Why Most Gyms Fail Their Personal Trainers — And How Trauma-Informed Coaching Can Change the Fitness Industry
Since leaving the world of software into the fitness industry, one thing has both shocked and disappointed me: the trainer experience is the last thing thought about by most gyms. Trainers reach out to us every week looking for change, and I'm always blown away at the latest story of how they're treated, and the lack of focus on their well-being.
From what I've observed, almost every facility focuses on acquiring more clients, increasing foot traffic, and boosting revenue. This mindset is primarily driven by franchises demanding more from their units and private equity expecting returns on their investments. I've also seen a great deal of outside private capital infused into gyms which create pressure for gym owners to create returns.
Expectations for return on capital then have a very direct downstream effect on trainers: how they're treated, paid, and supported. There’s a reason the personal training industry has one of the highest turnover rates of any profession. Some estimates suggest as many as 80% of trainers leave the field within their first year (Hapana), and fewer than 1 in 10 remain full-time after three years (FitBudd).
The role a trainer actually serves for their clients is also grossly overlooked. Trainers often aren't just trainers. They're a confidant, a trusted advisor, and often the only true human connection a client has in a given week. Vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue run rampant in our industry, and trainers aren't taught how to hold space compassionately while also ensuring proper boundaries. I suspect this is true across the service industry in general.
This month, we brought in James Carroll, MS from Bohdi Counseling to better equip our trainers on trauma-informed care. It was eye opening, raw, and incredibly needed. James did a fantastic job teaching us how to ensure clients can feel safe sharing their trauma and shame, and also help our trainers to create boundaries that protect their own mental well-being so they can be the best possible version of themselves for their clients. We learned about big trauma, little trauma, the "righting reflex", and how to respond compassionately and thoughtfully.
If you work with a personal trainer, know that they care about you more than you know. As James said, "shame dies when our stories are told in a safe place", so when you're looking for a personal trainer, make sure you'll be working in an environment that's safe, and you won't be judged for being you. Just also know we are doing the very best we can on our end to help, and learning every step of the way with you.
At Limitless Fitness, we believe the best client experience starts with taking care of the people delivering it. When trainers are supported, educated, and given the tools to hold space for clients while protecting their own well-being, everyone benefits.
If you’re looking for a place to begin your strength training journey, or a trainer who truly sees the full picture of your health and life, we’d love to meet you. You can schedule a consultation with us to learn more about working with a personal trainer in a supportive, judgment-free environment.