make it work. I just can't have a boss anymore. That shit makes me crazy.

Sorry I wrote so much, sometimes I can't shut up.

 

[JETHRO TULL]

YOU SHOULD EMAIL PHIL AND T-MUSCLE.

I THINK PHIL HELPED T-MUSCLE GET STARTED UP. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NEW BUSINESS IDEA!

 

[BigBoyJ]

Thank's, Jethro. Hopefully I can make this work. Maybe Phil can pop in with some advice (hint, hint), but I'd hate to bother the dude. I just hoped to get some ideas from some people who've done it, or have run their own business in general.

 

[big_byrd52]

im sure people come up and ask u questions all the time. find a new gym to train at so u can meet new people. when they ask u questions, dont give them everything. just tell them a little and say "if u are really serious about ur training, i am sure i can help u reach ur goals" or something like that. then give em a card and ur in. its constant marketing, u just gotta sell urself.

 

[totalrecall54]

good luck

good luck bro!
i'd love to do that.... just where i live i wouldn't be able to do it... people around here are more happy training themselves at the local Burger King.... and it just wouldn't be worth it... small town blues for me

wish ya the best.. keep us posted on how it goes

-totalrecall54

 

[BigBoyJ]

That's a good idea Big Byrd. I've been working out at home for the last year and a half, but I bet it would be smart to get a gym membership again once I'm ready to get things going. Thank's, man.

Total Recall, the town I live in is pretty small too. Only about 15 thousand people. Luckily though, there are several other small towns within about 20 miles and I'm only about 30 miles from San Antonio, which has close to 1.5 million people. So hopefully theres a few that would let like me to show them how to get as pretty as me.

I'm 30 years old and since I was 18 I've had over 60 different jobs. I think that's a good sign that I need to work for myself.

 

[G.E.R.M]

I was thinking of leasing a small building somewhere and doing group classes along with some one on one sessions. Does anyone have any other ideas for making this successful? I'm really wanting to devote myself to this and make it work. I just can't have a boss anymore. That shit makes me crazy.

Sorry I wrote so much, sometimes I can't shut up.

get clients before you lease a building..

how much is your advertising budget ? per week, per month ?

what is your target market ?

how will you reach your target market ?

what other services will you offer besides P/T?

i'll private lable supplemets for you with your company name so you can sell through the biz.

how much are you equip costs ? leasing i suppose ? can you get a lease ?

what are other operating costs ? internet, cable..? insurance ?

how will you get clients.. ?

just some food for thought !!

as far as accredation (sp)

i know a guy that has a buisness and is gold certified at his business by the National Diet and Exercise Council

funny thing is he files a business certificate at the county clerk and the name of his other business is......you guess it......the national diet and exercise council....

he certified himself...lol its great... he printed up all these awards and shit that are all over his store.... its fucking great...people are always asking about it....and he just makes up these great stories about CEC's and other shit...

when i ran my mail order business, one of my business licenses was the national association of home workers...and i certified myself as well.. but this was back in 94...great times..

if you wanna chat.. i'll shoot ya my number and bounce ideas at you.

 

[BigBoyJ]

Thank's a lot, Germ. Obviously you have a lot of experience in this. You made me think of things I hadn't thought of yet.

As for the idea of certifying myself...damn, you really got me thinking now. I could give myself the "World's Greatest Trainer Award".

I'd definitely be interested in talking more with you. I'll send you a pm when I get a few things straightened out. I appreciate the help, my friend.

 

[BigBoyJ]

Germ your post got me thinking. Maybe until I get some clientelle built up I could train people at their homes. Maybe just buy some silly shit like stability balls, adjustable dumbells, a portable bench, etc. I would really like to target older people, or people with physical problems. I don't really like working with lazy fat people, or healthy young people who are only interested in finding amazing shortcuts to make them look like Britney Spears. I'll train them if I have to, but if I can I'd eventually like to get into working more with the elderly doing more of a mobility/strength type specialization. I would also like working with people who have had things like strokes, diabetes, heart attacks, etc. That's where the "clinical exercise specialist" certification would come in.

