These are some of my top used tools as an in person (meaning not online trainer) personal trainer. If you have tools that you like, please share, I’m always looking of ways to better my services and offer more to my clients/athletes/victims.
- Mile IQ – This is how I track my miles for tax purposes. You get so many rides for free, but those run out. So for $5.99/mth for unlimited drives its totally worth it…everything is done automatically, you just classify the drives later (picking between business and personal and even in more detail was it business in running errands or customer visit, etc) and even some of them came classified automatically. Use THIS link to get 20% 🙂
- Stripe – This is one of the ways I process my clients billing. I just use it for my personal training clients, but it has the ability to do more such as subscriptions which is something that could come in handy down the road. How I use it is you store clients card on file, then when I have a session with them I go in and “create payment” for their card. I make the description of the payment heavy in detail. The money is deposited into your account within a few days. There are also graphs and charts so you can see how you preformed  along the way or in comparison to previous months or years. Yes there is a small percentage taken out for transfer/processing but totally worth it.
- WordPress – This is what I use for my website. I also use the theme Divi. I’m not super nerd, but I know this theme is SIMPLE and gives me a lot of freedom to create but also change things. This whole setup has made figuring out (most of) my website pretty easy which is fun because I can make changes when I want to. I have learned all about plugins and widgets and the benefits of both. WordPress also has an app so you can make post from there and track stats.
- Evernote – This cool little program is something I use with my in home clients. I program a workout in Evernote, then when I go to their house I pull it up on my computer and use it like a coach would use a whiteboard (without my bad handwriting). I can make changes on the spot, keep times, make notes, etc. After each workout I have them rate the workout on a scale of 1-10. This helps me to know how difficult to make the next workout. Before I leave their house, I email/send their workout to them and they are suppose to do it at least 1x before I see them again. You can do so much more, but it works perfectly for this purpose! Since I keep it basic here, its free.
- Canva – This is a MUST if you have a website or are active on social media! I LOVE Canva and use it a TON! I use it to make images/post for all social media forms. I made all my ebooks and PDFs on there. I pay a monthly subscription thing ($13ish) and it makes working with my brand (colors, logos, etc) easier but you can use it for free. My monthly subscription doesn’t cover the paid images, I still have to purchase them BUT I can only think of 1x purchased that image, I can find almost everything for free. There are also so many templates to use…the hardest part is picking which one.
- Mail Chimp – This is what I use to build my email list from an opt in on my website. It also has a lot of great automation features such as when people purchase/download a certain product they can automatically get a personalized Thank You letter from you. This will allow you to collect emails and stay in communication with your community. Did I mention its free 🙂
- JotForm – This makes embedding forms on your website easy. This means, you can create your new client forms (waivers, etc) on your site and send them to your athletes prior to their first session with you. Once they fill it out, it will get emailed directly to you. You can even add your logo. You can see how I embedded forms HERE. You can have so many free forms before you have to pay.
- Venmo – This is a really great tool. It allows you transfer funds from mobile to mobile for free. You can also send invoice/request funds too. I use this tool with my meal prep service. When meals are ready I just invoice the clients and they pay when they pick up. Its also great for groups of friends, you just invoice each other vs separate checks at restaurants etc. Its free.
- Social Media – I highly recommend getting on social media if you have a business, especially if you are a trainer or a coach. Its a great way to promote your business/services outside of your community. Living Amped is currently on FB, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. These are all free and separate from my personal accounts. I have mobile apps for each of these.
- Google Docs – This is great for food logging, amongst other things. Your clients/athletes/victims can long their food and you can go in and make comments. Its free.
Not a tool but a really fun gadget I have enjoyed with my clients is a FitBit (affiliate link). My bestie got me hooked on Fitbit one weekend and I now I’m addicted. A few of my athletes already had Fitbits but we are all now in a challenge (Daily Showdown and Workweek Hustle) and we can see each others steps. Its so fun, it makes the passing between clients really fun, they have started communicating and laughing more. I’m not going to lie it has made some of my clients get up and move more, knowing that someone is going to see their steps. It’s a GREAT way to communicate with clients outside of your session. Hands down one of the best things I did this year with my clients.
