When I first started on my journey as a personal trainer, I was quickly faced with a choice. I could choose to stay in my local gym at home, and take on clients where I had been trained myself. I loved my local gym, but something inside me kept wondering if there was something more I could be offering my clients.
If you’re interested in becoming a personal trainer, you’ll likely have to make this choice as well. I think there are benefits to both sides, and so let’s talk about the ways that each can help both you and your clients achieve your dreams. These decisions might be intimidating and scary, but remember- it’s the scary things that help us grow as people, and by extension grow as trainers, mentors, and business owners.
Personal Training
If you’re a personal trainer, or have recently gotten into the industry and are excited to jump in and start training clients, you’ve likely thought about visiting your local gym and asking about their job opportunities. This is the most familiar option for some people, and it can feel safer than starting out as an online coach.
However, if you’re in a gym, you’re going to be super limited by the gym management. They’re going to be telling you how much you can get paid per hour, who you can take on as a client, and you’re going to be limited by not only the gym’s hours, but your own busy schedule. If the gym hours don’t work for your potential clients, there’s going to be nothing that you can do to keep them on. If you get injured, you’ll likely be completely sidelined, and you won’t be able to help the clients that you’ve worked so hard to cultivate.
Where I Started
All of the drawbacks of training people in a gym are familiar to me because I’ve done it before. Girl, I was in your shoes! I started off as a personal trainer in a local gym. I was limited by the hourly rate and the schedule, but the thing I hated the most was that I couldn’t choose my own clients. With the clients that I had, I was forced to use the gym’s own methods and wasn’t able to offer anything more.
Once I opened up my own business, I created a comprehensive program that took all of my personal experience and expertise into account, and offered it to clients.
IT. BLEW. UP.
The Benefits of Online Coaching
Once I was able to get clients online, I started seeing the huge benefits that online coaching could provide. I was able to select clients for my program that I knew I could help. I was able to incorporate more than just a training regime into my program- I could also help clients with nutrition, which created a more holistic program.
Because I was able to tailor my program to their needs, I’m lucky enough to say that my past clients have gotten some unbelievable, life-changing results. It’s been absolutely incredible to be a part of their success, and they inspire me every day.
As a business owner working for myself, I have the freedom to travel whenever I want, and work from anywhere with an internet connection. This has allowed me to live as a digital nomad, and the long-term solo travel has fueled my work in an unbelievable way. I can also price my program in a way that’s fair to both me and my clients, because I know how much value I bring.
What’s Your Next Step?
If you have a passion for helping people, and you’ve already worked out a coaching process that has gotten amazing results, you’re well on your way to having everything you need to open an online coaching biz. Please, trust me when I say it’s definitely worth exploring. Compared to training at a gym, you’ll be able to grow a more successful business, and will be able to make a much larger impact on the lives of your clients.
I love hearing from people who are making this choice! If you’d like more details on how to start your own online coaching business, check out my Facebook or Instagram page for details on my latest program.
