True Conversation:

I was recently the guest speaker at a Chamber of Commerce event. Typically when I speak, I explain all the reasons gyms don’t get people results and my facility does. I do my best not to bash my competition, but facts are facts: 70% of gym members drop out and close to 80% are injured. So although I try to stay professional, I have to take a “don’t shoot the messenger” mentality when chain gym representatives are in attendance.

This particular day there was a gym GM in attendance who I knew, so in an effort to diffuse an uncomfortable situation, I approached him before my speech. I explained to him what I was going to say, apologized in advance, and told him not to take it personally – I had been to his facility and it actually is a very nice gym. If I were ever to join a gym, it would be his…

He said “Jon, don’t worry about it – we pay our trainers $12 per hour. How am I going to tell people our trainers are as good as you are?” I thought about it, thanked him for the compliment and went on to my speech.

His situation is why I offer satisfaction guarantees and they don’t. I KNOW that if a client makes an effort, he/she will look better and feel better after training with my staff and me. The chain gym GM knows his trainer is no good, and probably won’t even be there to finish the client's training commitment, as typically low pay equals very high employee turnover.

He can’t offer a guarantee because he knows that even if the client holds up their end of the bargain and works hard – the trainer probably won’t come through for the client or the gym.

Why is The Training Rim the only facility to guarantee its services?

Even the competiton knows.