Tag Archives: gravity training

Total Gym Test Drive Tour A Success!

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Greg Doherty, CEO of HQH Fitness, speaks about his “big idea” and the success of the recent Total Gym Test Drive Tour:

So far this year I’ve flown 80,144 miles to 9 locations across 3 countries, for a total of 90 days on the road. Last month in particular was a busy and exciting month and a half for me, especially because I finally got to try out an idea that I had been thinking about for years…

…My “big idea” as I liked to call it involved getting out on the road in a campervan with a Total Gym and visiting people who wanted to experience the Total Gym commercial products but hadn’t had the opportunity to do so. We have a number of GRAVITY facilities in Australia and present the Total Gym products at shows such as the Australian Fitness Expo, however we understand that not everyone has the opportunity to travel to these (particularly in the outer rural areas). So I thought, “why not take Total Gym to them?”

I always knew this idea had potential, however with the launch of the new Total Gym product line I saw the perfect opportunity to put it into action and test it out. In fact, I did not even prepare myself for how successful it would actually be!

We planned my calendar to visit Melbourne, Rural Victoria, Rural South Australia and Adelaide and my team booked my schedule with appointments in these areas. People loved the concept and my schedule was booked out well in advance.

I hired a Mid-size Campervan that was fully self-sufficient and made a great portable office (and home!), as well as enabling me to stores and transport the Total Gym GTS and accessories.

From there I was off…and what a great response I received!

I loved that I could spend quality time with people and was able to demonstrate the new Total Gym GTS to owners, decision makers, trainers and even existing clients. In several locations I even took a few clients through a session, just so the owner and/or trainer could see how their client liked the Total Gym workout. In fact in one location I did two clients back to back!

While there were some cold nights (it dropped to 2.5 degrees between Warnambool and Adelaide!), there were a few extra bonuses for me.

One was that this trip spanned the Queen’s Birthday holiday and I was able to spend the Sunday and Monday in the Otway
National Park on the Great Ocean Road. What a beautiful area, I highly recommend it!

Not to mention the Twelve Apostles which are everything they say – magnificent and scenic spectacular. Another is that I saw one kangaroo and saw a number of Koalas. What a rich and beautiful country Australia is!

This was such an incredibly valuable experience. What an opportunity to visit locations that I normally wouldn’t get to see or demonstrate such as Kilmore, Vic, Sandhurst, Dandenong, Geelong and Warnambool. Not only was this hugely successful, but it was fabulous getting to spend quality time with our most important people, our customers. Being able to see some of the fitness businesses that people are involved in and seeing the brand new ventures people are setting up was wonderful.

The response from those I visited was fantastic and some are already progressing on completing their first order of Total Gym/s, which is very exciting for us, and for them!

The great news is that as a result of this trip that exceeded my expectations, we are now planning Test Drive Tours for all parts of Australia in the next year! So if you missed out on the Test Drive tour in Melbourne, Adelaide and the points between or if you would like us to come to your area – then let us know and we will aim to bring the new Total Gym GTS to YOU to have a go and test it out!

Our next region will be from Sydney to Byron Bay in 3 months.

Future Test Drive Tours:

  • Queensland
  • Adelaide
  • Western Australia
  • Victoria
  • Tasmania

To jump on our next Test Drive Tour Australia – email admin@hqh.com, use our ‘Contact Us’ online form, or phone 1800 552 878.

If you are based in New Zealand and want to check out the new Total Gym GTS, then contact Kerry our National Sales Manager on totalgym@hqh.com or phone 0800 552 8789.

Greg Doherty
Greg is the CEO and Director of HQH Fitness. As a business owner, C.H.E.K Level 3 and CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level 3, Greg has worked with thousands of businesses and fitness professionals over the past 16 years  and understands the various needs of a business. Having successfully built up the CHEK program in Australia, he is now focused on bringing the benefits of Total Gym to Australia on a larger scale.
gregd@hqh.com

One on One Personal Training – A Dying Trend?

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The small group training model is a phenomenon that has taken the fitness industry by storm.

With so many businesses and individuals embracing this new wave of training – from large club chains to small self-employed operations – fitness professionals all over the world are discovering that the small group training model is:

  • More attractive to their clients
  • Better suited to their business
  • And best of all it increases their bottom line

So the question presents itself – is one on one personal training on its way out?

The One on One vs. Group Training Debate

Many believe that small group training is the future of fitness, while others are yet to be convinced.

