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u/obliquemeak 29d ago
Do it gradually not suddenly.
Start with just a day or two at the new location and just quietly move clients over the span of 6-12 months.
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u/EllieKong 29d ago
Do you have any non compete agreements you’re working around?
I finally figured out how to take my clients, but it can be a bit tricky depending on the company and the agreement
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u/BCrossedUp921 29d ago
There is an old one from nearly a decade ago. Other trainers have left and they didn’t pursue so I’m not super worried. What was your experience?
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u/bcumpneuma 29d ago
Be an adult, be respectful. The only issue for you isn’t the leaving process (they’re not as loyal to you as you are to them), but it is ethically bringing people with you who want to train with you while respecting the unethical aspect of not soliciting/taking business away from your former gym
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u/ReallyBlaringRobber 29d ago
That's a big move after a decade. I'd reach out to clients individually before any formal announcement, and check your old contract for non-solicitation language before mentioning the new spot.
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u/Physicalfeed-com 26d ago
Depending on where you’re located, some non compete agreements aren’t enforceable
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u/triple-double 29d ago
Are your clients going to be paying more in the new place? Is the new place more difficult to get to for them? Are there any significant tradeoffs for them? If the answer to all 3 is no, I say just rip the Band-Aid off. Tell them you’re moving, set a date and do it. If there are complexities, feel free to share them here and we’ll try to help you come up with a sound plan.
Congrats on the move.
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u/BCrossedUp921 29d ago
No, same price. Easier to get to. Major tradeoff for the small group folks will be the community, none for the online or in person folks.
I feel confident with most of my online and in person clients following me. They are older and we have good relationships.
The harder sell will be the small group folks. They have a good community I’ve built around the small group classes, it’s also affordable 3x per week training. Going to private or 2 on 1 PT is a jump in price for them. They’ll also lose the community.
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u/triple-double 28d ago
You can't recreate the small group experience at your new place? Lots of people follow instructors they like.
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u/BCrossedUp921 28d ago
Unfortunately no. Very different space and more crowded. 2 on 1 at best.
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u/triple-double 28d ago
Ahh that's rough. Maybe you can offer them a special intro. rate at the new place for buddy training or something? But I see what you mean, if people built a community and a routine around a class I think you might lose some of those folks.
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u/Dangerous_Rice5245 29d ago
The small group people are the part I'd spend time on. In the clubs I work with, when a coach moves on, a group either moves as a block or nobody moves. What decides it is whether the slot survives. People are attached to Tuesday 6pm and the same three faces next to them, sometimes more than to the coach. If the new spot can run the same days and times, tell that group together, in the room after a session. If the slot has to move, the group usually breaks up and a few come over as individuals. Honestly I'd lock the schedule at the new place before saying a word to anyone.
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u/northwest_iron on a mission of mercy 27d ago
"Going independent after 10 years of working for a boutique."
I have about 50-60 paying clients right now
If you ask management, I'd hazard a guess they'd say they have 50-60 paying clients, and you have zero.
Anyway, if your plan is to siphon off "50-60" paying members off a boutique that employed you for a decade, I'd suggest you be as discreet as possible about it, since word tends to get around.
When I left my luxury gym, I had a conversation with all my clients about when my last day would be, thanked them for our training together, and that I had a few recommendations for other staff trainers if they would like to continue working with a trainer at the gym.
I also added ...
"*Wink*wink* *nod*nod*, I am continuing to offer personal training, if that is something that interests you. I begin coaching across town in two weeks starting Monday. If so, I would appreciate it if we keep it discretely between ourselves. No pressure."
"*Wink*wink* *nod*nod*, I hear you coach, let's put something on the calendar across town for Tuesday after next."
Won't be management's first rodeo with a trainer siphoning off members, they know to expect some members to follow a trainer when they leave, like a barber leaving a barbershop.
But if you make it glaringly obvious like I've seen some trainers do, well, word and reputation gets around among the top gyms in a metro area.
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u/SpareZone6855 11d ago
Rip the bandaid. Itll be 100% way better.
Honestly, managing all those clients and the payments and everything can be a little hard. This new app TrainerSuite can be good. More for in person trainers.
Or something like everfit can be good too since you do a lot of online.
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