PT vs. Fitness business owner

The premise behind becoming a Standout PT is built around the concept of creating an effective, efficient and sustainable PT business.

To do this you must learn how to run your business. It cannot be running you!

Before you get into designing your business, it’s important to understand the different business categories that are most common in the personal training industry.

It’s important to have an understanding of these business types, how they work, their trade-offs and their rewards. Knowing the difference will help you to choose the type of business you want and help you progress from personal trainer to fitness business owner.

There are 4 types of PTs / business owners.

Let’s take a look at each.

1. Failing

A lot of personal trainers never really get on their feet. There are a number of reasons why, but typically we see these trainers falling short in the growth and ownership mindset, which results in a lack of action. This usually stems back to fear and or a lack of self-confidence.

Even with a low skill set, just showing up every day will get you past this point. If you put your effort into personal development, your primary goal if you’re in this phase of business will be to uncover why you’re not showing up and just get going!

Mindset coaches and performance psychologists are your best bet to expedite the process to escape the failing stage.

Even if you are in the earliest days of your business, you don’t have to stay at this stage for any period of time.

2. Bought a job

This is what most personal trainers view as successful. They are in the gym every day, punching out tons of sessions on their way to becoming a 6 figure PT.

It’s all well and good… until you want to take a sick day or a holiday, or if you want to step back to focus on family.

If you’re here, put your focus on systemising your approach with the intent of making yourself redundant.

3. Running a business

Now you are beginning to evolve from personal trainer to fitness business owner.

You’ve successfully created enough assets in your PT business with systems and resources matched with a profile that allows you to decide your level of time input in your business without drastically affecting your income.

We believe this should be the gold standard for everyone who wants a lasting career in the fitness industry.

If you’re here already, check out your 3 and 5 year goals. Are you happy here? Are you expressing your core values? If your current position services those needs, “keep as is”. If not, look towards scaling your business.

4. Scaled business owner

The next step of being a fitness business owner is scaling. You can scale your business by using technology or people but the goal is always to leverage your systems and assets to reach a greater number of people.

Here are some ways to work towards this level:

Bring on a contractor
Outsource admin to a VA
Introduce a ‘touch free’ product
Add a group-based service
Create an education product
Create a subscription-based service

So where are you now?

Are you a personal trainer or a fitness business owner

It doesn’t matter either way, so long as you are happy and making the income you know you deserve.

List where you are now, and why. Next, identify where you need to be within 1, 3 and 5 years.

What do you think you’ll need to change/improve to achieve each step?

Here’s an example:

Taylor is currently in the failing stage. She still lives week to week without building any savings and if a few of her clients left she would be in big trouble.

1 year goals: Making $2k per week with 30 hours of input

Minimum business category required: Working a job

Changes required: Show up and complete weekly KPI’s

3 year goals: Making $3k per week and travelling every 6 months

Minimum business category required: Running a business

Changes required: Hybrid online and face to face model that allows her to manage clients from anywhere

5 year goal: Making $3k per week, married and at home with a baby

Minimum business category required: Scaled business owner

Changes required: Someone else working for me to create income, allowing me to work fewer hours and not need to commit to a large amount of face to face time

It’s important you consider what your long term business plan is. There’s no point building a job if you’re planning on scaling in three years time.

Design your business model, service, client acquisition strategies and technical skills around this outcome now so you can have the lifestyle you want within your nominated timeframe.