Why Small-group Training Is Smart Business

With the start of 2012 and the New Year’s resolution crowd eager to jump onto the fitness bandwagon, personal trainers are in high demand. With a small window to maximize these opportunities, trainers everywhere will be looking to beef up their client roster in the coming weeks. Keeping clients engaged, motivated and coming back for more takes creativity, skills and forward thinking on the part of trainers.

Many trainers have already discovered that partner or small-group training (three to five people) offers not only a viable business opportunity, but consistent income as well. The reason is simple: In small-group training everybody wins! 

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest benefits for trainers and clients.

For Trainers

• More Money: Training more than one client means an extra 50 percent income during a one-hour or 30-minute training session.
• Time Savings: Whether you train clients in the gym or at home, small-group training offers maximum time efficiency and savings, including travel time to meet clients and preparation of programming.
• *Greater Adherence: When clients train with others, it enhances their experience and fun, which leads to greater adherence and longevity, which also translates into a steady revenue stream.
• More Training Options: Training more than one client at a time enables you to experiment with various exercise formats, such as circuits and partner exercises.
• Application of Unique Skills: This format is ideal for applying the knowledge you have gained from the ACE Integrated Fitness Training^TM (ACE IFT^TM) Model, such as safe exercise progression or properly leading clients through a dynamic exercise circuit.
• Additional Revenue: Small-group training is a great and effective way to complement one-on-one training.

For Clients

• Less Money: Small-group training offers clients a great way to split training costs for the same great personal-training experience.
• More Support: Clients are more motivated to train regularly and consistently, knowing they have like-minded training partners who push them and hold them accountable.
• Greater Adherence: Knowing that a partner is counting on them increases adherence and loyalty.
• More Fun: A shared personal-training experience is often more fun for clients.
• Avoids Burnout: Small-group training allows clients to experiment with different equipment and different formats, which helps avoid boredom and burnout.

To learn how you can create optimal exercise formats for small-group training programs, design and organize progressively challenging programs, and lead clients through dynamic circuits based on the four phases of the ACE IFT Model, sign up for the brand new ACE's Small-group Training Workshop. To find a live workshop near you, visit the ACE Continuing Education Center today. Earn 0.8 CECs by attending the first live workshop in sunny San Diego on January 28, 2012.