So You Want to be a Fitness Trainer: Your Friendly Neighborhood Fitness Center ?

In theory it all sounds so convenient. Instead of braving traffic and eating valuable time travelling to a place to work out, just go to your friendly neighborhood fitness center. Ideally this would be located in a fairly affluent urban area. Industrial zones or pedestrian challenging suburban shopping centers are less desirable. This is a recent trend in the fitness business. The business plan appears sound. There are a number of fitness chains now using this unique formula.

Most such places are open 24/7. Members have an access card to obtain admission. They usually change and shower at home. Security cameras ensure that solitary patrons feel safe if they are working out during quiet hours. Supposedly jacked-to-the-gills muscleheads are discouraged from joining although I can't envision such clubs turning away anyone offering to pay the membership fees.
Many people are tired of the concept of mega fitness complexes with the high pressure sales techniques and the January New Year's resolution crowds! The corner fitness center offers a viable alternative. Your friendly neighborhood fitness center also offers the services of Personal Fitness Trainers.
I actually worked at one such business for a few months, The problem was that I didn't feel that the management was giving the support that was promised in my contract, Free consultations were slotted at times that I was officially unavailable. The management in turn wanted me to give up all of my other fitness training related ventures. I was not even going to consider that until I had built up a significant client base from their membership. The head office was in a different part of the city. The lines of communication were minimal. Our expectations differed significantly.
We mutually decided to make my contract null and void. There was no acrimony on my part. These situations tend to be the norm in the fitness industry.
Now it turns out that my decision to not give up my other fitness ventures was the correct choice! This particular club has been shuttered by the landlord for being in arrears of the rent! This also can be the norm in the cut throat world of the fitness industry. The city of Ottawa built a new sports complex for Canadian Football a short distance away. The complex had a mega fitness club as a tenant. This new center combined with possible head office neglect likely drained away many of the existing and potential members. I feel vindicated!

I also feel concern for both the members and the Fitness Trainers. I can only offer some advice for someone joining any private fitness club:

Don't pay for more than a month at a time unless you can afford to lose that money.
If the fitness center goes bankrupt, into receivership or just belly up, your lost fees are low on the payback scale.
If you want to quit or sense that the business is in trouble, give at least a month notice or you will still be billed from your direct withdrawal.
If the club is part of a chain, your membership may be honored at another club. However it will be in another part of the city. Forget about the convenience factor.
Read your membership contract carefully before signing.

Fitness Trainers at a club that fails also have some concerns:

You may have a number of clients paid in advance with no workout facility.
Another club in the same chain may accept you and your clients. Once again, the convenience factor due to commute time is affected.
Fitness Trainers sign a contract that prohibits them from working for a nearby competitor for a specified period of time if they quit or get fired.
The contract may specify that you and your signed clients can only work at another club that is part of the chain.
If not, you may be able to entice another fitness center to accept you and your clientele.
Read your Fitness Trainer contract carefully before signing.

For members or Fitness Trainers at civic or city run facilities, such concerns are rare.
Fitness is great.....but.....the fitness business can be a shark tank!

Until Next Time,

Little Bobby Strong