Planning for Presales Starting up a new personal training business or fitness studio is typically frightening because it requires overhead costs (i.e., lease on physical location, utilities, staff and professional services) and significant efforts to presell memberships/packages to ensure the business will survive once it opens its doors. When it comes to fitness studios or health clubs this is essential to ensure the long term success of the facility. Presales … [Read more...]
Fitness Insight Podcast | New Neighborhood … New Studio?
New Neighborhood ... New Studio? In this week's Fitness Insight Podcast, the trio of superstar trainers discuss something that everyone has been asking about ... STARTING UP A NEW BUSINESS! With over 50 years of experience in the fitness business between the group, including Jamie Atlas (www.bonzabodies.com), Pharoah Kafele (www.puravidaclub.com) and Andrea Oh (www.todaysfitnesstrainer.com), they have witnessed and/or been a part of the successes (or failures) … [Read more...]
Fitness Insight Podcast | The Exercise vs. Nutrition Debate
The Exercise vs. Nutrition Debate It's been a busy few weeks for the Fitness Insight "trio" of Jamie Atlas (www.bonzabodies.com), Pharoah Kafele (www.puravidaclub.com) and Andrea Oh (www.todaysfitnesstrainer.com)! Andrea came back from competing at the USAV Open Volleyball Tournament in Detroit, Pharoah just got back from Junior Nationals Physique Competition in Chicago ... and Jamie confessed he CAN balance on one foot and put on a sock! All jokes aside ... in … [Read more...]
Fitness Insight Podcast | Rolling with the Punches (and Growing)
Rolling with the Punches (and Growing) With over 50 years of experience in the fitness industry, Jamie Atlas (www.bonzabodies.com), Pharoah Kafele (www.puravidaclub.com) and Andrea Oh (www.todaysfitnesstrainer.com) understand what it's like to have to "roll with the punches" when it comes to adapting, growing, changing and making tough decisions to move ahead and succeed in business. Whether it's dealing with a client, an opinionated colleague, a manager or times … [Read more...]
Fitness Insight Podcast | Community Events and the “Selfie”
Community Events and the "Selfie" As a follow up to the previous Fitness Insight podcast (on Internet Marketing & Social Media), the topic evolves into discussions about community events, local outreach and how marketing strategies have evolved with access to social media and the Internet. Although volunteering at events and handing out free gear to event participants is effective it doesn't have the viral reach of a clever social media campaign. … [Read more...]
Fitness Insight Podcast | Internet Marketing & Social Media
Internet Marketing & Social Media It's summer and this is traditionally a "down time" for most fitness clubs, personal trainers and specialty fitness studios. The months between May and September are where fitness businesses start to tighten their belts and need to find ways to get creative about marketing in an effort to simply maintain their business. Internet marketing and social media, in recent years, have started to play an integral role in the overall … [Read more...]
Fitness Insight Podcast | Getting to Know James Lawrence (The “Iron Cowboy”)
Getting to Know James Lawrence (aka. Iron Cowboy) For those of you who may not be aware of what an Ironman Triathlon is ... GET READY TO BE SCHOOLED! This week the crew from the Fitness Insight podcast got a chance to sit down with James Lawrence (aka. the Iron Cowboy), an incredible and inspirational Guinness World Record holding athlete who is raising awareness about the epidemic of childhood obesity in North America by completing 50 full distance Ironman … [Read more...]
Fitness Insight Podcast | Understanding Physique Competitions
Understanding Physique Competitions The sport of bodybuilding has evolved since the days of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno and Lee Haney to include more specialized categories including: bodybuilding and physique for men (and physique, fitness, figure, bodybuilding and bikini for women). Against popular belief it takes more than just exercise and nutrition to significantly change the body to develop muscle mass, minimize structural flaws, create total body … [Read more...]
Fitness Insight Podcast | Sometimes Being a “Jerk” is Necessary
Sometimes Being a "Jerk" is Necessary Most personal trainers do what they do because they LOVE helping people reach and achieve their health, fitness and/or performance goals. They build relationships with their clients based on hard work, trust and honesty. Of those three things, "honesty" is the usually the toughest one to stick to because the truth isn't always pretty. In fact, there are times where we have to be a "jerk" in order to help a client improve, … [Read more...]
Fitness Insight Podcast | Customer Appreciation and Reward
Customer Appreciation and Reward As personal trainers our livelihood depends on the relationships that we cultivate with our clients over time. Our clients mean a lot to us, both professionally and personally (in some instances), and the best trainers know who to find a balance between the two when it comes to growing and maintaining a successful business. One way is by knowing how to best include ways to show customer appreciation and how to reward their clients … [Read more...]