LOOK BACK, THINK AHEAD: PLANNING PERSONAL TRAINING FOR 2024

Read time: 9 minutes

Well folks, we’re almost at the end of another year – and is it just us or does it feel like January was about 5 minutes ago?? But you know what they say: time flies when you’re having fitness fun! (Yes okay, we tweaked that a little…)

Besides thinking about how to relax over the festive season (and you must set aside time for that), now’s the perfect time to reflect on the past year and start to make plans for the next. By uncovering the personal training trends and expectations of clients in 2024, you can enhance your approach and deliver more effective results.

Put on your old-timey goggles and bring a snack – we’re going to do some time travelling!

Let’s revisit the past…

The past has passed and there’s nothing you can do about it now (unless of course anyone out there does have a time machine…?) HOWEVER, that doesn’t mean you can’t learn valuable lessons from the year and make essential changes based on predicted trends.

For example, one of the top trends predicted for 2023 was wearable technology. Looking back, did you do anything to tap into this trend? Did you utilize the power of the TrueCoach app to track the metrics captured by that wearable technology? If not, it’s not too late to start!

Another predicted trend was online workouts, which presented a great opportunity to diversify your offering and start to build a library of workouts (that you could upload to the TrueCoach library).

Consider the following:

If you’re suddenly realizing that maybe you didn’t have your finger on the pulse, don’t fret. Read on to find out how to make the most of the year ahead.

Back to the present for a brief chat about trends

You might be wondering why you need to worry about these so-called trends anyway. First, let’s clarify the difference between a fitness trend and a fitness fad. A fad is something that is very popular for a short period of time but doesn’t really prove effective or sustainable (ThighMaster, anyone?)

Whereas trends are developments or changes in situations, or the ways people behave. Trends are usually longer lasting because they are effective. However, they are always evolving in the dynamic, ever-changing fitness world.

As a certified personal trainer, you should stay updated on the latest fitness trends for several important reasons:

😀 Client Satisfaction: People often seek the latest and most effective workout routines… sometimes simply to keep things fresh and interesting. By staying informed about fitness trends, you can cater to their preferences and keep them engaged and satisfied with their workouts.

📈 Results and Effectiveness: New fitness trends may introduce innovative training methods or equipment that can enhance the effectiveness of workouts. If you’re on top of these trends you can integrate new techniques and tools into your programs, potentially leading to better results for your clients.

🏋 Variety and Engagement: Different trends can add variety to workout routines, preventing boredom from monotony. Incorporating new exercises or programs keeps clients engaged and motivated, making it more likely that they will stick with their fitness activities (and you) in the long term.

✅ Industry Credibility: Staying current with the latest fitness trends enhances your professional credibility as a certified personal trainer. Clients are more likely to trust coaches who demonstrate knowledge of the latest developments in the fitness industry, and this trust can contribute to positive and lasting relationships (as well as retention and referrals!).

🔧 Adaptability: The fitness industry is fast-paced and dynamic. Personal trainers who stay updated are better equipped to adapt to changes and adjust their training methods accordingly. This adaptability is crucial for ensuring that clients receive the most effective and up-to-date guidance and makes your business more flexible and able to pivot if needed (as demonstrated by trainers who were already offering online training when the pandemic struck).

👯 Networking and Community Building: Attending workshops, conferences, or networking events related to the latest trends provides opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration, fostering a sense of connection and community among fitness professionals.

👀 Marketing Opportunities: Clients often seek out trainers who offer something unique or cutting-edge. Marketing yourself as a personal trainer who is knowledgeable about the latest fitness trends can be an asset when attracting new clients, especially those who are looking for innovative and modern approaches to fitness.

Let’s pop to the future for some predictions

So, what kinds of fitness trends can we expect in 2024? Let’s look at five that are creating a buzz.

🧘🏾Holistic Health and Fitness

People are becoming more aware of the importance of including the body and mind in the pursuit of health and wellness, and after all, the two are inextricably linked. There is a greater focus on holistic health rather than just working out. You could get on board with this trend by:

For more information and tips download our eBook: Personal Training for the Whole Body: The Science Behind the Mind-Body Connection and How It Unlocks Fitness Goals

And check out this blog post: The Benefits Of Training The Brain As Well As The Body

⌚ Wearables

It seems wearables haven’t worn out their welcome.

