Are you a fitness business owner? Many fitness pros automatically think of a fitness business owner as someone who owns one or more gyms or big companies. That’s one example, but there are many others. If you consider yourself your own boss, even part time, you’re running a business—no need to also have a brick-and-mortar facility.

Recognizing and running your work in the fitness industry as a business will lead to better career success. Here are a few reasons why it pays off to think and act like a fitness business owner (even if you don’t feel like one).

Instantly Elevates Your Status in the Industry

When you take your freelance/self-employed job seriously enough to call it a business, your prospects and clients will take it more seriously, too. That puts you in a much stronger position to make all kinds of important business moves, such as raise your rates, collect overdue payment, establish boundaries with your time and enforce policies.

Forces You to Nail Down a Brand Identity  

Most successful fitness businesses have a clear understanding of what their brand is. Whether you own a gym/company, train online, teach classes, work from home or freelance out of a nearby fitness studio, you’ll want to establish your brand identity. For example, whom do you serve in the fitness industry (don’t say everyone)? What are you most known for? And why do you do what you do? The sooner you see yourself as a fitness business, the more effectively you can begin setting yourself apart. 

Protects You With Proper Paperwork

Admin stuff might not be all that exciting, but forms, agreements, contracts and waivers are part of running a successful fitness business. When you adopt a business-owner mindset, you'll be less likely to neglect the vital paperwork that could ultimately protect you from litigation or deadbeat clients.  

Gives You the Green Light to Delegate

A fitness business owner who works with employees or contractors naturally delegates certain tasks. However, such a prospect might feel less acceptable for fitness pros that run a one-person show. It shouldn’t. Delegation is key to staying on task with your main job, avoiding burnout and improving day-to-day efficiency. The tasks you delegate—bookkeeping, tax preparation, scheduling, paperwork, tech support, web design, social media management, etc.—will depend on your budget and also on what you most enjoy doing yourself.    

Motivates You to Create Systems Toward Bigger Business Success

As you get your paperwork updated and in order (that’s something you could delegate), consider developing clear-cut strategies for how you handle invoicing, payment processing, marketing on social media, responding to emails, cleaning and equipment maintenance (for a brick-and-mortar location), etc. Systems save time and money, ensure consistent quality, and generally help you run your business more efficiently, whether you have people working for you or not. Plus, if you have your sights set on expanding your business one day, refining necessary systems can help you scale to something larger.

Boost your business with ACE's Business Continuing Education Courses.