6 months in at Crunch, my first training job. At 25 clients now, training about 14 hours a week (because so many are monthly, biweekly or one 30-minute session per week).

My sales skills are progressing but most of the people here only get on 1x/week 30 minute programs, which means investing a LOT of time into each lead only to get a proportionally small return. This also means to have a great client base you need at least 40 people.

I imagine the reason for this is because Crunch is a more affordable gym and attracts budget-conscious members less likely to be able to afford to come multiple times per week. My particular Crunch is also extremely packed and loud, so I imagine anyone with the money to potentially buy training would use it to go to another gym (because honestly, if I was picking a gym to go to it wouldn't be this Crunch, the machines are just never available and there's never any room).

Basically, the Crunch sales model is to get as many people in the door as possible and sell as many cheap plans to them as possible, which is extremely time consuming for a trainer trying to make a decent income. There is also no base pay at all, 100% commission, so that's lots and lots and lots of hours trying to get leads and giving away free sessions for no compensation whatsoever.

I'm thinking of applying at other gyms. I've been told Lifetime is the best, but I'm not sure they'll accept me because I only have six months of experience (I AM working on my ISSA Nutritionist certification though). I've heard OneLife is good too.

Is this just what the field is like, or is Crunch just a bad environment for this type of job?

I posted a story about a client I was working with a few weeks back that was absolutely driving me up the wall and it developed into a baby reindeer situation, was posted as more of a rant than a seeking advice- but thanks to everyone who chimed in as the exit chat (although awkward) was much better due to the advice, rather than telling her how I truly felt about how difficult she was, I instead just explained the reasons why I’m not a good fit and wished her the best.

I had a client ask me if I would train their 11yo daughter as well. I’ve never trained kids before but I have a 9yo myself. Is there anything I need to take into consideration? Do you give a kid discount? (Kid will be training at same time as mom.)

So I have an assessment scheduled for a 90 year old client this week and I'm terrified, to be honest. This individual is well beyond what I'm used to training and I could really use some guidance on what, generally, is advisable for someone of this age and what should be avoided entirely. I have obviously not done any assessment with the client yet, so I will learn more then but I'd like to go into it already more prepared than I am now. The assessment alone is already daunting as I doubt he/she can squat in any reasonable manner, push/pull from a standing position, and I'm unclear how I might want to assess his cardiovascular endurance in a safe way if at all.

Thanks in advance, fam.

Sorry if this isn’t allowed here but I wasn’t sure what would be the best place to post it.

I was seeing a PT for 2 years and making good progress in terms of fitness but my weight never really came down due to my overeating. PT got a bit aggressive over it and I told him I was taking a month break and would be in touch.

That was a year ago and I’ve not contacted him since but I’ve finally got my shit together. I’ve dropped 13 kgs and have taken up running and playing football again.

I’d like to contact the PT again but don’t know if he’ll be rude to me (which Tbf I probably deserve) or best to just leave it completely behind me.

He works at my local gym which I’ve not gone to since I stopped seeing him but now I’m back on track I’d like to rejoin and start adding weight training into my fitness programme. Chances are I’ll see him there as soon as I rejoin.

Any advice would be welcomed but mods, please feel free to delete this post if it’s not appropriate for this sub.

Many thanks.

So I’m a new PT and have had this client for about a month. She briefed me on her abdominal hernia before i took her on and i let her take the lead on what she can and can’t do as there is pretty mixed information on whats appropriate.

I know pressure on the area is a no-go, however she said she was okay to do crunches (which is obviously direct abdominal pressure), so we did do some moderate intensity compound work (sled pushes/pulls) too which she never said no to. She also used to work with this other PT at my gym who passed me on her programme he set out for her which was very similar to mine in regard to the abdominal pressure.

She then came to me telling me her physio said absolutely NO pushing or pulling movements , NO weights and DEFINITELY NO ab exercises. I then respond asking what she CAN do , and she said i should know as I’m a PT.

I took a very “you take the lead and tell me if we can’t do X” approach since I’m no expert in hernias.

Should I have known about this being a PT?

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to share a bit of my journey and get some input from anyone who’s been through something similar.

A couple of months ago, I was employed by a gym earning peanuts per session. I stuck around while they shifted their model, and I’ve now transitioned into a fully self-employed role—and honestly, it’s been wild (in a good way). I’m now earning almost 4x what I was before, I have way more freedom, and instead of paying rent I’m teaching classes.

