If You're a PT, Don't Work FOR The Gym, I'll Explain
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- Опубліковано 21 сер 2022
- Free rent is never free rent. If you truly want your business to give you the life you want, you'll need to be able to do it without servicing hours on minimum wage for the gym.
I’ve made a telegram group for ASPIRING PERSONAL TRAINERS - join here t.me/jsptcrew
These are some good insights. However, I don't really agree with the last part entirely. There are so many fake gurus all over instagram who promise to help you grow your personal training business and make six figures. Their ads look the same. All of them. Granted, James Smith is an established fitness person but if those fake gurus and him all tell me that if I pay them, I can grow my business, who do I give my money to? They all make promises and sound appealing. Why should I trust one over the other? Yeah, most of us need help, but let's not forget that most of the time, those who offer the help have made their success not from personal training but from selling "how to" courses for hundreds of $ or published some books not from running a personal training business
100% Agree, There are a lot of folks trying to round up some fools with the temptation of growing their business for a seminar costing in the hundreds. No thanks, I'd rather do my own research, network with other trainers, and put in my own legwork to keep myself in the game. I had 2 ex-classmates from my exercise science degree try to persuade me to pay them $300 to do a 2-day seminar w them to improve my business as a trainer. The way I see it, if I was willing to do more, I'd already be doing it. Everyone's a guru when they're trying to sell you something!
@@technopong and all of their ads look and sound the same. Like they follow the same script. They try to sell you the dream of going full online trying to persuade you that you actually hate being on the gym floor. They also either film their videos in what looks like their bedroom in their mums house or in some fancy locations like Dubai, which if you think about it wouldn't be too hard to rent Airbnd or something just to film their ad to look like they've made it. Many of them also buy followers. You can see it by their likes to follow ratio. This is all a scam and it emerged a few years ago when some fake gurus tried to sell their "make money from home" scam. "Here in my garage" guy comes to mind. Same script, same playing on insecurities and same business model- pretend you made your fortune the same way as you teach others instead of telling the truth which is that you made your fortune by selling people the dream. There are some videos on here exposing these charlatans
As someone about to enter the personal training space, this was a big eye-opener for me but I really appreciate having this knowledge now instead of figuring this out a few years down the line. Another great informative video.
Same. But I want to help people at home. I want to help them get in shape and help them with minimal equipment.
Totally understand this. I didn’t finish my PT qualification and things like this sadly continue to put it into perspective why. Really admire your attitude and straight talking- sooo looking forward to seeing you next month!!
Use the comments section if you have questions!
Great video. Very valuable.
Edit; just going to add, most PTs are crap. Very basic knowledge, they stop learning beyond their certification aquirement.
Really appreciated your closing statement on the PT industry being saturated vs competitive. This video should definitely give someone an edge if they wanted to stake PT seriously!
I absolutely enjoyed this video. I've been working at a gym for about 3 years now as a receptionist. There is definitely a gap in the PT business. Thank You.
Just watched this - I am not even a trainer, but this had encouraged me to think about putting my prices up in my business 😝
I work as a ski coach and this is so relevant to mine and I assume many other sports professionals!
Keep up the good content!
No bs, straight to the point. Great content brother keep it up.
As someone who was a PT for 10 years, owns a gym and has helped nurture dozens of PTS I can say that yes, you’re dead right. The big gyms fleece the PTs that come bright eyed and bushy tailed out of their course. They even go in and canvass course members during their studies. The model stinks.
But… there are private gyms that do look after their PTs on a rent model.
To any PT out there reading this, get in somewhere that you can learn and grow, or go out there on your own to begin with.
I started by training people in a car park. Then I opened my own PT studio (in 2009) and then a gym in 2012. Dont cut your legs off before you’ve even started in the industry.
It might require you to IGNORE a lot of the BS that the industry preaches and keep your head down… but everything James has said here is bang on.
LISTEN to what he’s saying.
from the uk starting out now in sydney taking this advice thanks
@@austinrpt good luck, it’s a great time to be a PT. Get to really positively impact lives. Enjoy it and never forget it’s PERSONAL training. It’s all about THEM.
