What’s the easiest way to find fitness facilities that will allow independent trainers to rent space and train their clients?
Hi Sean,
I hate to disappoint you: there is not easy way. You’ll have to get on the phone and call one facility after the other.
I would start with smaller, independently owned clubs and studios. Many larger facilities and franchises do not allow independent trainers at all but may offer you ’employment opportunities’ which is usually a ‘they win – you lose’ proposal.
I wish you best of luck, though.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
Hi Sean. I agree with Karin. Going the route of the smaller, independently owned facilities will be your best bet. If you present this opportunity as a win-win to the facility owners they will be more apt to listen to your proposal. Offering a specialty training that they might not currently have in-house, bringing further exposure to their club through your ‘outside fitness activities’ (such as any writing or speaking you might do), and introducing new clients (yours) to their facility, are all possible ‘wins’ that you could bring to them.
Good luck!
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
Hi Sean,
I recently went through my own search for a gym that allows independent trainers to rent space. Karin and LaRue both have it right that smaller facilities are your best bet.
I just searched for gyms in my area and emailed/called each one asking if they allow independent trainers there. A couple got back to me and I met with their fitness directors to check out their facilities and discuss what type of agreements would be fair. I ended up finding one that had everything I needed and an agreement that I felt was fair.
Nick Palladino
www.palladinopt.com
Here in the Minneapolis area, there are several small private studios that are willing to allow independent trainers to use their facility – some offer hourly rate, others monthly rate. In every one of these places, you are expected to bring your own clients, not prospect another trainer’s clients or gym members of the facility.
Good luck!
Kelly Doyle, MS, CSCS, CES
www.ksbodyshop.com