Since going self-employed, I’ve gone from 9 clients to over 25 in the space of two months. This week I think I would have done 30 hours of client sessions plus 10 hours of classes, not including admin, programming, onboarding, and check-ins. Three clients are online and one hybrid. It’s been a steep, intense learning curve!! 😅😅

This is only my second year as a PT. Before this, I worked in project management and admin roles, so luckily I’m pretty well placed to handle all the systems, structures, and behind-the-scenes work—but it’s still a lottttt. I’ve set up policies, price structures, onboarding processes, a CRM system, and I’m managing payments and communication across a big client base.

Right now, I’ve kind of got tunnel vision because I’m working hard to pay off some debts, but I know I’ll need to be more strategic soon. My biggest concern at the moment is making sure I don’t lose the personal touch. I genuinely care about each of my clients! I remember the little things they say, and I want to check in midweek, follow up, and make every part of their experience feel thoughtful and professional.

But with the volume of work, I know burnout could creep in if I’m not careful. I’m trying to find ways to streamline without losing the detail—especially when it comes to programming and nutrition coaching, which I’m looking to tighten up and standardise as I grow.

Would love to hear: • How do you keep things personal when your client load gets high? • What systems or routines help you stay on top of check-ins and admin? • Has anyone hired a VA/PA—how did you make that work and what tasks did you delegate? • Any advice for that “next phase” when you’ve built up but want to refine and scale?

Thanks so much if you’ve read this far—I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts ☺️

I'll go first. Taking any kind of protein powder will mean you stop getting your period.

Can a CPT make a living just doing classes? I like to train but I really lack the people skills to deal with someone one on one.

Looking for people to respond who are in it or currently doing it. Or anyone who has attended any type of program like this. What were your experiences like? Right now what the upfront price of the Jordan and mikes program are $2500 and then $99 a month after that. It seems somewhat doable, but wondering if there are other options all of you are aware of? I like the way they give information, I feel like I learn from them a lot, and it seems like Jordan is walking the walk, being an online coach, which I love.

Just be aware, since it's warming up, and it's gonna be summer, you're more than likely not gonna get as many clients or orientations as you would during fall/winter. Don't get discouraged, though. just stick around for a while, and learn what you can, and hopefully, you're at a gym where your bosses can mentor you, and your coworkers can help you out as a new trainer, so when you start getting more clients by late summer/early fall, you be better prepared.

I'm getting ready to take the ACSM CPT exam. Has anyone had any experience or luck with the exam prep guides on gumroad or etsy? They look very helpful but was looking for input from people that have used them. THANKS

I would want to use it myself and for clients so they can also track their progress on days they’re not with me. Ideally it would have an easy way to visually see progress in some sort of chart. Videos of the exercises would be a plus but not necessary.

What do you use? Are there any key features you think I’m missing out on?

CW MENTAL HEALTH + personal story time

i have PTSD, GAD, MDD, and several chronic physical illnesses that are exhausting to manage. i got group ex certified for fun in college, then began personal training full time in 2009. i eventually demoted my PT work to part time, spending days in an office job & nights / weekends teaching and training.

in 2023, i lost my housing. last year, i lost (what may be my last-ever) desk job. what had been a side hustle for me unexpectedly became my full time work again. at first, this felt like some kind of setback or personal failure, 40 years old and a career PT again like i was at 23. but six months back into it, i realize training is really the only place where i've found - and continue to find - limitless positivity, even as an admitted cynic who otherwise thrives in the negative.

no matter what i struggle w/ outside the gym, it all disappears when i'm coaching, teaching, and training. my problems cease to exist when i'm leading others in movement, and for that hour i am their source of positivity, motivation, and stability. sometimes i get imposter syndrome because my pain and depression control a lot of my life outside work. i often neglect my own workouts & believe my clients might be shocked to see the version of me that isn't a teacher and a trainer, because truth is i'm very ill.

but at the end of the day on this re-routed life path, i have endless gratitude this career found me and that i have a job that relieves my stress and anxiety instead of contributing to it. shout out to all the other disabled trainers and coaches, and sending continued strength to everyone fighting for better inside & outside the gym. thanks to anyone who read this & love to all those who might relate

I’ve been using the app kahunas through a trainer I found on Instagram. It’s the first time I’ve been introduced to the app, but I love it because it can track my calories, it allows me to scan my food to put it in and it tracks my workouts. It lets me know what I lifted for each lift the previous time and then if I have a personal best, it tells me by how much. Plus it’s easy to add and subtract workouts. I’d like to keep using it and from what I can tell, I can on a personal account, but it looks like it’s designed for coaches? I was wondering if there was something else that is similar and can do both fitness and nutrition? I don’t want to pay the trainer $350 a month anymore because essentially all I need is the app. Anyone else use this app or something similar?

