Actionable steps on how to get personal training clients

In this crowded and competitive world of personal training, standing out and attracting clients seems impossible however i will help you change this.

There is a sea of generic advice promising you on how to get more personal training clients. However, the reality is redundant tips that do not hit the mark.

Recognizing this I have crafted an actionable guide which consists of:

• Niche down to the clients you want and create an ideal customer profile (ICP) to understand what they want.

• How to create and build your offer (the service you provide) around those clients to make them feel stupid saying no!

• How to effectively gather the right leads around your ICP and convert them into loyal clients!

Now in this article I'm going to step through a complete example, all you have to do is apply the same logic and steps to whichever niche you want to train in.

Narrow down on a niche: The key to getting personal training clients

Amidst the hustle of the world of personal training, carving out a niche for yourself can significantly enhance your ability to attract and retain clients.

To understand “How to get personal training clients”, start with identifying a group of people whose needs you can meet well. Example of this include the following:

• Weight loss: Specialise in weight loss programs, that include exercise and nutrition guidance

• Bodybuilding and muscle gain: Focus on clients specifically looking to increase muscle strength and mass

• Youth or Senior Fitness: Create programs catered to a specific demographic

• Pre and Post Natal Fitness: Help women stay fit during their pregnancy and recover strength

• Sports performance fitness: Specialised training athletes to enhance their performance in specific sports

• Nutrition Coaching: Combine personal training with nutrition advice to help clients achieve their fitness goals through exercise and diet

In this specific example I will choose sports performance and fitness, and in particular ill choose Basketball athletes as it pertains to my background.

An Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) is crucial because it sharpens your focus on the specific segment of the market most likely to benefit from and engage with your services or products.

By understanding the characteristics, needs, and behaviors of your ideal customer, you can tailor your marketing, product development, and customer service strategies to effectively attract, serve, and retain those clients, thereby optimizing resources and maximizing business success.

Here is one I have created for my niche, copy the same sections and think of what you have to fill into each one of the categories

Building an offer around the clients and making them feel stupid saying no!

Now that we have identified our customers ICP it is time to build an offer around it. Look at your matrix and the ideas that I generate from mine to craft your own offer.

Firstly, we need to identify the offer and break it down into three sections, these will be:

• The Core offer

• Value Amplifiers

  
  

Here are some that I came up with:

Core Offer

• Comprehensive Performance Enhancement Program: A specialized, periodized training program tailored for basketball players, focusing on improving strength, agility, speed, endurance, and sport-specific skills (shooting, defense, ball handling). This program includes:

  • Initial Performance Assessment: Utilizing advanced analytics to assess the athlete's current abilities and identify areas for improvement.

  • Customized Training Plan: Developed based on the assessment, athlete's position, and specific goals.

  • Nutritional Guidance and Meal Plans: Sport-specific nutrition strategies to fuel performance and recovery.

  • Mental Toughness and Visualization Workshops: To improve focus, resilience, and performance under pressure.

  • Injury Prevention and Recovery Protocols: Tailored exercises and routines to minimize injury risk and enhance recovery.

Value Amplifiers

• 1-on-1 Coaching Sessions: Regular personal training sessions with detailed feedback and adjustments to the training plan. You can use this template to make programming these sessions simple!

  
  

• Group Clinics and Scrimmages: Weekly sessions focused on tactical training, team play, and competitive scenarios to apply skills in a game-like setting.

  
  

• Access to Elite Athletic Facilities: Partnerships with top-tier gyms and training centers for a comprehensive training experience.

  
  

• Wearable Tech & Performance Tracking: Providing athletes with wearable devices to track progress, monitor workload, and adjust training in real time.

  
  

• Unlimited Virtual Consultations: On-demand access to trainers for questions, guidance, and motivation outside of scheduled sessions.

  
  

• Exclusive Online Content: Access to a members-only portal with training videos, nutrition tips, and additional resources.

I will now be creating a template to demonstrate to my leads about my services you can use the same template just follow the link here!

Gathering the right leads and converting them into loyal paying clients

Now that we have optimized our offer which we need to now gather leads to fulfill our service, before we start here is a lead tracking template tool that will come in handy to keep track of all our potential clients.

Here are some actionable potential actionable steps in things I can do and places I can follow to get clients for my offer.

1. Lead Magnets

Develop compelling lead magnets that resonate with my ICP. This could be a free eBook on "The Top 10 Drills to Improve Your Basketball Shooting Accuracy," a webinar on "Secrets to Enhancing Your Basketball Performance," or a video series on "Off-Season Training for Serious Basketball Players." The key is to provide value that addresses a specific need or pain point of your ICP.

2. High-Traffic Platforms

Utilize high-traffic platforms where my ICP spends their time. This might include:

• Social Media: Platforms like Instagram and YouTube are ideal for sharing content related to basketball training, tips, and client transformations.

  
  

• Sports Forums and Online Communities: I Participate in discussions and offer value in spaces where basketball players and enthusiasts gather.

  
  

• Local Sports Events: I can Attend or sponsor local basketball tournaments and events where you can meet potential clients face-to-face.

3. Consultation and Conversion

I will offer a free, no-obligation consultation or trial session as a low-risk entry point for potential clients. This is your opportunity to showcase the value of your training firsthand, assess the client's needs, and recommend the most suitable service tier based on their goals and budget.

• Personalized Approach: During consultations, I will focus on understanding the client’s specific goals, challenges, and aspirations. Tailor your pitch to how your services directly address their needs.

  
  

• Overcome Objections: I will be prepared to address common objections, such as price or time commitment, by emphasizing the value and results your training provides.

  
  

• I will use this free contract template to onboard these new clients fast!

  
  

• Lastly, I will use the BULK application to onboard my clients, distribute content and also message them!

If you follow the same steps by defining your ICP, creating an irresistible offer and then looking in the right places to gather your leads you will undeniably get clients as a personal trainer!