Kay Cross's Articles

Getting prepared to start an in-home personal training business requires a lot of foundational work, which can be broken down into five steps. First, it is critical to do all ...

In this five-article series, we have covered the nuts and bolts of creating an in-home personal training business from scratch. First, it was critical to do all the background...

In “Starting From Scratch,” in the previous issue of IDEA Trainer Success, we wore ourselves out with figuring and calculations to create a livable work schedule a...

In the previous issue of IDEA Trainer Success, we took the time to define your business identity, mission statement, pricing plan and equipment needs to create a successful in...

Building an in-home personal training business from scratch can be fun, exciting and just a little bit scary. To take as much fear out of the equation as possible, it is extre...

world for years while working part-time as a group-exercise instructor. The long commutes to work and overtime hours she put in were beginning to take a toll on her spirit, bo...

If you’re like a lot of successful personal trainers, you know from years of working with clients that even the best fitness evaluations and strength, cardio and weight...

In this article series we have covered a wealth of information to help you create and maintain a business edge so that you stand out from other trainers, coaches and fitness c...

One of the most telling signs of whether your business practice is a success is the critical area of client adherence—adherence to the program and loyalty to your busine...

In the previous installment of this series, we worked on your scheduling policies and getting a better workweek ironed out so that you are working when you're at your best and...

I grew up with lots of space around me, and I loved and cherished it. We had a small house in the country on the outskirts of Grapevine, Texas, surrounded by my grandfather&rs...

In talking with my coaching clients over the last several months, I have noticed a definite weakness among trainers, coaches and business owners: They do not define their time...

Although my business still requires diligence, attentiveness and hard work, it is much easier now than it was then because I know so much more. I know what I want, and I am at...

Change strikes the opposite emotion of fear in us when it happens to us and is outside our control. Nature, I realize, never gives us a 30-day notice on all that will be happe...

weaving

I have attended clients’ weddings, birthday parties, Christmas parties and baby showers and shared their birthday lunches and dinners. I’ve enjoyed and celebrated ...

Remember the days when cell phones were simply used for making phone calls? Well, today’s mobile devices are equipped to do more than just have conversations. Via cell p...

No one will respect you if you don’t respect yourself first. I’ll never forget, in my 20s, a good friend telling me (in regard to dating), “You won’t be treated wi...

During my working years, I’ve lived through at least three recessions—and survived them all. Surviving was not easy in my early days of personal training, but I di...

It is a beautiful January day in Texas, and I am sitting in my home at my favorite writing spot (the kitchen table) with my laptop. At this moment in time, the United St...

After lining up the perfect coaching plan with your target clientele, creating a sound lesson plan, organizing your packages and procedures and devising great materials and to...

We have covered a lot of territory in the three previous installments of this series, from identifying your target clientele to creating a lesson plan to organizing a client...

Master—an artist of consummate skill.

Every great trainer and/or coach who thrives in his or her business has a plan. In my early days of personal training, I learned that giving clients too much information too s...

Today’s athletes have all the resources needed to perform their best. Many college campuses are outfitted with athletic complexes that provide all the necessary staff an...

If you woke up tomorrow and your life was perfect, what would it look like? My mortgage would be paid in full, I would have more money than I need for retirement, my cli...

I think of being with my grandfather more than 30 years ago. My brother and I are peering out over our chainlink fence at 50 acres or so of farmland. We are watching for our g...

The Foundation By Kay Cross, MEd Express Yourself! Show your true colors by creating a positive attitude, simplifying your life and carving out enough "me time" to stay o...

“I spend my days just surviving and getting from one appointment to the next. It seems there are never enough hours to get all the work done and still have some time for...

Have you ever looked at a colleague and thought: “Boy, she really knows who she is, what she believes in and where she’s going.” More important, can ...

Change is exciting and scary. Change can demand great sacrifice. Change is many things to many people. It exposes our fears and diminishes our perceived sense of “contro...

Creating synergistic systems—cleaning out, organizing, thoughtfully managing your work hours, planning, tracking, implementing and adjusting—requires time to t...

For those of you reading these columns in order, you may feel overwhelmed at this point, thinking to yourself, “I have so many systems I need to create. How can I po...

Synergistic Systems By Kay L. Cross, MEd Wanted: Experienced Business/Life Manager Becoming a great self-manager takes practice and consistent discipline. How much fun did yo...

Synergistic Systems By Kay L. Cross, MEd Operation Organization Don't wait for spring to make a clean sweep of your working environment! If someone peered into your car, file...

For several years the growing field of coaching has been receiving a lot of publicity. In the fitness arena, through IDEA articles and conferences, you have been reading and h...

Synergistic Systems By Kay L. Cross, MEd Creating Effective Systems Gain more time, focus and energy with streamlined processes for work and home. Current Time: 6:35 AM Requi...

You never dreamed it would happen to you. You thought you were an outstanding fitness professional. You crunched numbers, worked to create great fitness programs and serve...

Reinvigoration Strategies By Kay L. Cross, MEd Face Your Finances Create a winning budget to gain control of your money-- and life. During one of my presentations at the IDEA...

Reinvigoration Strategies By Kay L. Cross, MEd Crawl Out of Your Comfort Zone It's easy if you learn new skills and create a goal strategy. One of our greatest challenges as ...

In our last two columns, we discussed the importance of molding your personal vision and purpose into a mission that reflects your values. This revamping of who you are an...

My childhood memories of Thanksgiving and Christmas are warm and happy. I loved the special food, the time off from school and just being with my entire family laughing and pl...

Has your schedule suddenly opened up? If you are a group exercise instructor, perhaps the number of classes you teach has been reduced; or, as a personal trainer, maybe you ha...

Reinvigoration Strategies By Kay L. Cross, MEd Breathe New Life Into Your Business Reignite your enthusiasm for your career by creating a new vision for your company. After a...