Keeping your existing clients is the key to a profitable, high-quality personal training business. There are dozens of hurdles to acquiring new clients who have no tie to your business. It's almost always cheaper and easier to get clients who already love your training sessions to return time and time again. These loyal clients can also drum up new business for you through word of mouth referrals and testimonials. Luckily, fitness is not a one-off job. No one wants to become overweight or unhealthy again after spending time and money on training, after all. All they need is a little push to return to you. Here are 2 ways to increase your client retention to boost your training income.

1. Create a Video Training Course

One of the best ways to make clients love you and your business is to give them more bang for their buck. This can be difficult for personal trainers as money is often linked to time. While giving away free sessions is one way to offer customers more, this can limit your ability to take on more business. Instead, why not create useful content for you clients in the form of a video course. All you need to do is film yourself teaching a routine -- a high-quality smartphone camera and a tripod will do the job fine. The great thing about creating content is that it only involves a few hours of your time, but you can use it again and again without any more investment. You can give your training course away to as many clients as you like, or even sell them to non-clients to create passive income. Your customers will see you as someone who provides value, making you invaluable in their lives, and your course will get them in the mood for more exercise.

2. Send them a Gym Bag

Who doesn't love receiving a gift? Sending corporate gifts to your clients lets them know you're thinking of them and makes them feel special. Clients who feel appreciated are likely to reciprocate the gesture by returning to you for more training. Any gift will be appreciated, though you may want to avoid unhealthy gifts like chocolate boxes! Even a simple card can work wonders if you're on a budget. However, some gifts are certainly better than others.

One of the best choices is branded apparel or accessories -- perfect for personal training clients who are always looking out for fitness gear. When you send your clients a hoodie or gym bag with your logo on it, they'll get excited about having something new and wear it out and about. Using your item on a daily basis will keep your brand on their mind. They'll see your name every time they look in the mirror, making them more likely to think of you next time they need a trainer. As an added bonus, custom printed merchandise increases your brand visibility amongst like-minded people in your client's social circle. If a customer takes your gym bag to the fitness centre with them, you'll get dozens of new eyes on your business. Remember that gifts don't have to be limited to big holidays. Sometimes gifts sent randomly or sent to mark a personal event in your client's life (such as a new baby or new job) can have even more impact.