Fitness Coaching Tips

Signs of a Great Fitness Coach

Elite fitness coaches are a cut above the rest. They are thorough, they go the extra mile, and they don't settle for anything less than their clients' very best. If you want to be a truly great fitness coach, make sure you include these three components:

1. Assess, Measure and Keep Statistics

The best coaches perform thorough assessments for each client. Movement screens, basic performance tests and measurements should be taken. Current nutrition and lifestyle should also be assessed, including primary complaints, amount of sleep per night, current social support, etc.

Solid assessments comprise real-world data to help inform coaching decisions. Progress should be logged and tracked during sessions and between sessions. Measurable metrics are the best way to fine-tune a program and confirm that progress is being made.

2. Practice What You Preach

Top fitness trainers consistently live the type of lifestyle they are promoting to their clients. They don’t necessarily have to look like bodybuilders or fitness models, but they should be toned, healthy, well-rested and have a better health profile than average. Not only is this a powerful calling card; it's also evidence the coach knows how to achieve results. Elite coaches prioritize their own fitness, blocking out time each day for training and nutrition planning.

3. Be a Life-Long Learner

While the best fitness trainers may already have a diploma, college degree and multiple certifications, they don't stop there. The best coaches seek out quality mentorships and invest time and energy in ongoing training.

They are aware of the most current, cutting-edge information available in health, fitness and nutrition. They know how to seamlessly integrate all of these areas. And they can adapt and customize a fitness program for each client, tailoring it easily to their unique situation.

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Reach Potential Fitness Coaching Clients

As a fitness coach who wants to grow their business, you're always on the lookout for new ways to get and retain clients. There are a variety of ways to market and advertise your business, and convert potential clients to scheduled clients. Be more effective with your business-building efforts by including these techniques and considerations into your plans.

How to Get New Fitness Coaching Clients

1. Market and advertise regularly. Spread the word about your fitness coaching services by marketing and advertising them. Use social media marketing, word-of-mouth, flyers and local ads to get new clients.

2. Offer first-time incentives. First-appointment discounts can help nudge people who are on the fence to schedule an appointment with you. Post discounts on social media venues as exclusive offers.

3. Be visible and available. Partner with fitness clubs, attend community fairs and establish a presence in the area or online. The more visible and accessible you are, the more likely you are to attract clients.

Tips for Retaining Fitness Coaching Clients

1. Clearly express how you can help. Clients who end their first session with a clear plan of how their fitness goals can be achieved will feel encouraged to continue.

2. Offer package deals. Encourage commitment by offering various coaching packages and price points.

3. Vary your coaching services. A variety of services will resonate with different people and personalities. Some might want one-on-one sessions, while others might prefer group coaching. Provide clients with a few options.

The Importance of Being Genuine

As important as the tips above are, the best thing you can do to attract and keep fitness coaching clients is to be genuine. Practice what you preach, and demonstrate an invested interest and sincere concern for your clients. This alone will speak volumes and help you steadily build your client base.

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Content Marketing Tips for Fitness Coaches

Content marketing means creating something original and valuable to share with clients. Ideally, it will enhance and alter the reader's behavior in a positive way for your business. Much more than pitching products or services, the goal of content marketing is to improve quality of life for readers by delivering value. Eventually, they will (hopefully) reward you by signing on for your services.

Fitness coaches can harness the power of content marketing in the following ways:

Inspiring blog posts. Getting fit can be a long and daunting road for those who are just getting started. Even fitness buffs who have been at it for awhile can fall into a slump. Use your blog to inspire readers with information about cutting edge techniques and fitness information.

Video demonstrations. Have a new stretch or exercise that could help those trying to get fit and stay that way? Why not make a video demonstration? Be generous with multi-media offerings, and your website readers will remember you when it comes time to hire a coach.

Tip sheets and ebooks. Share information with your readers by creating helpful, downloadable tip sheets that inform and inspire. Examples titles could be, "10 Ways to Stay Motivated in the Gym" or "10 Ways to Stay Fit While Traveling." Be sure to ask for their contact information in exchange for access.

If you are bursting with ideas that just can't be contained in a 10-item tip sheet, consider creating an original ebook packed with fitness advice. If you don't have the time to write it yourself, hire a ghost writer.

Providing consistent, valuable content to readers and social media followers is the essence of content marketing. Be innovative and creative in your postings, and they're likely to keep returning to your site. When they're finally ready to sign on with a fitness coach, they're very likely to choose you.

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Host a Fitness Coaching Retreat

Up until now, you've been meeting with your fitness clients in-person, over the phone and through email. You'd like to expand your coaching services and have thought about hosting a fitness coaching retreat. Whether you use them in conjunction with or instead of one-on-one fitness coaching sessions, your clients can benefit from participating in a more intense coaching experience. Adding occasional retreats to your services can also prove to be beneficial to your business.

Client Benefits from Fitness Coaching Retreats

• Experience In-Depth Coaching. A retreat offers clients continuous coaching opportunities without a pause in-between. This in-depth experience can help them break through fitness obstacles.
• Gain Peer Support. Peer support is valuable to people working toward health and fitness goals. Knowing that others are working on the same goals can be empowering.
• See Immediate Progress. Clients can experience breakthroughs and gain new awareness during an intensive fitness coaching experience, leading to quick progress.

• Reach More Clients. Working with a larger amount of clients at one time during a fitness coaching retreat can increase your presence in the fitness field.
• Service Expansion. Offering a wider variety of services makes your coaching business appealing to a broader audience.

Do a little research or speak with a coaching mentor as you plan for your first fitness coaching retreat. This can make the process less overwhelming. Plan to include workshops, roundtable discussions and group fitness sessions in your retreat, in addition to individual coaching. Your clients will benefit from working with their peers, as well as with you. A positive retreat experience can help clients off to a good start and assist you in building your fitness coaching business.

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