As for reaching the target market. I was thinking of doing a weekly newspaper article to get my name out there. Or, maybe go hang out at the seniors center . Just joking.

I'm not too sure about other services. I mean diet, of course, but I don't really know what else to offer. Any ideas there?

 

[tornquad2]

good luck

bro,i feel you on the whole boss issue,for 15 years i put up with a a@#hole,hostile work envirement all because i speak my mind and put blam were it should be.one thing a man hates to hear the most is the truth.but i have a wife and 3 little girls so for them i put up with it.but i have the same thoughts as you if you can do it go for it and good luck.check ebay for equipment sometimes you can get a sweet deal tornquad2

 

[Coopie]

BigBoy -

Just be aware of one thing - when you own a business, especially a "service provider" business, each and every one of your clients is your BOSS. You will have to cater to differing personalities, schedules, abilities, communication styles, etc. It is much more difficult for a type-A personality (which it sounds like you are) than dealing with one BOSS. Been there, done that!

Of course, you can "fire" your clients, but each time you do that you will be taking $$$ out of your own pocket in terms of lost revenue.

I wish you the best, but I just wanted to give you a different perspective. Starting and running a business was a real eye-opener for me about 12 years ago. It's a great feeling to "own" the business, but along with that comes ownership in all the headaches associated with maintaining the business.

Hit me up w/ any questions... Been in marketing, advertising, and law for nearly 15 years.

 

[BigBoyJ]

Tornquad2, thank's for the encouragement. Honestly, I wish I had the ability to tolerate things better than I do. I just get this crushing, closed in feeling when someone is in control of me. I hate having to be a servant to someone. Even if that's what they're paying me for. Good luck to you and your family, just make sure you're keeping those fuckers at work in line .

Coopie, I hear what you're saying about each client being my boss. I guess to me the difference is that I am the one who will be giving the instructions. Sure, I will still have to work according to their schedule, but it is at least more negotiable than it is when you work for a company. Really, I can get along with pretty much anyone as long as they are respectful. It's mostly just the fact that I can't stand someone ordering me around and being in control of my time. That shit is completely intolerable to me. I know what to expect from the training stand point since I've done it before, I really enjoy it. It's just from the OWNING standpoint that I need a little advice. I really appreciate your offer for helping with any questions. I've read a lot of your posts and it's obvious you're a smart dude with a lot of good advice. I'll definitely be pm'ing you in the future, once I'm a little closer to being ready to get started.

Thank's again, my friends.

 

[big_byrd52]

there is going to be a special on CNN on Saturday morning at 11am ET on getting a gym started and turning around a gym already open. the show is called the Turn Around.

 

[BigBoyJ]

there is going to be a special on CNN on Saturday morning at 11am ET on getting a gym started and turning around a gym already open. the show is called the Turn Around.

Hmmm, thank's Big Byrd.

 

[TooPowerful4u]

I have a bunch of friends that have PT businesses but i alwasy love diverse answers and multiple choices for routes so i can pick the best ones for me. Basicly i like to get answers to the same questions from 100 diff people and see what the majority feels is most effective. I really want to give it a shot personal training on my own for a change cause i dont want to work for someone, but i want to do it at a gym already operational, not my own studio.

