Part of the success equation for personal trainers is making money.
Money is what pays your bills, and money is what will give you the ability to expand your fitness business. If you are not making money as a personal trainer, trust me when I say you will not be a personal trainer for long. The turnover rate in personal training is as high as a Philadelphia skyscraper.
I love the fitness game, as fitness is my number one passion in life. But the fact of the matter is that love and passion do not pay the bills.
Supreme Clientele
So how do personal trainers make money?
Most personal trainers earn their income by training clients. Daily client training sessions at the gym are how most personal trainers make money. If you have no clients and want to stay a personal trainer, you will need to moonlight for a while to make money.
I’m a licensed barber. Cutting hair was my main income while I built my personal training clientele.
Now there are other ways a personal trainer can make money. A personal trainer could sell workout programs, eBooks, supplements, and fitness apparel. I’m sure there are even personal trainers selling their bodies on OnlyFans (no judgment).
These other methods can, with effort, provide an income. I’ve sold eBooks and workout programs. They now provide some income, but it is inconsistent. The main source of my income comes from my clients whom I train in person.
The Truth
How do you get clients?
First, you need to be able to deliver real, objective results for clients. Most clients are coming from a place where fitness has never been a part of their lifestyle. If you can’t make clients leaner and more confident, find a new job. True personal training is about delivering.
Two, you need to be able to communicate. As a personal trainer, you will likely train people from all kinds of backgrounds. You cannot talk to and train everyone in the same manner.
Successful communication is a combination of honesty, tough love, accountability, and empathy. Clients will appreciate it if you are truthful with them.
Third, people need to know you exist. Use marketing techniques. Try paid ads, social media posts, and low-barrier deals. They may entice potential clients to check you out.
But I have found that the best advertising is word of mouth. It brings in long-term clients. If you change someone’s life for the better, they will tell their family and friends about you.
People feel comforted when a trusted friend or family member makes a recommendation.
Conclusion
For personal trainers to make money, they’ve got to have clients. Whether you are training people in person or online, you must have clients to pay the bills.
No clients = no fitness business for you.
I’ll holla at you next time.
The People’s Trainer,
Fitman
