What is the biggest challenge you have in your career RIGHT NOW? What do you feel is holding you back from the next level of success? Let’s work together to solve your challenges and get you on the fast track to prosperity.
Here’s the video that answers all the questions you asked below. Get ready to take notes!
This is going to be fun…..
Let’s get to the point. Below, you will tell me your most pressing challenge in your career. I’m going to make a video and answer your questions and solve your challenges. Ta-daaaa!
The details….
You, me and everyone else has unique challenges (a better way of saying ‘problems’) that can keep us from our goals. For the purpose of this lesson, let’s stick to the following areas, so the video has some continuity:
Which of the following, is your biggest challenge for your coaching or fitness business?
– Getting new clients
– Time management
– Online marketing
– Sales
– The economy
– Rent/lease costs
– Employees/contractors
– Social media
– Offline marketing
– Education
– Cash flow
– Having a clear career path
– Getting funding
– Technology
– Support
Please be clear, specific, and tell me your niche (i.e. women’s fitness, wellness coaching, boot camp, life and body transformations, etc).
Use the Facebook comment box or traditional comment box below.
The video will be done in couple days, and it will be a compilation of the questions and comments provided by you and my other forward-thinking students.
You will be notified when the video is live!
Heather Garrigus says
I have 3 studios. Two of the three we do personal training but mainly group classes of pilates reformer, spin, trx, and weights. The third studio offers an indoor bootcamp utilizing treadmill and resistance tools of various kinds and spinning. My niche market is the more affluent aged 30-50. My biggest challenges are being on a limited budget and getting the word out about the studio to get new clients in the door, online marketing, my own time management( as I feel like I am spread too thin running 3 studios and teaching and training, etc.), and keeping a motivated and dependable staff. How is my time best spent? Can’t make everyone happy. I am trying to get the third studio off the ground without cannibalizing from my other 2 studios. Any suggestions? All this and I want to plan for my future in this business.
George Kalioras says
John,
I’m having a hard time getting my name out. Gyms where I am don’t want to hire me, they don’t think NESTA is a reliable cert. It’s like they don’t care how knowledgable a person is, but what credentials they have. Have you ever experienced something like this?
Thank you
George Kalioras
JSE says
That’s actually funny. NESTA has the same NCCA accreditation as the other 8 or so organizations. And, NESTA costs less and is valid for 4 years and not just 2 like the others. I will address this in the video, but I had to speak up here and now.
There are many opinions, emotions, egos and “know it alls” in the fitness industry. I’m sure some people think ACE is the best and others would say ISSA, and the list goes on. NESTA prepares your for A CAREER, not just a job.
PLEASE KNOW THIS…. Some associations “MAKE DEALS” with clubs and create “drones” and “followers” regardless if their belief is valid. There are often a wink and a hand shake thing going on.
NESTA IS HIGHLY REGARDED>>>> NESTA is a preferred certification of 24 Hour Fitness (one of the largest fitness chains in the world). Something to think about!
Forget people who think you are not good enough. I NEVER let anyone hold be back because they think they are superior or know what is best. Anyone who says one is better than the other is full of BS. All certs have to hold similar standards for NCCA and sooooo much is just BS.
You could just make a kick ass business, and laugh all the way to the bank while you help 3x as many people as the guy who thinks he knows it all.
Mark Bonser says
Having become frustrated at the working environment in several gyms, I have just converted my garage into an air conditioned personal training studio. Equipped with cardio/resistance equipment and workout floor space, I have designed it in a way to appeal to people who may be intimidated by a gym environment, clients who may be overweight and looking to make lasting lifestyle change. I love learning about personal development strategies, am currently taking the Spencer Institute Wellness Coaching certificate, and ultimately aim to combine exercise, nutritional guidance and lifestyle coaching for both individuals and small groups. My primary problem is that I am really starting from scratch as far as gaining a client base. I am relatively new to the area (Sacramento) and do not know a lot of people. I would welcome any advice or ideas you have on starting and developing a client base.
Alex says
Hi John, I’m Alex from Toronto. My biggest challenge is getting new clients. I do 1-on-1s and small groups, outdoors in the park, at the beach and in the lake…circuit training, nutrition, TRX, kickboxing, aquafitness and sports. There are 3 gyms in the neighborhood…Every time I leave the house I see a new poster for a bootcamp starting up…I’m 27 and I started my company 1 month ago. I know things take time and i’m not worried about it, but I suspect this will be my main challenge for the near future. I’m the marketing, website, video, blog, and nutrition department, plus i’m studying for my MMACA so it’s tough to find the time and energy to spread the word. Thank you
Mark says
Hi John! In my area I feel forced to drop my prices so low that it’s difficult making a profit. I’m a mobile personal trainer focused primarily on body transformations with currently 100% female clientele and train them all at their homes. I’m driving several hours each day for a handful of clients that barely get me by. I love and am good at what I do, but if you have suggestions on how I can improve this current situation I would gladly hear your advice. I have also done plenty of free nutrition and exercise related workshops but that didn’t seem to help my business and even though they were all very successful, I sometimes wonder if that even hurt my reputation.