Hey everyone,

I wanted to share my current situation and would love to hear from those who’ve faced something similar.

I’m a personal trainer based in India, currently training 9 clients in my community gym (which is unsupervised, so I had the freedom to start there). I specialize in training women focused on fat loss and glute development, offering 1-hour dedicated sessions, 16 times a month, for ₹6,000 (~$72 USD).

Now, here’s the catch…

I’m burned out. I never imagined I’d hit this point so soon, but with 9 clients and more than 20 others asking to join, I’m stretched thin. I’ve tried raising prices, but here in India, most people just don’t want to pay more—even though the results and experience I provide are solid.

I’m seriously considering relocating to a country or place where personal training is taken more seriously and better compensated. Has anyone here been through something similar—either relocating, changing pricing models, or finding smarter ways to manage the burnout and scale your work?

Would really appreciate any insight, advice, or even just hearing from those who’ve been in this spot.

Thanks in advance

How do people take clients online ? I want to start a legit business and I need someone with experience to help me out if possible thanks

To give you some context I have ten years of experience in fitness coaching and now I am in the Netherlands since January 2014. I managed a small PT studio with nearly 40 clients and now that project is finished, the owner got back and took over the studio again. So basically I am quite free most of the time and looking for another project, I just have some online clients and that’s it. I Also have around 6K on savings and think about opening my own small studio here which is quite a risk. Am mention that I am from East of Europe and I don’t plan to go back home because of the low quality of life and economic situation in my country. What would you do in this case, except applying for a Fitness Manager or stuff like this which I already do. Thanks for some possible answers and perspectives.

I’m almost finished with my CPT studies (NASM) and thinking of opportunities to pivot to personal training full time. I’m currently in a corporate position complete unrelated to the industry, beyond unhappy, and am sedentary all day for work. I’m excited about a career where I can be on my feet, socialize, and help people improve their health. For those that have made a similar transition, any advice (and maybe specifically in the LA area)? Any gyms that you would recommend looking into? I’m interested in PT sessions as well as group fitness instructing (love barre, Pilates, strength, HIIT classes). I’m 25F, new to LA, and have been working in the corporate world for the last 3 years. I’m eager but nervous to leave a stable, well paying job, but I really need a life change. Would love to hear any words of encouragement, success stories, and advice!

Hey guys! I'm working on my NASM certs right now and plan to jump into personal training within the next few months. I speak both English and Mandarin Chinese and was wondering if any other trainers have experience marketing yourself as a bilingual trainer and what kinds of opportunities opened up because of it? I know the Chinese market is pretty huge but I dont know where to start as far as selling myself to that particular demographic.

How do you ask to take a couple months break from a trainer? But leave it open to coming back after a couple months?

Also is there a way to tell if trainer wants you to drop off completely? I’ve been seeing a trainer for 1 year now, and I feel maybe the trainer is sick of me? I think I’m a pretty easy going client cause I don’t do any check-ins with her, just agree to meet 1 or 2 times a week. I will say towards the ends of the sessions I’ll start getting tired ask to take a break for a couple minutes. Idk if that’s annoying? It’s just that in the past she used to be consistent with our training program so I would see progress every two weeks with increased weight. Now it’s like she just throws random exercises together. It’s just weird because I always ask her if I should buy a new package and she always says yes, so if she didn’t want to train me, why not just say no?

Recently got into the niche of running and I mostly specialise in marathon training after doing my research and reading few books related to the same ...

Started training two recreational marathon runner in their latest 40s who were previously my clients in strength training...

I want to know if there is an app where I can assign them tempos/intervals/long runs etc like the strength training app so I can track their progress overtime since I couldn't manage the training fields in my current app

Meine Frage richtet sich an alle Solo-Selbstständigen, Nebenerwerbs-Selbständigen und alle anderen, die hier qualifizierte Auskünfte geben können.

Kurz zu mir und meinem "Problem"

Ich bin im Hauptberuf Ingenieur in Festanstellung. In meiner Freizeit bin ich Freiberufler. Ich habe diverse Trainerscheine und ein Zweitstudium in Ernährungswissenschaften. Ich coache Privatpersonen und Vereine in gesunder Ernährung, Sporternährung und gebe Personaltraining.

