For small group training 3-6 people, is it best to charge by the month or as a package of a set number of sessions?
I own a small personal training studio and I’m the only trainer. I’ve only been offering 1-on-1 training of 30 minutes sessions. I currently offer 1-on-1 packages of 5 sessions @ $150, 10 sessions @ $270, and 20 sessions @ $500. I live in a small town in a rural area with a median income of about $42,500. I want to make the training affordable for those who can’t afford 1-on-1 but I also have to cover my rent, utilities, supplies, etc. as well as the increased challenge of working with multiple people at once. Any suggestion of what I should charge for the small group based on what I charge for 1-on-1?
I offer both payment options: a package of 12 or flat monthly which is 25% less. I might be taking a hit on that 25% off but I do find most people prefer the sessions despite the potential savings.
Be ironclad on your conditions: the flat monthly fee applies whether they come to all 12 scheduled classes/sessions or if they miss them all. This option works best on automated EFT. I have the condition on the 12 pack to: they all have to be used in 6 weeks or the remainder is void.
Just have it written out in their signup documentation along with your questionnaire and waiver.
You can allow them the change package types between packages.
Here’s what you should do:
If your current 1 on 1 rate is $30, make the group sessions $20 and no lower! If you are going to charge less, make sure you are making more.
Personal training for $20 a session is a steal, regardless of where you are. No one would bat an eye to pay $20-30 per session for a small group session of up to 6 people.
Once you have established your group sessions, you can easily charge more for private training like $50+.
You should start offering this group session ASAP at your most popular times, or whatever time is empty right now. If you have a before work crowd, make sure you offer one there.
You can offer a “Mommy” group after the kids are dropped at school, a teen group after school, etc. An after work group too.
Let me know how it goes!