The PT Roadmap

A weekly newsletter for personal trainers that'll guide you in your career to become a better coach and build a better business.

Hey!

Thanks for opening up today's PT Roadmap.

Let's get into things.

Firstly, thank you to everyone who replied to last week's email. I've kept the social media section and moved it to the bottom of the newsletter! I was pretty set on removing it, so it's cool that my mind was changed. Why the change? Many of you told me you enjoyed it and found finding new creators to follow valuable. That's all the reason I need.

One Coaching Cue

"Head to heel body of steel."

When to use it?

Got a client with a floppy-looking-plank?

This coaching cue might help.

I say 'might' as it hasn't worked with all of my clients. No coaching cue works with all people.

I always find myself adding this, but it's worth asking your clients when you say a cue what their interpretation of it is.

I used it in a class format and went around the group asking what it meant to them. One member said it reminded her of how a hedgehog rolls itself into a tight ball as protection.

Others agreed.

From then on, this class's cue became "core tight like a hedgehog."

One Business Tip

I like email newsletters.

I like consuming them. (three of my favourites that I always open: Tim Ferriss, Ann Handley and Austin Kleon)

And I enjoy creating this one. 

Since starting The PT Roadmap, I've been surprised by the number of you who have emailed me to say you've been inspired by it to create your own.

I love hearing this and think more of you should follow suit!

Here are four more reasons I think you should consider starting a newsletter:

1 - You own the list.

I moved this list from Active Campaign to BeeHiiv by simply exporting and uploading. Nobody questioned it. 

If I decide to move it somewhere new next week, I can do that.

Social media isn't like this.

Your social media followers aren't yours.

As we've seen so often with Facebook and Instagram, the algorithm changes as often as the weather in the Scottish Highlands. One minute you reach lots of your followers; next, it's peanuts.

Last piece on this: I lost my personal social media pages last year. I woke up one morning and I'd supposedly done something seriously wrong. I tried to contact Meta and get it back but failed miserably. This has happened to lots of people I know. It will not happen with a newsletter because you own the list. 

Having a longer-term view of how we might stay in touch with people interested in our perspectives makes me think something like a newsletter will become even more critical as time passes.

2 - You're in the relationship business.

An email newsletter is personal.

It's like getting a letter in the post and invites a deeper, more connected form of communication.

It helps to build a relationship with people who have raised their hands and said, "I want to hear more of what you say." And those people are the ones who will be much more likely to buy from you. Maybe not right now, but if you keep showing up and being helpful, you'll be at the top of their list when the time is right.

3 - Content repurposing.

The content I create for this newsletter often ends up on our Instagram and in podcast episodes.

I repurpose much of what I create because the best messages need to be repeated. And there are 100s of great ways to say similar things.

I'll probably create a twitter thread on why it's worth starting a newsletter, and it initially appeared in a podcast episode last year.

If you're already creating content for social media, your website or a podcast regularly, there is no reason why some of it can't make it to your newsletter.

4 - Your content gets seen.

Although spam filters do affect your open rates, if you're creating good content that people open and engage with regularly, you can easily hit 50-70% open rates.

An average Instagram post gets seen by 5-10%.

The more people see your content, the more they will like, trust and (hopefully) buy from or refer someone else to you.

Summary:

1. You own your email list

2. It helps to build the relationship

3. Content can be easily repurposed

4. Your content actually gets seen

One Coaching Tip

Last week, I wrote about 13 lessons in programme design.

The last lesson, "Because your client f*cking loves it is an exceptionally good reason to include an exercise or method into their plan." is one I want to take some time to highlight today.

One of my clients LOVES to do push-ups.

They make her feel strong, accomplished and confident. And they represent belonging in the gym for her.

So, we do push-ups (in some form) every single session.

We use cluster sets (e.g. do 4 reps, rest for 20 seconds, do 4 reps, rest for 20 seconds, do 4 reps), 1.5 reps and paused reps to spice them up.

I ask her every few months if she's bored with them, and she never is.

So, we keep em' in.

If I took them out, I'm 99% sure she'd enjoy her session less.

Most clients have an exercise or method of training like this.

For some, it's hip thrusts or pull-ups. For others, it's doing some pad work, using the battle ropes, slamming balls or using the rings.

Your job is to test widely, look for the signs that a client is reallllllly enjoying something and find ways to integrate that thing often.

Some educators might say don't keep an exercise in for too long, but if your client loves something and it helps them show up, it's worth doing it often.

One Social Media Post Worth Your Time

I saved this post on the effectiveness of exercise on depression from Steve Magness. It's another example of how powerful you're daily work is.

"Exercise is medicine. It’s not the only option and it doesn’t always work, but it’s a powerful tool to have in the toolkit to prevent and treat mental illness."

Important note: this post doesn't say don't take antidepressants. It says exercise is equally effective as medication for people with depression. 

Thanks so much for reading.

Until next Friday, Stuart.

Whenever you're ready, here are two ways I can help you:

1) If you’re looking for a place to help you gain knowledge & develop your skills as a personal trainer, I’d recommend joining Lift the Bar on our trial for free for 14-days. You'll get access to courses, actionable webinars and time-saving downloads, and a community of PTs who have achieved what you're struggling to achieve.

2) Listen to the LTB Podcast. Latest episode #383 Q&A w/ Gregg & Alex: Is Periodisation Worth The Hassle & Should You Block Social Media?