I know Covid-19 has hit your personal training business hard, especially if you are typically based in a commercial gym. 

I’ve just written an article on what I think will happen to gyms for the rest of 2020 (the news isn’t good I’m afraid – if you would like to read this post click here. 

The bottom line is that gyms won’t be the same, many will go out of business, and there will be restrictions in place. Therefore it’s going to impact your personal training business, and if you’re not careful, it could cause you to go out of business.

Why you’re not going to go out of business…

If you’re reading this post, I know you won’t go out of business…

How do I know this? 

Because you’re being pragmatic by searching for answers (reading this post), and it’s this attitude combined with hard work that’s going to not only keep your business alive but help it thrive. 

In this article, I’m going to be covering the major stresses that are likely impacting your PT business…

BUT more importantly… I’ll be giving you solutions and strategies for how to overcome these issues so that your PT business can survive and thrive during this unprecedented time…

#1 Financial Worries 

First and foremost, we need to cover finances…

How much money do you have in the bank? And how long will it last if all your clients were to leave you tomorrow? 

I’ve talked about this before in my blogs for personal trainers, but having back up funds is essential. You must save money for a rainy day…

Otherwise, when unexpected events unfold (like the situation we’re currently in), you’re going to struggle. 

If you haven’t got any savings to rely on, then use this as a valuable lesson. Make a promise to yourself that from this day forth, you aim to save at least 10-20% of your monthly income and put it away in a savings account.

I learned this principle years ago, after reading the book Rich Dad Poor Dad – I would highly recommend reading it. Other books on finances include:

• The Richest Man In Babylon
• How To Master The Game Of Money 
• The Compound Effect 

#2 Losing Clients & Failing To Get New Ones 

Have a bunch of clients left you during this time? 

Maybe lots have paused their sessions? Which means you’re not earning.

If you’re either losing clients or doing fewer sessions…It’s impacting the quality of your life…

Whether times are desperate and you’re struggling to pay the rent, bills, and eat food. Or whether you’re getting by (but only just!), it’s not the way you want to live. 

You want a surplus of cash, so you can buy the things that add value to your life, books, virtual training courses, and all of the stuff you value. 

There are lots of ways to earn money right now. Here’s what has worked for me:

Virtual Personal Training 

Last week I did 27 virtual personal training sessions. I’ve managed to keep around 90% of my clients and move them online. I was initially very skeptical of virtual personal training (I didn’t think it would work), but it has, and I would highly recommend it. Here’s what my clients have to say about virtual PT…

In this post I go into depth about how I’ve kept my personal training business ‘LEP Fitness’ alive during Covid-19 – I’d highly recommend reading it. In the article, I give you the exact script I used to get clients on board with virtual PT.

Ebooks 

You can use your knowledge to write an ebook and then sell online. You could sell via your health and fitness blog, or on your social media. 

You can write a basic ebook in less than 4 hours, or you could devote the next week to write a really impressive book that you can then sell. 

The good thing about ebooks is that once you’ve written your book… it becomes passive income, and you can earn money while you sleep. 

#3 Your Own Health & Body Shape Is Suffering 

The gyms being closed is not only impacting your business, but what about your own health, fitness, and body shape?

Have you regressed?  

The gym is a place where you can blow of steam, and build/maintain that impressive physique that you’ve worked so hard to build over the years.

Unfortunately bodyweight exercises, and doing Joe Wicks home workouts just doesn’t cut it for us PT’s who prefer hardcore and old school training.

While I know it’s not ideal… there’s no point in resisting reality. You’ve got to accept the situation and make the most out of it — focus on what you can do, rather than what you can’t do. 

I’ve been doing a combination of resistance band workouts, like the ones below…

Alongside working out and maintaining your fitness, how much time are you spending working on your personal development? 

I’m talking about reading books and listening to podcasts/audiobooks? 

There’s no better time to study and learn. Here are some resources to help:

• 10 Books Every Personal Trainer Must Read 
• 5 Of The Best Podcasts For PT’s 

I would also strongly encourage you to read The Ultimate Guide To Building Your Personal Training Business…

In this ebook, I teach you how to get a full diary of clients. 

I also teach…

• Marketing
• SEO
• Branding
• Sales
• How to make money from blogging
• How to convert 90% of clients during consultations (I give you my script)

I also share my cancellation policy (to save you thousands in lost income each year) 

And much much more…

Typically the ebook is £18. 

However, I’m making it available in this post for just £9. 

That’s an offer I’m unlikely to make again. 

I’m 100% confident that you’ll benefit from reading the book. SO much so… that I offer a 30-day money-back guarantee (no questions asks). 

So if you want me to send you the ebook straight to your inbox…

Swipe up your copy below…

#4 Relationship Stresses 

Another topic I’ve been talking with coaches about is the stress this period is having on relationships… 

Are you having issues with the people in your household? 

Are you arguing all of the time with your other half? Worried about money and paying the bills? 

It’s not pleasant living in a stressed household. It can be very difficult to get the balance right between work and home life. 

If you’re stressed and your relationship with your wife, husband, or partner is suffering, then I’d recommend reading articles by the likes of Regain, click here to read an article that I’ve recommended to lots of personal trainers. 

Some other tips:

Walk – Take a walk. Switch off from work and family life. Walking will do wonders for your mental health.

Talk – talk it out with your partner. Listen to them, find out their worries, and ask them what they need from you. You can then share your concerns/fears and tell them what you need from them. It’s about teamwork. 

Journal – write down your worries. Get them down on paper and out of your mind. It’s amazing how much stress this can release. 

Take A Bath – why not run a hot bath with some magnesium salts? Let your muscles soak up the salts and replenish.  

#5 Unknown Future

I’m not going to lie… I’m worried about the future. 

How long is this going to last? 

What will happen to the economy? 

Will I survive? 

These are just a handful of thoughts that have kept me up over the last seven weeks. 

That said, I’m confident I’ll get through because of my determined mindset and attitude.

I know that you will do the same. If you’ve read this far down the post, you’re going to be fine. 

I’m willing to place a bet on it. 

You’ve spent the last 5 minutes reading this article, and that shows you’re committed to keeping your business alive. 

While other personal trainers are moaning, pulling out their hair, and watching Netflix series…your thinking, creating, learning, and getting ahead of the curve.

For that, I take my hat off to you, and I want to wish you the best of luck.

Want more help and support?  

If you have any specific questions or just want to talk about anything relating to your PT business, then please drop me a message…

I’m also happy to schedule a phone call or Skype/Zoom session and offer you some advice and guidance during this period. 

Thanks for reading, speak to you soon…

Nick Screeton (Founder of LEP Fitness)