Personal Trainer Daily: Recent Episodes
Chris Burgess
Join Chris Burgess as he tackles daily questions and provides rapid (and straight to the point) answers for Personal Trainers. Got a question you would like to have answered by Chris? Send him a message on instagram @burge_ltb
In order to be a better example and someone you can take notes from, I have decided to make this podcast a weekly affair
Having launched a podcast for my gym focussed on having great conversations with local people of interest, I am going to show you how we intend on using the power of podcast as a local marketing tool
So very soon we will rebrand to 'Personal Trainer Weekly' and I will be hosting some of my favourite people in fitness to have more conversations that you will love
I get this question from time to time so I thought it'd be a useful one to talk about with you here
In this episode I talk about
Getting started and figuring it out as you go
Why the market is noisy, but isn't oversaturated
Why getting good at marketing protects your longer term interests
For information on the resources I mention, head to liftthebar.com or ping me an email
When clients leave it can sting
When people take advantage of your goodwill, time and kindness it can hurt badly
But there are clear things you can do in order to protect yourself from being hurt - and that comes from managing expectations in ways I suggest in this podcast
If you like it, please do share it with the world on your IG!
Burge
Getting ghosted when you mention price can be soul destroying but in this short podcast I will help you with some tools and processes to improve your chances of getting the sign up!
If you like the idea of having me and my team helping in your PT career, please consider trying out LTB on our 2 week free trial!
The world is a big ol' mess at the moment and plenty of clients are feeling low, feeling flat and it's leading to a lower show-up rate for many trainers
So in this episode I am going to tell you how I am navigating this tricky period
Let me know how you get on with this advice over at chris@liftthebar.com
At some stage we all give out advice that we think makes sense, and in fact we desperately hope makes sense - when it's actually disempowering to the client because of language and assumptions
In this episode I talk about my stance on Back Pain, FMS, and changing views in order to create a better service
If you want to watch the Webinar I reference in this podcast then please get in touch
chris@liftthebar.com
I wish I didn't make so many mistakes and believe so much quackery back when I started, but the one thing that has seen me make it this far is the intention to do things right and a willingness to change course when needed
Lets talks about the ability to backtrack!
Clients not following your advice out of the gym but still turning up to sessions?
Whilst it can be worrying, annoying or a happy little mix of the 2 - reframing things a little can really help you
In this episode I talk about how to have a better initial conversation that can be referenced again if the client stops doing what they said they would
If you enjoy this podcast, please ping me an email - I am needy like that aint I?!
chris@lifthebar.com
Success is so subjective in Personal Training and in this episode I probe you with some questions about what you really want your job to look like
Success is a process and needs constant checking in on
If this episode resonates with you, ping me an email - I would love to hear from you
chris@liftthebar.com
Welcome back.
After a little hiatus away from the podcast world, I am back with some advice on getting started in this amazing industry
I talk about
1) Why many trainers fail due to wanting to be paid to work in a gym
2) Why you need to see something in yourself in order to bring it out in others
3) Why you need to buy the thing you want to sell
It's good to be back - email me on chris@liftthebar.com for the new trainer startup guide
With new lockdown measures imminent, it means our busy month will likely move to March...but January will still be vital in building you a platform for the year ahead
Coach hard. Coach Smart - and I promise this year will rock!
When all is said and done, it's session quality, programme quality and get excited by another persons progress that gets us out of this.
Here's another pep talk for your listening pleasure
It's been such a tough year - and now with the latest social media changes it means we aren't getting the reach and interaction we used to either
So consider this a bit of a pep talk to support you to make positive steps forward
3 Main issues we will all face early next year
1) Continuation of lockdowns
2) What to do in terms of communication of any policy you or your gym has on the vaccine
3) How to get your offering right to make January and Feb great months for sign ups
Today I am joined by the amazing Claire Winter who gives calming words of advice and simple actions to reframe and step out from the shadow of anxiety.
