I'm a PT but I 'm doubting the value of a Personal Trainer esp. for non-ultrarich - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[Rick Harimau]

Hi
I'm a certified PT from Holland but I 'm doubting the value of a Personal Trainer especially for non-ultrarich clients.
And yes, I'm a relatively new trainer, with to say the least, not that much success.
(except for the reason I discuss in this post, this lack of success could probably be also caused by not being officially registrered,
which could bring questions to potential clients)
I can see why someone withs tons of money and a very busy schedule is willing to get an PT (at least for a while)
But why would even an upper-middle class guy/gal get a PT ?

What do you think why average people (so to say) still want a PT?
What really is the value?

[ptjustinbowers]

Hi
I'm a certified PT from Holland but I 'm doubting the value of a Personal Trainer especially for non-ultrarich clients.
And yes, I'm a relatively new trainer, with to say the least, not that much success.
(except for the reason I discuss in this post, this lack of success could probably be also caused by not being officially registrered,
which could bring questions to potential clients)
I can see why someone withs tons of money and a very busy schedule is willing to get an PT (at least for a while)
But why would even an upper-middle class guy/gal get a PT ?

What do you think why average people (so to say) still want a PT?
What really is the value?

In my experience, the average person does not want a personal trainer because they cannot afford it. But I also know that you're only as valuable as you project yourself to be. If you market yourself as the "go to guy" for fitness and nutrition in your area, then you can justify the prices you charge.

Most of my clientell are of the upper class, but that's because I'm worth every single penny I charge them. I provide valuable information. And I always hike my rates when I feel it's appropriate. When a client complains that I've raised my rates, I just ask them "Have you ever had a raise within the past two years?". Of course they have.

Look-- once you become a personal trainer, you are already jumping into a market that generally caters to the richer class. If you want to be accessible to the lower end of the income level, then charge cheaper rates.

Here's what I do to combat the issue: I receive calls all the time from someone who cannot afford my rates, but I don't budge from my prices. My rates are what I charge and I'm worth every penny. To even ask me to lower them because you don't want to pay them or cannot afford them is insulting to my expertise. So, what do I do? I offer group fitness classes and bootcamps. Now you're able to obtain my services at a lower, but less personable way.

That's just my two cents and what I have discovered has worked for me over the past couple of years. The bottom line is this-- I can't cater to everyone. I can't be a one-size fit all trainer. I have to establish my rates and stick to them. As long as there's a demand for personal training, I can continue to justify my rates.

[gympro]

Great answer ptjustinbowers.

Rick, like ptjustinbowers said, you have to KNOW that you're valuable before others can recognise that. Don't confuse the value that you can bring to the table to someone else's ability to pay for it. As with any occupation you have a target market and if you're a PT traditionally this target market is for richer people. But this is a good thing because it allows you to set a good rate. Maybe try a group session for people that want to pay less. So instead of charging $60 per hour you can charge $10 or $15 but from more people.

But I just get the feeling that you're a bit discouraged especially if things aren't going as planned. Project confidence and value, work on your skills, give free trials, move to a place where rich people live (heh duno bout this one), genuinely be interested in helping people. The clients will come. But don't doubt the value that you can bring to the table.

Hope that helps,
Aleks

[DelPiaro]

getting registered should be the first step of trainer , as the customer will show more interest if you are registered and authorized personal trainer .

[northwestpt]

If you don't value the service yourself or don't believe in the product you cant expect anyone else to?

[Fitrilla]

Got to believe in the service you are selling. Use price anchoring on yourself. Remind yourself you are saving them money in the long run at the doctor on pills, on stupid weight loss tricks. If you are the real deal people will pay. But it has to start with your attitude.

Great suggestion on going with a class based service just charge 10 or 15 bucks a class run a boot camp on Saturdays and grow your membership base.

I started a website to help people grow their fitness business fitrill.com check it out let me know what you think. If you have an idea for a post let me know!