The annual American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) Health & Fitness Journal survey to determine industry trends gathered responses from over 3700 people worldwide in 2023. Wearable technology took the #1 spot – which is unsurprising since wearables have been in the top 3 since it was first introduced on the survey in 2016 (it was #1 in all but two of the years).

It’s anticipated that this trend will continue. According to Fortune Business Insights, ‘the global fitness tracker market size was valued at $47.36 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from $53.94 billion in 2023 to $182.90 billion by 2030.’

As mentioned earlier, you can definitely harness this ongoing trend by taking advantage of metric tracking using the TrueCoach app. Metrics are one of your most powerful tools when it comes to tracking progress and results and keeping clients motivated and on track. You could even consider providing training on getting the most out of wearables in conjunction with your coaching.

For more on the importance of metrics read our blog post: Metrics: The Ultimate Money Maker For Personal Trainers

🤳🏽 Virtual Fitness

This trend has been building and evolving for years and was given a healthy boost by the pandemic lockdowns. Now more than ever, clients expect to workout where they want, when they want. This could take the form of online sessions, recorded sessions, or you could even look into virtual and augmented reality and AI technology.

The benefits to clients include:

The benefits to you include:

There are many reasons for you to start offering virtual training, and we unpack those in more detail (including tips for getting started) in our blog: Virtually unstoppable: Venturing into virtual training

😎 Personalized Experiences

Truth time: we’re all the main character in our own stories and we all have unique preferences.

Personalizing personal training refers to tailoring fitness programs and coaching to meet the specific needs, goals, preferences, and abilities of each individual client. Instead of applying a one-size-fits-all approach, you can customize your services to address the unique characteristics and requirements of each person you work with. This approach recognizes that individuals have diverse fitness levels, health conditions, preferences, and goals, and it aims to create a more effective and enjoyable fitness journey.

This encompasses diversity, equity and inclusivity (DEI), which is essential to ensure that everyone can have a go. This is not only fair and inclusive, but it sets you apart from businesses who don’t provide this kind of customized service.

Your personalized approach could also include nutrition programming (trackable in TrueCoach), motivational strategies, habit assigning (yep, find it in TrueCoach) and incorporating a client’s particular sporting/activity interests into a workout.

For more help in this important area, read our blog: Fitness for all: Embracing diversity, equity and inclusivity in personal training

💸 Subscription-Based Models

From streaming services to meals to toilet paper, we’ve become accustomed to paying for goods and services using a subscription model. This is something that you can easily introduce into your business.

Clients benefit from a convenient, predictable, regular payment that they don’t even have to think about. Your business will benefit from a reliable, recurring revenue and increased customer interaction (they’re more likely to attend workouts if they’ve already paid for it – and even if they don’t, you won’t miss out on revenue). Not to mention you stand out as a business that has flexible options.

You can even manage your subscriptions and take payments using TrueCoach, so that’s one less thing for you to chase.

For more tips read our blog: Improve The Health Of Your Business Using Recurring Payments

You can also check out these blog posts by the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) about the benefits of recurring payments:

Why Set Up Monthly Personal Training Payments?

Best Methods for Collecting Personal Training Payments

Stay in the loop (time machine not required)

You don’t need a time machine or a crystal ball to keep abreast of trends and shifts in the fitness world. But you do need to constantly keep an eye on what’s new, what’s fading and what’s blowing people’s minds.

Here are some ways to stay informed and in the know:

Staying informed is an ongoing process but remember to have fun as you look to the year ahead and make new and exciting plans. Experiment, test, and trial, and harness the full power of TrueCoach to help you along the way.

BTW, if you do happen to discover the secret to time travel, feel free to drop us a comment below.

For a wrap-up of this year and more predictions for the future of fitness download our new eBook: 2023 Year in Review: Personal Training Trends, Highlights and 2024 Predictions.