The fitness industry is already booming and as we head closer towards the end of the year it’s set to get busier, with increasing new clients looking to feel their best this New Year or to burn off those extra festive treats afterwards!
The 2011 FIA State of the UK Fitness Industry Report has advised that the UK health and fitness industry has maintained a total market value of £3.81 billion. The Fitness Industry Association (FIA) reports that since the start of the recession in 2008, the fitness industry has grown its total market value by 4% and increased the member base by 2%.
With this in mind, an increase in clients and working hours means that it is imperative for personal trainers to not only keep up with demand but to differentiate themselves from the growing competition too.
After looking into the fitness industry and personal trainers in particular, it has become apparent that a lot of time and money goes into providing the best training possible with a real focus on continuous improvement but there appears to a lack of guidance when it comes to marketing and lead generation.
Many personal trainers invest a substantial amount of time and money into their business, only to miss potential clients who contact them via the phone during a training session. Or even worse, answer the call and risk losing the valuable client which they are training.
There are numerous articles on the web (including The Professional Personal Trainer – Answering a phone call during a session with a Client) on the use of mobile phones in personal training sessions, all of which conclude that a mobile phone should never be answered whilst they are taking place.
Here are a couple of tips for personal trainers and those looking for one:
‘If you are struggling in the middle of a tough set and instead of spotting you, your trainer is answering their cellular phone or sending a text message, it may be time to find another personal trainer.’ (www.askthetrainer.com)
‘Never answer your mobile phone or gym phone during workouts clients want your complete attention as you are charging them by the hour. You wouldn’t go to the doctor and have him answer a personal call for 5 minutes. ‘(www.myfitnessstudio.co.uk)
Office Response provide professional and bespoke 24/7 Telephone Answering Services to ensure that all calls are captured so that you can concentrate on your core business, provide excellent customer service and in turn both gain and retain valued clients.
If you would like to learn more about how Office Response could support you and differentiate your business from your competition please contact our Business Development Team on 0845 223 7004