Question re Personal Trainers

Helen_H

Hi all,

First time on this forum, looks good though so hope to use it more.

I am a qualified (REPs registered - register of exercise professionals) Personal Fitness Trainer, just started out in the last few months. Am trying out different marketing stragedies and it is really useful to use these forums to gauge public opinion!

Am currently offering 'group' training sessions for up to 4 people as I feel that having a personal trainer may be out of people's reach financially and this way you get to split the costs of an hourly session but still get more individual attention from myself than you would say in an aerobics class or down the gym - what are peoples thoughts on this.

Also, another idea of mine is to run 6 week programmes of 'boot-camp' style sessions whereby you would sign up for either 3 or 5 sessions a week. A real kick up the butt style approach but again in small groups so plenty of attention.

Would be good to hear opininons on either of these ideas.

Many thanks

Helen

**edited by board guide mini to remove link to website, please place links on the referrers board, thank you **

Savvy_Sue

Welcome!

I think the small group strategy could be useful, as you say many people will think they can't afford / justify a personal personal trainer all to themselves but might feel happier in a small group. Also a small group can support and encourage one another. But on the other hand, a small group in which some people got up other people's noses would be dire, so a little bit of screening would be necessary. Especially check that people are comfortable in a mixed group or whether they'd prefer / only come to a single sex group.

Not so keen personally on the 'boot camp' idea. One of the best things I ever did was agree to join the Active Back class run by local physios. That was twice a week for four weeks and I struggled to get to all of them because of family and other commitments.

Hope that helps and that others will say what they think!

SnowyOwl_2

Yes, the idea of sharing a personal training session with up to three other people is a good one - I used to attend a gym where this approach was used and it had a good take up rate. It seemed to be especially popular with women - men just weren't interested for some reason.

If you have a range of times available and let people book as it suits them that should work well. I don't see a particular reason for it to be the same four people all the time, other than maybe pitch the sessions for unfit, fit and very fit or something, but even this might be making it too complicated.

Get people to pay you up front. People will drop out, forget to turn up, get the time wrong etc etc, but having booked means that that space can't be used for someone else. It's important you get paid - if they can't keep their commitments that is up to them but not up to you to suffer a loss because of it. Tell them "no refunds" unless they can produce a medical certificate in advance of sessions they need to cancel.

Good luck!

mini

Would a 50% cancellation fee, or a standard £20 charge be better than saying no excuses what so ever unless you are certified! if something like urgent meeting at work, sick children etc happen I'd be rather upset at having to pay full price for nothing although I appreciate it's your time.


mini