Personal Training Packages. Monthly vs. Packages
Hi Nicole:
I offer packages because as some have mentioned paying up from means your client has made a commitment and will usually follow through. If they cancel without 24 hours notice it is counted as a session.
I find in just starting out packages work best for me but I do tweak them based on the individual and their situation.
For example I was training a marathon runner to improve her strength and explosive movements as she was training to run up a mountain. She renewed her last package session which took us to about a week before the date of the run. I threw in two sessions for free to help her with stretching and core work. She did awesome at the race and the goodwill was worth it to see her reach her goal. Again depends on your client and their situations. I would not do this for everybody.
Hope this helps,
Leann
curl27fitness
I have been in the business for over 18 years and I have always sold packages. It is best to have a least three offerings, people tend to pick the middle offering. My packages were 10 sessions, 20 and 30. My thinking was you can not get anything done right in less than ten sessions, 20 is enough sessions to change the program towards the end for those working out 3x’s a week, and 30 was the option I had for those individuals I trained for years and years.
Now, and when I was selling coaching, I asked for a monthly retainer with a 3 month to a year committment.
Often it comes down to what works for you best. Do you want committment, or new faces? Are your programs designed for a short duration (quick fix-like a Wedding bride slim down) or a long benefit duration (a more lifestyle behavioral change)?
Nicole,
I experimented a few different billing/payment methods over the course of my career and have settled into a monthly system. I offer two options for my clients. The 1st option requires prepayment for monthly training sessions. With this option,the client agrees to meet the same numbers of sessions on a monthly basis and it serves to reserve the same days and times each month for the client. Furthermore, the billing is the same month to month even if the numbers of training sessions vary. For example, a client wants to meet 2X weekly, that will average 8 sessions monthly, however a few months yearly, there will be 9 or 10 sessions in a month, but again the client is billed for 8 sessions….That is their “reward” for committing to the prepayment plan. Additionally, the client can “miss” 4 sessions yearly and not have to pay for the sessions.
The 2nd option allows the client to schedule on a weekly or monthly basis and then I will invoice them for the number of training sessions at the end of each month. This allows more flexibility in scheduling for the client, but training times /days are not reserved for that client on an on-going basis.
I have a24 hour cancellation policy for all clients. There is not a perfect system/method for billing/payment, but you need to find what works best for you. And, yes, unfortunately , you will get “burned” by a non-paying client on a rare occasion, but just cut your losses and move on….Best of Luck