Level 3 Personal Trainers play a vital role in helping individuals achieve their fitness goals, whilst also building fitness business success. While some clients may hire a qualified Level 3 personal trainer for a specific event or short-term objectives, others embark on a long-term fitness journey. You might be thinking, how long do Personal Training clients last for? Well, the expectations of starting a fitness business might be different to the reality, but in this blog post, we’ll explore the lifespan of a personal training client, from the initial meeting to maintaining a lifelong commitment to health and fitness.
The start of your Fitness Business Success: Initial Consultation and Goal Setting
The lifespan of a personal training client typically begins with an initial consultation. During this crucial phase, the trainer and client get to know each other, builds rapport, discuss fitness goals, and establish a baseline for the client’s current fitness level. This meeting lays the foundation for the entire training journey and enables the start of a trusting relationship to be forged. Here, the Personal Trainer should be trying to find their clients’ ‘why’. As in, ‘why’ are they here? Why are they hiring you? What’s their reason for needing the support of a Personal Trainer?
Setting SMART Goals
After the initial consultation, the next step is to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals. These goals provide clarity and motivation for both the trainer and the client. Whether it’s losing weight, building muscle, or improving overall fitness, having well-defined objectives helps measure progress and keeps clients engaged.
The Lifelongers
For some clients, the personal training journey doesn’t end with achieving initial goals or transitioning to maintenance. Instead, they develop a lifelong commitment to health and fitness. These clients may continue to work with their trainers, adapting their goals and workouts as they age or encounter new challenges. This is who we term those A* clients; those who see the world through our lens, so to speak. In that, they see exercise as a lifestyle and something which is continually ongoing and not just a ‘flash in the pan’. The goal is to get as many ‘lifelongers’ as you can, and keep them. Remember, it’s more than double as difficult to pick up a new client than it is to keep an existing one.
Lifespan Phase: The Actively Training
Once the goals are established, the client and trainer begin the active training phase. This phase can vary in duration, depending on the client’s goals. Short-term clients might work with a trainer for a few weeks or months, while long-term clients can have a training relationship that spans years.
During the active training phase, the personal trainer designs customised workout programmes provides nutrition guidance, and ensures the client’s safety during workouts. The trainer needs to continually monitor progress and make necessary adjustments to the training plan.
At this point, it’s important that the Personal Trainer gets to know the client on a deeper level. Remember that ‘why’ we mentioned earlier? Is that still the same, now you’ve got to know them a bit more? Or has this shifted? You need to use the clients’ ‘why’ to motivate them and keep them on track towards their goals.
From both a business and ‘client goal achievement’ perspective, you want that client to be a client for as long as possible; hopefully, a lifelonger. So keeping clients in the actively training mode is crucial.
Achieving Milestones
Throughout the training journey, clients will reach various milestones. These milestones could be anything from losing a certain amount of weight, running a specific distance, or lifting heavier weights. Celebrating these achievements is essential as it keeps the client motivated and engaged.
Plateaus and Challenges
No fitness journey is without its challenges. Clients may hit plateaus where progress seems to stall. It’s the trainer’s role to help clients overcome these obstacles by modifying workouts, introducing new exercises, or adjusting nutrition plans. A strong trainer-client relationship can be a source of support during these challenging times.
Maintenance and Lifestyle Changes
As clients near their initial fitness goals, they often transition into a maintenance phase. This phase involves learning how to sustain their achievements independently. Trainers help clients make sustainable lifestyle changes, teaching them the importance of regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and stress management.
Building a Support System
Long-term clients often view their trainers as more than just fitness experts. They become trusted confidants and allies in their fitness journeys. This support system can be a powerful motivator and contribute to a client’s ongoing success.
The lifespan of a personal training client is a dynamic and evolving journey that encompasses goal setting, active training, milestone achievements, and, for many, a lifelong commitment to health and fitness. Personal trainers serve as guides and motivators, helping clients navigate challenges and celebrate successes along the way. Regardless of the duration of the training relationship, the impact of a skilled personal trainer on a client’s health and well-being can be immeasurable, contributing to a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life.
Pursuing a personal training certification through online education is wise for anyone aspiring to excel in the fitness industry. The flexibility, accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and comprehensive learning experience offered by online programs provide a solid foundation for launching a successful career as a personal trainer. There are some really helpful resources to help set up your fitness business here.
download course guide
Download our course guide for an overview on all our courses, what you’ll learn and our prices. Fill in the form below and we will email it across to you.
Ready to become a PT?
Do you still have the passion to become a PT? If the answer is yes, take a look through our Online PT Courses and then book a Discovery Call with us and we can help give you all the information and advice you need to start your career as a personal trainer.
