How to Stand Out as a Personal Trainer

Knowing how to stand out as a personal trainer is extremely important! Many trainers experience a huge shock when they start training at a gym and realize there are 10 other trainers… all competing for the same business.

I’ll admit, I was intimidated when I started, but I found out how to stand out as a personal trainer – even among a dozen other personal trainers.

In this article, I’m going to explain the top three ways to stand out:

Finding a niche
Looking better than everyone
Doing something that draws attention to yourself

Finding Your Niche

If you took 15 personal trainers and compared all of them, they would all be different somehow… one might focus on traditional weight training, another might focus on plyometrics, maybe one trainer is more functional focused… etc.

The point is that you can decide what your niche (or niches) are.

For example, I loved golf, bodybuilding and circuit training – so that’s what I focused on.

I had several clients that specifically decided to train with me because they knew I was a good golfer and that meant I knew how to train them to improve their golf game too.

I had a lot of women train with me because I set up small group circuit training. They loved how fun it was, and they got amazing results. The other trainers went crazy because their clients kept leaving them to train with me.

I didn’t poach clients, but I did have a niche and I got great results… so it didn’t take long for their clients to notice that and come over to me.

What’s your niche? Is it facilitated stretching? Are you a back and shoulder specialist? Is it bodybuilding? Do you specialize in a sport? Do you have a special technique that the other trainers don’t know or don’t do?

Find it! Then put it in all of your marketing materials as a way to distinguish yourself from the other trainers.

If you have a niche and you look better than the other trainers, they won’t stand a chance!

Looking Better Than Everyone Else

That may sound egotistical, but it’s the truth. I hate to say it, but most trainers look like slobs. They don’t dress well at all, and some are even overweight.

Why anyone would train with an overweight trainer, I don’t know.

And if you’re overweight and reading this, don’t worry. You can use it to your advantage. You can be your own success story by losing weight and showing people your before and after picture.

If you have an incredible before and after picture of yourself, it’s instant credibility for your training abilities!

I’ve always been in great shape, and some clients felt like I couldn’t relate to their struggle… so don’t worry.

Now, as far as looking better… there are a few things you need to do:

1. Dress Amazing.

This means you’re dressing very professional – pants and a polo shirt with your logo (and maybe a name tag with your logo too). This attire will make you look like you know more than the other trainers. It will position you as more of an expert so that members will know you work at the gym and they can ask you questions.

2. Carry Yourself with Confidence

If you slouch, have bad posture, look at the ground and never talk to anyone… guess what… they aren’t going to talk to you either.

Instead, walk tall and confident. Make eye contact with everyone and smile at them when you do. Have a great energy and have fun. When you carry yourself with this presence, other people will notice you, be drawn to you and want to talk to you.

3. Have Good Hygiene

I know this sounds weird, but it’s really important to be clean and presentable. In addition to how you dress, your hygiene should be really good too.

As a man, you should be clean shaven, keep your hair nice, smell good, and make sure you look very presentable and approachable.

As a women, you should definitely smell good and make sure your hair looks nice. Taking care of your skin is also important because good skin radiates health and wellness.

When you do these three things, and you look better than the other trainers, consciously and subconsciously, members will want to work with you first. I’ve done it and works every time. The only downside is that the other trainers will be jealous of you.

Do Something That Draws Attention to Yourself

I wrote two books, was constantly on the news (the reporters would shoot the segments in my gym), and I got amazing results in a very short amount of time.

Between these three things, EVERYONE noticed me and knew who I was. If they didn’t I made sure I introduced myself to every member so they would know me.

Sometimes, we don’t want to draw attention to ourselves. You might feel like you’re bragging or being arrogant… but let me tell you…

If you want to succeed in this business, you need to be OK with getting attention and accepting praise.

I was young and was having fun being on the news and writing books. As a result, there were so many people that wanted to train with me because I was an expert in their eyes… I was a much better trainer than the other trainers that didn’t want any attention on themselves.

Even if you’re an introvert, it’s OK. I am naturally an introvert and was uncomfortable at first, but I knew it would help my career. Over time, I really broke out of my shell.

Not only was this good for business, but it was good for my relationships as well.

Think about what you can do that’s different and can draw positive attention to yourself… maybe you could do a contest; you can get on the news; write a legitimate book; do a special seminar that positions yourself as an expert.

The opportunities are endless. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you do it well though. Quality is a must because it’s representing you and your brand.