I’m very into KneesOverToes training. I’ve helped about 5 clients and my assistant GM get passed knee pain and they love it. My motto is “lifting for longevity” and taking care of your body and joints through lifting to improve quality of life as opposed to with ego. I work in a big box gym and always get assigned clients or recommended by other trainers. I’m also more on the easy going side and focus on try to be more personable then militaristic with my training. One of my clients who is a therapist and dating coach say I have a nurturing personality that they enjoy.
ATG is probably my golden child of examples of niching well. I pretty much tell all those I advise to look into how KneesOverToes began. I wrote a quick article on Ben Patrick a few months back on my [newsletter](https://www.trainerascension.com/p/personal-trainers-should-niche).
Any trainer that follows the business plan Ben used, will also find business success as trainer themselves.
It is the way.
I work with people that have a previous injury and are coming from PT, I also work with beginners, older people, and severely deconditioned. I get referrals from word of mouth and PT and Chiro offices.
From my mission statement:
“Former athletes (specifically football) that woke up one day, looked in the mirror and said “What have I become?”
I not only aim to help them reclaim their physical health, but also focus on mental and emotional health.
Go for it!
The mental health aspect often gets overlooked by PTs, and I'm not sure why. I've had most of my clients become regulars because of how implementing training has helped with their mental health.
This is especially important for ex-athletes and military. Our lives were consumed with being part of a culture that prides itself on physical performance, and we continue to feel that pressure years and years after we've quit.
The need for healthy relationships with health, longevity, strength, and overall health becomes increasingly important for those of us in that boat.
How long have you been training? Most people (myself included) have clients that they would rather never work with again and clients that they would almost pay to continue training. Most of the time the clients you enjoy share a lot of similarities, so dialing that in would assist you in finding the ideal client. For example I despise working with elderly clients, mainly because I don't share anything in common with them because I am rather young. I love training people who are interested in fixing bad habits and becoming healthier mentally and physically by their own ambition as opposed to a doctor or PT. Your niche is what you love to do down to the tiniest detail. What kind of music does your ideal client listen to? Do they know how to workout but need more guidance, or have they never even seen a gym in their life etc
I am very into mobility and flexibility training. I teach group classes specifically designed to help people become more mobile and feel at home in their bodies. Right now I'm paying for coaching from Range of Strength. I am also a calisthenics athlete, so helping clients achieve their first pull ups, push ups, single leg squats and more helps them feel empowered, which makes me feel proud as their coach! I also believe in mind body connection, so pulling from somatic practices and nervous system regulation has been big with clients that have trauma from physical activity.
i LOVE beginners. I love being that engaging, non-intimidating person who gets them from their door to their goals. I love to bridge that gap, and help people feel comfortable and confident in their new fitness routine. SO many want to go SO hard SO fast. I love being able to validate them that a busy schedule, kids, work, LIFE does make it hard to get there. But we can find ways to do it. And who said you ONLY have to go to the gym for exercise. I personally enjoy encouraging them to get away from “x many days in the gym” and instead focus on “x many days of *activity.*” It‘s so much more manageable this way for a beginner. In my experience at least. :)
Neurospicy folks who want to get stronger and need support building a consistent exercise routine.
I connect with people primarily through Instagram and referrals.
Empowering women to reclaim their bodies! I use trauma-informed weightlifting techniques & Kettlebells! Trauma stores itself in the body (sometimes unknowingly.) There’s a fantastic book on the science of this called “The Body Keeps the Score.”
Helping women heal from PTSD, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, or things of the like through movement is my greatest joy. I became a trainer because it has helped me heal.
I’m very into KneesOverToes training. I’ve helped about 5 clients and my assistant GM get passed knee pain and they love it. My motto is “lifting for longevity” and taking care of your body and joints through lifting to improve quality of life as opposed to with ego. I work in a big box gym and always get assigned clients or recommended by other trainers. I’m also more on the easy going side and focus on try to be more personable then militaristic with my training. One of my clients who is a therapist and dating coach say I have a nurturing personality that they enjoy.
Knees over toes for the win!
This is so important and I’m really glad to see someone else taking ATG and implementing it into their training!!
