Here's the number-one thing I love about being in the fitness industry: You can set up your fitness business any way you want, and no one will stop you.
For some trainers that might mean having a small list of ultra-high priced clients, a large number of clients with employees in a gym or studio, running bootcamps, or providing routines and coaching online... whatever you want to do, you can do it. It's your world!
The only problem is finding the right framework that works for you, what I like to call the "sweet spot".
Most trainers who get their start working in major health clubs with structured environments may get discouraged if they aren't particularly suited to this environment. Some of these trainers may leave the industry altogether because of this initial discouragement, and that's really a shame when you consider the potential there is here to get paid very well doing something you're passionate about.
Even for trainers going independent, the same pitfall exists. They may adopt a business model that they are not well-suited for just because they think that's how it needs to be. For example, a trainer that doesn't like being boxed in or managing employees may mistakingly open a training studio. Or someone that's into giving personal service may open a boot camp and realize how difficult it is to personalize routines in that environment.
What's the solution? Here's what I tell the many trainers that come to me for private coaching, and it hasn't failed yet: At the start of your training career, you need to try a little bit of everything.
Every trainer must make it their goal to get on six-figure pace as fast possible, and when you're staring out, it may take trying a few different methods to get there. You may want to create and market a boot camp through free classified ads, take on high-end clients and also do some mass-market training out of your local trainer's gym or private health club. And while all of this is going on, I also recommend starting a blog, just so you can slowly become more web-savvy and build an online presence.
What's the result of all of this? First of all, you will learn a lot of ways to get training clients very quickly. Secondly, you will discover the style of training that you are particularly suited for, enjoy, and gets the best results in your area. This is the approach leading companies take in matching their employees for the right positions, and it's a smart attitude to take when starting your training career.
Because once you can find the perfect hole for the key you're holding, you'll be much closer to discovering what I think every trainer is looking for - a perfect balance between work, income and passion.