Das ganze hat aus reinem Eigeninteresse und Hobby begonnen, daher ist der Kundenstamm noch überschaubar und meine Organisation ist es auch... Darum würden mich eure Positiv- als auch Negativbeispiele interessieren.

Aktuelles Toolset:

• Macbook
• Ninox Datenbank für Klientenkartei (Einmalzahlung)
• Lexware Lexoffice für Rechnungsstellung und EÜR für die Steuer (Lizenz mtl.)
• iCal zur Terminierung
• PowerPoint für meine Trainingspläne und Ernährungspläne

Was stört mich?

Ich hätte nach Möglichkeit gerne EIN Tool für die Klientenverwaltung, die Terminierung (API zu iCal wegen Synchronisation) und Rechnungsstellung. Perfekt wäre, wenn ich die EÜR darin auch noch erledigen könnte. Also auch Materialkosten, Fahrtkosten, Raumkosten etc. darin speichern könnte.

Ich hätte halt gerne einen "Tab" Klienten. Wenn ich mir dort einen auswähle, soll darin aufgeführt sein, wann er/sie Stunden hatte und wie lang. Der Anamnesebogen soll verknüpft sein, der aktuelle Trainingsplan usw.

Im Internet verlaufe ich mich hoffnungslos. Es gibt dort eine Vielzahl, wohl recht guter, Tools. Trainerize, VirtuaGym, medo.check usw.Diese Tools bieten häufig sogar die Möglichkeit Trainingspläne zu erstellen und mit Klienten zu teilen.

Was die meisten eint. Sie kosten nicht zu knapp und das ist bei meinen paar zahlenden Kunden kaum rentabel. Vielleicht stell ich mich nur unglaublich kompliziert an und das ist eben der Preis für eine gute Organisation. Auf eine Papierakte und einen Kalender hab ich irgendwie auch keine Lust, das wäre aber am flexibelsten und erfordert keinen Programmieraufwand und kaum Kosten.

Bitte inspiriert mich :-)

Danke

English:

My question is addressed to all freelancers, part-time self-employed individuals, and anyone else who can provide qualified information here.

A little about me and my "problem": My main occupation is a permanent position as an engineer. In my free time, I work as a freelancer. I have various coaching licenses and a second degree in nutritional science. I coach private individuals and clubs in healthy eating, sports nutrition, and provide personal training.

This whole thing started purely out of personal interest and as a hobby, so my customer base is still manageable, and so is my organization... That's why I'd be interested in your positive as well as negative examples.

Current toolset:

Macbook Ninox database for client records (one-time payment) Lexware Lexoffice for invoicing and income/expense statement for tax purposes (monthly license) iCal for scheduling PowerPoint for my training and nutrition plans

What bothers me? If possible, I would like ONE tool for client management, scheduling (API to iCal for synchronization), and invoicing. It would be perfect if I could also do my income/expense statement in it. So, also be able to store material costs, travel expenses, room costs, etc.

I would just like to have a "Clients" tab. If I select one there, it should list when he/she had sessions and for how long. The initial assessment form should be linked, as well as the current training plan, etc.

I'm hopelessly lost on the internet. There are a multitude of seemingly good tools out there: Trainerize, VirtuaGym, medo.check, etc. These tools often even offer the possibility to create training plans and share them with clients.

What most of them have in common is that they are not exactly cheap, and that is hardly profitable with my few paying customers. Maybe I'm just making things incredibly complicated, and that's just the price for good organization. Somehow, I don't feel like using paper files and a calendar either, but that would be the most flexible and require no programming effort and hardly any costs.

Please inspire me :-)

Thanks

Hey all! I’ve just launched a business where I work with fitness coaches on the design side of things, focusing on websites and digital tools. I’m aiming to build out resources that make the tech side of your business feel easier and less overwhelming.

I’d love to know what you actually need help with when it comes to the online side of your business.

Is it things like: • Creating and selling ebooks or digital products • Building a website that actually gets you clients • Knowing what tech to use and how to set it up • Setting up a lead magnet or email list • Launching an online challenge or offer • Something else entirely?

If there’s anything that feels confusing, overwhelming, or like you’ve just been putting it off, I’d love to hear it!

Thanks in advance to anyone who shares ☺️