Pandemic Proof your PT Business

Pandemic Proof your PT Business

 

If the pandemic has taught us one thing it’s that relying on one source of income as a fitness professional isn’t necessarily the best option.

 

As gyms were closed and you could no longer coach clients 1-1 or in groups, lots of fitness professionals were left with no income.

 

On the other hand, you had a huge rush for home gym equipment and online coaching, Zoom had an influx of coaches signing up to provide their clients with live home workouts and check ins.

 

The panic button was well and truly pressed!

 

Now that things have returned to the “new normal” a lot of self-employed trainers and coaches are questioning themselves, are they doing the right thing, was the 1-1 or small group business model right for them. Was the business model right for their clients?

 

In this new world of ever-expanding fitness tech, the answer has to be NO! There is a better way…

 

We need to talk a little about Hybrid Coaching.

 

Hybrid coaching is the next logical step for coaches and trainers who love being on the gym floor working with clients but who also want to have a secure predictable monthly income from online coaching.

 

What is the hybrid coaching model…?

 

The hybrid model brings together the best sides of 1-1 coaching and online coaching. Clients still work and pay for coaching in the traditional 1-1 style or in small groups, but they also pay a monthly fee to receive all the coaching they need outside of the hourly sessions, nutrition plans, extra workout plans, accountability and habit coaching. All of the things you cannot fit into your 1-1 coaching sessions you do on an app or membership site.

 

Not only does this allow the coach to work in far more detail with clients which leads to getting better results but it also means if a client misses a session or goes on holiday the coach is still getting paid and can support them.

 

The reality is a lot of coaches are doing this already but they are not getting paid for those extra hours of work doing nutrition plans or looking after clients outside of coaching hours. This leads to lazy coaching and resentment towards those clients who want that bit of extra help outside of the in-person hours.

 

Hybrid coaching means the trainer gets paid for the work they do and the client gets far better coaching service.

 

•   Happy Client
•   Happy Coach
•   Better Results

 

Plus, if you have clients who can’t afford 1-1 sessions each month you can still coach and help them hit their goals with your online coaching platform.

 

Making this service more visible and professional is of utmost importance as it increases its perceived value and client’s adherence. Getting it right can also help trainers stand out from competitors who only offer a quick 5-minute chat about nutrition after a training session.

 

For Trainers it:

 

•   Increases revenue and makes it more predictable each month.
•   Improves your reputation with a better service and results.
•   You still see your clients regularly to check technique and keep in person connection.
•   Can be scaled to grow the business beyond 1-1 or small group coaching.

 

 

For the clients it:

 

•   Helps fit training and coaching around their life with this new more flexible coaching format.
•   Better pricing options so it can fit their budget.
•   They still get the benefits of 1-1 coaching but also full-time accountability and support.
•   Joining a community online with your other clients can help adherence and results. A simple Facebook group to share ideas and recipes can do this.

 

All in all, this hybrid model when done right can have the potential to have a huge positive impact on any coaching business, helping increase revenue and improve client results.

 

Paul Cooney

Team PTI