Is there anyone who is a self-employed personal trainer? I was wondering how that is and how you get clients
Hi Joseph,
I have had my own business as a personal trainer for over 18 years. In that capacity, I am self-employed, and it constitutes most of my income. I also teach classes at local wellness centers where I am an employee.
How is it? I absolutely love what I am doing; it does not even feel like work. At this point, I am well-established.
Getting started is another story. It’s been so long that I probably forgot all the frustration but getting the first few clients is not easy. You may need to start training friends for free just to be ‘out there’ and visible. This question has been posted many times here, and you can peruse the answers there for many good tips and advice.
Working at a gym was part of my start as it gives exposure. Teaching classes to me is both enjoyment and a way of self-promotion because people can get familiar with you.
I wish you good luck.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
Joseph,
I used to work in a large gym before I decided to go off on my own. Currently I work with people where ever they choose to meet (home, offices, sporting complexes, schools, etc.) and I absolutely love it. All of my clients have been just from word of mouth, and so far it has kept me pretty busy. I also help out in different physical therapy clinics in the area to help trade services as well as continuing to build up a greater knowledge base. This also leads to more referral sources.
Whether you choose to open up a location, or to have a mobile training service, there are going to be different pros and cons. Mobile training gives you the opportunity to pick up clients who are too busy to make their way out to a location, so you going to them is much more convenient. If you are able to line up a schedule where all your clients live pretty close, you can do pretty well because you won’t have any overhead. The downside is when you have clients far apart, then you are losing time of the day you could be training because you are driving. If you have a studio, than you have somewhere that will be more viewable for people to see what it is you offer. The downside is overhead, but once you get busy enough that won’t be as big of a deal and you could also start to rent out space to other trainers.
Overall, I really enjoy being off on my own. Just like Karin said, it doesn’t even feel like work.
-Bryan
Hi Joseph,
In my opinion, if you are going to be hired as a Sheriff deputy you might want to keep in mind that unless you have the same work schedule every week (which I think it will not be the case as a new deputy) you will have hard time finding and keeping clients. Clients have their own busy schedules (not to mention their personal lives) and they usually like to train around the same time each day/week with little flexibility. You’ve mentioned that you will be looking for part time work once you get hired by the Sherriff’s department, but I think it will be difficult to do. I may be wrong, but from personal experience I have to say it will be challenging to maintain any steady clients. Working as a law enforcement officer your life and schedule could become unpredictable and having a second job (especially as a personal trainer) will be tough to do.
As far as looking for ways getting new clients, you will need to devote time for networking. You will need to join networking groups to promote your business and services. You could also place an ad on craigslist. Word of mouth is another way as you already probably know. If you work for someone else (or a gym), this is usually done by them. But if you want to work for yourself you will be responsible to find your own clients. I hope this helps. Best of luck to you at your new career!
Best,
Harris
Hello Joseph Geraci,
Congratulations becoming a sheriff.
I would not worry too much about getting clients; because, you will be tapping a different demographic as sheriff which will yield more exposure.
Try to play it by ear, for now, and let your healthy lifestyle set the example, while you concentrate on the all important career of sheriff.
When you are comfortable in the new position, you may be able to join a local business group or attend SCORE workshops for small entrepreneurs.
Are you able to personal train in a neighborhood gym?
I love my career, as my clients motivate and inspire me for the rest of the day.
Take care,
Natalie
NAPS 2 B Fit