A new client suprised me by bringing a friend to her 2nd session wanting me to train them together.
The session was challenging for me as one client was at a beginners level and the other more advanced. I charged them both my customary hourly fee. I understand that some trainers offer discounted prices for training 2 people together. Should I feel obligated to offer a “special rate” in order to keep these clients? I got the impression that they thought they would be getting a discounted rate.
Good answers. Training two, charge for two. It’s your time, split the effort, but your concentration on the training session is doubled. Definitely make sure the ‘partner’ is clearly screened and completes a medical history. You are as responsible as if it were a single client. As much as possible have them work together on specific exercises. It’s your responsibility to supervise them both. A challenge.
Good luck.
Not much to add here. But I really liked the answer from Sean Yeager-Diamond. If you should want to get into a more in depth discussion, I would contact her or you can contact me if you like. I would be happy to correspond with you a bit on any topic of interest in fitness. I enjoy learning and researching information in our field.
I think overtime all trainers encounter this type of situation. I have found that this doesn’t happen as often as it is clearly stated in the policies and procedures document that they sign when starting training, that the session is an individual session and can not be shared.
If it does, I always have them sign a waiver, get their contact and emergency contact information and a quick health history. I want to be sure it is safe to train them. Then I have them do the same workout as the other client with modifications if necessary. If they would like to continue to train together, I let them know how that would work and schedule things accordingly. Most of the time, its the case of someone visiting or a spouse having the day off.
Since this is only the second time you’ve trained this client, you need to be clear upfront with how the session will work. If you choose to train them both together, you need to set the expectation as to how those sessions will go. Being clear in your communication and then having a policy to prevent this type of situation in the future, will help you immensely.
Hi Lori. Good for you to be able to make a ‘surprise change’ to your workout plan. However, I would first make it clear to your client the proper way to ‘schedule’ a partner training (that is, with advance notice, and an agreement of the fee). While you were able to perform without a hitch, if you don’t make your policy on Partner Training clear to you client NOW, you may find yourself with more surprises – like planning for partner training and then only having one, or planning for two and then four show up. While the partner training definitely means more revenue for you, in my opinion, you do not want to be placed in the position of having to make such sudden changes on the fly. Aside from the obvious situation where FEWER people show up than what you may have planned for, there’s the whole ‘liability issue’ of informed consent when you may not have a Waiver for the unexpected client to sign.
Establish your policies and procedures now and you won’t have problems in the future.
Good luck!
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
Actually I think training two people is HARDER than training one!
Your focus is split in half and the primary client actually is giving up what they initially paid for.
I would most certainly use part of the time to assess this new person, you are as liable for their safety as you are for the primary client. After a waiver has been signed and payment has been made I would have conducted a workout with the remaining time allotted.
If you don’t want this to happen you can always put it in your contract.