Beginning a personal training service at our gym. Any input as to whether to hire trainers as gym employees or independent contr

Hello Kelly,
Input for your research...I like certified/insured PT's as independent contractors with a business license that are charged a flat rate regardless of how many clients they train.
Always check with your accountant/atty. and local city/state requirments.

Wishing You Great Success!
Michael

Hi Kelly. I have worked as a Director in a community center, State owned College, and private fitness center setting. Since your facility is owned/operated by the City, I'm sure that your City's legal counsel will have a say/review of whatever proposed arrangement you decide on. That being said, your decision may come down to the amount of control that you want over the program. If your decision is to hire independent contractors to provide your personal training services I would highly recommend hiring your own full-time staff member to serve as the Director/Manager/Supervisor of Personal Training so that they have someone who is holding them accountable, and who is accountable for the overall program. The use of independent contractors works well with new programs because you are only paying for their services when they actually provide services - a cost savings. This will allow you to grow the program in a methodical way without having to make a full financial commitment up-front. Of course there are pluses and minuses to both scenarios, and they are too lengthy to explain here.

I'd be happy to discuss this further with you if you'd like to contact me offline. My contact information is below.

I hope that this helps.

LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
larue.cook@lecfitness.com

Susan's words = win!

All depends on what you want. If you want more power over what they can/cant do, then employees.

If you find people you can trust then let them run loose as contractors.

Hello Kelly,

Just make sure the trainers are NCCA accredited and talk to your business lawyer. Why can't you try one of each to see how each idea works after a year?

Take care.

Sounds like the community may be on the verge of some new services.

I have never managed a city facility but, a few others. I'm sure your research will present the pro's & con's of both...

It will fall back on the operations/business model. Services offered vary dramatically and "level of service" varies even more.

I have used and am contracted service. As the owner you loose certain operational controls which may conflict with "the city's" operational needs. Do you know there is an actual demand for services? This is a community rec ctr. so are there other activities going on consistently? How much space is designated for actual exercise (classes,pt(varied/traditional))?

Consider your geography is there a/several large competitors close by? How will your service offer valuable difference? Will service offer($) validate the service cost?

Anyway...my point b4 my rant was:
If considering contracting your facility will still bear some responsibility to the people of the community for the services you offer. You will still need a "representative" to manage the operations integrity & act as a link for the people, the contracted & your rec ctr..

Maybe look at other variables, some suggested b4 tak'n the big plunge...there are tangible possibilities and intangible hurdles w/both. Good intentions and ideas need to be supported w/equal research efforts and hard work to manifest success.

fiscal responsibility...


Not a stab @ you, promise