Personal Trainers are losing more than £9,000 – and the fitness industry £239 million – per year due to clients cancelling their pre-booked PT sessions, according to new research.
Clients’ top three excuses for failing to attend a pre-booked session include tiredness (62%), lack of motivation (59%) and forgetting other commitments (52%); according to the ‘Survival of the Fittest’ report, conducted by booking management platform, fibodo.
The research reveals the serious financial implications and wider issues that no-shows have for fitness professionals. With lost earnings of more than £9,000 annually, many find themselves struggling to make ends meet, with their only option being to leave the profession altogether, despite their time and effort spent training. This is supported by the research identifying that more than a quarter (27%) of fitness professionals worry whether their business will last more than a few years.
On average, personal trainers report five no-shows or last-minute cancellations every week. A fifth are even let down 6-8 times per week by clients who had committed to a session. It is unsurprising then that a huge 58% of PTs believe this is having a negative effect on their business.
Latest statistics reveal that gym and studio memberships are currently at their highest-ever level in the UK, with personal or group training becoming an increasingly popular option. But the figures highlight a discrepancy between the number of sign-ups and those actually engaged – something which may be negatively impacting public health, as well as PTs’ pay packets.
Anthony Franklin, CEO and founder of fibodo, commented: “These cancellations are crippling for fitness professionals whose livelihoods rely on clients attending their pre-booked sessions. People wouldn’t expect to book a holiday without pre-paying so it shouldn’t be any different for people wanting to book professionals’ time.
“We regularly speak with personal trainers who have reduced no-shows by using fibodo
which ensures clients pre-pay for sessions. Not only does this reduce wasted time and lost money for trainers, but can reverse the trend of professionals leaving the career they love and help the UK get fitter, too.”
The Top 10 most-common excuses Brits use to cancel an exercise session
| 1 | I was tired |
| 2 | I just didn’t have motivation |
| 3 | I forgot that I had other commitments |
| 4 | I was going with my friend / family member and they cancelled so I did, too |
| 5 | I got a better offer |
| 6 | I was injured or unwell |
| 7 | I wanted to stay in |
| 8 | I didn’t want to get sweaty |
| 9 | I forgot my kit |
| 10 | I worried it would be too difficult |
Read the Survival of the Fittest report here.
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