Haha im living what you wrote. I’m in my course atm and the gym I’m doing it through has taken an interest in me, it’s massive rent each week, they want me to pay for a mentorship aswell, and I’ve already paid huge money for the course. It’s starting to feel like some giant form of pyramid scheme where they’ve made money off of clients but now they’ve realised the real money is in making money off of the new line of pt’s! I’ll take your advice of keeping my head down, I had an idea of what I wanted to do before I started the course, I’ll try not get side tracked by the big flashy signs
@@joshc5543 there’s loads of advice out there but one thing that I swear by is be the “go to” for your close friends and family and build out from there. Join a sports team, take the pre season training, round up some interest that way too. Good luck you’ll smash it 👍
Watched this as I’m thinking of using a personal trainer soon. Ended up getting advice for my guitar teaching business 😂 Cheers James👍
Thank you, I needed this.
NAILS IT!!! Thanks James
I’m glad I invested in a coach for my pt business cost me a lot more than £500 but has revolutionised the way I do things
Man you’re a legend, looking forward to meeting you at IFS.
I agree with what your saying very true , I was a PT about 15 yrs ago and I did OK- ish with clients, social media hadn't quite blown up then only Facebook and I was a bit of caveman on a lap top , some of the trainers who seemed to be leading the way at that time were the ones who shouted the most and slagged everybody else off , looking back they were the cleverest thick people around, things have moved on now and all of those PT's have faded away , there's some phenomenal PT's out there , it's just filtering through the shite
Great video, awesome content. And straight facts. ✊🏼
What a great video 🙌 Don't need to be a personal trainer to appreciate this free knowledge
Fantastic video James.
Extremely great video my only downside is that I have attended personal training talks where the marketing was to sell third party product that I and my team didn’t believe in and where clear fitness gimmicks. Maybe we have just been to the wrong events however this has left a bad fast in some of our mouths. But I will look at this video as a opportunity to invest again and hopefully seek better guidance. Thank you
Great video.
Commercial gyms model is madness!
That’s why the trainers don’t last!
Currently awaiting my results for my Level 3 PT course. So glad I’ve found this channel because I am lost brother. Was looking into JD gyms, David Lloyd clubs etc. but after seeing this, I might just take the leap of faith
This is cool information/advise. I don't do personal training but I can apply this thinking to something else. 🤔
In Australia we are charged $300-400 Aud a week not a month :)
I’m not a PT but still found this very insightful.
I'm charging £30 an hour as a level 4 PT specialising in cancer rehab. I really need to up my prices 🙈
I charge the same as an ex-Thai boxer/instructor. Would like to up the rate but reckon a lot of potential clients would lose interest/go elsewhere.
I can see that last bit of advice as very logical in most scenarios. However, there are a few exceptions. I'll just use my current situation for now. I just legally set up my business yesterday in my state. However, there are people like me who want that business coaching, but may not have enough set aside just yet. But at the exact same time, I agree with you. If I had enough clients to pay my basics and some extra revenue, it'd be a GREAT idea to go for a workshop that does cost money. But there are indeed those trainers out there who want everything for nothing. I want to learn more to give more. I just need more money to do so. I just spent every single penny I had left to get my finances in order for 2 months until I start pulling in 5 clients a month. That'll give me the basics I need. But I'd like to get those 5 and then shoot for 20!
I converted my garage to a gym rather than pay pure gym or any other gyms rent. Made my money back & had a great set up to workout in 7 days a week.
This video is going to help many PTs.
Outside of London £45 an hour is a hard sell
Not if you're a good coach with a reputation
I'm a respectably qualified PT, but have not set up yet. I'm doing my home work on the best way to operate as one and I like what James Smith has to say...
BRILLIANT James!
James, you are awesome!
I agree with most things, however as a new trainer, those shifts gives you the opportunity to interact with members, show personality, obviously after you get your diary fully booked, you opt for paying the actual rent.
