Being an independent personal trainer gives you options. You can plan your day on your terms. You can take an extra long lunch. Take vacations when you want. Attend your kids' school and sporting events. Yes, there are perks but the reality is, you'll have to train when your clients are available. You'll have to be proactive with balancing your training life and personal life. The truth of the matter is, most of your clients will need to train either early in the morning or after work. Unless you live in a neighborhood with a high percentage of stay-at-home moms, you'll need to adjust your schedule to accommodate your clients' needs during those hours. This may seem to limit your options but in reality, it creates a unique opportunity to thrive if you implement some simple principles along the way. Here are some tips to get your personal training business on the right track.

1. Create a Unique Workplace

You need an organized work space. Besides your cell phone, you'll need a filing cabinet and computer. If you train in your own private training studio, hang pictures and inspirational posters on the walls. Nutritional guides and helpful articles will help your clients stay motivated.

2. Schedules Are Not for Sissy's

Sure, you'll have flexible hours -- somewhat -- but following a daily schedule helps keep you on track, both mentally and financially. Not everybody thrives on structure but a little is necessary to operate an efficient business. Section your day into specific hours for training, paperwork, marketing, and gym upkeep.

3. Ask Others to Respect Your Schedule

When friends and family know you're home, they assume your time is theirs. Therefore, set boundaries within this arena as well as with current and potential clients. Tell family and friends you can only talk (except for true emergencies) between specific hours. Don't answer your cell phone during your true working hours. People know how to leave messages. Let them.

4. Network to Build Your Business

Although personal training involves working with people, it can be an isolating business. Your conversations with clients may be friendly and enjoyable, but they should remain on a professional level, even when sharing things about yourself. Join your local Chamber of Commerce and make your presence known on social media sites. Join fitness-related groups and involve yourself in answering fitness-related questions on LinkedIn. Check out other fitness websites to see what the buzz is out there. Maybe it's time to write your own blog and let people know your latest training or nutritional secret.

5. Be a Role Model

Make time to exercise and eat properly yourself. If you do not take care of yourself, it will show. Clients will not trust or respect an overweight, flabby trainer. Take time to read new fitness books and magazines so you can stay abreast of new trends and fads your clients are undoubtedly exposed to. It doesn't have to be all in one sitting; often just a few minutes here and there is all it takes.

6. Celebrate Success

Being your own boss means no annual review but you still may want to perform a self-assessment quarterly or yearly. You may also want to give your clients a quarterly questionnaire to complete. This will provide valuable feedback on your training methods and effectiveness. If you get a client who signs up for a big training package, celebrate the success by giving yourself a special meal out or getting a massage or something else meaningful to you.

It doesn't take a ton of time to stay on track as a personal trainer. Thoughtful organization and implementing some boundaries are essential to create a work environment you can thrive in and it helps your clients see that you mean business. Take charge of your training life so it doesn't take charge of you. If organization isn't your bag, and you're able; barter with a local office assistant to organize your files and office. Don't allow a haphazard schedule to pale your training business, live in full color with the seven steps to a thriving training business.

Michelle Hill is a freelance copywriter, specializing in the fitness and sports fields. She helps businesses put their best words forward by creating compelling, fresh copy, and word polishing existing copy. www.winningproof.com

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