Have you trained a client over a long period of time at no charge or set up a scholarship?
I am a relatively new trainer and am wondering how to handle the odd case where I meet with a potential client who really needs personal training and is 100% ready to commit, but absolutely cannot afford my services.
Hear me out- today I met with a young woman who is obese and having severe knee pain. Her doctor has told her that she must lose weight through diet and exercise to treat the pain. Without going into detail, she is severely economically challenged. After meeting her and conducting an assessment, I’ve determined that it is a good match. However, she cannot afford personal training at all. I would hate to deny her help just because she can’t pay. Have any of you set up a type of scholarship or trained someone for free for a long period of time? I was thinking of doing an exchange- if she would let me post monthly before and after photos and write about her experience, I could offer her my services at low or no cost.
What’s your take? I tend to be a big softie, and it doesn’t work out to well for me financially but I’m trying to find a silver lining or solution here…
PEACE
Am I my brothers keeper? What kind of person & professional am I? (ask self)
B4 the dollar, we still engaged each other in business propositions and exchanges of services, now should be no different…
I am of the opinion that “cash rules everything around me but, NOT ME” Doesn’t mean I play the fool either. Universal law says to receive you MUST be willing to give and self sacrifice (your time) is sacrifice!
You are not like everyone else or are you? This person may be a blessing/positive for you. A loving, caring heart is a rare thing these days, be cautious of nay sayer’s and let YOUR continence be your guide. You can only account for self.
When I did legal work I was instructed to leave my feelings out of my work and later I had instance to see why I was offered such advice. Be creative in all of your dealings with your prospects & clients. They use the same senses you do…
The heart & mind work TOGETHER for the good of man. Each on their own are subject to external forces with the power sway us away from CHARITY, LOVE & COMPASSION…
If they are serious I’m sure you both can find ways to make sure you are compensated in some form 4 your expertise & time.
peace
I have been told a million times NOT to offer discounted or free services. But I’m a softy at heart. I do NOT however, offer free sessions. I currently have a client that I am helping who is out of work, bipolar and depressed. She is morbidly obese with knee and back pain. I told her my rates and told her to pay what she can afford. We agreed on an amount, she comes in 3/week for 30 min. I firmly, let her know if she reveals to anyone our agreement, she will lose this privilege.
Thank you everyone for your wonderful replies. This particular client was unable to commit to a plan, so we parted ways. I now have another client who has asked for a reduced rate due to financial hardship and I’m going to work something out with her because she puts in an incredible amount of effort. That said, I’ve concluded that I am not yet established enough to be able to afford to offer very low cost or free training to anyone. Thanks for the clarity!
One of the reasons I started training people in groups was this very reason. I wanted to be able to help people who would not be able to afford training. We used to do free for some people but they did not value it. Now we have a minimum they need to pay so they are forced to have value in it. I’ll repeat what some have said above.
1.) Make sure there is a deadline for this rate. Maybe even monthly if certain checkpoints are met.
2.) Train in a group not one on one. When you get busy you may find yourself resenting that hour and not valuing it that much yourself because you are not being rewarded for your work.
3.) Sometimes when you say no, they come up with the money. Or a different time. Don’t let them work you over too much. You should have some boundaries on your time and money.
4.) It’s fun to bring in a client like that from time to time. If you get the right person in on a deadline they can really fire up your other clients because they are hungry for results.