Ryan says
Currently I”m working at establishing my self in a fitness club. I have an agreement with the club that will allow me to train members and non-members however I am not allowed to do any marketing inside the club (no posters, signage ect). I’m currently struggling to increase my client base. My primary demographic is male 18-36 and my secondary demographic is female weight loss age 24-45. My marketing strategy has been:
-Stay as visible as possible in the gym
-Creating Word of Mouth through existing clients
-Offering free Assessments (that includes a goal setting program and the FMS) My conversion rate is at 100% thus far
-I’m also training a few (3) friends for free with the agreement that they can continue training for free so long as they can refer at least 1 client per month.
Do have any suggestions as to what else I could do to attract more clients from the gym population (currently having 4000 members with a increase of 15-30 per month)?
SGT Steve says
John – My biggest challenge is marketing my new book on fitness motivation. Any guidance is appreciated!
Rafael Arias says
I have an idea and I was inspired after hearing you on a podcast. You said you learned how to balance everything from business, personal, and family. I plan on taking your personal trainer chef cert. I currently have 4 national certs. I find myself scattered alot although I get the job done I think I make it harder then it has to be. I really want help on developing a business system for my niche that will allow me to be a trainer in the top 1% and have all that balanced you discussed.in other words I want to have my cake and eat it to.
Kind regards,
Rafael Arias
Nasm-CPT
James says
Hello JSE …
I do mobile training primarily. It has been working well for me so far but now I want to enhance my focus on online training. Due to my schedule/family life, I feel I would benefit greatly from this model. I have already been using your FBN software, but I would like further detail on how I can use both the software, my website and social media, to generate a more successful mobile/online training business.
**BTW, I have all my certs (CPT, IMPACT, MMA Conditioning Coach) through NESTA ,with exception of my CES, and I can definitely say that both the science and business knowledge that I have acquired so far has been amazing!**
Thanks
Ettie Steg says
Hi John,
NESTA has been great for me. I have your Pilates, Core and Biomechanics certificates which have been an enormous boon, and which I list on my business card.
I teach modern dance as exercise, and my biggest challenge is getting new clients, as I don’t know how to use social media properly to attract new people.
Have put a series of 12-second videos on Youtube, which are also on my site, and get very good feedback from individuals, but can’t figure out how to be seen by more people.
Have no funds whatsoever for any advertising, so what you are offering to do here is wonderful.
Regards,
Ettie Steg
danceformylife.com
Steve Fuchs says
Hi John,
I run an Adventure Boot Camp and I have one employee. She’s an enthusiastic and motivating trainer when coaching, but I’ve only got her 5 hours a week, and that’s as far as it goes. She doesn’t really see her success as tied to the success of the company. I’d like to change that and give her incentives to work with me on other areas of the business like client retention, enhancement, and marketing. Maybe with a profit-sharing arrangement?
Thanks John!
Steve
Dot says
Hi John,
Thanks for all that you do. I love following you. I see clients 1 on 1 and am moving into a workshop and group program model. My specialty is teaching people how to relieve their own back pain. My private client schedule is currently full and has been for some time. I want to learn how to get more people into my workshops so they can experience amazing results. My list has been saturated; I’m looking to team up with others’ lists and offer what I do to them. Not sure exactly how to do this. I’m in the North Bay. Looking forward to hearing more from you. Thanks, Dot
Michelle says
I would like insight on getting more clients. For my wellness coaching, my niche is, women approximately 30 -65. I have also been approached to do presentations for churches and groups for either stress management or wellness, and would like more information on dealing with churches, groups or corporations. Thanks in advance.
Lynne says
Hi John, I’m so glad you asked. Just the other day I was thinking about reaching out to you for advice. I have written a book that will be going to publishing in several weeks and coming out within a few months. I am trying to figure out the best way to build a following BEFORE the book comes out so that I can have a list of people ready to buy and pass along to their friends too. I know that if I can get businesses that are in my field to email, blog and post on Facebook to all their followers too, that will help…. But it’s trying to figure out how to get an “in” with those businesses so they want to help me promote the book. The book offers an approach to weight loss through diet, exercise, self-discovery, and self-awareness. It’s called, Vixen Unleashed… How to find your inner sexy while losing your outer fat. I also have an idea of how to market m online program along with my book through gyms and personal trainers (as a partnership) throughout the country, so it benefits them as well as me…. But could really use some guidance From your expertise.
James says
Hey JSE, I also wanted your thoughts on training clients in your home . I have a gym in my basement and was considering training clients here but I am concerned about liability (though I do use your suggested insurance resoure) and screening procedures.
Thanks again
Steve K says
Hi John, thanks for your help.
I currently work 2 jobs, one in public service and one as a part time massage therapist at a clinic. I have my PFT cert through NESTA, but as of right now no extra funds to buy much equipment, rent a space, or both to start any type of personal training. Wondering if I should just keep trying to get in with a gym as a starting spot, however so far no luck in my area, but I know the pay is usually minimal at best. I’m looking to take the fitness aspect full time and drop the other jobs, or at least way part-time. In other words a minor career change. Any advice on where i should start would be greatly appreciated.
thank you.
SGT Steve says
Thank you John and Rocco! This rocked!
Minister Lolita Poplar says
Thanks for being a great mentor. You and your guests always give practical guidance for overall positive development. God bless!
Steve K says
Thank you John and Rocco. Very helpful information throughout the presentation. Your advise on all subjects will be taken to heart. Thanks again!