As a gym owner, one of the most powerful ways to maximize your space and increase profitability is by tapping into underutilized areas of your facility. The “Rent a Coach” model offers a smart strategy that enables independent gym owners, boutique studio operators, gym entrepreneurs, and personal trainers to leverage vacant time slots, creating new and consistent revenue streams.
This article will explore how you can monetize unused space and time by offering rental opportunities to personal trainers and coaches, as well as creating a flexible drop-in model for members looking for personalized, on-demand coaching.
Understanding the “Rent a Coach” Model
The Rent a Coach model allows personal trainers, coaches, and fitness professionals to rent out space in your gym or boutique studio to offer one-on-one sessions, small group training, or classes to members. This approach enables you to generate additional income from underutilized space while giving trainers the opportunity to work independently, build their clientele, and offer flexible services without the overhead of running their own facility.
1. Benefits of the Rent a Coach Model for Gym Owners
The Rent a Coach model provides several advantages for gym owners:
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Maximizing Facility Utilization: Many gyms face the challenge of underutilized space, particularly during off-peak hours or on days when member traffic is lower. Renting out this time can keep the gym running smoothly, offering a steady flow of revenue.
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No Additional Staffing or Overhead: Instead of hiring full-time trainers and committing to additional payroll expenses, gym owners can rent out space to experienced trainers who already bring their own clients, eliminating the costs of employee benefits and salaries.
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Revenue Diversification: The “Rent a Coach” model creates a new revenue stream for gym owners. Whether it’s a personal trainer renting a small corner of your facility or a coach offering specialized classes, the rent can be charged on a per-session or monthly basis, helping you diversify your income.
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Attracting New Clients: This model can also attract new members who may be looking for more personalized attention or prefer specialized training. Offering a wider range of services through rented coaching can differentiate your gym from others in the area.
2. How to Implement a Rent a Coach Model
Implementing this model effectively requires some key steps to ensure it aligns with your gym’s goals and supports both your business and the trainers you are working with. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get started:
Step 1: Evaluate Your Space and Time Availability
First, assess your gym’s layout and identify areas that are not being used to their full potential. This could include private rooms, larger spaces during non-peak hours, or outdoor areas that could be repurposed for training. Understand the peak and off-peak times for your facility—these time slots are ideal for offering rentals to trainers, as they can fill in the gaps during slower periods.
Step 2: Set Clear Pricing and Terms
Establish a pricing structure for space rentals. You can charge hourly rates, offer discounted packages for recurring rentals, or even set up membership tiers that include access to rentable spaces.
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Hourly Rental Fees: Charge trainers based on the time they use your space. Consider offering different rates for peak and off-peak hours.
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Monthly Rental Packages: Trainers may prefer a monthly package with a fixed number of hours, giving them more flexibility to schedule sessions at their convenience.
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Per-Session Fees: For drop-in classes or personal training, charge trainers a per-session fee or take a percentage of the session fee to ensure a fair agreement.
Be clear about the terms of the rental agreement, including rules regarding cancellations, insurance requirements, and gym etiquette. Establish expectations for both parties and create a contract that outlines usage fees, liability, and other relevant details.
Step 3: Market the Opportunity to Trainers
Promote the Rent a Coach opportunity to local trainers and fitness professionals. This can be done through:
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Online Platforms: Post rental opportunities on your gym’s website, social media channels, and popular fitness industry forums.
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Networking: Attend local fitness events, connect with personal trainers, or partner with industry groups to spread the word.
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Direct Outreach: Reach out to trainers in your network who may be looking for additional space to train clients. Offer them a tour of the facility and the flexibility of renting time rather than committing to a full-time lease.
Emphasize the advantages for trainers, such as the opportunity to work independently, grow their client base without the overhead costs, and leverage your gym’s established brand and clientele.
Step 4: Create Flexible, On-Demand Training and Classes
One of the most attractive aspects of the Rent a Coach model is the ability to offer drop-in personal training sessions or specialized group classes without requiring long-term commitments.
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Drop-in Sessions: Allow trainers to offer on-demand one-on-one personal training sessions for gym members who prefer personalized attention but don’t want to commit to long-term packages.
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Specialized Classes: Trainers can offer specialized classes—such as yoga, pilates, cycling, boxing, or functional training—during times when your gym is less crowded. This can attract new clients who are interested in specific types of fitness programs.
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Flexible Scheduling: Allow trainers to set their own schedules based on available timeslots and your gym’s calendar. This gives them the freedom to offer classes or sessions when they work best for their clients.
By offering these flexible options, you not only attract new members but also help trainers build their own business within your gym’s ecosystem.
Step 5: Implement a Booking and Payment System
Set up a streamlined booking system that makes it easy for trainers to schedule sessions and accept payments. You can integrate this system into your gym’s existing software or create a separate platform for trainers to manage their bookings and payments. Some software systems allow trainers to set their availability, track appointments, and process payments directly.
For member drop-ins, you can set up an online booking system that allows members to sign up for classes or personal training sessions. This system should be simple, user-friendly, and allow easy cancellations or rescheduling.
Step 6: Promote the New Offerings to Your Members
To maximize the potential of the Rent a Coach model, promote these new offerings to your current gym members. Use email marketing, social media, and in-gym signage to inform them about the availability of on-demand personal training and specialized classes.
Offer special introductory rates or free classes to attract members to try the new services. This will create excitement around the new options and help trainers quickly fill up their slots.
3. How Trainers Benefit from Renting Space
For trainers, renting space in a gym or boutique studio offers a range of benefits:
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Reduced Overhead: Renting space allows trainers to avoid the overhead costs associated with running their own gym. They can focus on training clients, while the gym owner handles the facility’s management and maintenance.
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Flexibility: Renting space provides trainers with flexibility in how they structure their business. They can rent time as needed and schedule their sessions around their other commitments, providing more freedom compared to working for a gym with fixed hours.
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Access to Established Clients: By partnering with an established gym or boutique studio, trainers can access an existing customer base, which helps them build their own clientele faster. Your gym can also offer referrals or marketing support to help them grow.
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Freedom to Set Their Own Prices: Trainers can establish their own rates and business model, ensuring they can earn based on the value they provide to their clients.
4. Conclusion: Unlock the Full Potential of Your Gym
The Rent a Coach model is an innovative way to increase revenue, utilize underused space, and attract new clients without the burden of managing additional staff. By offering trainers the flexibility to rent space for personal sessions or specialized classes, you open up new streams of income while building a strong network of fitness professionals within your gym.
By following these steps and fostering a community of motivated, independent trainers, you can transform unused hours and space into profitable, on-demand opportunities that benefit both gym owners and trainers alike.
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Meet Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas is the Founder and President of Fitness Management USA, Inc., a premier management consulting, turnaround, financing, and brokerage firm specializing in the leisure services industry. With over 25 years of hands-on experience owning, operating, and managing fitness facilities of all sizes, Jim is an outsourced CEO, turnaround expert, and author who delivers actionable strategies that drive results. Whether it’s improving gym sales, fostering teamwork, or refining marketing approaches, Jim has the expertise to help your business thrive. Learn more by visiting his website or YouTube channel.
