Competition VS Teamwork

StrengthCoach · 02-05-2009, 01:34 PM

Hi guys,
I'm a relative new guy in the training industry, and I've noticed something that I don't know how to deal with. How do you deal with being friendly, a team player, etc. (All the wonderfull things they tell you about the teamwork of the trainers when they hire you), and the competition within a club where you are compteting for people to train. It seems like everyone is on the same team, until it comes to getting a client, then it's all for yourself. I'm not saying other trainers are being unethical, it's just that as a struggling PT, it seems like whomever is the quickest and has the best connections with management, gets the best/most leads.

gobbla · 02-06-2009, 08:24 PM

what was the question?

Brian A. · 02-07-2009, 01:01 PM

It depends on how the club you work at is set up. Do you rely completely on the management or sales person to give you leads or do you work the exercise floor to find your own clients?

In any club there's really only a few main ways to get new clients:
1) New member orientation appointments. These are usually assigned to you by the manager or membership department which means that you may lose the "good leads" to those who have better connections further up.
2) Interaction with members on the exercise floor. This is all about how you carry yourself. Your confidence and how you aproach/speak to members will make or break you here.
3) Holding workshops or lectures in the club. If you hold a lecture, even on a relatively easy topic, you can establish yourself as a resource to the members. Just make sure you know your topic well and can answer questions on the spot.
4) Referals from other clients. This is also well within your control. If you do a good job training your current clients and they value your service they will have no problem refering their friends to you.

It doesn't have to be a cut throat atmosphere between you and other trainers, there should be pleanty of members for everyone. If there isn't then maybe you need to find a better facility to train at.

Tom@foresight · 02-07-2009, 01:23 PM

One thing to look at is your niche. Look for an area that you could become a specialist in within your club and that is not being exploited at the moment. For example, a great one is pre/post natal (you would need some extra training of course) but these are generally a group that drop out f the gym during pregnancy. They are concerned for doing damage to their baby, and want the best for it. ffice

ffice" />

So if you can let them know all the benefits of exercise during and after pregnancy, and you are the only expert in the building they will then need your advice. Also you can talk to membership about people who have put their membership on hold due to pregnancy, give them a call, if they know there is a specialist trainer they may come back.

Other good niches are postural correction, GP referral, older adult, etc... they tend to be under catered for in most gyms.

Just look for a market that is not being exploited, work out the skills you need to cater for it effectively, then look at how to communicate with them (marketing – good points as Brain has made), then get training!

Good luck

Tom