For independent trainers (not at a studio): how do you handle sick days or vacations?
Just don’t get sick…
So, my serious answer is that I plan 48 weeks of training per year, and 4 “recovery” weeks. The recovery week is every 13th week. No matter what, my group classes will not run on those 4 weeks per year. If I intend on taking a vacation, I try to schedule it during these 4 weeks. I pretty much intend on taking 2-3 of those weeks per year completely off. So, my clients will know ahead of time that we won’t be training during those weeks. They will receive some workout ideas for this time off, but most of it will be more on the recovery side of things because they need a break too.
As far as getting sick, I don’t think it works well to have a replacement. I haven’t tried it before, but you would have to make sure that the person is trained well enough to not hurt your clients. If they do have this much training, they likely have a client base of their own. I just don’t know many qualified trainers who are sitting at home willing to work when they get that call.
Those days where you can’t work are why I decided to save 8% of what I make training as sort of a PTO fund. Basically 48 weeks * 5 days per week is 240 and I assume that I will take up to 20 days off per year (max), so that is where I get the 8%. You could just pay yourself the higher rate and take it out of your personal emergency fund, but I like the separation. If I have to take a day off, I just take my average pay out of the fund and I’m good to go.
Hi Megan,
when I am not able to train because I am going to a conference or on vacation, I know it always well in advance. So I prepare for that time of absence with workouts that my clients will do on their own.
I don’t even bother to try to find a ‘replacement’. It’s not that I consider myself irreplaceable but I know every quirk of my clients, their preferences and past problems, and it is hardly worth trying to teach another person that, even if it was for a period of 4 weeks.
This has worked well for me for all my 18 years of training.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
Hello Megan,
My clients would understand if I am off for “sick day/s” as well as a vacation and I would not have a replacement to fill those off days.
Preparation prior to a vacation would be my standard for those missed days and programming would be incorporated until my return.
Sincerely,
Michael
Hi Megan. I too do not use a substitute or replacement trainer when I’m out on time-off (for whatever reason). My clients and I arrange our schedules accordingly both when I am scheduled out or when they have something come up like a business trip.
I hope this helps.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
