Systematized Ease

Running a personal training department can be very time consuming and difficult unless you have systems in place for particular tasks. I refer to systems as a process by which tasks are accomplished and expectations are met. For instance, one system that should be clearly defined and executed is the new hire process. From the initial meeting, to hiring, to subsequent training, this process should be laid out and acted on to ensure clear expectations, policies and procedures are adhered to. Here are some areas that you can create processes for that can assist you in managing trainers:

• Hiring process for new trainers: includes advertising or recruitment, interview process, explaining job duties and expectations, hiring meeting and paperwork needed.

• Sales training: goal setting for trainers, assessment for clients, goal setting for clients, selling throughout sessions, using assessments and goals to close a sale.

• Training trainers for training clients: equipment orientation, tool training, expectations for training new clients and preferred method of selling.

Having a process for all these tasks and a clearly defined step-by-step process will allow the manager to operate his department more efficiently and effectively.

Vic Spatola is the Director of Personal Training for Greenwood Athletic and Tennis Club in Greenwood Village, Colorado, a suburb of Denver. Contact him at vics@greenwoodatc.com.