I have questions in ALL CAPS.

get clients before you lease a building..
Q : HOW DO YOU ADVERTISE AND ATTAIN CLIENTS BEFORE LEASING? SAY YOU WERE TO START OUT IN A GYM THAT IS ALREADY OPEN AND PAY THE GYM A MONTHLY FEE TO ALLOW YOU TO TRAIN PEOPLE THERE. HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT GETTING CLIENTS BEFORE YOU START THE LEASE, OR ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO TRY TO GET FIRST MONTH FREE TO START OUT. WILL MOST GYMS ALLOW THIS OR IS IT CASH UP FRONT ONLY?

how much is your advertising budget ? per week, per month ?
Q: THIS ONE IS OPEN. IT DEPENDS ON WHAT KIND OF ADVERTISING YOU WOULD SUGGEST TO BE MOST EFFECTIVE AND HOW MUCH IT WOULD BE. MAYBE A LIL MORE INFO HERE?

what is your target market ?
Q: NOT SURE WHICH MARKET I LIKE, I ENJOY TRAINING DECENTLY FIT PEOPLE OR SLIGHTLY OUT OF SHAPE BECUASE YOU CAN DO MORE CREATIVE AND FUN AND MOBILE AND COORDINATED EXERCISES.

how will you reach your target market ?
Q: AGAIN NOT TOO EXPERIENCED IV ONLY WORKED FOR A PT GYM BEFORE NOT SURE HOW TO ADVERTISE ON MY OWN, BUT WILL NEED TO VERY SOON, SO IM TRYIN TO LEARN ALL I CAN.

what other services will you offer besides P/T?
Q: WELL BESIDES PT I CAN OFFER NUTRITIONAL ADVICE, WHAT ELSE WOULD BE GOOD TO OFFER?

how will you get clients.. ?
BACK TO ADVERTISING OR PROSPECTING. ANY ADVICE APPRECIATED.

 

[big_byrd52]

To get clients u could give free seminars on certian topics to public orgs like the YMCA, church activity groups-like the elderly groups that go, local middle and high schools. Only ask that u be allowed to promote ur personal training services and hand out business cards.

Get business cards made up with logo of certification on it. something professional and creative. My advice on advertising at first should be a creative flyer on paper done on the computer or Kinkos. Word of mouth is the best. Train at all the gyms in town to get to know more people. Go to middle and high school games of all sports. Follow the teams in the papers and get to know who they are, who their parents are and so on. Compliment the kids on how well they play and ask them about how serious they are about playing in college or pro. Remember i said find out who their parents are? well make sure u sit next to the good players parents and be sure to talk up the kid. What parent doesnt like to hear how great their kid is? plus, they have the money, thats who u gotta sell to. Just go on about how great number whatever is, and how he could be that much better with a structured training program. Oh, wait... your number so-and-so's dad? wow, ur kid has alot of potential. im personal trainer here in town and would love to help him achieve it and succeed.

Another plan, follow the teams in the paper. when there are highlights on certian players, cut it out and attach a quick note saying something like "i have been following ur season. ur doing really well. u have a lot of potential. if u want to make sure you reach it give me a call, i can help. attach a business card and send it to them in the mail.

 

[BigBoyJ]

That's good advice Big Byrd. I like all those ideas. The only thing that would make me nervous is messing with the high school kids. Knowing my luck someone would think I was some kind of pervert and I'd get arrested for harrassing young boys. Ya gotta be careful these days.

 

[big_byrd52]

play to the parents then. like i said, all parents want to hear how great their kid is. plus, they are gonna be footin the bill. whats 150 bucks a week for a full scholorship to college? its a smart investment! what better investment than their child's future?

 

[BigBoyJ]

play to the parents then. like i said, all parents want to hear how great their kid is. plus, they are gonna be footin the bill. whats 150 bucks a week for a full scholorship to college? its a smart investment! what better investment than their child's future?

That sounds like it'll work. I guess the only thing left is to learn something about football. I've never watched a football game in my life.

 

[big_byrd52]

its baseball season now. and i think track. they gotta train too. u dont have to know jack about the sport or rules. what the hell does Chad nichols know about boxing? or phil about baseball. u just gotta know how to get them bigger, stonger, and or faster.

Another idea is to meet doctors and physical therapists. network to them. work out something where if someone gets sick or injured u refer them to those docs. then when they need rehab, or insurance stops paying for phys therapy, they refer them back to u. its a profit cycle.