I have been down in the dumps for a while now and needed to hear her tell me what to do - and maybe you do too?
Enjoy!
The title says it all...
Being a local legend and encouraging your clients to share you in their networks will NEVER leave you with a worse business....
2020 might have some light at the end of the tunnel - but if you think that society will be any less settled for the first half of next year, I think you're massively mistaken
In this episode I talk about the skills I think we will all need in navigating the final stages of the pandemic
It's a common question: What should I do after life on the gym floor
In this episode I give a few thoughts on why you don't need to plan for life beyond the gym floor - but also what skillsets you might need if you want to stay in fitness but in other roles.
Thanks for listening - Give this a share online if you enjoy it!
Lockdown 1 was brutal financially...but what will lockdown 2 bring for my Gym?
In this episode I talk about what we will be repeating from the first lockdown, and what we'll be improving on
My passionate plea to England based trainers about how we will navigate the new lockdown.
Please listen, but importantly apply the message!
This podcast sees me welcome my second ever guest to the PTD!
Stu and I have a great discussion about online consistency and what trainers can do to be more consistent
To Join Stu's challenge, simply head to liffthebar.com/social30
"Get shredded in time for party season whilst eating the foods you love so that you are sexy in time for Santa"?
Oh mannnnnnnn - where to even start with this level of misunderstanding
In this episode I talk about the importance of understanding the various roles and identities that parents carry on a daily basis, and where you services might be able to help each of the people they need to be.
Can you run a PT business without social media? Of course. Many many trainers manage just fine for years without ever needing to log on
Social Media can be an amazing tool, and an amazing way to connect with fellow self employed trainers on the same journey as you - but it has to be used appropriately or it can consume everything you do
In this episode I give you my own personal experience of being less reliant on it
It's very trendy to sell the online dream by promising you that you will never have to start work early again...
But lets have some pragmatism today by talking about how PT can fit alongside a life you live on your terms - and why online VS in-person training is a dichotomy that needn't exist
If you enjoy this one, please do give it a share on your socials
To be a great customer service provider, you must be a GREAT customer first,
In this episode I talk about what being a bad customer looks and sounds like, and what I believe each of us needs to do to impact the people around us - even when its us who is paying
A great question today from Soooooph
Increasing prices is never easy until you have a process of understanding how to do it.
In this episode I talk about market rates, inflation and having good conversations!
Got a question for the podcast? send it over to @burge_ltb on insta
Claire is the best person I know at critiquing what "Overdelivery" looks like and why it might be a bad idea
In this episode we talk about the pro's and con's of various overdeliver incentives like members sites, recipe books and challenges - and why you need to approach each one with care and with eyes wide open when it comes to time, effort and investment
Looking into my crystal ball....
In this episode I talk about the wider economy, the core needs of people interested in fitness and where we fit in
Whilst largely aimed at UK trainers, this episode has some great reminders on what is important for every trainer to focus on right now
In this episode I discuss a project that each of you can launch that will support retention of clients even if you are locked down again
If we lead by example and create projects that take into consideration how to nourish the body, how to reduce stress and to improve sleep - we could create coaching that is not dependent so heavily on gyms being open
So in this episode I talk about how to create these resources
Local lockdowns of gyms who have done an immense amount of good is a really sad step in our nations fight against this virus.
In this episode I go on a rant with the help of Tropic Thunder and 'Out of context Eddie Hearn'
Whilst publicly most trainers appear to be highly motivated, but behind the scenes I am hearing so many stories of trainers with little to no motivation - to the point that this year has just left them feeling burnt out
So in this episode I want to share what has worked well for me in keeping my motivation at a level where I can still be productive
If you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving me a nice review!
Choosing the right online coaching model for your business should be straight forward enough, but many trainers overthink it (usually because they are watching what others are doing)
In this episode I talk about why your online offering doesn't have to be constrained by an 'either/or' mindset
The chances of us going into another national lockdown seem to increase by the day, and as such if there is a circuit break style lockdown, how should you treat new customers?
