I was chilling in my Jacuzzi in my backyard tonight just letting my mind wander.
And it hit me
I can teach marketing tactics to personal trainers and boot camp instructors all day but it wont do a damn bit of good if you can’t get clients to truly love you… I didn’t say like you… I said friggin LOVE you!
So I grabbed my cell phone (almost dropped it in the water) and recorded a memo of ten things fitness trainers can do to get clients to RAVE about you!
1. Give your clients needless corrections to position you as an authority. This makes clients feel like they are getting even more value from you. When you make these “needless” corrections, act like it is the most important thing in the world (but only an expert like you would understand it)
When clients are doing squats my favorite is to say, “Bring your left foot out 2 millimeters… Perfect!”
2. Energy! Crank it WAY up! So many fitness trainers are stale and boring… F#$k that… Each session is a performance… It’s Showtime!
3. Greet your clients like a dog.
4. One of the strongest human emotions is the desire feel important.When you client walks in at like she’s the friggin president of the United States!
5. Give off a huge client appreciation vibe. If it wasn’t for them you would have a lame 9-5 job (YUCK)
6. Have a secret fitness formula.
7. Here’s mine…
I knew Clients don’t have the time or motivation to workout for an hour and then do 30 to 60 minutes cardio on their own.
So I came up with the 3-in-1 super workout.
We workout for an hour at a crazy-fast pace so they get their workout and cardio at the same time.
8. Raise your value by doing certain excersises that they can’t do on there own.
Here’s an example.
Have your client do a burnout set on the preacher curl… Next have them put down the bar and and grab a towel instead… Have them fight you all the way up and all the way down while you pull against the towel for 10-20 reps.
There arms will be swollen like they had an allergic reaction to a bee sting… And will NEVER be able to duplicate that pump or intensity on their own.
9. Make your clients think you were up all night planning their workout…
Here’s a tip…
Have go-to-exercises so your clients never see you trying to think of what to do next. (Figure it out while they are doing your go-to-exercises… like tell them to do 25 pushups and then run a lap… Now you have time to think.
10. Profusely thank your clients after each workout… One of the top 3 human desires is to feel appreciated.
So pour it on after EVERY workout.
Steve,
You’re the BOMB!!!!
Comment by Marin — February 20, 2009 @ 11:22 am
GREAT stuff! I’m gonna start using this with my guitar clients tomorrow!
Thanks for posting this stuff man
Comment by David Tendrich — February 20, 2009 @ 6:05 pm
Thanks for this Steve. Great info.
Comment by Tony M — February 21, 2009 @ 5:05 am
Steve,
You are the man! I love your energy and these tips are great!
Donovan “DFitnessguy” Owens
Comment by Donovan "DFitnessguy — February 22, 2009 @ 12:35 am
So true!!!
Everyone wants to feel like a VIP…
Thanks!
Comment by Keren P. — February 22, 2009 @ 8:03 am
Here is my my response to your question… I pasted it in here cuz I think it’s a really good one!
Keren’s question:
Hey Steve,
Ok, here’s question #1….
I’m sure you get great results with your clients, making them human billboards…
I do to, but if they are complient.
Some do EVERYTHING I say and get killer results, some are more half assed.
I get so excited when we do measurements and body fat has dropped, muscle has increased, …..
How do you increase complience from your clients?
Nutrition seems to be the hardest one to get them to follow (especially for my female clients)…
Thanks!
Keren
Steve’s Answer:
First, with my humane billboards, I have a “hang in” or “tap out” approach… Meaning I literally kick their ass so hard in the workouts that they either quit, or get insane results…
As for nutrition, usually I won’t make a DRAMATIC Chang in their diet (Most clients don’t want it and won’t do it). Just having them eat a healthy breakfast and then having snacks like apples and nuts in between meals (to keep their metabolism revved up) does the trick.
Keep kick’n butt Keren,
Steve
Comment by Steve Hochman — February 22, 2009 @ 11:02 am
Awesome Post Steve,
Lots of Excellent Tips on this one, AS USUAL!!!
Much Appreciated,
Tarvin
Comment by Tarvin Durbin — February 22, 2009 @ 2:34 pm
Great Post Steve
Comment by John Cusick — February 26, 2009 @ 7:07 pm
Hey Steve,
Great post, I love the towel pull to pump up the biceps.
Comment by Mike Van Goethem — March 27, 2009 @ 5:15 pm
Great post Steve. I am going to print it out and post it in my staff room for all my staff to read!
Comment by Narina Prokosch — May 16, 2009 @ 7:30 am
Great stuff Steve!
I’m still thinking about your presentation at FBS 09!
Quick question: What legal docs do I need when starting a bootcamp?
I appreciate it,
-Ryan Bishel, ryanb@championsquest.com
Comment by Ryan — May 23, 2009 @ 9:10 am