Testimonial Request Sequence for Personal Trainers Email Guide
Why Testimonial Request Sequence Emails Fail for Personal Trainers (And How to Fix Them)
Your best client just achieved a major fitness goal, and you know their story could inspire dozens more. But how do you get them to share it?
Many personal trainers invest countless hours into client success, yet a significant portion overlook the simple act of capturing that success. This isn't just about ego; it's about social proof, the most potent form of marketing for your services.
Powerful testimonials act as silent salespersons, building trust and credibility before you even speak to a potential client. They convert hesitant prospects into confident clients, showcasing the real-world impact you deliver.
The email templates below are designed to make requesting testimonials effortless, guiding your clients to share their success stories in a way that genuinely resonates.
The Complete 3-Email Testimonial Request Sequence for Personal Trainers
As a personal trainer, your clients trust your recommendations. This 3-email sequence helps you introduce valuable tools without sounding like a salesperson.
The Check-in
Ask how things are going and gauge satisfaction
Hi [First Name],
It's been a little while since we wrapped up our work together, and I've been reflecting on your journey. I remember when we first started, you were looking to [CLIENT'S INITIAL GOAL, e.g., 'increase your strength' or 'feel more confident in your clothes'].
Seeing how far you've come, especially with [SPECIFIC ACHIEVEMENT, e.g., 'hitting that new deadlift PR' or 'consistently making healthier food choices'], has been incredibly rewarding for me. How are things going for you now?
Are you still feeling the benefits of your hard work, or perhaps setting new goals for yourself? I'd love to hear an update, even just a quick reply.
Your feedback helps me understand what truly makes a difference for my clients.
Best, [YOUR NAME]
This email uses the principle of reciprocity and genuine care. By reflecting on the client's specific journey and achievements, you demonstrate you remember their unique story. This personal touch makes them feel valued, increasing the likelihood they'll respond and be open to a future request.
The Request
Ask for a testimonial with specific, easy prompts
Hi [First Name],
I'm reaching out because your incredible progress with [SPECIFIC ACHIEVEMENT, e.g., 'your improved stamina' or 'your consistent meal prep'] truly stands out. Your journey from [INITIAL STRUGGLE] to [CURRENT SUCCESS] is exactly the kind of story that encourages others who are considering taking control of their health.
It demonstrates what's possible. Would you be open to sharing a few words about your experience working with me?
It would mean a lot, and it helps potential clients understand the real impact of our work. To make it easy, here are a few prompts you can use, but feel free to share whatever comes to mind: 1.
What specific results have you achieved? 2. What did you enjoy most about our sessions? 3.
How has working with me impacted your daily life or overall well-being? You can simply reply to this email, or if you prefer, I can send you a quick link to a form.
Thank you for considering this.
Best, [YOUR NAME]
This email uses social proof and makes the request incredibly easy. By providing specific prompts, you reduce cognitive load for the client, making it simpler for them to articulate their thoughts. Highlighting that their story 'inspires others' appeals to their desire to help, making the request less about you and more about a shared community.
The Gentle Nudge
Follow up with those who have not responded
Hi [First Name],
Hope you're having a great week. I wanted to gently follow up on my previous email regarding sharing your experience.
No pressure at all, but I truly believe your journey could make a significant difference for someone else who might be feeling stuck or unsure where to start. Your perspective on [SPECIFIC BENEFIT, e.g., 'how we tackled your nutrition habits' or 'overcame that plateau'] is genuinely valuable.
It helps me refine my services and shows others what's possible. If you have a spare moment, even a sentence or two would be amazing.
You can simply reply to this email with your thoughts. I appreciate your time and consideration.
Best, [YOUR NAME]
This 'gentle nudge' employs the principle of consistency and commitment. By reminding the client of the previous request without being pushy, it gives them another opportunity to fulfill a small commitment. It also reiterates the value of their feedback, framing it as a contribution to the trainer's service improvement and community, not just a personal gain.
4 Testimonial Request Sequence Mistakes Personal Trainers Make
| Don't Do This | Do This Instead |
|---|---|
✕ Not asking for testimonials at all, assuming clients will offer them unsolicited. | Proactively integrate testimonial requests into your client off-boarding process or at key achievement milestones. Make it a standard part of your client journey. |
✕ Asking vague questions like 'Can you give me a testimonial?' which puts the burden on the client. | Provide specific prompts that guide clients to share effective details about their results, the process, and how their life has changed. Make it easy for them to respond. |
✕ Waiting too long to ask for feedback, causing the client's enthusiasm or memory of specific results to fade. | Request testimonials when the client is still actively experiencing the positive results or has just achieved a significant goal, when their excitement is highest. |
✕ Making the testimonial submission process complicated with long forms or multiple steps. | Offer simple ways to provide testimonials: a direct reply to an email, a short form, or even a quick voice note. Reduce friction at every step. |
Testimonial Request Sequence Timing Guide for Personal Trainers
When you send matters as much as what you send.
The Check-in
Ask how things are going and gauge satisfaction
The Request
Ask for a testimonial with specific, easy prompts
The Gentle Nudge
Follow up with those who have not responded
Send after a win, project completion, or positive feedback.
Customize Testimonial Request Sequence for Your Personal Trainer Specialty
Adapt these templates for your specific industry.
Online Personal Trainers
- Suggest clients record a short video testimonial from their home gym or workout space, showcasing their energy.
- Ask for testimonials that highlight the convenience and effectiveness of remote training, especially how technology made it easy.
- Encourage clients to mention specific digital tools or platforms you used that enhanced their experience.
In-Person Trainers
- Capture a quick testimonial immediately after a particularly successful session or when a client hits a new personal best in the gym.
- Ask clients to describe the atmosphere of your training sessions and how face-to-face interaction supported their goals.
- Suggest they mention the specific equipment or exercises they found most effective with your guidance.
Group Fitness Trainers
- Focus testimonial prompts on the sense of community, shared motivation, and collective energy experienced in the group.
- Encourage clients to describe how the group dynamic helped them stay accountable and push harder.
- Ask about the unique benefits of a group setting compared to individual training, highlighting peer support.
Specialized Trainers
- Tailor your testimonial prompts to the specific niche results, e.g., 'How did our pre-natal program prepare you?' or 'Describe your relief from chronic pain.'
- Ask clients to detail the unique challenges they faced in their specific area and how your specialized approach directly addressed them.
- Highlight the expertise and specialized knowledge you brought to their unique situation, making them feel understood.
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