The Problem With Personal Trainer Profile Plaques In Gyms

Have you ever walked into a dentists clinic or motor mechanics workshop and noticed profile plaques on the wall giving a brief history of their experience? 

No? Me either, so why is it that personal trainers and fitness instructors have them in gyms?

When you walk into a dentist or mechanics, we openly accept that we’re not experts in that field and that we do not know what we need until someone has at least taken a look at our teeth or under the hood.

We are in the relationship business

With that in mind, wouldn’t it be safe to assume that people with health and fitness goals aren’t experts in weight management and safe, appropriate physical exercise and programming?

We are not in the ‘quick fix’ business like a mechanic or dentist, where you drop off your car and pick it up fixed in a few days, or go to the dentist and come out a few hours later with a new smile. We are in the relationship business, fitness goals are for life and this needs to be made clear from the very first consultation.

Let’s face it, most people have unrealistic goals and in most cases will tend to be sceptical on why they should pay for personal training, least of all, pay for you to personally train them. So it’s up to you not only to sell yourself, but sell them a professional fitness relationship.

So how do you do this? Think about what goes onto your plaque. A nice picture of you in your polyester shirt, a few bullet points about being cert qualified in this and that, (which actually means nothing to the average gym member) some sports you have played, contact details and let’s not forget the cliched quote or ‘motivational’ mantra at the bottom.

Seriously, is this really how a professional should be represented and let’s not forget this is when potential clients may conjure their first impression of you.

A plaque that will create interest and more than just a passing glance is one that shows what you can do for your client, which in the end is all they’re concerned about anyway.

What you need to display on your profile plaque are testimonials from satisfied clients, before and after images are priceless, either of a client, yourself or both and a photo of you leading a session, working with pads or anything that puts the emphasis back on the client, not yourself.

You need a point of difference and in this ever competitive industry that bit of extra thought and effort will set you apart as fitness professionals.

Ben