Are you ready to break free from your 9-to-5 job and turn your passion for fitness into a career as a personal trainer? Making the transition can be a daunting journey, but fear not! You're not alone. Many have successfully completed the switch before you, and you can too.  In this inspiring episode, Stuart sits down with Harriet Olliffe, who shares her journey from teaching classes in a local town hall to owning a gym. Together, they explore the challenges of building a career in fitness, including navigating the ups and downs, the importance of hard work, and the value of being risk averse.  Through their discussion, you'll gain valuable insights into what it takes to succeed in the industry and why the effort is ultimately worth it. So tune in now to learn from Harriet's experiences and discover how to pursue a fulfilling career doing what you love as a personal trainer.    Timestamps 01:46- Harriet's career before personal training  05:35-Running classes at the local town hall.  10:39- What would Harriet change about her start in fitness?   12:38- Starting mobile PT while working full time.  17:11- Work-life balance while growing a PT business.   19:38- Starting at a boutique gym.  21:47- The importance of being risk adverse.   24:45- Working part-time on gym reception.  26:07- Could Harriet have managed to be successful without working so much?    28:50- The advantages of being an employed PT  31:15- Opportunity to shadow at Harriet’s facility.   34:26- Different routes to becoming a PT.  37:08- Opening a facility    Find Out More About Harriet: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harriet.olliffe    Find Out More About LTB: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/  Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial 

The guys from Lift the Bar are back in full force for another Q&A. Join Stuart, Gregg, and Alex for this week’s episode of the LTB podcast as they dive into a variety of topics that will make your life as a personal trainer much easier.   You can expect to learn whether you need to periodise programmes for the general population, how to determine which experts to trust, and how you can organise your time better. Spoiler Alert: Maybe you need a social media blocker! Also, on this week’s episode, Gregg condemns himself to a life without sleep, Alex considers buying a Nokia 3310 and Stuart learns a new word.      Timestamps   02:28- Time Management: How to be more efficient and organised.  06:22- Should everyone “time block”?  08:40- Problems with Task Switching and social media.  09:59- Using website blockers to your advantage.  19:58- How can we know which experts to trust?  28:11- Can you trust an expert to recommend you another?!  32:32- Should PT’s periodise programs for the general population?  36:07- Periodisation for new clients.  38:35- Should the transitions between training blocks be “harsh” or “smooth”?  41:10- Should you get feedback from a client before you write their next training block?  43:01- Does periodisation really boil down to organisation and what if your client wants more variety?     Find Out More About LTB: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/  Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial 

Effective communication is vital for personal trainers, so we've invited returning guest Cathy MacDonald from The Art of Communication to join Stuart on today's episode. Together, they explore scenarios PTs encounter in the gym and share tangible actions to make your communication more effective. You'll discover how to discuss money without feeling awkward, steer people away from dangerous activities without making them defensive, and why you shouldn’t give Stuart an axe.  Tune in to sharpen your communication skills and become a more effective personal trainer.    Timestamps  01:28 How to communicate with new gym members.  07:37 The Importance of learning about people  09:23 Core Emotional Concerns  13:49 How to communicate with a gym member who is at risk of injury.  21:06 The value of compliments   24:46 How to offer your services without being salesy  31:35 How to talk about your prices   33:57 How to respond if someone asks for a discount  38:57 How to communicate a price increase to your clients        Find Out More About Cathy: Website: https://www.artofcommunication.co.uk/about-aoc    Find Out More About LTB: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/  Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial 

Are you struggling to differentiate yourself from other personal trainers on social media? With so many others offering similar services, it can be challenging to stand out and attract potential clients. After all, why would they pick your “121 sessions, personalised plans and monthly reviews” over anyone else's?!   But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.   In this episode, Stuart is joined by Jonathan Goodman, a renowned business coach with over 15 years of experience in the personal training industry. As the founder of many successful ventures such as the Personal Trainer Development Centre, QuickCoach, Online Trainer Mentorship and author of 11 books, Jonathan shares his expertise on all things business. Expect to learn about the impact of discounts on your business, how to craft a compelling brand message that resonates with your audience, and why getting more followers is probably a waste of time.    Timestamps:  04:44- Post 1: Will discounts ruin your business?  07:48- The best and worst way to do free PT trials.   12:03- Post 1: Market what a person will become.  19:07- What about if you don’t sell client transformations?   22:17- How to set yourself apart from other businesses.   28:06- Post 2: Why getting more followers is a waste of time if you want more clients.   31:18 - Marketing offline in your local community  42:12 - Human Optimised Coaching Sales for PT’s        Find Out More About Jon: Ig: https://www.instagram.com/itscoachgoodman/?hl=en  The PTDC: https://www.theptdc.com/    Find Out More About LTB: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/  Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial 

PT: “Okay, just before we start, I need to check if you have any medical conditions?”  Client: “Okay, yes…I’ve got *insert complicated Latin sounding word*”.   PT: “Umm… so we might need to check with your GP before we start training.”  Most personal trainers have been there before, and let’s be honest, it’s better to be safe than sorry! But do you always need to ask a client’s General Practitioner (GP) Doctor? And even when you do, how do you do it so that the GP actually gets back to you? Here to answer all these questions and more is Dr Katy Fisken.  Dr Fisken joins Stuart on the podcast to discuss improving communication between personal trainers and GPs. They explore when PTS must check with a client’s GP about medical conditions before training, and how to do so. They also touch on Dr Fisken’s fascinating personal experience as a GP-turned-PT, the level of exercise and nutrition education in medical schools, and the growing importance of lifestyle medicine.      Timestamps  01:08 Exercise and Nutrition Education as a GP  09:45 Challenges of Delivering Lifestyle Medicine  13:55 When PTs Should Seek GP Clearance  18:10 How PTs Should Seek GP Clearance  20:24 Qualifications for PTs Working with Clients with Medical Conditions  22:41 Establishing Relationships with Local GPs  25:09 Dr Fisken's Motivation for Becoming a PT  26:29 Time Management and Business Growth as a GP and PT  29:59 How Being a GP Informed Dr Fisken's PT Practice  31:29 How Becoming a PT Informed Dr Fisken’s GP Practice    Find Out More About Katy: Ig: https://www.instagram.com/thf.pt/?hl=en    Find Out More About LTB: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/  Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial 

