each week , I also try to train myself 5 times per week and maintain my continuing education . A new trainer should set aside time for this every day .
What hours do you work ?
I work from 5am until 8pm .
What do you do in any downtime ?
I don ’ t have any ! I fill the middle of my day conducting 6 or 7 specialised home visit exercise sessions with elderly clients aged from 85 to 100 . I ’ m qualified to do these as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with Exercise and Sports Science Australia . How much do you charge ?
It varies , depending on the number of sessions a client wishes to complete each week , as well as any additional online coaching and program development requirements .
How many clients do you have ?
Around 50 .
How long , on average do your clients stay with you ?
I have many clients that have been with me for 5 years – since day one of my business . The average is probably a couple of years . I tend to set long term goals with my clients and develop a very deep rapport with them . If they trust me and buy in to what we are trying to achieve , not only will they keep up their own training , they will keep up our training as well . I decided early on that I did not want to have a high turnover of clientele and it has thankfully worked very well for me . How do you get new clients ? Almost all of my clients are through word of mouth and referrals from current clients , however I do get approached by members of the gym as well .
Do you vet / question clients before you agree to train them ?
Yes . This is critical .
Do you ever turn clients away or refer them to other PTs ?
Not unless I believe that another trainer in the gym specialises in the client ’ s needs more than I do .
What do you believe differentiates you from other trainers ?
My extra qualifications at Bachelor and Masters levels have attracted clients . However I ’ ve spent a lot of time understanding the role of psychology and behaviour change in influencing the direction that a client takes with their life and habits .
We are as much counsellors as trainers and there have been many times when a client has turned up to train and we ’ ve only talked . I ’ m OK with this because I ’ m trying to help my clients live better lives , and there ’ s more to that than the physical benefits of exercise . It ’ s critical to appreciate the psychological aspects of exercise and companionship if we are to enact long lasting behaviour change .
What do you do in terms of your ongoing education ?
I ’ m always doing something ! Currently I ’ m undertaking two distance courses in nutrition and exercise behavioural psychology . I usually attend a weekend workshop or two throughout the year as well . The information in our industry changes so quickly that if you aren ’ t continually re-educating yourself you will be left behind .
What is the best thing about being a PT ?
The chance to give someone their life back . I ’ ve had some very broken people come to me and to be able to see them succeed in life , by first thinking about themselves more positively through exercise and fitness , is extremely rewarding .
And the hardest ?
The length of your day and the fact that you have to be as enthusiastic at your first session at 5am as you do with your last at 7:30pm . When you are running on 4 or 5 hours sleep it can get difficult !
What ’ s the biggest misconception about working in fitness ?
That it ’ s all fun and games . This is a very challenging job that has to be taken very seriously . We may be coming to work in our trainers , but we are no longer simply gym instructors . Clients need more than to be instructed on how to squat with the proper mechanics or perform a bench press safely . The amount of time spent almost counselling clients is not appreciated outside of the industry .
Where would you like your career to take you ?
I ’ m developing an online health management and coaching business that will incorporate more direct nutrition and psychological management than I currently offer . I ’ ve reached a ceiling with the number of physical sessions I can deliver , and the only way for me to reach more people is to take my business online .
What is your fitness philosophy ?
That something is better than nothing . I ’ ve never been one to criticise anyone in the gym because they ’ re sitting on an exercise bike reading a magazine , for example . At least they came to the gym – the easier option would have been to sit at home and not move at all . Members and clients who exercise at lower intensities are not wasting their time . I am more than happy to prescribe new clients nothing more than moderate pace walking as their exercise on the days between their sessions with me . People simply need to get used to moving their bodies again .
What advice would you give to someone starting out as a PT ?
Be prepared to have this job encompass your entire life . Your days of working 9 til 5 will be gone forever and for people moving from a corporate career into fitness this can be very challenging . Be prepared to work hard in the early days for little direct financial compensation . You have to do this to build your business . Take the psychological aspect of the job seriously and try to connect with your clients on an emotional level . Be professional and have all of your systems – especially financial – in place . And always remember that you have the best job in the world . I mean that sincerely – I wouldn ’ t do anything else . Follow Chris on Facebook fb . me / cdexercisephysiology and Instagram @ cd _ exercise _ physiology
28-30 APRIL 2017 / ICC SYDNEY
Chris is presenting at FILEX 2017 – read about his session , and register for the best weekend of your year , at filex . com . au
NETWORK AUTUMN 2017 | 17