Building a fitness business that’s not just about living month to month, but stands the test of time, can feel like an uphill battle. You pour your heart and soul into guiding your clients towards their fitness goals, but without a strategic approach, you could head towards burnout…
In 2023, 22,686 businesses competed for the attention of clients in the UK. Many people want help to be healthier and feel good, but as a PT you need to stand out from the crowd. To achieve that, it’s essential to understand the core principles of how to become a sell-out PT so you can create a sustainable fitness business that aligns with your core values.
At Strong Collective, we specialise in mentoring fitness professionals and personal trainers like you to create compelling offers, master lead generation for the right clients, and market yourself effectively. These strategies are designed to help you achieve long-term success and keep stress at bay, so you look after yourself as well as your clients.
Scaling your efforts successfully is all about working smarter, not harder, and building a business that’s built with a solid, manageable strategy. Let’s take a closer look at how to scale your PT business without burning out.
Creating solid business foundations before you scale
Creating solid foundations in your business before you attempt to scale is absolutely crucial so you can be sure you’re building a company that’s viable, compatible with your lifestyle and, therefore, more likely to be successful over the long term.
Those foundations include:
- Identifying your ideal customers - who you actually want to work with and why.
- Nailing your unique selling proposition - what makes you different from other PTs.
- Creating and testing your services - people want you offer and you enjoy delivering it.
Without doing this groundwork, scaling will only highlight your flaws, not your strengths, and you risk ending up feeling like a busy fool.
- Know your customers
Understanding your clients is the first and most important step towards building a successful personal training business. By identifying their unique goals, challenges, and preferences, you can tailor your services to meet their specific needs.
- Identify your unique selling point (USP)
Pinpointing your USP helps you differentiate yourself from your competitors and should inform everything you do. It defines your approach, your specialisation, and the customer experience that you offer. If you nail this, you’ll attract profitable clients to your business.
- Create your offer
Develop a compelling offer to suit your clients’ needs and help you stand out in the market. This service might range from personalised one-on-one sessions to group classes at convenient times – or even online training programmes. Whatever your clients want, aim to deliver it in a way that plays to your strengths and maximises profit.
- Deliver your service
Test your service to ensure that it delivers on its promise. It’s crucial to see that it meets your customers’ needs and that it’s manageable and enjoyable for them and you. By making sure that everyone feels good about what you’re doing, you can move forward with confidence.
- Get customer feedback
Through real-life feedback, you’ll gain invaluable customer stories and testimonials that will give you even greater insights into what your target customers expect. You’ll also build up a bank of great marketing content that’s there when you need it.
- Reiterate and adjust
Feedback from customers will help you scale your business more effectively than mere guesswork. This valuable information can be used to fine-tune what you offer. Keep gathering it as you grow, as it’s the best way to remain relevant and competitive.
Free Personalised Report Reveals:
How To Add An Extra £3,000-5,000 Per Month, And Build A Tribe Of Followers Who Can’t Wait to Like, Save and Share Everything You Post.
3 essential steps for scaling your fitness business sustainably
Scaling your fitness business isn’t a race to the finish line. When you have your solid foundations and strategic planning in place, you can build your business avoiding overwhelm. That means finding the sweet spot where you’re gaining new customers regularly, but feel mentally and physically strong, so can still deliver excellent value and exceptional results.
A recent US study found that in the first year of business, over 80% of new personal trainers quit! That’s a shocking statistic, but this pattern is due to a neglect of their personal well-being and a panic for more clients. If you can remember these 3 important steps, you’ll build a solid foundation for your business that’s rewarding and sustainable:
1. Set financial growth targets for your fitness business
Always set clear financial goals. Is your priority increasing revenue, expanding your client base, or diversifying your services?
Specific monetary goals guide you as you develop the right growth strategy. Careful tracking of your progress allows you to adjust your pricing periodically and create offers to maximise your earnings. Reach your financial goals without overextending yourself or your resources.
2. Create efficient systems and processes
With the help of technology and automation, you can reduce the workload involved in managing your business day to day. From lead generation to customer relationship management, there are many software tools available to help you streamline your operations.
You’ll then be able to focus on delivering quality training for your clients and spend less time on administrative tasks. Great examples to consider are CRM systems for client management, appointment scheduling tools, and automated marketing platforms to maintain engagement with your target audience.
3. Look after your well-being to avoid burnout
As a personal trainer, you advise clients on how to lead healthy, happy lives. But don’t fall into the trap of always prioritising other people’s needs over your own. Have you ever heard the expression, ‘You can’t pour from an empty cup’? Neglecting your own self-care may lead to burnout.
Burnout is a very real threat in the personal training industry. You’re always on the go, both mentally and physically, so you must look after your body and mind. Many trainers find themselves overwhelmed as they work to expand their business, but by managing growth more effectively, they can avoid this situation.
Set aside enough time for personal workouts, peace and relaxation, and activities that help you recharge your energy. If you can establish clear boundaries for work hours and manageable communication with your clients, you will be well on your way to maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Invest in your growth for a successful PT business
By investing in your continuous learning and development, you’ll enrich your professional life and be ahead in the competitive personal training industry. Taking part in further education or gaining advanced certifications expands your knowledge and, in turn, attracts more clients.
The experienced mentors at Strong Collective can guide you as you scale your business. Successful scaling requires careful planning, adaptability, and a commitment to your own well-being. With our help, you’ll receive the right amount of support and accountability to ensure you stay on track.
At Strong Collective, we’ve coached hundreds of other personal trainers on this journey, ensuring they achieve their business goals while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help, book a call.
Free Personalised Report Reveals:
How To Add An Extra £3,000-5,000 Per Month, And Build A Tribe Of Followers Who Can’t Wait to Like, Save and Share Everything You Post.
