Things were a little different back in 2004. Keep in mind that the internet was not as widely used, and apps did not exist yet. Most of us trainers were still writing on paper, and just starting to use computers to put together workout routines. After almost 20 years in the fitness industry there have been a few realizations as far as building a fitness business, and most of them don't have to do with fitness, but with people, communication and a genuine desire to help.
1. Imposter syndrome:
Yes, there is a lot of science behind training the body. But no matter how many certifications you have, it seems many of us still feel like it's not enough. This lack of confidence in yourself can hold you back for a long time. In fact, you may never get to the level of success you deserve if you don't believe in what you have to offer. I realize this, of course, because I, too struggle with Imposter Syndrome at times. Even after 19 years and hundreds of clients.
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You earn trust by having conversations with people and by celebrating the accomplishments of your clients. It takes time, patience, and hard work. Yes, you need to have the knowledge to back up your advice, but that is most likely not what will keep a client walking in your door. It's you. Do you make an effort to build a relationship with your clients? I once read a trainer say “Make every client feel like they are your only client”. The average client is not looking to do The Iron Man or be a bodybuilder. That is a definite specialty that you need to be prepared for. The average client needs help staying committed to themself, and a good plan to keep them on track.
3. You’re not the perfect trainer for every client:
It’s ok to pass a client on to another trainer. Not everyone is a good fit for you or you for them. They may be looking to recover from an injury or surgery that you have no experience with or knowledge about. If you’re struggling to figure out how to help them, no one wins. You will not enjoy training them, and they will not get the results they deserve.
4. Be open to learning new ways of doing things:
Many of us have had to change with the times. Fortunately, I picked up on this pretty quickly. It was scary at first, but I now enjoy growing my business. When I started training, we used training logs and did our bookkeeping on paper. I now have a total of about 14 platforms that I use for my business, and about half of them on a daily basis. It can be scary and stressful walking into new territory and feeling lost along the way, but if I didn’t my business would look completely different. I enjoy what I do so much more because I feel I have a lot more to offer than I did years ago. Try different things, and don’t wait so long to do it. Jump in, and if it’s not working, you can always pivot.
5. You have to spend money to make money:
I was too frugal at times, and I have definitely wasted some along the way. But if you don’t explore new options you’ll never know what’s right for you. For instance, I’ve tried a few products to add to my business. Some have worked out great and have been lucrative partnerships, and some I had to ditch. This was the case with FitBudd. I wasn’t excited about the platform I was using so I tried the free month with FitBudd and knew right away that I made the right choice. If you don’t believe in the product, and the price point doesn’t work for your clientele, then it’s a no-go. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun meeting new people. One thing for sure is that it’s been a great journey and there have been lots of ups and downs along the way.
The best piece of advice I can give to anyone starting their journey as a fitness coach is to make sure you’re doing it for the right reason. You may be happy just working in a gym as an employee without all the extra responsibility. But if you want to be an independent fitness coach building your own business it can be very rewarding. It has helped me to grow as a person as well as a coach. With the addition of the internet and tools like FitBudd, you can reach people all over the world. Everyone is literally a click away from learning about you and what you do. Take advantage of all the tools out there. Take the time to learn and grow, and most of all believe in yourself and walk the walk.
Meet the author
Lisa LaManna
Lisa Lamanna is a seasoned fitness coach and the visionary owner of MaxFitness Coaching, boasting over two decades of expertise in sculpting healthier lifestyles.
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