Introduction
It has become the norm for online courses, webinars and virtual meetings to be the main medium of learning in the fitness industry, with them offering a high degree of convenience for organisers and attendees, and lower overhead costs. Despite this however, there are still many benefits to attending in person events and seminars for PTs and coaches, which cannot be necessarily achieved by learning digitally only. This article will present and discuss why coaches and personal trainers should be prioritising seminars and in person events, and what they can expect to gain from the experience.
The Benefits of In Person Events & Seminars for Coaches & PTs
Networking with the best Industry Professionals
One of the main reasons why coaches and PTs should attend seminars and in person events is the opportunity to network with peers and leaders within the industry.
Having actual face to face interactions with others gives you the time to connect, which you don’t get virtually. In this time you can share your experiences, wins and challenges, and learn from each other. These connections made whilst networking can develop into long term professional relationships that can help support your career growth.
Learning from Industry Experts
In many cases, the calibre of coaches attending seminars and in person events will be the upper level. They may be delivering presentations or panel talks, but in many cases they will simply be there as an attendee.
With the fitness industry constantly developing and evolving with new trends and techniques, attending seminars allows you to stay up to date with the latest information which you can apply to your own practice.
Being at seminars and in person events will also provide you with the opportunity to get more hands on with learning new coaching methods and exercise techniques. There is only so much that you can learn about an industry so physical as personal training digitally. And so, having some physical interaction, especially with industry experts, will only help you build on your existing knowledge to help you refine your skills.
From the industry experts at events, you will most likely learn about some of the latest research from within the fitness space. When learning digitally on your own, it can be difficult to figure out what is the truth, and what might be BS. Going to in person events will filter out the noise for you, ensuring that you only learn the best tried and tested knowledge, from the best sources.
Credibility and Authority within the Industry
Attending seminars and in person events can help your credibility within the coaching industry. As already discussed, you’ll be meeting and building relationships with peers and leaders in the industry, and you may receive opportunities to speak at events or teach at workshops, which can be fantastic for your personal brand and credibility.
You’ll also be exposed to different perspectives and new approaches which can change the way you teach/coach or run your coaching business. You’ll become part of a wider community of coaches who do what they can to constantly increase their knowledge, which can be incredibly valuable as a knowledge sharing group; supporting each other and taking the collective group consistently to the next level.
Real Time & Hands On Learning and Feedback
A more obvious benefit of in person events and seminars is that they afford hands on learning which you cannot achieve with digital experiences. Many seminars have some element of a workshop in which you can practise or demonstrate a new learning/technique and get immediate feedback from the experts teaching. This kind of experience is very important for achieving mastery in newer skills so that you can apply them properly.
Some seminars and in person events for coaches and PTs might have an element of role playing; similar to a workshop where you are demonstrating a technique, but in more of a live context where you are practising delivering information, technique or feedback to a client.
Close Access to Latest Trends & Knowledge
With an industry as fast moving as the fitness industry, there are constantly new trends and innovations which you should keep up to date with to ensure you’re always providing the best service possible.
Seminars usually provide the most thought out and tested insights into the latest trends, which inform the way things are done in the industry. Attending these seminars and staying in the know of these trends ensure you’re always offering relevant and effective services to your clients.
Additionally, in person events will keep you up to date on the latest regulations in the industry, to help ensure you are always following best practices to maintain the highest professional standard.
What usually happens at Seminars & In Person Events?
Speeches by Industry Leaders
At all events of any industry, it is usually expected that there will be a speech from industry leaders; in this context, the health and fitness industry. These speeches will usually offer you insights into any current trends or big movements in the industry which may change the direction of the industry.
Workshops and Roleplaying
There may be a practical element which offers targeted teaching on a specific topic. This can be good for focusing on practical development in a specific skill, in which you will also get immediate feedback from whoever is leading the workshop. In role playing scenarios, you are live drilling coaching the skill in the context of being with a client. This can be valuable as you will accumulate reps and development in implementing a new skill or knowledge, without potential consequences of using it straight away in a real life scenario.
Panel Talks & Q&As
Some in person events may host panel talks, which brings together a small group of experts from within an industry to discuss, debate and problem solve together, which can lend a range of perspectives and potential solutions to the audience.
Usually there will also be some kind of Q&A where you can ask panel members and experts anything you might want to know to further develop your knowledge and understanding.
General Networking
You may find that networking can be a key part of events. Sometimes there might be structured networking activities, or it may be less formal. Either way, networking provides you with great opportunities to get to know more people, take in more knowledge and develop skillsets.
What you could learn at In Person Coaching Events & Seminars
We’ll now break down some of the key insights and categories of knowledge you might learn at coaching events and seminars. Many of these learnings revolve around business growth and marketing, leadership and team management, and the latest innovations in coaching and programming.
At the PFCA, we host regular gym owners’ and coaches’ summits which are specifically designed to deliver inspiration, education and actionable insights. In this section, we’ll present some of the key topics that our events cover.
Programming for Client Longevity
Creating programmes that lend themselves to longevity as well as performance is key. At our events, we really explore the science behind designing training programmes that promote long term health.
Marketing & Client Acquisition
Having some degree of effective marketing is absolutely critical to growing your coaching business. We teach how to use compelling messaging to attract your ideal clients, utilise social media and develop effective marketing campaigns that will drive sustainable business growth. We also place a high focus on selling techniques which focus on building trust and converting leads into loyal clients, as opposed to just maximising volume of client acquisition.
Time Management & Creating Business Systems
Managing your time effectively and creating business systems which are effective in streamlining processes is key to maintaining exceptional service whilst avoiding burning yourself out. We provide you with strategies for optimising your operations, which helps to provide you with the time to keep providing high quality coaching services whilst maintaining a balanced work/life balance.
Mindset & Leadership
Being successful in coaching isn’t just about having the right skills and level of knowledge. You must also have the right mental frameworks. We teach you the mindset behind being an effective leader; whether that means managing a team of trainers or simply being more effective with your clients. We often explore this by looking at challenges and mistakes that are common with leaders, and teaching you how to avoid them.
Improving Client Engagement & Retention
Many coaches often place their main focus on client acquisition. However, retaining the clients that you already have is just as important as acquiring them. At our events, we like to cover strategies for building strong client relationships, keeping clients engaged and motivated over a long term period, thus keeping clients loyal to your services. By having an understanding of the fundamentals of client retention, you can easily maintain a solid client base, without worrying about high churn rate and a constant need for client acquisition.
Financial Understanding & Business Growth
Running a successful coaching business requires strong financial understanding just as much as great coaching knowledge and skills. We like to explore how to maximise profits by setting the most appropriate pricing for your services. In many cases, this comes down to really knowing your business’s current and target margins, to ensure your business remains and becomes more profitable and sustainable.
Conclusion
For coaches and personal trainers, attending coaching seminars and in person events can be a great investment of time for professional growth and achieving success with clients. These kinds of events offer fantastic opportunities for networking, developing skills and staying up to date with the latest trends and knowledge. If you’re looking to become a personal trainer or progress your knowledge on coaching further, then be sure to take a look at our level 2 and level 3 personal trainer course, CPT. If you’re already a PT looking to expand and grow your business, then take a look at our PT business development course, GROW.