First day as a Personal Trainer in a gym – What to do?
Hi, I’ve been a lurker here for a while, it’s a great community with lots of useful insights and I eventually joined to ask a question!
I’m really confused on how one should build a client base, starting from scratch, working in a commercial gym, assuming you have to build your own client base without any help from the gym itself.
A lot of advices and suggestions I see take for granted you have already a base to start from, but what if your completely new to the world of personal training?
What are your best advices for a new trainer looking to build a client base relatively fast? Should I approach everyone and give free sessions? Should I ever try to sell my services or just be nice, help people and try to build relationship and trust hoping someone will eventually request personal training?
To sum it up: please, share your knowledge on, going back, everything you would do in the first weeks in a gym setting. I’m very very confused (and… terrified)!
Hi Patrick. In the words of Green Bay quarterback “R-E-L-A-X.” You’ll be fine. Take your time, approach people within your comfort zone (meaning don’t try to force yourself onto unsuspecting gym goers). Strike up ‘friendly’ conversations, not necessarily professional ones. If people recognize you at the gym as one of the trainers, no real need to beat them over the head with that fact. Show genuine interest in each person you meet. Ask questions, and actually listen to their answers. Be engaging, be friendly, be helpful and ‘they will come.’ Have fun with it!
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com