Luke Andrus, a personal trainer for Anytime Fitness in Lafayette, La., writes a successful personal training blog he uses to enhance exposure and grow his personal training business, while motivating clients. Covering discipline, success stories and personal experiences, his blog boasts viewers from around the world. Andrus spoke with Club Solutions about the benefits of writing a blog that personal training clients can use as a source of inspiration.
CS: Why did you decide to write your own blog?
LA: One of the reasons I started my own blog was so that I could brand myself as a health coach. Not only do I love to write, but I also wanted the exposure to help my business financially, and to expand the growth of my influence. My ability to change lives is limited by the amount of lives that I encounter. If I can get myself out there to reach as many people as possible, then I can help as many people as possible.
Another reason was so that I could provide information to those out there who have never been a member of any gym, as well as those who just need applicable knowledge on fitness. I want people to know that not all of my services are exclusive to those who pay for it. I believe in fitness and discipline; it makes us better people. And any knowledge that I have on how to become a better person is free for all.
CS: What topics do you discuss, and how does having a blog help you when it comes to personal training?
LA: Most of the topics I write about deal with the philosophical and psychological perspectives of fitness. I want to reach people on the levels that count, which I believe to be mindset and behavior. Many people know what to do, they just don’t know why they want to do it, or they do it for the wrong reasons. If fitness is only about vanity, then I would not be as passionate about it as I am. But fitness is about discipline. It’s about being a better man or woman. It’s about being healthy to live our lives to the fullest so that our loved ones can get the best of us for as long as they can. If we don’t see that reasoning, then our experience in fitness will never last. Sooner or later, you give up on the six pack — you are less likely to give up on a lifestyle.
CS: What advice would you give to other personal trainers thinking of starting a blog of their own?
LA: My advice is that if you like to teach and write, do it. It is great for marketing and it helps to distinguish yourself as a health coach. One of the great advantages is that I often have a blog topic that deals with what my clients might be going through at a certain time. When those times arrive, I direct them to my blog or print out the entry that pertains to them. This is just one more way that I can serve them and encourage them.
My other advice is to consider your market. If you are seeking to reach athletes, then write to athletes; but if you are trying to reach the majority of Americans, remember that they do not know as much about fitness as you do. When it comes to fitness, you are the freak. You are the one that actually enjoys a healthy lifestyle. That is not the majority. The majority of people out there want simple and practical ways to change their habits. They should not be expected to work out seven times a week on a strict Paleo diet. They need realistic and applicable advice.
CS: How do you come up with the ideas for your blog?
LA: Most of my ideas come from my experience as a health coach. There is never a shortage of topics to discuss. I have a saying, “some call me an expensive trainer, but most call me a cheap therapist.” In these “therapy” sessions, I can usually see what they are going through and I write based on those experiences.
CS: Does Anytime Fitness promote or support your blog in any way? (do they share it or encourage people to view it?)
LA: I have an extraordinary support team through Anytime Fitness. Not only do they share links to my blog through the social media sites at each of our five clubs, but they also used sponsored advertising through Facebook to spread the word. This advertising comes out of their pocket, not mine. It helps the personal training program overall for the club, because many people come in just because they are fans of my blog. Then I get them training with someone else on our team. The beauty of our clubs is that each one of our trainers is strong in their own way. I’m a dime a dozen in our program because we hire the best and continually challenge each other to be better. I’m just the one that writes a blog. So when they come to me and I’m too booked, I can just sell them for someone else that will change their life.
By Rachel Zabonick
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
