The PT Roadmap

A weekly newsletter for personal trainers to guide you to become a better coach and build a better business.

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Thanks for opening up today's newsletter. I appreciate you being here.

In today’s issue:

✅ Business topic

✅ Recommended exercise

✅ Social post worth your time

Let's get into it!

Business

How I Create Reels

I know there will be many of you reading who have been using Reels for months or years.

But I am not one of those people

I have only recently jumped into doing them consistently.

I am not going to sit here and talk about them as if I am an expert. I’m not. I just like to learn, test and share what I pick up.

My results so far have been good.

• Increased followers

• Increased DM conversations

• Increased newsletter subscribers

My important metrics are trending upward faster than before I started using Reels.

This makes sense.

Video isn’t something I’ve played around with much, so there’s a newness element to it, and it’s a form of content that helps you reach new followers more effectively than written types.

Plus, Instagram’s algorithm still seems to like pushing video-based content.

But my last few have bombed 😂

I’m used to this, though. And it’s this phase that I see a lot of PTs give up on.

You’ve got to keep going here. Everyone hits it.

I’ve seen it too many times to count in my time publishing content. A new thing starts strong, then it struggles, and then it picks back up.

It happened with my podcast, blog, newsletter and all of the content types I’ve tested on Instagram.

It’s all part of the process.

Speaking of process, here’s the process I follow for recording Reels.

My Process

1. Ideate - I have a huge Evernote file of content ideas. I also have a huge backlog of content from years of publishing for Lift the Bar. Anytime I think up an idea, get asked a question from a client that could make a good piece of content or see something I think I could put my own spin on, I note it down. My content creation always starts with spending time ideating. 2×30 minute slots per week are what I go for.

2. Rough script - Once I have an idea I like, I write a rough script. I don’t script mine fully, but I know creators who do. Josh Taylor is one (I did a podcast interview with him. Listen HERE), as is Steve Kean. I typically script my first 5-10 seconds and then work from bullets.

3. Record - I record in my garage, so I’m lucky as there are no other people, and I can fuck up without judgement (except from myself…). I try to do something while I talk (e.g. put plates on a barbell or play around with a band). This helps to maintain people’s attention as it is more interesting to watch. I also try to keep recording even if I make a mistake, as this is easier to edit than stopping and going again.

4. CapCut edit - CapCut is a helpful app for editing videos. It’s simple to use and free (I think). I upload the video and start splitting it up and deleting sections with large pauses, bits where I ramble, bits where I don’t make sense and all of my umms.

5. Captions edit - I take the CapCut video and put it in another app called Captions (this isn’t free but is cheap.) This is where I put Captions onto the video so it can be watched without sound. I also use their Zoom AI function to zoom in and out and make the video more watchable.

6. Canva cover - I use this. Feel free to replace my face and steal.

7. Add music - I do not know what I’m doing with trending audio. I’m just trying to be consistent and publish good content. But I do know videos sound better with a bit of background music. I select one that sounds like it’ll work with my video and turn down the volume so my voice is louder.

8. Publish - Write your caption and press publish.

Tips For Recording Better Reels

• Commit to doing 10 - If you’ve yet to dip into doing reels but want to, set a goal of doing 10. Once you’ve done those, you can step back and determine whether you stick with them. There’s no point in doing 1 or 2 and then stopping, as you won’t have given them a fair shot.

• Get a mic & tripod - I spent $40 on this tripod and this mic. It’s an investment that makes your quality better. And because I’d spent money, I was more committed.

• Use your phone’s front camera - It records in a higher quality.

• Use captions - Many people don’t watch videos with their sound on (like me). Cater to those people by using subtitles.

• Think about your first 5 seconds - Your initial hook needs to be strong. If not, people will click off and find something more interesting. This is an excellent list from Sukh Sidhu on 96 hooks you can use to start your Reels off.

• Put your personality into your videos - If you’re geeky - be geeky. If you’re sarcastic - be sarcastic. If you’re dry - be dry. Lean into the thing that makes you, you.

Exercise

This Week’s Exercise: 21s (Bicep Curls)

Who doesn’t love a good arm pump?

If you do, you'll have used 21s before.

7 full curls, 7 at the bottom half and 7 at the top half.

Here’s a nice variation I picked from Adam Boyd-Brown that takes advantage of the fact you’re stronger at 90 degrees and on the eccentric.

• Pick a weight you can do for 10 reps

• Do 7 full reps

• Do a 7-second mid-range pause

• Do a cheap rep to get it to the top after the pause

• Lower for 7 painful seconds

I did 4 sets to finish a workout yesterday, and my arms were toast.

Social Post

I record my fair share of voice notes, so this was a helpful post from The Fitness Psych on using them.

I love number 3 - provide summaries. I’m going to start applying it straight away!

Thanks so much for reading.

Until next Friday, Stuart.

Here is how I help in-person PTs like you build businesses they love.

1-1 Business Coaching

Are you fed up with spinning your wheels trying to grow your business?

Do you wish you had a clear plan to help you hit your client and income goals?

Are you unsure whether you should take on more clients, launch a new service, or try something different to get your business where you want it?

January is right around the corner.

And now is as good a time as any to put the things in place that’ll help you take advantage of the increased interest in fitness that occurs every New Year.

Let's talk if you’re interested in having a business coach who has been where you are and will help you create a plan to move you and your business forward.

Hit reply, and we’ll set up a free 30-minute business review consult.

No high-pressure sales tactics here.

If I think I can help you, I’ll tell you. If I don’t think I can or think you would be better suited to one of the many other excellent business coaches out there, I’ll also tell you.

Hit reply if you’re interested.