What I’ve learned after completing 11,000 x 1-1 Personal Training sessions with LEP Fitness
15/02/2020![What I’ve learned after completing 11,000 x 1-1 Personal Training sessions with LEP Fitness](https://www.lepfitness.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/0.jpeg)
I can’t believe I’ve completed 11,000 x 1-1 personal training sessions – I have no idea where that time has gone!
It only feels like yesterday when I started LEP Fitness – although it was 2012!
I remember how tough it was trying to get clients, and using what little resources I had to build a personal training business. I started with an old pop up gazebo and a bunch of rusty old kettlebells that I managed to scrape and scrimp from friends and family!
![LEP Fitness started in 2012](https://www.lepfitness.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/0-4-1024x683.jpeg)
Fast forward eight years and lots of things have changed, the main one being the LEP Fitness studio, built last year…
![New LEP Fitness private personal training studio in Sheffield](https://www.lepfitness.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/0-3-1024x768.jpeg)
It’s been a rollercoaster ride of a journey, and I wouldn’t change a thing!
I’m incredibly grateful to be able to do what I love, and at the same time, make a brilliant living.
One thing is for sure, I’ve learned lots since starting LEP Fitness. This learning has come in many forms and has been obtained from a mixture of resources and experience:
Books – reading over 200 hundred books on personal development.
Audiobooks & Podcasts – on average, I listen to two audiobooks per month, and three new podcasts each week. I’ve done this for years.
Attending Courses and Seminars – every year, I upgrade my coaching skills by attending courses and seminars. The more I know, the more I can help others!
Failure – I’ve failed more times than I can remember, and have encountered many obstacles along the way, but every failure has taught me a valuable lesson.
Hands-On Experience – delivering over 11,000 x 1-1 sessions! Arguably the most valuable learning experience of all. You learn through taking action! No textbook can prepare you for coaching or running a business! You have to learn on the job.
In this article, I thought it would be fun to share…
What I’ve learned after completing 11,000 x 1-1 Personal Training sessions with LEP Fitness
![Hannah training with LEP Fitness - voted the best PT in Sheffield](https://www.lepfitness.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/0-2.jpeg)
#1 The Basics Work Every Time
There’s so much BS when it comes to fat loss and muscle building! So many faddy diets, and fancy supplements/potions all claiming to help you lose weight!
Too many personal trainers make things complicated for their clients when it’s keeping things simple that get’s the best results. For example:
Weight Loss – when it comes to weight loss, it’s all about creating a ‘calorie deficit’ – as long as this is achieved, weight loss happens!
Muscle Building – Eat more, increase protein intake, and get them strong, and guess what…they build muscle!
The basics work every time. I don’t do anything fancy with clients. I get them to nail the basics and to do things that give them the most bang for their buck!
With every client if I can get them to improve in a bunch of the following areas, I know that they will get impressive results:
Exercise – moving more throughout the week – training with myself 2-3x per week, and exercising outside of our sessions.
Nutrition – eating foods that they enjoy, with few restrictions (if any!), following a system that works for them and their lifestyle. I give all of my clients ‘recipe books’ and ‘restaurant guides’ that provide them with plenty of choices (no chicken and broccoli diets here!).
Sleep – improving sleep quality. Reducing technological consumption before bed, sleep supplements (magnesium and zinc), and creating a sleep-friendly environment. Good quality sleep boosts performance, memory, mood, and all of these impact results. However, poor sleep leads to food binging, anxiety, inflammation, headaches, and mood swings!
Personal Development – I always recommend personal development books and podcasts to clients. I know that if they read, listen, and apply, that they will lead a more exceptional quality of life. Mindset development is key. I use psychology as a tool for growth on both myself and my clients.
Progress – If clients see results, they will keep up with their habits, and their life will continue to keep improving. Some fantastic things have happened over the eight years – check out the LEP Fitness success stories to read more. Progress is KEY. It leads to confidence, happiness, and fulfillment.
#2 Personal Development Is Crucial
![Sandy training with Sheffield personal trainer LEP Fitness](https://www.lepfitness.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/0-1.jpeg)
Personal Development is CRUCIAL to a client’s success!
Every client that repeatedly invests time in their personal development gets AMAZING RESULTS. That’s a fact!
It’s not just about working on the body, BUT also the mind. I believe the best ways to do this are:
Read – to read at least 10 minutes each day. I recommend books by Dr. Steve Peters (Chimp Paradox) and Dr. John Martni (The Values Factor). When clients join LEP Fitness, they receive a ‘Mindset Pack’ where I give them a bunch of resources/exercises to take their mental and physical performance to the next level.
Listen – I encourage clients to listen to podcasts and audiobooks. One of the best audiobooks for personal growth is The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. I also recommend Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and Mindset by Carol Dweck.
Meditate – meditation isn’t for everyone, but from my experience, the clients that do it get better physical results, are calmer, happier, healthier, and make better decisions throughout the day. I wrote a post on the benefits of meditation. I recommend using the app Calm (that’s what I use!) – other people rave about the Headspace App. Both have free versions and are worth trying for the next month.
#3 Attitude & Discipline
![Ben loses 30lbs with LEP Fitness](https://www.lepfitness.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/best-personal-trainer-in-Sheffield-LEP-Fitness-1024x1024.jpg)
It doesn’t matter to me whether you are fit, or unfit, old, or young, a man or woman!
All that matters is that you have the right attitude and do what you say you are going to do:
- Turn up on time.
- Give 100% each session.
- Hold yourself accountable – take responsibility for your actions.
- Make no excuses.
- Do your homework – training outside of our personal training sessions.
I know that If a client does the above that they will get amazing results. If they can’t commit to the above, then there’s no point in working together.
#4 Not Everyone Makes It!
![](https://www.lepfitness.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/personal-trainer-sheffield-LEP-Fitness-emily-.jpg)
When I first started personal training, I thought I could transform every client! I was wrong! There’s a proverb I love… “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink,” – which is spot on!
I try my best with every client, but it’s a two-way agreement, and there’s only so much a coach can do. You must be committed, and when both parties give 100%, anything is possible.
Over the years, I’ve gotten much better at spotting who’s going to make it and who won’t. Often I know from the consultation whether a client is going to be a good fit and get a good return on their investment.
I have specific consultation questions and look for warning signs. If they are late, or rearrange, or have a terrible aura, it’s not a good start! I always go with my gut and think before taking on any new client.
I want to work with people who want to progress. I’m not interested in having a full diary of clients if the clients I have aren’t committed.
I’m fortunate enough to not have to work for money, so I can pick and choose who I coach. Job satisfaction comes first, and I need to be around people who are committed to progress. I’m not interested in time wasters or people who are full of excuses!
All I ask for is your full commitment – turn up, put in the graft, and do what you say you are going to do! Take ownership of your actions, and I will help you with the rest.