Group:
Small group training (also often referred to as “team training”) allows the fitness professional to earn more and provides a more affordable option for the client…which creates a win:win solution, correct?
vs. One on One:
However, there are some within the industry who believe that small group training takes away from the individual, failing to offer the one on one personalised approach that they feel clients need and deserve.

So in an industry where trends come and go and what once was right is now wrong (and vice versa), who is right – and where does one on one training fit in moving forward?

The Business of Training

  • First and foremost it is important to come back to the ultimate goal of running a business – to be successful.
  • And success in business is defined by what the owner’s ultimate goal, targets and dream is for that business.
  • Therefore anyone operating within their business goals and working successfully towards their dream are doing exactly what they should be doing. It is not for anyone else to say they are right or wrong.

So keeping that in mind…let’s break it down.

Hands Up for Small Group Training

Small group training is not just a phenomenon as previously stated; it is in fact a trend that appears to be here to stay.

And for the average fitness professional whose business goal is centred on earning money doing what they love, the one on one model no longer cuts the mustard.

It is important to remember here that having a goal or dream around money is not a bad thing! In reality, this is the primary purpose of most businesses today.

And when we’re talking about the business of business – small group training just makes sense – from a financial perspective, from a marketing perspective and from a time perspective.

Whether presented in a team training format, or a multi-client personal training format (the difference to be explained in an upcoming blog), small group training is all about bringing a group of people together and taking them to their goals in a fun and motivating environment.

Regardless of the fact they may not get the dedicated attention they would recieve in a one on one session, anyone being trained within a group format – chooses to do so.

Programs such as Les Mills’ classes and team training are popular for a reason. They have in fact paved the way for small group training. Within a group, people experience camaraderie and connection with their fellow “team” and are inspired and motivated to challenge themselves or be challenged. All the endorphins from fitness are enhanced within a group training format.

The benefits for small group training include:

  • Presents a positive environment, with motivation and support from within the group
  • More income for the trainer
  • More affordable for the client
  • Time efficient
  • Fun and interactive

This list could go on and on.

When the clients love it and it helps the trainer to achieve their goal of earning more – how can group training be judged as “wrong”? It can’t. In fact, it’s simply smart business.

So based on this…why would an individual want to continue to offer one on one training when small group training is so attractive?

The Place of One on One Training

Rest assured one on one or private training has – and always will have – a place in the industry.

The only difference moving forward is that with more competition and cheaper alternatives, it simply requires the person running this business model to work smarter.

“Work smarter” simply means that a personal trainer or fitness professional can no longer rest on their laurels.

With more and more trainers coming into the industry offering  lower price points, group training services, not to mention marketing superstars and industry experts who stand out from the crowd…a business that chooses to work within the one on one training model should fit within the following criteria:

  • The business’s ultimate goal is not about the money. When a trainer/business owner has the dream of taking individuals to their goals in a personalised format – the one on one model can always apply. This is because they do it for the love of it, not for the money. When you make money a non-issue, it sells itself and they can offer a competitive price point.
  • The business’s ultimate goal is centred on working with a high-end market. When a fitness professional, specialist or practitioner needs to work closely with a client, one on one training ensures that they offer focus and dedication to that client only, aiming for the best results possible. They may have a money focus/goal, however at their specialised level they are able to position themselves at a rate per individual that weeds out the non-committed and meets their target hourly income.
  • The business’s ultimate goal is about presenting a package/program approach. When a fitness professional thinks ‘outside the square’, a number of ideas will come their way. By offering a package approach (including seminars, assessments and a number of add-ons or “freebies”), they can sell a package of items to an individual, thereby getting their target hourly income while still offering a one on one model.

So…Back to the Question

Is One on One Personal Training a Dying Trend?

The answer is clearly no…and it will certainly never “die”.

There is always a market for clients who want the care and attention of one on one training. They may just be harder to find, and the trainer may need to target their market better.

Trainers working within this model will need to start working smarter, be clear on the ultimate business goal that they are working towards, and understand the model that best fits that goal.

Otherwise…they could well be left behind.

Shara Curlett
Shara began her career in the fitness industry at Les Mills Dunedin in 2005 and from there combined her passion for fitness with her strength in business to create a niche role for herself specialising in “the business of fitness”. Shara has consulted for gyms and small studios, developed an indoor cycling program, and continues to work one on one with fitness business owners as a sideline passion. As business development and marketing manager for HQH Fitness, Shara is focused on business development, company strategy and marketing and is passionate about helping business owners achieve their goals.