In this short, sharp episode I cover off how I will look after new clients if we have to lockdown during their trial period.
Got questions? send them over to @burge_ltb on instagram
The over 55's market has the most disposable income and the most free time of any population, and as such is a good one to target for Personal Training
With 'Rona doing it's thing this year, a change in approach to targeting this population has become vital - with a very clear split between people who are scared of the virus, and people who refuse to be held back by the government
In this episode I give you my thoughts to approaching this audience based on their core needs
Sometimes it's like we can't win...
When I got time off between 11-4pm..."Do you even do any work?"
When I had to work early's, lates and weekends "You're always working, and always seem to be at the gym"
Today I brain vomit over you with thoughts on how self employed life in the PT space can sometimes make you feel very alone, very disconnected from life away from work, and how family and friends aren't always the quickest to offer the support we all need at times.
A nice raw recording for you today!
Using online forms to have your clients checking in can be a really useful tool in the coaching process when it's done right - so in this episode on give my thoughts on getting the right questions asked to get You the quality of info you need to make an impact
Then I talk about the benefit of being able to say WTF you want on banners and posters (along with why you should use QR codes on them now)
How do you want this job to make you feel?
Every one of us has a different definition of what success is, and therefore it's hard to know who is TRULY successful in our industry
So in this episode I have some big questions for you about the quality of life you want to live and how this job feeds into that missions
I am as big a tech wh0re as anyone - but I tend to find that the people asking the most questions about apps, software and systems are actually the ones who need them least
In this episode I give my thoughts on the 'time and place' for choosing the right software for your fitness business
Creating content takes time for us all - but I do believe you can all make more by doing less for the most part
In this episode I talk about how to use the content you create in multiple ways and formats to get you out of overwhelm and into productivity
A great question from Steven Hall today about whether or not it's a good idea to open a gym in your 40's.
With so much uncertainty in the world right now, it might make sense to take control of your own business and life by starting your own business - but as always there is more to it than just getting a lease, getting some kit and watching the money roll in.
Enjoying the podcast? Please leave me a review!
Running a business is hard enough in any year, but 2020 has been an epic pain in the butt.
Today I am sharing a recording of a conversation that Claire Winter and I had about trainers who are thinking of quitting their jobs
Claire has been the sounding board I have relied on for the last 5 years of running 3 businesses alongside being an aspirational full time Dad. Her advice is always so calming, rational and packed full of help
If you're having a career wobble, this is for you
Facebook groups can be an amazing tool to grow a business or they can be an epic waste of time
In this episode I take you through the pro's and cons and some do's and do nots.
If you enjoy this episode then send me a little message over to @burge_ltb on insta
A second episode with Gregg Slater in 1 week. GO US!
In this episode Gregg answers questions about Mesocycles and hypertrophy rep ranges
If you enjoy this episode please take time to share the episode on your socials - it would be a massive help!
The single most important question I ask myself on a daily basis is "Why do I feel the way I do today?"
In this episode I talk about why I do it, why I think you should give it a blast too
Let me know how you get on with it - I would love to know if its useful for you too
My first ever guest to the Personal Trainer Daily is Lift The Bar head of education Gregg Slater.
In this episode the man with big biceps talks about his top 3 tips for writing engaging training programmes
To get the best of Greggs work, you can access his courses for free via the Lift The Bar website.
For months I was suffering with low energy, decreasing concentration levels and an ability to recover from exercise - the final straw was when it started impacting my sexual health too
In this episode I talk about my diagnosis of Hypothyroidism and what I have had to do in order to get my health back on track - including info on
Training
Diet
Lifestyle
Mindset
Thanks for listening!