Its hard for me to see how after 6 weeks of getting “level 2&3 PT qualification” you’re jumping in straight to pay rent and make a name for yourself like that.
Also, its a good video to promote ifs.
I’ve been there last year in london, was ok.
Yes thats exactly what every new trainer says....nothing new
those level 2's and 3's are the L plates of fitness my guy
@@VMac3 but everybody starts somewhere and do u mean level 3 personal trainer?
@@steve00alt70 thats the qualification you need to be a personal trainer
Definitely agree with your advice
Great video James! These tips are super useful. Question for you... have you ever tried Next Level Diet? I got a fat loss meal plan from them that's worked wonders for me.
Ahh can’t wait for ifs👏🏻
I don't want to be a PT, don't have any desire to own my own business, but honestly if I had the dollars, I'd come see you talk!! I think there's value in what you have to say and it can be used in other areas... Quality always 🙌🏾
Biggest advice you have as a new personal trainer
Gift of the gab, been able to talk and charm people is important
The other is been able to sell yourself
The gym I work at proper did me over here. When I started, they offered me rent or service hours like all other gyms. Of course I went for service hours as I started from scratch with zero clients however when I then asked to move onto rent later down the line they only THEN told me they needed 7 PTs before anyone could go onto rent. So I have no choice but to work the service hours or move gyms taking all my clients with me
Thank you❤
This was great - my partner and I have both been PT's for over 10 years with a lot of these techniques. You really need to value yourself and your time, invest in keeping up your education, everything James said. Good luck everyone!
how do i get started?!
Subbed. Excellent advice. The big mans on point 🎉
James, this video hit me 😳 I’ve always been confused about how it works when going into a gym (as that’s an option I was considering for myself as a trainer) but always seen the “PT’s” milling around looking bored and cleaning and I just don’t get it! Will you be doing business talks in the UK? I’d love to come to one!
Not for another year or so.
@@JamesSmithPT I’ll be there 💪🏻
Yep I see it too in my gym
It's been a year WHERE IS HE AT?
Everything this guy says is solid gold.
I don’t know if this is London prices but no average person is paying £80 for a personal training session up north. They’re saying fuck that, and going with the £25-£30 trainer, which is the average cost for an hour. He’s not wrong about the rent vs working for a gym method though.
Even down south (outside London) £80 is pricey
Fully understand this, I work for the gym I’m in 14 hours per week (unpaid) but the good thing about it is I’m allowed to take clients whilst on shift, so if I use my head and work around the shift times then it kind of evens it out 🤔
Business. Expense.
Built my own gym in the garden. Paid for by keeping my old job too until client base built. Any money I make is mine. Online is definitely the way forward but I can’t face sitting in front of a computer for hours, takes away all the enjoyment of actually being a PT
Same here - having a studio is a blessing. Building an online business is 10x harder and not as enjoyable at PT in my opinion.
Wow … l have done this myself. Wise words mate
That advice would certainly cause many pt to reconsider and quit working for gyms!!
Absolutely gangster, see you in Lisbon 🤜🏼🤛🏼
I've been a personal trainer for 10 years as well and what you've said is so fucking true. "free" gym rent for hours is a massive scam for the gym to service their members and not pay someone for the position. Most gym based personal trainers forget that it's PERSONAL first and training second. Invest your time as a PT in the people in your gym by being friendly, helping technique & providing a shit tonne of value & you'll be busier than you can believe.
But thats if the gym members want you to help, usually they want to be left in peace without interruption
@@steve00alt70 *THIS!!!!!!!!!*
And it’s why i cannot *stand* the sales aspect of PT. Having to harass clients on the gym floor because you need money… ontop of the fact that the other trainers that were there way before you are competing, doing the exact same thing, but with far better results cos theyve simply been at it for way longer.
@@Kumari_44 Incorrect, there are always new members coming and going, and you need to market yourself to attract people inside and outside of the gym. What can I offer that other current PTs cannot? You fulfill this, and people will notice you. Sooner or later, you'll be training that guy who was once one of your colleagues PT years ago.
