Greater awareness of obesity and chronic diseases due to physical inactivity has led to a rising interest in healthier lifestyles. As more people look for ways to be physically active, forecasters expect employment in the health and fitness field to rise by 19% in the next 10 years.
If you’re interested in a fitness trainer or instructor career, one of the most important things to learn is finding and maintaining a full and consistent client list. It may seem simple, but building a steady client base is a struggle many personal trainers face.
It doesn’t matter if more people are becoming interested in fitness; if they don’t know your services exist, you can’t build a client base.
Below, we explore how you can find and attract personal training clients.
1. Identify your niche
Personal training could virtually be anything fitness-related, from bodybuilding to weight loss. While your own experience in different types of fitness training will come in handy for various situations, utilizing all of them instead of focusing on one or two practices can hinder your success.
For example, yoga and Pilates are similar types of low-impact exercises that test and increase one’s strength and flexibility. If you have extensive experience with either of these, you can make them your niche services.
This way, you’re offering different options but similar enough that you can focus on attracting a specific type of client—another benefit of identifying your niche. When you have a specific set of services, it’s easier to market them because you know your target audience.
Another reason to focus on a niche is so you can use your expertise to provide the best training programs. The more experience you have with yoga and Pilates, the better you can guide your clients through different routines. The better job you do, the more clients you’ll have.
2. Build your network
In a profession like personal training, being personable and having a network of connections is essential to finding clients. You’re not only marketing your services to people, but you’re also marketing yourself. One way to do this is by keeping in touch with other professionals in related fields.
Among the ones who can benefit your client-finding endeavors are spa owners and medical professionals. Even real estate agents can be surprising sources of new clients.
How do these professionals help? Spa owners, for example, work with clients who need to work out kinks in their muscles. As such, spa owners can recommend your personal training services to their clients while you can offer to do the same with your clients looking for spa services.
Medical professionals, meanwhile, are obligated to give the best health advice to their patients. Let’s say you specialize in personal training for those who need it while recovering from an injury. A doctor can point their patient your way if they need this exact service.
And how do real estate agents factor into this? People settling into a new area often need recommendations for the best service providers. A real estate agent who knows the businesses in the area well can direct newcomers looking for a gym or personal trainer to you.
3. Establish a professional image
As mentioned before, you’re not only marketing your services but also yourself if you’re working as a personal trainer. Maintaining a professional image is an important part of this. Apart from having a niche, you must consistently deliver to establish what customers can expect from you.
When you establish expectations, you start to develop your brand. It communicates what services you provide and creates an instantly recognizable value for these services that can engage potential customers.
4. Market your services on the internet
While personal relations and networks go far to attract new fitness training clients, you can go farther when you take advantage of the internet.
Most businesses today have some online presence, whether through social media accounts, a website, or both.
Your target customers are most likely already online. They could be searching for ways to achieve a healthier lifestyle, which could lead to them knowing the importance of working out. They’ll look into gyms and fitness training programs, which could lead to your services—if you have an online presence.
Fortunately, online marketing for personal trainers isn’t complicated because you don’t have to do everything at once. Start by creating your own Facebook or Instagram pages where you can post information about the services you offer. You can also post free workout tutorials to establish credibility and attract an audience.
Then, look into launching your own website. This can directly provide information about your personal training services and ways to get in touch with you or book a consultation.
Your social media channels and website are also perfect for sharing client testimonials. Reviews from people who have tried your personal training programs are some of the most powerful online marketing tools you can have.
5. Ask for client referrals
Speaking of reviews, referrals function the same way. If you are an effective personal trainer, your clients will be satisfied with your services and can vouch for you. You can take this opportunity to ask them for referrals.
Maybe they have a family member, friend, or colleague looking for a personal trainer. Why not introduce them to your training programs?
Remember that referrals work more effectively if you incentivize your current clients. What’s in it for them if they manage to bring you a new client? You can offer a discount or a free session for every new referral for your personal training services.
Next thing you know, you’ll double your client base without making much effort.
6. Offer a free trial
If your personal training business is new and you don’t have clients yet, you can offer a free trial to attract sign-ups. Many people are interested in personal training services but may wonder if they are worth their time and money.
With your free trial, they can test the waters without commitment while you show them the benefits of signing up for a personal training program. You’ll be surprised how many people will deem your program worth it once they get a taste of the experience.
7. Connect with your community
Like we mentioned in the beginning, if your target clients don’t know your business exists, it will be challenging to attract them. This also applies to your potential network and connections. This is why it’s essential to be visible in the community you serve.
Find ways to be actively involved in the community. Try joining the local chamber of commerce or setting up a booth at community fairs. These techniques will help you get to know your clients or the people who can connect you with them.
Protect Your Fitness Business
You can attract potential clients with the assurance that they are safe with you. This means providing coverage for any accidents that may happen in your classes.
API Fitness offers insurance coverage for personal trainers. From professional and general liability to supplemental coverage, our insurance products protect you from the financial burdens of injuries and other mishaps.
Get in touch with us today to apply for membership.
