I thought it could never happen to me. But there I was…being carried into the hospital strapped to a back board in terrible pain. Strangely all I could think about was what if I couldn’t get up tomorrow morning and teach my classes or see my clients? How would I pay my bills? Who would take care of me? While I had suffered a major injury which kept me out of the aerobics room for almost a year, I was fortunate enough to be able to rehab my way back to teaching. This experience forced me to ask the question "How do I create longevity for myself in this fitness industry that I love so much?"
Have you given thought to YOUR future in the fitness industry? As instructors and trainers we must worry about things like:
1. Health conditions or accidents – they could leave us disabled or otherwise unable to work
2. Getting older – some of us may not be able to be as active as when we were younger
3. Money – teaching and training can provide a regular income, but is it enough for you?
4. Burnout – maybe you just need some fresh ideas to “re-spark” your fitness career
This article is not meant to tell you to give up what you do now! Teaching and training are important parts of our industry. We get to help men and women strengthen their mind and bodies. We teach people how to safely get themselves into better shape. But there is SO MUCH MORE to this industry for those of us willing to take the next step. Let’s take a quick look at three people who have...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In my own personal situation, the car accident coupled with overuse challenges like aching knees and torn ligaments threatened to shorten my classroom career. So rather than trying to increase my income by cramming in more classes or giving more private lessons, I decided to devote some time and effort to building a company.
As a personal trainer I was able to create a “niche.” I began training only brides-to-be and developed a website called “www.fittobetiedonline.com.” I promoted myself by writing fitness articles for bridal publications and contributing to any and every woman’s magazines I could. I made all the television appearances I could. I wrote my first book, hired a literary agent and was published. My writing, networking and public relation skills allow me to achieve my goals and stay within the fitness field. I am now concentrating my efforts coaching and helping other fitness professional create their success.
Sarina Jain is one of the fitness industry's stars. She has been teaching for over 17 years. Now she’s the founder and creator of the “Masala Bhangra Workout” and owner of Masala Dance & Fitness, Inc. Sarina has directed and produced a series of workout videos and has successfully cultivated a growing audience that loves her work. Sarina says “I was determined to make it work. I took the chance and I am glad I did. If fitness was going to be my full time career, then I had to make a business out of it - to survive monetarily.”
Terri Walsh of TW Personal Training in New York City has gone from locker attendant to fitness instructor, to personal trainer, to fitness expert, to fitness celebrity, to model to spokesperson, to author, to studio owner, to entrepreneur and more.
There was a time when students of all ages lined up at the gym angling for a spot in one of Terri’s signature fitness classes. Latecomers sometimes stood in disappoint being unable to claim a spot. But Terri says “I wanted more. I thought I needed to create a way to keep me excited in the industry.”
Terri has since starred on “ESPN Crunch Fitness” and is the author of “DIVA: the Fitness System to Unleash Your Feminine Power.” She has produced videos, written a book, opened her own studio became a DJ, launched groovejoy.com, a music website for instructors to download music for their classes and currently exerciseradio.com, a health and fitness pod cast network offering free pod casts, workouts diet tips. Terri says “I love music & movement and making something out of nothing. I've always sought to look around me and say “what's missing?” and then I create it and provide it.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, how about YOU? Are YOU tired of sitting on the sidelines? Is it time for YOU to take the next step like the people above and get yourself into the game? Opportunities are everywhere!
Have you ever thought about carving out a particular “niche market” for yourself?
Have you ever watched a television infomercial advertising an exercise or weight loss product and though “I could create a product better than that?”
Have you thought about going out on your own – opening up your own gym or personal training studio?
Have you ever dreamed about becoming a “Fitness Celebrity” locally or even nationally?
Getting started on your personal road to success can be as simple and easy as 1...2...3...
1. Get A Vision of Your Success!
You must decide what it is you want and want to accomplish. Is there a book inside of you that needs to be written? Do you have an idea for a new fitness product or maybe a new type of class or workout that you can license? Would you like to direct or even star in your own new workout DVD? Maybe its time to step out and open up that exercise or personal training studio of your very own!
Look deep inside yourself and find out what creates passion and excitement for you. Terri Walsh says “I just look to see what's missing and then I fill the gap. I basically followed my interests and instincts.”
2. Get Educated and Get Help!
You’re good at what you do as an instructor or trainer. But now you need to learn more about things like business, accounting, public relations, sales and marketing. Enroll in some day or evening college classes that can help you learn how to become an entrepreneur.
If you want to move fast and cut down on your learning curve, seek out the help of a proven coach or consultant. For me that mentor was Larry Marcus of “LBM Sales & Marketing Group.” in New York. Larry has been helping professionals both inside and outside of the fitness industry grow their businesses “exponentially” for over 20 years. Larry says “you need to learn to excel in three key areas to grow your new business – getting more new clients, getting more referrals and getting more repeat business. Larry gave me the vital help and tools I needed to do those three things and catapult my business to the next level. As a reader of ECA News you can contact Larry for a FREE Marketing Consultation at 516-680-4644 or email him at larry@lbmarcus.com.
Amanda Vogel, a fitness writer, group exercise instructor and owner of ActiveVoice.ca, a writing, editing and consulting service for fitness pros based in Vancouver, B.C. says “Market yourself so you stand out. If you hope to go from teaching at a local club to the convention circuit to one day producing your own workout DVD, you must offer something that makes you stand out from what everyone else is doing. Market in a way that highlights what makes you different.”
Join associations where other successful fitness stars hang out. Attend all the workshops and conferences that you can; and not just for content. Study the people and products that you want to emulate. Amanda Vogel says “I make it a point to attend top presenters’ sessions regardless of the content. Pay attention to their word choices, posture, body language, how they interact with the audience, their vocal tone … this is an extremely valuable way to quickly improve your own teaching and public speaking skills”.
Read every book, every website and every article you can get your hands on that is related to your business idea. Become a student of your business and learn from the people who have gone before you.
3. Go For It!
There is no better time for you to get started than right now! Decide that you’re not going to let anything hold you back. Are you afraid of taking the next step? Most successful entrepreneurs were at one time. Here’s something Larry taught me that I use everyday - he said “Action Cures Fear!” Get started! Move forward - as long as you’re even stumbling forward, as long as you don’t ever stop, you’ll reach your goal. He also taught me that “When the dream is big enough, the facts don’t count!” Push yourself to dream BIG! You can accomplish anything if you’ll just get started and don’t quit!