1. Tell us about yourself and your business.

My name is Zach Hunt, and I own a personal fitness training studio called Physzique in Liberty Lake, WA near Spokane, WA which you can see at www.SpokaneFitnessCoach.com (newer) and www.physzique.com (older).

My journey into the fitness field is interesting in the fact that I was about 300 lbs. in high-school. I actually used to be heavy into computer programming. I could make a virus that would destroy your computer, okay not that I actually did that or anything. But I had fun making games, and whatever else. Until I got into sports lost a bunch of weight and decided I had no further interest in a desk job or a boring job =) You see an expanded story at my website.

Anyway, got into the fit biz, thought the only option was being a trainer at a national chain gym for near minimal wage. Stumbled upon an interview with Ryan Lee about six-figure trainer started to expand my thinking on what's possible. I did an internship at a Fitness Together locally after completing my degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion.

I then decided to go out on my own without really knowing much about anything. I did a lot of things wrong, but I just did things. I laugh at some of the things I did, absurd things I tell you. But anyway I continued learning and reading (up to 40 hours a week through audio / video and reading).

Started with In-Home training - very quickly grew tired of that. Situation came up to rent out a small studio space where I started doing private training. Then found better and newer ways after coaching with other many others - Semi-Private, Group Indoor Bootcamps, etc.

I now solely do Semi-Private and larger training at my studio while working only 2 and a half days each week. And making far more than I ever could have doing 1-on-1. I have also partnered with one of my main coaches, mentors and fellow PTU member Chris McCombs on a new project where we share systems and strategies that are proven to help you.

2. How has being a part of PTU impacted your career / business?

PTU has been a big help. I love the tips and real-life answers to questions about starting, running and growing your fit biz. This is where I first got introduced the idea of "Business For Fitness". I thought all you needed to do what get degrees and whatever else. I even for a time thought I "needed" to get my Masters degree and possibly further beyond. I bought every physiology text-book I came across and of course - Super Training.

Anyway, after 6 months out of the Gate and not a single client (yes, I had no idea what I was doing back then, I didn't know about public speaking or anything, I guess I just thought clients should come to me since I was "ready"), I finally decided to nail down the business side of training and client generation.

Using my skills and background as a computer background and hearing all this stuff about having a website on PTU. I dedicated a majority of my time to developing my website and SEO. And boy did it pay off, there's no better feeling than seeing clients being generated on auto-pilot through a free marketing medium with only the hosting to pay.

That's a pretty good ROI. $10-15 monthly for $5-10K return monthly in new clients.

So, in short, PTU has helped me realize the importance of the business side of Training.

3. What are your 3 biggest tips for your fellow PTU Members?

1. Get your website Now - I actually got my first several clients this way. I admit there are easier ways to get clients initially. But once you put this puppy into full overdrive there ain't no stoppin it. Just imagine what your prospects think when they search "Spokane Personal Trainer" or whatever and your website or websites come up 1-5 in the results. Does that make an impression on them. Are you the city's top trainer? Well according to google you are. Most people don't know SEO exists and that you can get your site to rank higher, all they think is that's the top result as chosen by Google or yahoo, msn, etc., they must be the best. So again to emphasize get your website in order immediately.

2. Nail down your sales process - Okay part of the reason I didn't have any clients for the first 6 months was because my sales skills totally sucked. I could get people to meet with, but I just had no clue about closing a sale. I think the first 21 or 22 people I met with I didn't close anything. I have learned far better Techniques since then, after learning from others on sales techniques. You absolutely must have a system in place for taking a prospect to an appointment and an appointment to a client - end of story.

3. Create your business around your desired schedule / life - When I first started to grow big-time with my training biz after passing around 70 clients I would take anyone at near anytime. Often working from 6AM straight through to 8PM - no breaks except 2PM to eat and make a few calls. This is like 5 days a week and sometimes on Saturdays half- day as well. Not only did this exhaust me completely, but I was stuck in a rut. I couldn't grow or develop my business as I was just training all the time. Set your hours and make your clients come at those hours only. I have now set my schedule to part of Mon and Wednesday and short Friday morning hours. And the awesome thing all my clients are still able to come at those times. They always work their schedule out to come at those times and I even have some clients traveling 1.5 hours plus to train with me each week. Plus I now have plenty of time to work on my businesses along with other online projects that I now have going on. So in short, set aside time each week to work on your systems, skills, etc. And develop your business along it's growth path.