Fitness, Business, Fitness Business, & Achieving Life Goals

Personal Trainers tend to make their living session-to-session. Sessions with clients, opportunities to help others achieve their goals, is what we live for. I can’t imagine a day when I’m not doing at least some personal training. But, from a financial standpoint, is that all there is for us? How can we make enough of an income to live the life we wish?

1) Increase income per session: by this I don’t simply mean charge more (unless you’re undercharging, a topic for another time), but offer different packages that allow you to make more per hour.

     a) Train small groups -generally 2-6 people. A great option for clients because it can be more social, have more accountability, and a lower price than one-on-one training. Greater income for you because they typically pay 60% or more of the one-on-one price (>=120%/hr)

     b) Run Boot Camps and other group classes – Another group option for clients. Even though it has less personal attention, it’s still more social, has great accountability, and with a group exercise kind of price. Because of the numbers in a class setting, Personal Trainers can potentially make their highest per hour income here.

     c) Train 1/2 hr sessions (or less) – they should be roughly 60% or more of the hourly (=120%+/hr)

     d) Run specialty programs – you can charge more when highly specialized i.e. healthy back program

2) Selling products

     a) Equipment – You may choose to offer small equipment to clients (i.e. tubing, bands, medballs, etc.), but I find it hard to sell these with anything more than the slightest markup. Your clients can easily get them on the internet and I’d rather not have to stock them. A better plan is to become an affiliate of equipment providers. i.e. I’m an affiliate of http://perfombetter.com First, I really love the company (that’s very important to me) I can give my client a link, they can order what they want, and I get a nominal kickback. I’m not making much with this, but with minimal effort, a little money better than nothing.

     b) Supplements – Again, how much stock do you want to handle and how much of a markup will you be able set? There are affiliate programs here as well, or you can seek out wholesale vendors and purchase in bulk. If you choose to stock supplements, stick with a few select products that you believe in. I would go with the immediate consumption type: energy, meal replacement, and recovery bars and pre-prepared drinks.

     c) Informational – Ah, here’s where I think the real opportunity lies. This includes writing books, educational and exercise dvds, recorded teleseminars/webinars, etc. Anytime you do a presentation, record it and it becomes a future product for you (just make sure it’s OK with the venue organizer). Once these products are created, they are a great way to supplement your income.

I’m sure I’m missing a couple of things. Please feel free to add to the list. The point is, there are many ways we can enhance our income while still being able to do what we love, help our clients reach their goals.

Best wishes, Mark