Door-to-door trainer - Personal Training

Personal trainers deal with unusual situations, such as traffic, bad weather, wear and tear on your vehicle, expensive parking spaces and clients who may not be ready to work out when you arrive. However, the advantages of training clients at home outweigh the disadvantages. You are your own boss and set your work hours. Since you don t have to pay a club fee, you usually collect a increased, hourly rate. You have the chance to create fun and innovative programs as well as constantly train in new surroundings. Plus, you can expand your client base by catering to those who want privacy while exercising or cannot make it to the gym.

GETTING STARTED

Having a reliable vehicle and step platform is a good start. However, this is only the beginning of a well-planned business venture. To be a successful personal trainer, a plan of attack is vital. Begin by deciding what type of clients you will train--stay-at-home moms, seniors and/or elite athletes. Will you do group training, one-on-one training or both?

RATES

Geographic area will probably determine your fee. In the suburbs, fees are usually less than a city setting. Also, executives and film-industry clients are willing to pay more for a personal trainer than students or seniors. Once you decide on the area and type of clientele you will train, call other trainers to determine the going rate. Keep your rates competitive without undercharging. Also, it's risky to raise your fees too soon after a client hired you based on a low fee. A word of advice: Don't increase your fees until you are fully booked and in demand.

FINDING CLIENTS

Creating a client base for personal training is similar to finding clients at the gym--you have to network. Contact trainers who are already busy and willing to share some of their run-off clients. Many fitness equipment stores hire trainers to visit customers and demonstrate how to use a piece of equipment. The phone book is filled with spas who may be interested in having a fitness professional come in for a special "Get Fit" lecture. Also, now more than ever, the fitness industry is merging with the medical community. Thus, building relationships with physiotherapists, chiropractors and doctors can help in finding clients. There are clients everywhere. You just have to find them and you're in business.

PUTTING TOGETHER A PROMOTIONAL PACKAGE

Once you find prospective clients, you will look more professional if you present a promotional package. Your "promo pack" might include your resume, brief background information, print, television and/or radio credits, letters of recommendation from colleagues and/or satisfied clients and a business card. The package should be short and simple so clients can browse through the material quickly.

EQUIPPING YOURSELF

Put together a "toy box" of training equipment. Most sport equipment stores sell large, durable duffel bags that can help transport equipment, such as dumbbells, resistance bands, a stability ball, a body bar, a step platform, ankle weights, medicine, cones, a skipping rope and a wobble board.

LIABILITY INSURANCE

Waivers and consent forms are needed to protect you against liability. It is well worth the money to hire a lawyer to handle this part of your business, especially since you will often be training clients in unusual settings. As an independent contractor, insurance coverage is required. Sport Can and the BCRPA both offer insurance for personal trainers.

Maureen Wilson is the owner of Sweat Co. Studios in downtown Vancouver, Canada. Since its opening in 1984, Wilson has developed Sweat Co. from a small studio into a full-service training facility, offering group fitness, yoga, Pilates, Spinning[R] and personal training. She can be reached at (604) 683-7938 or sweatco@telus.net.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group