Many trainers are looking to open their own PT studio currently as more premises become available and the additional control it gives you over your business
In this episode I talk about the ways in which you can get some more clients through the doors before you open
For help and support on this topic, be sure to check out the 2 week free trial to Lift The Bar - where we have downloads and guidance on this very topic
www.liftthebar.com
The UK government announced that social gatherings of more than 6 people is prohibited from next Monday (14th)
Currently the guidance doesn't suggest that Gyms are at risk or that large outdoor classes can't take place (because you have safety measures in place in a way that informal gatherings don't)
In this Podcast I want to give you 'big tens' but also ask for a favour from you in protecting our industry
Your core offer is the gateway into your service, and as such getting into the nitty gritty about the pro's and cons of what you offer is a smart move
In this episode I talk about the pros and cons of offering a 'free consult' as a core offer, and how you position it
If you are interested in having my help in establishing a core offer for your service, check out my 5 day challenge over at liffthebar.com/5dc
Being self employed, a bit too driven by emotion and having a holiday isn't always the best cocktail for my anxieties over my business
In this episode I talk about the irrational feelings and fighting them with actions and facts so that even if you suffer with guilt for taking time off - you can pacify those feelings with knowledge that your work is always being done
If you feel guilty about taking time off - this podcast is definitely for you
Don't forget to leave a nice review if you are enjoying these episodes!
Running out of content ideas is a right old pain in the backside - especially when you have just started to build up some momentum
In this episode I talk about having a look at the reasons why you post in the first place and what metrics you should look for based on your reasons
Then I dive into some additional content ideas based on the needs of LTB member Claire
Got a question about this? hit me up over @burge_ltb
Some feathers shall be ruffled today!
It's true that many trainers seem to programme 3 sets of many exercises - unfortunately this is down to a lack of clear thought than a specific reason
How many sets does it take to achieve the outcomes you want?
How many reps per set does it take for the client to feel control, competence and adaptation?
Let's have a good old chinwag about this today!
Our industry is an amazing place to work, but lets face it - if we were to ask anyone to describe what a typical PT looks like then we would all have a similar person in mind
I believe that our industry is crying out for more diversity and feel that we need a Personal Training industry that reflects society more closely - so more diversity in backgrounds, gender, sexuality, race, economic background and more
So is 'not looking like a typical PT' a bad thing? Have a listen for more detailed thoughts on this matter!
Got a question for the podcast? ping it over to me on Insta @burge_ltb
Losing your last paying client is as obviously very frustrating from a financial perspective but the damage it does to your confidence can be catastrophic
There are can few things you can do in order to turn the tide and create momentum the right way, and in this short podcast we look at some very actionable steps to make that happen
Thanks for listening and don't forget to throw me a review!
Oh your workouts 'melt fat'? - Meh!
Exercise is such an undervalued tool for living a better life and in this podcast I discuss how I think we undersell it's benefits by talking too much about 'burning calories'
Got a question for the podcast? hit me up @burge_ltb on instagram!
What. A. Question!
Liz from LTB has asked what to do about a client who seems incredibly non-adherent, bins off sessions at late notice and doesn't reply to texts
So today comes some sage advice from your old uncle Burge
As always feel free to message me @burge_ltb on instagram!
I love this question because it actually reminds us all of the basics when it comes to getting new clients
Moving to a new location or even offering a new services comes with a need to find your first new client, so in this short, sharp episode I give you some things to think of when it comes to getting your first people through the doors
Don't forget to leave a review if you like this show!
I know I know - very clickbaity!
I think way too many trainers worry about taking time off because they think that time off = clients lose interest
By doing the 4 things I suggest EVERY weekend, many of you will enjoy your job more and run your business more productively!
Got a question for the podcast? send it to me over on insta @burge_ltb
We alllll face this situation at some point!
In this episode I talk about the structure of the offer you can give to friends and family members who want discount on PT services
Have a question for the podcast? get it over to @burge_ltb on insta
One more time for those of you at the back
We are at the end of of the beginning!
Whilst I do think that many of us will see a long-term return to a healthy business, the short term rollercoaster we are all on is going to keep rolling for a while yet, and that includes losing clients due to COVID circumstances
Got a question for me? head over to @burge_ltb on insta!
