Thanks and Advice

[David Claiborne]

First off I just wanted to say thanks for the knowledge (not just in terms of personal training but in general) and information that everyone provides on a daily basis to this site. I have been lurking on this forum for about 6 months now and just recently decided to register to hopefully help in anyway possible and occasionally have some questions answered.

Because of this site and some of my other mentors who I have been following for years I have decided to open a small warehouse style sports performance/small adult group training facility.

A little background about myself before I get to my questions and specifics about the facility.

I have been in the Strength & Conditioning field for about 5 years now and have worked as a student assistant in the S&C department for 2 years at my college, did a 6 month internship at a professional facility (training guys getting ready for the nfl combine and other pro athletes), and worked for 6 months at another franchised sports performance facility.

I got burned out at that franchised facility because it was just for money and they could care less about the results athletes obtained. We would take anyone and everyone no matter what age they were as long as their parents were willing to pay which really put a sour taste in my mouth.

I then spent the next 2 years working with some of my clients from those previous positions online or in person training and helping them continue to develop as I worked/work full time for a Neutraceutical company.

I finally decided to open my own facility once I couldn't stand working out at any of my local gyms because a) I got tired of the general gym mentality and b) I got tired of hearing nothing but bs from the personal trainers while watching the poor client not have a clue what was true or not and c) watching that same client do horrible workouts and not having a single change in physique months after dumping so much money into it.

I plan on opening my facility October 5th and already have everything moved in except for the last few pieces of equipment. I have other small business side tasks to do as well but all the big stuff (LLC, Insurance, Merchant Services, etc.) have already been taken care of.

Because the cost of my facility is so low and I paid for 80% of everything in cash with the rest being 2 small loans from my parents and in-laws, I am not worried about mass numbers but instead having clientele that will get after it.

I would like to totally concentrate on working with and training athletes (high school and above), but realize that adult training is where the majority of my money is going to be made from.

I plan on offering:

small adult training classes (no more than 8 people per class) 4x a day - (5:15am, 6:30am, 8:00am, 6:00pm)

1 on 1 personal training between the hours of 9:30-3:00pm

High School Athlete Training (no more than 6 athletes per class) 2x a day - (3:30pm, 5:00pm)

Once I finalize my facility I will get a quick youtube video up as a tour of it and post it here as well.

Because I am starting this from scratch (I have 1 client that has already been working with me) I need to figure out how to get the word out to really reach adults.

Athlete wise I have a bunch of connections into the high schools as I grew up in this area and still know 1 or 2 coaches at every high school around here (10 total high schools) and they know me.

Here is my current marketing strategy and please add in any advice.

I have 4x9 cards that I am getting printed up to see if I can put at supplement stores, smoothie shops, tanning salons, day spas, massage places, high class hair salons, golf course and country club bulletin boards.

I am running an advertisement (4"x4"), in the local neighborhood newsletter that reaches out to around 20,000 homes in this area of Houston promoting mainly the adult side of the training.

Other than this I have no clue how to get out and promote/get my face and company in front of people.

I probably have a ton more information about the types of clientele I'm looking for and how many I actually need to make a profit monthly and you need are interested in that information please don't hesitate to ask, but any information you might have I'm 100% all ears.

- Wow that is long - To shorten it up basically "help me market to adults who care about actual fitness in a market that I am starting from scratch in"

[LisaS]

What demographic of adults do you think will be able to attend your 1-on-1 sessions between 09:30 and 15:00 during the work week?

What of training for adults who have to work for a living but have disposible income and interest to work at a facility like yours?

If you want a demographic of working adults who are intelligent and interested and can pay for your services, you have to be available when they are available to work out. Just MHO.

[David Claiborne]

Originally Posted by LisaS

What demographic of adults do you think will be able to attend your 1-on-1 sessions between 09:30 and 15:00 during the work week?

Mainly stay at home moms and this time frame is really open to give me time to train, have lunch, and eventually be the time frame professional athletes come in.

What of training for adults who have to work for a living but have disposible income and interest to work at a facility like yours?

If you want a demographic of working adults who are intelligent and interested and can pay for your services, you have to be available when they are available to work out. Just MHO.

That is what the classes are for. Early in the morning so they can attend before work and still have time to shower and get there, and in the evening after getting home.

The 1-on-1 isn't really priority of mine and really is there just for people who can't make it to a group or really prefer to workout on their own.

I based the class schedule off how the 2 local crossfit gyms have their classes set up and which classes of theirs are the most busy. Also starting out the 5:00 class is going to be a flex class for either athletes or adults depending on who needs it at that time.

[Dave Chesser]

You didn't mention anything about a blog or website but those two generate more of my leads than everything else I do put together. And they are extremely cheap to create and maintain. Don't overlook those.

Love the avatar BTW.

[David Claiborne]

Originally Posted by Dave Chesser

You didn't mention anything about a blog or website but those two generate more of my leads than everything else I do put together. And they are extremely cheap to create and maintain. Don't overlook those.

Love the avatar BTW.

I have a website being made and also a blog up and running that is just my name and then links to both companies (my facility and my online personal training).

I've been writing some articles and quick posts to get put on there once my facilities website is completed.

[David Claiborne]

Another question. What do most people use to manage their customers information and payments? I have seen facilities use both Zen Planner and Mind Body Online and was wondering what everyone else thought or if they had used any other programs.