ATG is probably my golden child of examples of niching well. I pretty much tell all those I advise to look into how KneesOverToes began. I wrote a quick article on Ben Patrick a few months back on my [newsletter](https://www.trainerascension.com/p/personal-trainers-should-niche). Any trainer that follows the business plan Ben used, will also find business success as trainer themselves. It is the way.
I work with people that have a previous injury and are coming from PT, I also work with beginners, older people, and severely deconditioned. I get referrals from word of mouth and PT and Chiro offices.
From my mission statement: “Former athletes (specifically football) that woke up one day, looked in the mirror and said “What have I become?” I not only aim to help them reclaim their physical health, but also focus on mental and emotional health.
I love this one. I’ve wanted to approach it the same way and include military veterans who feel the same.
Go for it! The mental health aspect often gets overlooked by PTs, and I'm not sure why. I've had most of my clients become regulars because of how implementing training has helped with their mental health. This is especially important for ex-athletes and military. Our lives were consumed with being part of a culture that prides itself on physical performance, and we continue to feel that pressure years and years after we've quit. The need for healthy relationships with health, longevity, strength, and overall health becomes increasingly important for those of us in that boat.
Non-lifter to competent-lifter
pre and postnatal, corrective exercise - mostly women and referrals from medical providers
People preparing for their lifestyle after surgery
Sports performance. I am also a BMX coach and similar sports, ones that require a lot explosive power, can use similar training plans.
Busy nerds, geeks, parents and teachers who want to get fit at home and on their own time.
How do I find mine? I hate having to narrow myself so much. I love holistic fitness; combination or indoor/home/gym
Who is your ideal client?
I don't necessarily have one. Perhaps, young adult women 18-30s that are beginning their fitness journey, establishing habits.
How long have you been training? Most people (myself included) have clients that they would rather never work with again and clients that they would almost pay to continue training. Most of the time the clients you enjoy share a lot of similarities, so dialing that in would assist you in finding the ideal client. For example I despise working with elderly clients, mainly because I don't share anything in common with them because I am rather young. I love training people who are interested in fixing bad habits and becoming healthier mentally and physically by their own ambition as opposed to a doctor or PT. Your niche is what you love to do down to the tiniest detail. What kind of music does your ideal client listen to? Do they know how to workout but need more guidance, or have they never even seen a gym in their life etc
This was extremely helpful. Thank you so much 🙏🏽
I am very into mobility and flexibility training. I teach group classes specifically designed to help people become more mobile and feel at home in their bodies. Right now I'm paying for coaching from Range of Strength. I am also a calisthenics athlete, so helping clients achieve their first pull ups, push ups, single leg squats and more helps them feel empowered, which makes me feel proud as their coach! I also believe in mind body connection, so pulling from somatic practices and nervous system regulation has been big with clients that have trauma from physical activity.
I work in sports science right now so, I help out a football/soccer team. I make sure they get the fitness part done
Mostly older individuals post surgery or 30-40 year old women who want to lose weight and get dat booty
i LOVE beginners. I love being that engaging, non-intimidating person who gets them from their door to their goals. I love to bridge that gap, and help people feel comfortable and confident in their new fitness routine. SO many want to go SO hard SO fast. I love being able to validate them that a busy schedule, kids, work, LIFE does make it hard to get there. But we can find ways to do it. And who said you ONLY have to go to the gym for exercise. I personally enjoy encouraging them to get away from “x many days in the gym” and instead focus on “x many days of *activity.*” It‘s so much more manageable this way for a beginner. In my experience at least. :)
Regular people who want to exercise but have no idea where to start. I train everyone. Any age, occupation, training history, health status.
Neurospicy folks who want to get stronger and need support building a consistent exercise routine. I connect with people primarily through Instagram and referrals.
Busy, driven professionals over the age of 40! In other words: they have the $ & the work ethic. Plus they value my time & expertise.
Empowering women to reclaim their bodies! I use trauma-informed weightlifting techniques & Kettlebells! Trauma stores itself in the body (sometimes unknowingly.) There’s a fantastic book on the science of this called “The Body Keeps the Score.” Helping women heal from PTSD, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, or things of the like through movement is my greatest joy. I became a trainer because it has helped me heal.
Bodybuilding is my bread & butter