80% of Trainers Leave the Fitness industry
ANNUALLY
Does this statistic frighten you as much as it does me?
I spent a number of years managing teams of Fitness Trainers. I can attest that this percentage is pretty accurate. I will say that for some of the teams that I worked with, their turnover rate was relatively low. But I can also see today (2023) how this could have increased.
But when I read this statistic I thought of a lot of the trainers that left my teams. I asked myself why? Why did they leave? Where are they now? What could I have done better?
Below are the Four Reasons, I believe and researched, why Trainers leave the industry.
Some might be shocking, some not as much.
Continuing Education
Most, I mean most, gyms or facilities out there are not providing opportunities for continuing education. With any certification, we have to have so many CEUs per year or certification cycle.
These things cost money. Contrary to popular belief, trainers may not make a whole lot.
Could the excuse “well if a trainer knows they have to have these things, then they will budget accordingly too it “ The answer is yes to this, you’re not wrong.
But providing opportunities for trainers will your facility stand out from other around.
A platform that provides a lot of great information for trainers and coaches is Idea Health and Fitness and I know from personal experience they love to connect with gyms. They love to see the upscaling of trainers in the industry.
If the expense of providing a service platform like Idea is out of your budget. Hosting in club seminars and trainers can be approved for CEUs as well. It’s a little more effort on your part but could be the cheaper option.
Growth Opportunities
This is wildly non existent within the fitness industry unless someone wanted to branch out on their own.
I am almost shocked sometimes how much opportunity is not out there for Trainers.
There are some opportunities out there for sure, like being able to lead your team. But in most scenarios that is left up the General Managers of the clubs. Oh and if you are a small brick and mortar, you are most likely owner operated. Which means there is no other management but YOU.
In any faciltiy there is opportunity to create growth and upscaling of skill for trainers. Whether that is creating a tiered structure for trainers or sales positions or even “Big brother/ Big sister” chances.
Gyms need to create chances for trainers and coaches to grow even in the smallest ways. Your Trainers have so much interpersonal skills that could really elevate your facilities.
Unable to Sell Services
Allow me to let you in on a little secret! Being a Personal Trainer is a sales role. As much as people want to deny it because sales have a bad stigma. But it is true! Personal Training is sales, sorry not sorry.
As trainer, you need to learn so much about yourself and how to communicate with others so that you can be successful. There are facilities that will sell for you. But if you leave, what are you going to do?
At the end of the day, you are wanting to provide a service for a person. Services cost money. The gas station provides you with fuel for your car, you pay for that fuel, don’t you?
Thats sales too. If you believe that someone will greatly benefit from working with you, then they will purchase.
Take courses, learn how to sell. But learn to sell in an empathetic way. Don’t be a cheese, sneaky sales person. Be genuine and authentic.
Gym owners: teach your people. Teach them to be better sales people.
Inconsistent Schedule and Pay
Yes, working as a Trainer is 100% commission, most of the time. Which means if you don’t work, then you don’t get paid. But the alternative is also you can make as much or as less of money as you want.
If you are used to a very steady paycheck whether you are there or now, then this is a very difficult adjustment. However, it can be just as consistent as a regular 9-5 job.
One of the things that I have always loved about Personal Training is the flexibility that I have from day to day. I am not trapped to a desk or office. I can take longer breaks in the middle of the day but also end my day earlier if I wanted too. With any job there are pros and cons. Being a trainer, learning all of this is an adjustment for sure. But can be extremely amazing if you wanted it to.
Insecure About Skills
All of the topics above can be seen individually in a person. Or it can all be wrapped up into one overarching theme, insecure about skills.
If a trainer is not confident in their ability to be a trainer than all of the reasons above will drive them out of the industry. Whether you are a Fitness Manager or just a Trainer, find was the elevate your skill and encourage you to be better. Find someone who will look at everything business and programming wise for you. But allow this person to help you be better.
Fitness Managers lean into your team. Look at each individual trainer and how to help them be better. Each Trainer has unique skills physically and interpersonally that could make your team one of the best in the industry. But it is your job to see that and upscale it. Give those things room to flourish.
Trainers, I know tht is a pretty dog eat dog world out there in the fitness industry. But we all in this together! BE HUMBLE. Hopefully, all of our goal is to better serve our communities and the world with exercise. Understand that we all have something to learn from each other. As individuals we do not know everything.
Like you, I am still learning so much about this industry. I am very much aware that I will never change the industry. But I have things to offer to help make it better.
I hope that overall, you found this helpful. Whether you are a Fitness Manager or a Trainer, go out there and help upscale those around you!
