5 Reasons I Love Working In A PT Only Gym
I’ve been a coach for 12 and a half years, and I’ve coached in many different capacities…
I’ve coached in person and online, I’ve coached classes, one on one, small groups, and workshops. I’ve coached people through courses, I’ve coached other people’s methods, I’ve coached my own “method”, I’ve coached adults and also kids, I’ve coached independently and also in gyms.
I’ve had a range of experiences coaching, some good, some bad (such is life), but certainly enough to know at this point in my career exactly what I want when it comes to coaching and running my own business.
After I qualified as a personal trainer I got a job in a gym. I was so unbelievably excited about this at first, and I was fortunate to have been employed by that gym so I was salaried with commission. However this also had it’s downsides, like working shifts, and getting up at 5am to open the gym at 6am. I am not a morning person… Despite loving the coaching aspect of my job, I ended up leaving after 9 months feeling quite burnt out.
Fast forward to 2016 and I started working in a Crossfit gym. At that time I no longer trained Crossfit but I really loved the gymnastics element of it, and so that’s what I taught. It felt like a step up from a regular gym for sure. Crossfit gyms have fantastic equipment, and are focused on community. But because I was so focused on handstands and bodyweight skills, I never felt like I truly fit in. I also wasn’t really a fan of training what I consider complex skills like muscle ups as part of high intensity WOD’s. Apart from the fact that it can be incredibly dangerous, what’s the point…? Eventually I moved on from this job as well.
I spent many years in the online fitness space, and learnt a ton. I had the pleasure of coaching some wonderful humans. I was coaching a method I truly believed in and incorporated into my own training. When covid hit nothing changed for me, which I know wasn’t the case for a lot of coaches, and I was truly grateful for that. But I eventually craved real person interactions, and I felt fatigued constantly being on my computer doing the same thing day in day out.
In 2023 I did a little bit of one on one in person coaching and ran regular workshops. I realised that this was something I wanted to commit more seriously to this year. In November I thought to myself, ok I’m ready to start finding more one on one clients. I knew one of the issues I had was that I was teaching in a village hall, which had no gym equipment and was in the middle of nowhere. This was fine for handstand workshops, but not ideal for one on one clients.
One week after deciding I wanted to do more in person coaching, Lift Fitness appeared on my Instagram. A mutual friend of the gym owner had shared a video of herself training there.
It was a PT only gym, something I had never heard of before.
I had always said I’d never go back to working in a gym of any kind, but this space was offering something completely different. Even better, there was an option to join as a part time PT, and pay part time gym rent. This was something else I’d never seen before. Freelance PT jobs in gyms require you to pay full time rent from the start and you just have to get clients as fast as possible to not lose money. Sure you’re in a gym with potential clients everywhere, but it’s a commitment to working full time.
I knew I wasn’t trying to only be an in person coach, I wanted to find a balance between online and in person work. Everything about Lift just seemed perfect. I met with Julia, and instantly fell in love with the gym, and equally as important I felt that she was the right person to join forces with. I had no client base, no idea how I was going to find people to come and train with me, but I knew in my gut that if I committed to this beautiful and professional space in central Cambridge and did a bit of advertising I would find clients.
I’ve almost finished my third month at Lift, and I have absolutely 100% no regrets that I signed up as a PT there. I took a risk for sure. I had to put the work in to start building a business, finding clients, and growing my brand. But it’s been completely worth it.
So, here’s what’s so wonderful about Lift Fitness and being part of Julia’s team of Personal Trainers.
1. It’s For PT’s Only
I had never heard of a gym that was just for personal trainers and their clients before I found Lift. I’ve only experienced working in gyms that offer memberships, run classes and sometimes workshops, and where members are the priority. It can be challenging to navigate sharing space and equipment with members of a gym, and it can feel crowded and noisy and slightly overwhelming for coaches and clients. Lift isn’t a huge gym because it doesn’t need to be. Sharing the space with other PT’s is super easy because everyone is considerate and supportive towards each other. Never having to worry about how busy the gym will be or whether I can use the equipment I need to, or whether my clients will feel comfortable is an absolute dream.
2. The Community
Although I am working independently at Lift Fitness, I am part of a team. I am surrounded by a group of experienced and dedicated personal trainers, and that is such a wonderful environment to work in. Everyone is so unbelievably welcoming, friendly and supportive. There is no element of competition whatsoever, because we’re all just in the space doing our own thing. It feels like a place where I can truly be myself, and be the coach I want to be, without judgement or expectation from others.
3. The Inclusivity
One of Julia’s main goals for Lift Fitness is for it to be the most inclusive gym… ever. I absolutely love this philosophy. I know all too well how intimidating a gym space can be, and it was imperative for me to teach somewhere where my clients would feel safe and comfortable. Case in point, I have been coaching my mum at Lift Fitness (she turns 60 in February), and it’s such a fab environment for her. I can tell she feels right at home. This genuinely is a gym that is suitable for every kind of person, and I’m immensely proud to bring new clients into the space and coach them there.
4. The Complete Freedom and Autonomy
I cannot tell you how amazing it feels to know I can run my coaching business exactly how I want, and have complete freedom and autonomy over what I choose to do within a professional gym. I can choose the hours that I work, I choose what I charge my clients, I choose what I’m coaching them on, and I don’t have to run it by anyone. I’ve even planned some workshops at Lift, which I’m very excited about. There is so much potential at this gym to grow my business. It literally has everything I need!
5. Being On Julia’s Team
The last thing I want to mention is how brilliant it’s been being on Julia’s team of PT’s. Julia runs her business like a pro, and yet is so genuinely invested in every single on of her PT’s. She wants us all to do well, and she facilitates this like a boss. She’s given me so much support and freedom to make the most of the gym. She’s also working on providing us all with business coaching, and has been actively promoting the gym and all of the PT’s over the past few months. It really feels like I am on the winning team. Thank you Julia!!!
I am very excited to see how the rest of the year unfolds for me as a coach, and I’m overjoyed that Lift Fitness will be a huge part of it. If you’re looking for coaching but don’t like being in a standard gym environment, reach out for a chat. And if you’re a new coach or have been coaching for years and you’re looking for a new space to create a better experience for yourself and your clients, I can’t recommend reaching out to Julia and checking out Lift enough.
