At a large health club where I used to be a personal trainer, I had a testimony book sitting out on a table that patrons had to pass to get to the locker rooms.
Compose the testimonial form and print copies. Keep them at the gym you train at. When you give out testimonial forms for clients to fill out, do so on the second-last session.
So whether the training package has just a few sessions, 16 or 48, always plan on giving your personal-training clients the form to fill out, on the second-last session – right then and there.
This is to prevent the possibility that if you hand out the form on the very last session, the client will say something like, “Oh, I’ll fill it out at home and then make sure you get it.” If this person doesn’t buy more personal training from you, you’ll never see that testimonial form again.
But if you present the testimonial form on the second last session, there’s a strong chance that, even if the client doesn’t want to fill it out right then and there, they will have it completed for you come the last session.
This phenomenon exists even if the client has gotten remarkable results.
Take 10 minutes of your time after the second last session is over, and sit with the client while they fill out the form, assuming they’re amenable to this. Again, they most likely will be, if it’s the second last session.
What should the personal trainer’s testimonial form ask?
– What goals did you want to achieve when you hired a trainer?
– Were these goals met? How?
– What did you like most about training with (fill out your name)?
These are the only questions necessary, because the client will answer at least one of them in a way that will really look good in a testimonial booklet.
Next, type out their responses on, preferably, the gym’s letterhead, and have the client sign it. This means on their last session, give them the letterhead with their responses typed out on it, their name on the bottom, and have the client sign it right then and there. This should be done before the session begins.
Building the Personal Trainer Client Testimonial Booklet
Put the letterhead sheets in an attractive folder that holds paper that has been punched with holes. You’ll be able to easily slip pages in and out and rearrange them.
Put in big bright letters some attention-getting title of the booklet. Don’t just say “Personal Trainer Client Testimonials.” You can say that in smaller print as a sub-title.
But the main title should be brief, like “OPEN ME” or “LOOK INSIDE!”
Use a booklet that has a plastic sleeve on the cover so you can insert the paper with the title on it. Display this booklet (tie it down with yarn so nobody walks off with it) on the gym’s front desk, ideally, where it’s least likely to be tampered with.
If you want it in a heavy traffic area where there’s no staff hanging around, make a duplicate.
Put your business cards in a little pocket (that you can make with paper and scotch tape) at the corner of the booklet.
You are now all set with your personal trainer client testimonial booklet.
