How to Raise Personal Training Rates with Check-Ins 

Business and Marketing

If you’re like most fitness professionals, you’ve probably questioned whether your services are worth more. You have probably backed down from increasing your prices out of fear of losing clients, might even feel stuck, thinking the only way to charge more is to work more. 

Here’s the good news: That’s not true. 

You can raise your rates without adding more sessions to your calendar or stretching yourself thin. The secret lies in one powerful shift: Delivering a high-touch, premium fitness coaching experience.  

In this blog, we’ll break down exactly how to add value to personal training services by implementing high-touch check-ins that can improve client communication for higher retention and referrals, so you can justify higher fitness coaching prices.  

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Why Most Coaches Undervalue Their Services (and Stay Stuck Because of It) 

Most coaches enter the industry with the belief that value = time. That’s how fitness services are typically priced: one hour, one session, one check-in, one fee. 

But here’s the problem: this model limits your income and overlooks the bigger picture of what coaching really is. 

Many trainers undercharge because they: 

1. Tie value only to training time 

If a client only gets a workout during their in-person or remote personal training sessions, then yes, it might be hard to justify $100+ per hour. But if your coaching extends beyond that time slot, you’re offering far more than just programming. 

2. Lack confidence in their between-session value 

Many trainers worry that if they aren’t constantly doing more, they’re not delivering enough. But clients don’t need more content. They need more support, clarity, and guidance to take action on what they already have. 

3. Fear client pushback 

If you haven’t created a premium experience, raising your prices will make you feel uncomfortable. You haven’t shown the full scope of your value, so it’s hard to believe your clients will agree to pay more. This is where high-touch check-ins and personalized services flip the script. 

What Are “High-Touch” Check-Ins, Really? 

Let’s define it clearly: 

A high-touch check-in is a personalized, intentional communication, often done weekly or bi-weekly that goes beyond “Did you do the workout?” 

It’s your chance to: 

  • Assess progress 
  • Offer encouragement 
  • Make intelligent training/lifestyle adjustments 
  • Reinforce habits and goals 
  • Remind the client: you’re in this together 

Think of it as a coaching “anchor.” It creates structure, trust, and momentum for both you and your client. 

High-touch check-ins often include: 

  • A quick progress review (training logs, nutrition compliance, sleep/mood/energy) 
  • Tailored feedback based on actual client performance and behavior 
  • Motivation or mindset support (especially when clients are struggling) 
  • Lifestyle habit tracking and reinforcement 
  • Strategic next steps or adjustments based on feedback 

The result: Your client doesn’t just feel like they bought a workout plan, they feel like they hired a coach who cares and is guiding them through every step of their fitness journey.  

The Real Reason Clients Will Pay More (Hint: It’s Not for More Workouts) 

When people hire a coach, they don’t want a library of workouts, they want to feel seen, supported, and successful. 

That’s what high-touch check-ins deliver. 

Here’s how they add actual and perceived value: 

1. They deepen the coaching relationship 

When existing clients hear from you consistently, they feel emotionally invested. They trust your process, stay committed longer, and associate progress with your presence. 

2. They reinforce transformation 

By reflecting progress and mindset wins, you’re helping clients realize how far they’ve come and why your coaching is worth continuing for long term success.  

3. They reduce objections and build loyalty 

Clients are less likely to complain about pricing when they feel heard, understood, and actively supported. A quick check-in can prevent client drop-off, burnout, or ghosting. 

4. They elevate your brand 

High-ticket coaches don’t just train. They lead. They guide. They support. High-touch check-ins are what separate program-sellers from true coaching professionals. 

When you make your clients feel like a VIP every week, premium pricing becomes the expectation, not the exception. 

How to Set Up a High-Touch Check-In System Without Burning Out 

You might be thinking: 
“This all sounds great, but I don’t have hours to spare every week replying to 20+ clients.” 

Here’s where strategy and systems come in. 

Step 1: Use a Weekly Check-In Template 

Start with a structured form that clients fill out. This gives you a consistent format and provides the data you need to respond effectively. 

Your check-in form might include: 

  • Wins from the past week 
  • Challenges or obstacles 
  • Nutrition/sleep/stress ratings 
  • Workout feedback 
  • Questions for the coach 
  • Goals for next week 

Download the TrueCoach Client Check-in Template now for a FREE plug and place resource to help you launch regular check-ins like a pro!

Step 2: Batch Your Replies 

Block 1–2 hours per week to reply to all check-ins. Use: 

  • Voice notes (they feel more personal and take less time) 
  • Saved text replies that you can lightly personalize 
  • Progress tracking dashboards so you’re not digging through spreadsheets 

Step 3: Personalize Strategically 

You don’t need to write essays. Just one or two thoughtful sentences about the client’s recent efforts + a suggestion or mindset reframe can go a long way. 

Example: 

“Loved your honesty this week about skipping the last workout. That awareness is a win in itself. Let’s aim for 3 this week, your consistency is building.” 

Step 4: Track Progress & Wins 

Highlight even the smallest wins to reinforce progress: 

  • PRs 
  • Energy improvements 
  • Better sleep 
  • Increased confidence 
  • Habit streaks 

You’re not just tracking fitness, you’re coaching a lifestyle shift. That’s worth premium pricing. 

How TrueCoach Makes High-Touch Coaching Easy and Scalable 

You don’t need 10 tools to manage your personal training clients. With TrueCoach, everything is streamlined in one place, making it easy to create a premium experience at scale. 

Key TrueCoach Features to Support High-Touch Coaching: 

Check-In Forms & Templates 

  • Build reusable weekly check-in forms and send them on a schedule 
  • Deliver them directly from the app for clients to fill out.

Client Helpful Info 

  • Save important details about each client (injuries, goals, habits, lifestyle) 
  • Reference these notes easily to personalize your responses 

Metrics & Progress 

  • Track key data points (weight lifted, body comp, nutrition habits) 
  • Share graphs and visuals in check-ins to reinforce progress 

Automated Notifications 

  • Set reminders for clients to fill out check-ins 
  • Get alerts when a check-in is submitted so you can respond promptly 

Centralized Messaging 

  • Keep all communication in one platform, no more digging through emails or DMs 

With TrueCoach, a high-touch coaching system becomes effortless and scalable. Explore all TrueCoach features.

Real Talk: Why This Makes Raising Your Rates Feel Easy 

When your coaching includes high-touch elements that consistently reinforce your value, your clients expect a higher price point. 

You don’t need to “sell” them on a price increase because your service already feels premium. 

In fact, many coaches find that clients are relieved to invest more when they’re finally getting the level of support they need. 

Ready to Build Your High-Touch System? 

Here’s what to do next: 

  1. Test it with 3 current clients. 
    Try a weekly check-in for 2 weeks and see the difference in engagement. 
  1. Download the Free Check-In Template 
    Skip the setup. Just plug and play. 
    Get Your Free Check-In Template 
  1. Start a 14-Day Free Trial of TrueCoach 
    Automate, personalize, and scale high-touch coaching, without burning out. 
    Start Your Free Trial 

Final Thoughts 

If you’re ready to raise your rates as a personal trainer or coach, it starts with elevating the experience you offer. 

High-touch check-ins: 

  • Improve retention 
  • Increase perceived value 
  • Lead to better results and more referrals 
  • Help you charge more without doing more sessions 

You already have the knowledge. You just need the system. 

Start with check-ins. Make your coaching feel like a premium experience. And start charging what you’re worth with confidence. 

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