Building a Successful Personal Training Business

When you're trying to build a successful personal training business, having a passion for fitness is only the start.

You need to be more than just a good trainer with a love of the gym – you need to be a savvy accountant, a smart marketer, a persuasive salesperson, and more.

Most trainers find the hardest part of the job is finding new clients, making the sale, and then retaining them long-term.

Worry not – this article will show you the best tried-and-tested ways to win more clients and create a thriving fitness business.

Get Results

Let your results do the talking. Learning, workshops, seminars, and business courses all have their place. But nothing will help you close more sales and build your business faster than being a trainer that achieved great results. Pour your energies into getting the best results, and you will quickly become a magnet for new clients.

Collect Reviews and Testimonials

Turn satisfied customers into your best sales reps simply by collecting reviews and testimonials to use on your website, social media, and marketing materials. Nothing helps you establish credibility better than glowing reviews from people you have worked with. It gives other potential clients the 'social proof' that you are what they are looking for so they invest their hard-earned money in your services.

Harness the Power of Social Media

Social media is a great tool you can use for free to connect with your target audience, showcase what you do, and keep you 'front of mind' in people's minds for when they are looking for help with their fitness. It gives you a medium to share valuable content, fitness expertise, and success stories that show potential clients who you are, what you're about, and how you could help them. It's also a great way to build a community and set yourself up as the go-to expert on fitness for your audience.

Generate Referrals

Every person you work with will have a network of friends and family just like them who may want help to get fit, losing weight, or learning new skills in the gym from a professional.

Focus on giving every client an amazing experience – giving them great results and a return on investment. Not only will this help you improve client retention, but they are far more likely to refer friends and family to you too. Getting referrals like this is a great way to win more business without spending a penny on advertising or marketing.

Give free or discounted sessions

Getting people 'through the door' can be the hardest thing for personal trainers. But offering new clients a free or discounted session can be a great way to give them a taste of what they can expect when they work with you first-hand. Getting a free session is often a no-brainer for the client, but it gives you a chance to build a relationship, show what value you can bring, and give them an insight into what you can help them achieve. It's a sure-fire way to win lots of long-term business.

Build your network

The more connected you are and the wider your network, the better opportunities will come your way to build your business. It pays to build relationships with other fitness pros, local businesses, and influencers. Expanding your network will help you increase referrals, make you more visible, and enhance your reputation in the industry.