Should you spend ££££ on a machine to measure your client's body composition? Will it help you make better decisions for your clients? Can they really measure someone's body fat?   Stuart welcomes Dr. Eric Helms back on the podcast to find out. Along the way, they also talk about research on the relationship between sedentary time and health. You can also expect to learn exactly whether specific exercises can really target certain regions of muscle, why squats won't make your hamstrings grow and why you DON’T want early career success.        Timestamps  0:01:22 Exploring Early Career Success and Longevity 0:15:40 The Relationship Between Sedentary Time and Exercise 0:25:25 Exploring the Accuracy of Body Composition Measurements Methods 0:39:34 Regional Hypertrophy in Response to Resistance Training 0:42:16 How does Regional Hypertrophy inform a personal trainers practice?   Find Out More About Eric: Ig: https://www.instagram.com/helms3dmj/?hl=en  3DMJ: https://3dmusclejourney.com/about/  MASS: https://www.strongerbyscience.com/mass/#pricing  Iron Culture Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/iron-culture/id1452114380?mt=2    Find Out More About LTB: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/  Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial 

Is 2023 the year when the robots take over?   With the recent release of Chat GPT, many coaches are considering how AI will affect their future careers.   Stuart welcomes Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon back onto the Lift the bar podcast to explore this and many other questions. Expect to learn what AI should be used for and what it shouldn’t, why being solution-focused leads to better client success and the best way to future-proof your coaching skill set.    Timestamps    1:26- Should personal trainers coach nutrition?  3:10- Should nutrition and exercise be separate services?  6:47- Why trainers should refer to other professionals for detailed nutrition support.   12:17- Being a solution-focused coach.  22:51- What does AI bring to coaching?  33:02- How could a new coach use Chat GPT?  34:52- Will AI be able to write good training programs?  41:16- How can coaches future-proof their skillsets?     Find Out More About Krista: Ig: https://www.instagram.com/stumptuous/  Website: https://stumptuous.com/    Find Out More About LTB: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/  Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial   

Dan Smith, an expert on online coaching, joins the podcast to discuss why selling 'online coaching' doesn't work. The topics covered include regulating emotions as a coach, creating work-life balance, discussing client results, using transformation pictures, creating a unique coaching method, and the challenges and benefits of coaching online.

Are you interested in starting an online group coaching program but don't know how? Look no further! This archived episode of the LTB podcast features Emma Storey-Gordon. Emma’s last intake of the EC method successfully helped 600+ new clients, so she knows what she is talking about!     Stuart and Emma cover everything you need to know about online coaching such as how to create digital systems, make effective onboarding processes, and how previous members can help new clients. Tune in to learn more!    Timestamps  1:37- How does Emma manage her time?  2:45- The Issue with task switching  6:09- How Emma uses a Virtual Assistant to help with workload  6:52- What and when should you outsource?  12:32- What is the EC method?  13:48- How long does the EC method last?   16:11- How do people pay for the EC method?   16:44- Should coaches get a business partner to help run group coaching?   21:16- How does someone sign up for the EC method?   25:33- What does the EC welcome email say?   27:05- What to do if your emails end up in people's spam  29:15- How does Emma help people get started with the EC method?  31:10- What nutrition support does the EC method involve?   33:09- Is there a minimum number of clients needed for effective group coaching?   37:09- Is 1-2- or group coaching better for coaches and clients?  40:52- What marketing does Emma do just before launching a new EC intake?   46:41- How does Emma use her Instagram for marketing?   49:00- Why group coaching is a great way to achieve more customer value  Find Out More About ESG: Website: https://esgfitness.co.uk/  IG Fitness: https://www.instagram.com/esgfitness/?hl=en  IG Mentoring: https://www.instagram.com/afmentors/?hl=en    Find Out More About LTB: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/  Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial   

The world of biomechanics can be a pretty scary place for a beginner. We have pulled this episode from the archive to help you delve into the fascinating world of biomechanics.   Stuart talks to Paul Standell about how personal trainers can understand the physics that underlies exercise and how doing so will accelerate their careers and even, get them more clients!  Discover why specific exercises, such as the dumbbell lateral raise, become more difficult at the top instead of the bottom (Hint: It’s not because your arm got heavier!). Learn how exercise mechanics can be used to tailor sessions to individual clients and the surprising benefits of spending time on a seesaw.      Timestamps: 1:08- Why are personal trainers like advisors?   4:41- When should personal trainers be more directive?   6:43- How many choices should personal trainers give their client?   7:28- Definition of exercise mechanics  20:12- Why should personal trainers care about exercise mechanics?   27:30- Can exercise mechanics make a client’s session less fun?   31:41- How to tailor your use of exercise mechanics to an individual client  35: 45- How exercise mechanics helps get client buy in  38:53- Where can personal trainers learn about exercise mechanics?     Find Out More About Paul: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paul_standell/?hl=en  The PT Project: https://www.instagram.com/theptproject_/?hl=en     Find Out More About LTB: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/  Website: https://liftthebar.com/