The whole personal training field feels scammy to me they only nice to
U to Pay there bills
Going to a seminar doesn't necessarily mean you are getting help because they are generally a one size fits all product
I had no idea about PT rents when i did my training. Very disheartening. Still qualified, but i mainly do landscaping instead 🌚
Hi. You speak very wisely. But there is another problem. I have been doing bodybuilding for a long time, I have had membership in many gyms. And I noticed that 99% of PT did not know the correct exercise technique! They teach others bad technique. Ordinary people who come to the gym have no idea about the correct technique, which is understandable. By paying PT money, you hope he won't hurt you and you trust him to teach you to practice the right way. But what annoys me the most is BLIND PT. The point is that PT walking past the man who squats and his knees are moving inwards, which is obviously a wrong technique, he as PT will not talk to him about what he is doing. Why ? Because he didn't pay him! I believe there is a difference between people who become PT because it is their passion. And people who heard about PT can earn a lot and that's why they chose this profession. Sometimes a teacher from a very famous school for PT comes to the gym I attend. I observe it sometimes and I regret to say that these people also do not know the correct technique. It is terrifying to me. Because these 10 people who train, later return to their hometown, start working in the gym and they will continue to pass on what they learned in school ... It's like you want to do driving license and the instructor does not know the rules of the road. There should be some organization / work type that someone should go to the gyms choosing PT randomly and checking his skills. 99% of people would lose their jobs ... Regards Remi (sorry for my English :)
Fair points. There is sometimes another reason why a PT does not correct the technique of a guy squatting who doesn't pay him, is because the guy squatting doesn't always want to hear the advice. Some lifters think they know better than the PT or just want to do their own thing without interruption.
@@derekathomson I'll agree with you. Some people think they know everything ... Some people get angry / offended. But I think PT should take care of people's health in the gym, not worry if anyone likes him or not :)
Love this! However, you can double that gym rent. I’d love to pay £375 😂
Wow. Maths don’t lie. Your right and I also see this with other person trainers who a great at training but you need to be equally as good at business. Continues personal development is vial. You want to be a quality product so invest in yourself.
David Lloyd charge £35 for a PT session. Of that the PT gets £15 and David Lloyd get £20. The PT trainers don't get a basic wage after a few months. David Lloyd have sacked my favourite PT and just made my second favourite PT redundant. The front line staff are all lovely caring people who treat the members very well, they are paid minimum wage. The backroom staff who you never see get paid on commission and virtually no one likes any of them as they never treat the members well and do everything they can to avoid helping anyone with anything.
Wow, that is shocking. No wonder trainers either go online or open their own studio.
Any tips for a coach to get started online?
I worked for pure gym when I first quit my corporate job. Within 4 months I went to rent, but I was the only PT to do so, most stay on shifts for years because they struggle with sales and marketing, end up getting other jobs to supplement their income and having no time to build up a business, it’s a vicious cycle!
Pure gym literally robbery in broad daylight. Trust go online PT/Coaching is so much better
@@johnjones5626 how do you get exposure for it?
@@creativeape8994 The PT rent is ridiculous that’s one , they will say they would pay for overtime but most of the time they won’t or find an and excuse to justify the reasons and sometime work shop they have for future PTs are terrible with a lack of help
Pure Gym is dreadful. All their PTs pay rent, regardless of whether you fulfill shifts or not. Its extortion, they even have this yearly 'admin fee' or whatever it was called of £200, on top of shift PTs having to pay anything between £80-150/month depending on your location.
I'm currently at PG starting out and torn about whether to progress to the PT contract or get out before I have clients. Any advice for this?
Where do I get the seminars from?
Fell for buying a cheap charger last week for my Airpods, doesn't work and have said never again. Live and learn 😂
I worked at PureGym as a rent PT. Tried to explain this to all the shift PTs.. Virtually non made the move... Explaining your hourly rate x60, how much does that earn you!! And they still work shift... Some people cant be helped..
