When it comes to scope of practice in our industry, there is a line that in theory is clear and defined, but in everyday practice often becomes blurred. For those of us who have certifications from accredited... View More
In my last column, I shared with you an exercise reminiscent of a Mad Lib with five quick fill-in-the-blank statements. The objective is to keep you from over-thinking and over-strategizing what niche... View More
What is your time worth? This is a very serious question and one you need to answer for yourself. What's more I'd suggest you re-evaluate it about every six months; that is if you want to grow your fitness... View More
Many fitness professionals start their career with the noble goal of "helping everyone who wants to live a healthy life." But the truth is, as the saying goes, "You can't be all things to all people."... View More
In my September 2011 column, I shared seven ways to motivate your clients beyond just physical results. I wanted to revisit the topic because at some point, being the motivator that our clients depend... View More
When I first speak to a new coaching client one of the very first things we discuss is whether they know and track their average number of leads per month. I know when I began my training business years... View More
Whether you are in a formal business partnership or joint venture with another professional on a service or product you offer, you must be vigilant about laying a strong foundation of the partnership.... View More
The most challenging task with launching a new business, program or service often times is generating enough buzz to get your clients, potential or current, so excited about what you have to offer that... View More
As trainers we're still people and as people we have certain behaviors that are consistent no matter what. First we live in an instant gratification world. Our clients are looking for a near instant solution... View More
When I first started my fitness business, I pretty much would train anyone who would pay me for my services and spent a lot of time networking with other local businesses because I was anxious to find... View More
Most of us pursued a profession in fitness because we want to help people. I often hear fitness professionals, especially when they enter the industry, say they would "give away their services for free... View More
Whether you are a solopreneur or an employer I think the following will be important to you. One of my most important mentors always used the description of a "ticking time bomb" when referring to employees.... View More
Fitness training without goal-setting is like peanut butter without the jelly. Where most people stumble, whether we're talking about fitness, personal or professional goals, is that they set themselves... View More
It's that time of year again -- tax day is right up on us. As I'm sure many of you can probably understand, tax and accounting concerns can be a serious pain-point. It can be difficult to find a professional... View More
You might believe you are already effective at managing your time. If there's anything I've learned it's that when it comes to time management it's a continual work of improvement. There are three... View More
Whether you own your own business or work for a gym, networking can be an effective way to building new business and staying front of mind in the community. Unfortunately, most people go about networking... View More
One of the pitfalls I see with many clients when starting a new program, whether it's a boot camp or personal training program, is that what should be the catalyst of motivation ultimately ends up as the... View More
My focus on systems, planning and structure in addition to marketing and promotion has surely been what's helped me establish myself as a fitness professional business mentor. In this column, however,... View More
As a business owner or as an independent trainer, it's critical to evaluate every aspect of your business to highlight points of weakness, inefficiency or where greater opportunity lies. In my last column,... View More
Whether you are a solo fitness professional training clients at a gym or an entrepreneur managing a large staff; systems are the cornerstone of a successful business. Having solid systems in your business... View More
