To be a Personal Trainer, it’s not all about anatomy and physiology, in fact there are many skills that you need that you may not have considered.
You can have all of the knowledge in the world, but that means nothing if you don’t have the people skills to communicate with your clients. When potential clients are looking for a PT, they want someone with the knowledge and education to teach them, but also a positive mindset to help them reach their goals.
These are some of the things you should consider if you’re a Personal Trainer looking for prospective clients.
Social Proof
One of the most important things that clients look for when they’re finding a Personal Trainer is evidence. Social proof is a great way to show prospective clients that you can provide the services that they require. Different variations of social proof include:
- Testimonials
- Before and after photos
- Reviews
- Word of mouth
Accredited Qualifications
Another important thing to note is that you have the appropriate qualifications. Unfortunately there are many people out there claiming to be Trainers without the appropriate qualifications. Not only is this misleading, but it’s also dangerous. Before you start taking on clients, make sure you have the right qualifications for the job.
And we’re not just talking about your level 3 in PT, you should also consider CPD courses. For example, if you’re looking to take on a pregnant client, make sure you’re qualified as a pre and post natal specialist
Engage With Clients
As a new Trainer, one of the best places to find clients is on the gym floor. This means that when you’re training your clients you’re also on show to potential clients. When working you should be 100% focused on your client; this means no phones, no talking to other trainers on the gym floor or staring into space. If potential clients see that you’re not engaged they’ll think twice about signing up.
Personality
You need to build a connection with your clients. Some people say that your clients shouldn’t be your friend, and whilst there should always be a level of professionalism between you, it will make training a whole lot easier if you get on with them. In order for you to get the best results from your clients they need to enjoy the sessions, which will only happen if you work well together.
Friendly and Approachable
An additional factor when choosing a PT is that they’re friendly. You can have all of the qualifications and skills possible, but if you can’t smile and be kind to your clients then you won’t make it work. Simply saying hello to the members entering the gym builds a relationship.
You've Got The Right Experience
This might be a little difficult if you’re a new PT, but clients are also eager to know what experience you have. They want to know if you’ve worked with clients with similar problems to theirs. As a beginner, it is essential that you work with as many people as possible. Train clients from different backgrounds with a variety of goals so you get a broad range of experience.
You Need Empathy
Your clients are coming to you because they’ve got a problem and they need your help. What they want is someone who listens to them and helps them navigate through the hard times to reach their goals. They don’t want someone that yells instructions without taking their needs into consideration. This doesn’t mean you have to be ‘soft’ with your clients. Just know when to push them and when to hold back.
Take home message: Being a good Personal Trainer requires a multitude of skills. The most important thing is that you have your client’s best interest at the forefront of your mind. A client is placing their trust in you and therefore needs to know that you’re helping them with the best intentions. Next time you’re looking to take on new clients, make sure you’ve ticket off all of these points to get the best possible chance of sign ups.
Looking to become a PT and help people feel great? Get in touch about our next courses here.