Explain sir
Hi James! Thank you for making this video and sharing your opinion. I'm about to start a foundation degree in Health & Fitness, and whilst I'm not 100% sure on the end goal yet, I'm already thinking about doing every additional health related course I can do (sports massage etc) to help people.
In terms of being newly qualified, do you think it is better to at least start in a Pure Gym/D Lloyds or should you straight away going into somebody else's private PT gym and work your way up there? Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated 😄 Cheers 👍
I don’t think adding courses is essential in the onset. Tbh I would rather hash this out with you at a business event so please come to one.
@@JamesSmithPT where do you do them? I'm from North West England. Found your channel through the diary of a CEO thought you were great 😅 love inspirational stuff like that 👍
It's not rocket science... Big Gyms exploit naive personal trainers. Lots of personal trainers aren't great business people and once you get a rapport with a client it's often hard to ask for money. It's a tough slog and we can't all be James Smith.
Good stuff
That was minimum wage like 10 years ago lol.. damn.. I found this out myself from people I knew who worked in pure gym.. I was thinking about being a pt myself but that turned me off instantly..
I work in puregym and I agree with some of the points but this is not always realistic, the rent now is £675 in my area - the demographic is mostly students that look for the cheapest Personal trainer, so even if you could get £50 per session you would need to do at least 15 sessions to cover the rent don't get me wrong shift PT have to do 12 hours at minimum wage and the. Still need to pay £650 so there wages barely cover it
I've now been in the industry for 5-6 years and have a good number of loyal client's so I'm not struggling. And I can agree that most PT should invest in a business coach I did and it did wonders, but you also need to be realistic if your a new trainer which most are and have zero clients all this would either be impossible or put you into the negative without a 100% guarantee of helping your business
Whilst James had great points and comes from a place wanting to help you succeed way up your options first before going down route of a coach but yeah puregym takes us for mugs and treats us horribly
suppose like most big companies-they'll try and fleece you.I go to puregym-but don't use PTs
I'm a PT in PG too. Rent is robbery however it gives you the exposure to clients and most of mines come from PG website or my social media. I don't mind shifts as I love doing classes and interact with people. Wish floor hours cover the rent tho as it is excessive
Yeah i know some managers wrote up documents to try and make the rent for on shift pts break even
Though got love recently they increased the rent again and just told people to charge more
He right it’s not worth to work ,you lose money,you need babysitting many people,and you lose your time ,spend to much on the gym to get the clients
Just qualified and started my business free lance, I went through a few interviews for gyms, they all charge mad rent, some 750 per month, another one had this so called rent less deal if you worked hours doing classes for them. "People do not value cheap" cheers for that, been charging very cheap cause I don't value my coaching enough yet and just want experience, but that's resonating with me, will def think about that rate of perceived savings when offering the next package. What do you think about charging cheap just to get the experience in?
You can charge cheap to get experience but you won't get any experience of working with people who value and invest in themselves and your services at a proper investment level.
Just Thank you…..
Unfortunately the commercial gyms operate by getting you to do 12-15 hours of classes, inductions, cleaning equipment etc, pay minimum wage for it AND charge you rent of the equivalent amount then you're back at £0 having done x hours before you can train a client. Or, you work "for free" then you can actually start making money. Not a lot of commercial gyms operate on rent only without having to work for them too. The ones that do only do it once you've been working x years. It's a scam. That's why I didn't bother after doing my qualification as what's the point? Absolutely devastated.
To be honest its like saying tech companies take advantage of you by assigning you to do non related tasks and pay you minimum wage. So no point in doing a coding course. There are other ways you can work at it without needing an employer, so many ways.
You have really gentle eyes.
Which companies still do hours for rent? Pretty sure that changed years ago when the whole workers rights situation happened with Uber?
with the cheaper 10 session block, would that be a one off? what happens after 10 weeks? Do they get another cheap 10 weeks?
Are you still in Australia or back in the UK?
to answer his last point about coaching. Why would I pay for coaching when I can watch and learn for free online for example like this video
I’m not even a PT but I found this video is interesting
Please listen to this gentleman.. Took me 4 years to realise that those gym "systems" are terrible for most.. The ones that do well in commercial gyms like that always had a second job I never realised they had. Most gyms have at max a few people on "rent" who may be quite successful.. They do exist because they're the incentive but mainly in that setup, that minimal wage scam its a complete piss take..
