The PT business owner essentials
If you want to build a successful PT business, there are some foundational elements that will make your life so much easier.
Creating goals is important but the next step is to plan, prepare and take action.
This article covers the 3 most important things to have, to ensure you can run a business and achieve all the goals you have created for yourself.
Take a look at these foundation steps to build a successful PT business.
1. Set up a Direct Debit
As a business owner, you need to keep track of your income and make it easy for your clients to pay you.
Don’t be fooled by what you hear around the place, e.g. “But Jimmy in the gym takes cash and doesn’t pay any tax. He reckons it’s brilliant.”
Well, if Jimmy was turning over $75k in Victoria in 2020, not being registered to pay tax cost him $45,000 in government support grants… hopefully he saved a lot of that tax-free money.
While you’re letting Jimmy know about the money he lost in COVID support grants, be sure to ask him how the real estate agent feels about him renting one of their houses with no proof of income, how the bank feels about giving him a car loan or mortgage or how much his insurer will pay out in the form of income protection.
You're a business owner, not a semi-retired handyman!
2. Create a Client Agreement
The client agreement is the single most important document in your personal trainer business.
A client agreement:
Shows you're a professional and run things as such
Clears up 99% of all pay disputes
Provides clarity to the client and trainer on exactly ‘how things work’
Allows you to take days off or travel, and still get paid
Is the key to a sustainable career in the fitness industry
Your client agreement should contain the following:
24 hours notice to cancel a session or payment must be made
Cancelled sessions are to be made up at the trainer’s discretion
Payments will continue through holidays/illness or other unforeseen breaks and catch up sessions will be made
What the client can expect from their trainer
What the trainer can expect from their client
Contact details
Signature of both parties, with a date
Here is our own client agreement, for reference.
Things to take note of:
The reference to a membership indicates this is not a time for money trade, it’s an ongoing payment that includes services
Most, if not all common payment issues are resolved simply by referring to the agreement
You are welcome to take this template and use it as required in your own business. Simply complete all the sections in red with your details and add your own letterhead.
3. Code Of Conduct
Your client agreement is like a legal framework of how things work. The Code Of Conduct is the agreed-upon expectations of both client and trainer.
The goal here is two-fold:
You are establishing that you run the business and you lead the relationship. The client is not to dictate how things work.
Both parties are aware of what’s expected in the arrangement. This prevents the trainer and or client from becoming frustrated due to having different ideas and expectations.
Below is an example of a Code Of Conduct.
Expectations of you, the client:
Complete check-in by 12:30 Monday
All areas of the check-in complete on good or bad weeks
Ask if you’re unsure how / what / why to complete parts of your check-in if you need to
Questions and concerns to be raised in the weekly check-in’s as requested
12-week minimum term is based on the Intellectual Property of the contents of your coaching package and is non-negotiable.
Expectations of me, the coach:
Complete check-in responses by Tuesday COB
A. If check-in is complete, and adherence is met, report feedback and or changes based on plans and outcomes
B. If check-in is complete but not adherent, work with you to improve the following week (no changes can be made while adherence is not being met to an acceptable standard)
If check-in is incomplete, no feedback will be delivered
All posts (lifting videos, questions etc.) posted on FB throughout the week will be responded to during the check-in
If you have any questions or reservations on the coaching process feel free to get in touch and let me know.
The above example is for an online-only service. We recommend you list any and all expectations you have of your clients and what they can expect from you. This can include things like warming up pre-session or remembering a water bottle. Think of these expectations as a chance to give clarity and avoid future conflict and discomfort with your client.
Why these basic elements are important
When signing on a client, have them complete an electronic Direct Debit form. You may be able to add your client agreement to the special conditions of this document or create a Google Form for clients to complete and sign. This saves you the stress of chasing payment and saves your client the stress of having to open their bank account and send money your way.
Part of the onboarding process includes your expectations in your welcome content.
If you haven’t already, get them in place now and enjoy the reduced stress of day to day operation.
Your clients will know what to expect and which rules to follow. You will be saved from constantly explaining how things should work or trying to adapt your program to suit every individual.