It's only going to get worse
Working in big box gyms puts your career in the hands of your boss' boss and as such there will be decisions made in the next 12 months that neither you or your boss can do much about
In this episode I talk you though what I did when this started happening to me a few years ago
Go a question for the podcast? send it to @burge_ltb on instagram!
Macro, Meso, Micro, Meh
Programming for gen-pop can be so overdone at times and in this episode I talk about how most gen-pop clients don't need traditional training blocks and instead need perhaps a more phased approach to achieving what is important and meaningful to them
Got a question for the podcast? send it over to @burge_ltb on insta
Thanks for listening!
Pricing is one of those topics where trainers tend to be very voyeuristic and second guess their decisions on price based on what others are doing
In todays Personal Trainer Daily we explore pricing as a method to get you paid what you want.
Please take a moment to review my podcast!
Got a question for a future episode? send it over to @burge_ltb on instagram
Every Personal Trainer loses clients, and it's likely at some point in time you have or will be asked to provide a refund too
In this podcast we chat about minimum term agreements, trial periods, service level agreements and more
Got a question for the podcast? send it over to @burge_ltb on insta
Thanks for listening
We have all been there!
Lead comes in, the conversation flows, all seems to be going well, they ask for the price....then it's radio silence!
In this episode I guide you through some ways of counteracting this issue which should both save you time and reduce frustration
Thanks for listening!
Don't forget to send your questions over to @burge_ltb on Instagram!
Today's question comes from Grady who wants to know how he should approach pre-selling services now that Scotland has a return date for gyms.
In the episode I take you through some of my thoughts and actions from my own facility to give you a guidance on how to approach getting consumers interested in your service
Thanks for listening!
Do me a favour and share this episode with any Scottish based trainers you feel would benefit from listening
Owning a gym is both the most rewarding and most frustrating thing I've ever done!
In todays episode I tackle a question by Ash Carter on the things I would have changed about my facility ownership journey if I could start all over.
Thanks for listening!
Don't forget to send me a question over at burge_ltb if you want me to tackle something on this podcast.
Meh. This idea is something I came up with 18 months ago but since then I've found that some people are actually selling this idea to trainers as a part of their mentorship...
The idea is born out of maximising 'User generated content' on social media via a loyalty card scheme
By running this idea you have the capacity to very quickly grown your level of local awareness amongst the people who matter
Have a listen, and let me know over on insta if you get success from it
Have a question for the Personal Trainer Daily? Send it over!
Thanks for listening and please leave a positive review if you are finding value from these podcasts (I am needy like that!)
We are at the end of the beginning.
I'll say it again, we are at the end of the beginning
As trainers in Scotland and Wales face continued struggles over having gyms closed, trainers in England are open for business - yet this has lead many trainers and gym owners to a new anxiety - Will their businesses survive a second lockdown?
Thank you to Glenn Cooper for this question
If you have a question for Chris, please message on instagram @burge_ltb
Running a trial offer for Personal Training services makes an awful lot of sense
It reduces the barrier to entry for the customer but importantly gives them a dignified way of leaving if the service isn't right for them (or you)
The downside to running trials is that they leave you open to putting in substantial amounts of work, only to be ghosted because the trialist was 'trying it on'
In this episode Chris looks at ways you can protect your business, set trials appropriately to the service you sell, and reduce your stress of offering them
Don't forget to connect with Chris at @burge_ltb on Instagram if you want to submit a question
Welcome to the Personal Trainer Daily!
In this episode Robert Leat asks "What are the daily tasks that I should be doing inside my business?"
This is a great question and my view on this is very simple - Most Personal Trainers should be spending the vast majority of their time with clients either training, goal setting or assessing performance
If you enjoy this podcast please subscribe, leave a review and share it on Instagram
Got a question? Submit it by messaging Chris directly on Instagram @burge_ltb
Thanks for listening!