Everything would be better for everyone if the gym would pay you to work and then if I client wants to book a session with you they would book through the reception where the gym can take a percentage out of the package of sessions... In this way you are not free of making your prices, but you always get paid
Made some good points however, he just started talking about his mate that sacrificed his time for less rent most PTs ain’t doing that secondly, he didn’t actually say why we shouldn’t work for those gyms, just how to stand out more in the gym that you’re in by upping your prices soooo 🤷🏾♂️
yh-putting up your rate sounds dumb.most gym goers know what the going rate is-unless you dealing with filthy rich clients
Man some of these comments are a little concerning, people wanting to jump straight to online without training anyone in person. :|
And without any idea of how hard building an online business is
my gym membership is 15e per month and the couch help sooo ya know
First thing? How to find clients or make a offer without seeming so HIGH price?
The final message in this video is simply “practice what you preach”
The gym I work for just charges a $15 fee. If I don’t make money neither does he.
Are you all allowed to formally call yourselves PTs in across the pond? In the US that is exclusively for physical therapists, I find that interesting.
Is it a good idea to go straight into online coaching once you get the qualification or would it be better to build a client base doing freelance in person then gradually shift to online coaching?
No its not a good idea. You’d have no experience, not only that. You don’t just ‘go online’ 😂😂 its a competitive space boss.
@@JamesSmithPT could you not gain experience through free or discounted online clients?
I am building my own gym. Almost done ✅ I have rented flat with extra room to have extra place :)
How are you building it?
@@creativeape8994 hi, sorry for late reply, I got a rack, bench, DB, BB all sorts of stuff :)
Did the same. Smart move.
Just switched to rent 😁
This video speaks nothing but facts, I’ve been doing personal training for at least one year and a half and to be honest with you. The area I was in was so shit that I’m glad I turn to online coaching because I was charging my clients for good session at cheap price at first but then realised I wasn’t making jack. Now finally online and actually earning a decent amount of money whilst also pursuing my other careers.
What online platform for you use to coach them?
I was going to get my certification through pure gym, do you suggest I do this and decline the job offer at the end
Your call! Your call my friend.
Gold
£45 an hour, The gym I go to we Pay the trainers £10. Absolutely no way would I pay more. They do a great job.
That gym is not in western europe, right?
100% agree. I work for Puregym doing 12 hours a week and I still have to pay rent as the hours don't cover the cost
What? Have they changed their model?
@@bengough6772 I get paid £456 monthly by puregym and the one I work at is £550 rent
@@aidenward6371 urgh yeah that new post covid model. Yeah as much as u can claim all that as a business expense it's still hours of grind. I genuinely don't hate them but I left a year ago and haven't missed it at any point
@@bengough6772 once I get going and I'll either going it alone or just rent
@@aidenward6371 £456 plus your earnings from sessions? Or does the gym take a percentage of that too? But that seems pretty low monthly wage from the gym.
But if I dont work for a gym then how will I get clients and where to work? But then again there is online personal training coaching but that takes alot of time to go viral.
Talk to everyone in the gym and learn local marketing skills
What do you recommend for people who just got their certification and starting out? I want to focus more on the online space but obviously need trust and credibility
Do 4-5 years on the floor then you’ll be ready to go online. 😅
@@JamesSmithPT okay 😅
Top stuff with the content and consistency. I am attending IFS, Lisbon and I’ll ask a similar question at your seminar.
What’s the best strategy for someone just starting out with their PT business?
From my perspective working shifts is a safety blanket to initially help cover rent, however I’d be looking/expecting to outgrow the need for that asap. Using the shift hours for content, development, check-ins etc as you say.
Hopefully I can pick your brain in Lisbon at the cost of a few drinks 🍻 🤙🏼
Yes mate, in the lectures and outside of them! Looking forward to it.