How to get more referrals as a Personal Trainer

The importance of client referrals

Client referrals are a personal trainer's secret weapon for keeping their schedule full and building a strong reputation. 

When happy clients recommend you to their friends or family, it’s a clear sign they trust your expertise and love the results you're helping them achieve. Referrals are not only great for bringing in new clients, but they also boost your credibility and get your name out there. 

But referrals don’t always happen on their own, which is why offering incentives or setting up a referral programme can give that extra nudge to get your clients spreading the word about your services.

What We'll Cover:

• Ways to get more referrals
• Tips for making referral programs
• Referrals in a commercial gym vs. renting your own space

Wondering how to get referrals as a personal trainer? Here are some of our favourite ways to get your clients talking.

Ask your existing clients

The easiest and most cost-effective personal trainer referral programme is simply asking your current clients to recommend you. Most people don’t automatically think to recommend their trainer, but a friendly nudge can make all the difference. 

During a session, casually mention how much you enjoy working with them and ask if they know anyone – friends, family or coworkers perhaps – who could also benefit from your training. If you don’t want to sound pushy, throw in a lighthearted comment like, “If you know anyone who wants to work as hard as you, send them my way!”

This direct approach can feel personal and genuine, and since your clients already trust you, they’re more likely to pass your name along to others who might need your services.

Offer friend discounts

Who doesn’t love a good deal? Offering "mates rates" can be a brilliant way to encourage your clients to refer their friends. You can create low-pressure opportunities like "bring a friend" days, where clients can invite someone to join a session for free. This gives potential new clients a chance to experience your training style in a fun, relaxed setting with no upfront commitment.

Another approach for your personal trainer referral programme is rewarding clients with a free session or a discount whenever they refer someone who signs up. It’s an easy way to show your appreciation and build loyalty, while also growing your client base through trusted recommendations. Referrals tend to lead to more committed clients, as they already come in with trust, making them easier to turn into long-term customers.

Host referral-based events

Hosting group fitness challenges or invite-a-friend days can be a fantastic way to introduce new potential clients to your services in a fun, engaging environment. These events create a sense of community, allowing people to experience your training style while sharing the experience with their friends. Group challenges can foster a bit of friendly competition, which can motivate participants and get them excited about their fitness journey.

By organising these events, you're giving existing clients a reason to bring someone along, which helps break down the barrier for new clients to join. It’s a no-pressure way for newcomers to get a taste of what you offer without committing to a full session or package upfront. Plus, group activities naturally create a positive buzz and excitement, which can increase the likelihood of referrals and is great for building your personal brand.

Make it simple and clear

To make sure your personal trainer referral programme is a success, you need to communicate it clearly and effectively to your clients. 

First, make sure that clients understand exactly how the referral process works – whether they need to provide a referral link, share a code or simply mention your name. Lay out clear guidelines for how they can refer others, what incentives are on offer and any terms or conditions involved so that everyone’s on the same page.

And don’t just mention the program once. Remind clients regularly through different touchpoints like newsletters, follow-up texts or even in conversation after sessions. Make sure to "sell" it too, by highlighting how easy it is to refer and how much their friends or family will benefit from your services. 

When you explain the perks and keep the message consistent, your clients will feel encouraged to get involved, knowing both they and their friends stand to gain something valuable from you.

Offer tangible rewards

When it comes to motivating your clients to refer others, choosing the right rewards is key. 

Different types of rewards can appeal to different people, so consider a variety of options to keep your clients excited about spreading the word. Traditional rewards like discounts on future sessions or free training can work well, but try thinking outside the box with incentives like branded merchandise, entry into exclusive fitness challenges or even social recognition, like a shout-out on your social media.

Stamp cards or points-based systems are a fun and visual way to track progress toward rewards, giving clients a tangible reminder of what they’re working toward. Competitions or referral leaderboards can also add a competitive edge, encouraging more people to get involved.

It’s a good idea to have a system in place to track your personal trainer referral programme and deliver rewards consistently. Whether through software, spreadsheets or manual tracking, be clear on who has referred whom and when rewards are due. This reliability builds trust, and clients will be more likely to refer others knowing that they’re sure to get their perks.

Promote the programme

Don’t let your referral programme fade into the background, either. Promote it consistently to both new and existing clients, wherever you can. 

Make sure your clients always know how it works and can easily share the details with their friends or family. Keeping the programme simple and clear is crucial, but remember to refresh it from time to time to keep things interesting. 

Offering new rewards, updating the structure or adding seasonal incentives (like a free session to kick off the New Year) can keep things exciting and encourage more referrals. By keeping the program visible and relevant, you'll give it the best chance of becoming an ongoing tool for growing your client base.

Referrals may look a little different depending if you are working in a commercial gym or renting your own space. Here’s some reasons why and how you can work either to your advantage.

How referrals work in a commercial gym

Referrals in a commercial gym setting can be a powerful tool for growing your client base due to the access to a larger pool of potential clients. The high foot traffic in a gym means you're constantly exposed to new faces who could benefit from your services, and many of these members already value fitness, making them prime candidates for personal training. 

Plus, being part of a built-in network of trainers, instructors, and gym staff opens up the opportunity to exchange referrals with others in the gym. This collaborative environment can lead to mutually beneficial relationships where you refer clients to each other based on different specialties or client needs.

In-gym promotions are another key advantage. Many commercial gyms allow trainers to promote referral programs directly through the gym’s own communication channels, such as bulletin boards, newsletters or social media. These promotions can give your referral program a wider reach, increasing the chances that existing members will bring in friends or family. 

By tapping into this ready-made community and promoting your services through the gym, you can create a steady stream of referrals without needing to invest heavily in external marketing efforts.

How referrals work when renting your own space

When you rent your own space, referrals become a cornerstone of your business strategy, as your client base is smaller and more focused. 

Unlike a large gym with high foot traffic, your space may not attract as many walk-ins, making word-of-mouth and personal connections essential to growing your clientele. Happy clients who feel a personal connection to you are more likely to become advocates, referring friends, family or colleagues because of the trust and positive results they’ve experienced firsthand. This type of organic referral is really valuable as it often leads to more committed clients.

Owning or renting your own space also gives you full creative control over your referral program. You can craft unique, tailored incentives that align with your branding and speak directly to your audience. Whether that’s offering discounted sessions, free consultations or loyalty rewards, you have the freedom to play around with what motivates your clients to refer others.

Not to mention, being embedded in a local community opens up opportunities for partnerships with nearby businesses, leisure centres or local events. Collaborating on community events or offering joint promotions can help introduce your services to a wider audience, creating new channels for referrals. These local connections improve your visibility and allow you to build a solid reputation, strengthening your referral network over time.

Rent a space with UNTIL

As you can see, building a strong referral network as a personal trainer is one of the most effective ways to grow your business, whether you're working at a commercial gym or renting your own space. By providing exceptional service, offering appealing incentives and actively promoting your personal trainer referral programme, you can encourage clients to spread the word voluntarily about your training.

If you’re renting your own space, like at UNTIL – a premium co-working space designed for health and wellness professionals – you can take advantage of their amazing community to boost referrals. UNTIL offers a network of like-minded professionals and potential clients, which can help you form partnerships, expand your local outreach and grow your business more effectively. Get started now and apply today.