Top Tips for Training Success

While definitions of success may vary, we can all agree that success in the fitness industry is measured by number of lives changed. The question is, How do you reach all those people when clients have so many choices? How do you differentiate yourself so that you stand out from the pack? Here are four tips for success in 2012:

• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. The best trainers in the industry teach classes too. They are sharp, energetic and efficient, and they work smoothly under pressure. Teaching a group exercise class, a boot camp or a corporate seminar gives you the opportunity to engage with dozens of people at a time, some of whom will become paying clients.
• Think outside the box. People share their “Wow” experiences with their friends. With social media, that could mean thousands of people! Explore your surroundings, and find creative ways to integrate them into your workouts.
  Try standup paddle boarding on the river with a body weight workout on the board, or pack a TRX® Suspension Trainer™ to add a new dimension to a run
  in the woods.
• Don’t chase clients. Sometimes we end up owning our clients’ goals even more than they do. Give a client who has “gone quiet” a few sensitive follow-ups, but then move on. Your time, energy, passion and reputation are much better served by clients who fully commit to changing their lives.
• Observe your peers (humbly!). Don’t let your ego get in the way of professional growth. Make it a point to take a few classes or sit in on a colleague’s session. Don’t critique—simply watch how that trainer works and interacts. Take mental notes of body language, rapport and verbal and touch cuing. Try to come away with two or three things you can apply immediately.

—Grant Hill