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.
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
Great video. Very valuable. Edit; just going to add, most PTs are crap. Very basic knowledge, they stop learning beyond their certification aquirement.
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.
@@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 👍
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 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.
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.
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
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
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!
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
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.
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!
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!!
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
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
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.
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
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...
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 :)
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 🙌🏾
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!
@@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.
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
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.
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.
Thats crazy to hear of David Lloyds, top player & boutique'esque! They charge 100 to 200 quid a month for memberships so shocking to hear that arrangement with PT's. Hopefully things have improved for staff there
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..
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.
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 🤷🏾♂️
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.
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.
@@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.
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!
@@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
@@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.
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.
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
“How can a person who is coaching not believe in coaching” That hit me man. I think that there is a big part of me that want to learn everything myself, and do enjoy the process of selfteaching on RU-vid. But i also Think it is limiting me, because deep Down I’m thinking that clients shouldnt pay for my time, they should just teach themselves like i did. But i know that people are so different and value the personal help so must more than i do. So i dont Think Its this Black and White, that coaches has to like being coached and prioritize it. But i do Think there is a lot of value in it that i havent tapped into yet. Most importantly i need to work on my Belief that people shouldnt spend Their Money with me. And me getting coached might help me see the value of coaching. Last note: i do get coached through videoes doe. I know Its not 1 on 1, But it is still coaching, just free
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..
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..
This is an interesting take as I been a Personal Trainer for a year and just became a rent based PT 4 months ago. Imo best way to get the best start is to always be on the gym floor wether it be literally on the gym or in the office prospecting and making calls. I was in the gym from morning to night (I just graduated so I had nothing else besides my part time job on weekend for my income 😂) but to the point where people thought I was the manager Anyways being a friendly, familiar and importantly in shape I was getting first hand clients a lot more compared to the more established Pts The first few clients is going to be the most important! Give them value and hone your skills at the same time throw some consultation sessions. But long story short doing hours forces you to put in the grind and see it as that. Ofc you want to be personal training so use this motivation to be like x & y Pt as well as learning from others.
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 🤔
Another way of putting prices up is not to give a discount if someone orders a block, but to give a freebie I.e. you say „my price is 80//hour cos Im the best, but if you order a block of x sessions you get one free“. You then avoid creating the expectation in that client that they‘ll get a discount every time they book a block
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.
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
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 👍
@@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 👍
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.
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.
The reason the vast majority of trainers don’t listen, is because by and large they understand they are scamming their clients. Therefore they approach many aspects of training with this mindset, including outside business advice. Anyone who has spent any amount of time in gym environments can attest to the poor quality of coaching in the industry. Good one’s shine like diamonds.
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.
