One of the most valuable skills you can have is the ability to react professionally on the fly. In appointment-driven businesses like ours, there is always the potential for confusion and misunderstandings,... View More
Returning from IHRSA 2009 in San Francisco, I must admit that best advice was from author and marketing expert Seth Godin. Author of several best-selling books, including Purple Cow, Godin said... View More
As an eternal athlete, I often think of life in terms of playing offense and defense. Like a basketball player, one must be good at both to succeed. Take your finances, for instance. It’s smart to... View More
So often, we give much thought to who we want to train. Books, conference speakers and industry gurus tell us to determine our ideal client and then direct all marketing toward them. Good advice for sure;... View More
Imagine how successful you would be - as a trainer, spouse, parent, employee, business owner and friend - if you gave everyone who walked into the room as much genuine enthusiasm and love as your dog gives... View More
The lazy days of summer are upon us. Clients are vacationing, kids are home from school, and the call of the pool, the beach or that steamy novel is almost irresistible. Relaxation is good, but distraction... View More
Each time I get feedback from clients on what a difference I've made in their lives, I'm amazed. All I do is listen to my clients, address their needs, provide them with fun and effective workouts and... View More
I just finished up a phone interview with a successful trainer and studio owner. During that interview, she said something more profound than I think she realized. I asked her - given the benefit of hindsight... View More
We work so hard to try and figure out the magic marketing equation that it seems counterintuitive to ever, ever fire a client. After all, somebody paying you good money for that hour - no matter how annoying... View More
I read one of the most amazing quotes the other day: "People spend their lives in the service of their passions instead of employing their passions in the service of their lives," said Sir Richard Steele.... View More
Years ago, when I was training at a health club, I witnessed the success of one trainer and the demise of another. The first trainer was young, new to the industry, and eager. He made his share of mistakes... View More
I have yet to work at a gym or studio that didn't require me to do some amount of cleaning up after myself, after my clients and around the gym in general. It's just part of the job. However, as the owner... View More
The one thing that really attracts all of us to someone else is feeling like that person really, really likes us. Think about it. It doesn't matter whether you are dating or creating a professional client... View More
In every training certification I've seen, the importance of planning and documenting a client's workout and improvement is well-stated. However, it's easy, especially with long-term clients, to slip into... View More
There's a popular idea within fitness and business communities that says it's more important to get something done fast rather than doing something well, an idea summed up in sayings like "Ready, Shoot,... View More
When I began personal training, like most trainers, I thought about what my niche should be. I had just retired as a professional football player and I was burnt out from training at such an intense level.... View More
I have spoken with, consulted with and come across countless trainers who opened or aspire to open their own gyms or training studios and begin with the idea of getting a bank loan and/or investment partners.... View More
In this month's column, I would like to touch on something that has been a constant since I started All Canadian Fitness in 1993: adversity. You will get to know it early in your career. If you let it... View More
For the past several months, we’ve discussed marketing your fitness business every which way to Sunday, and I admit, sometimes it can be a little overwhelming. Not to worry, though; there’s... View More
Well, you are finally ready to do it. You are going to open your very own personal training studio. I know how you must feel; I was there myself two years ago. I was excited and very nervous at the same... View More
