The Magic of 50: Why the 50th Personal Training Session Changes Everything
- David Otey
- Jun 15
- 5 min read
By David Otey, CSCS
One of the biggest challenges we face as personal trainers isn't just getting clients in the door—it's keeping them coming back.
The barrier to entry into our profession is relatively low compared to others in the health field, but sustaining a career in this industry is anything but easy. Attrition among fitness professionals is high, and one of the biggest reasons is an inability to keep the clients you acquire.
That means a trainer is constantly stuck on the hamster wheel of chasing new leads rather than deepening and maximizing the value of existing relationships.
Let’s face it: building a business that supports a sustainable lifestyle isn’t about having the most Instagram followers or mastering flashy exercises. It’s about developing trust, delivering results, and earning enough consistent income to keep doing the work you love. And all of that comes down to retention.
If you’ve been coaching long enough, you’ve probably had clients who start strong, but after five or ten sessions, disappear with promises of one day starting back up.
Rarely does that actually happen.
Maybe they had a scheduling conflict, maybe finances changed, or maybe—just maybe—you missed the mark on their experience and engagement.
That’s why tracking client satisfaction isn’t just “good customer service”—it’s vital to your livelihood.
Tracking the Client Experience
Client satisfaction shouldn't be a guessing game.
It’s something that should be monitored just as closely as their squat form or progressive overload. If you’re not already doing so, I strongly recommend building a simple system to track how each client feels about their sessions.
Every session you have with a client is either a win or a loss.
You are either showing why you are worth every dollar and more to provide the results and experience they are aiming for.
OR
You are showing them why their money could be better invested or spent elsewhere.
A quick post-session questionnaire, a regular check-in message, or even scheduled sit-downs to discuss progress and goals can make a huge difference.
The key is to be proactive rather than reactive.
By the time a client tells you they’re unhappy or disengaged, it’s often too late.
But when you integrate check-ins into your coaching process, you create an open channel for feedback, which not only makes the client feel heard—it gives you a valuable opportunity to course-correct before they drift away.
Ask yourself:
Are you delivering the results they expected?
Are you collaboratively pushing them?
Are you still aligned with their goals?
Client satisfaction is a moving target.
Keeping that in mind and adjusting accordingly can be the difference between a one-off client and someone who trains with you for years.
The Data Doesn’t Lie: The 50-Session Threshold
Numbers never lie.
According to data collected by IHRSA (International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association) now known as the Health and Fitness Association, there’s a sharp divide in renewal rates depending on how many training sessions a client completes.
The findings are eye-opening:
Approximately 50% of clients who purchase personal training complete 10 or fewer sessions.
However, clients who complete 50 sessions or more are exponentially more likely to renew their packages, continue training consistently, and see long-term results.
Clients who were members of the facility with 2x more likely to reach the 50+ mark.
That 50-session milestone isn’t just a random number.
It represents a psychological and behavioral tipping point. Clients who reach that level of consistency have formed habits, seen measurable progress, and developed a real relationship with their trainer.
They've moved beyond the novelty of working out and into the lifestyle of training.
What this tells us as coaches is that our goal should be to keep them on the road long enough to see the value of having a coach in their corner for a lifetime.
How to Get Clients to 50 Sessions
So, how do you get clients to stick around long enough to hit that magic number?
Here are four key strategies I’ve used and seen work time and time again:
1. Create Incentives for Milestones
Rewards are important to cultivate a relationship. One of the best ways to keep clients engaged is to create mini-milestones with incentives.
For example:
Offer a free assessment or session after every 20 completed.
Provide small gifts (like a branded shirt) after session 25.
Highlight their success in public forums.
Solidifying their identity of training consistently with you will go a long way by showing appreciation and dedication over the weeks.
2. Schedule Reassessments Every 4–6 Weeks
Progress isn’t always obvious.
Sometimes clients feel like they’re spinning their wheels because the scale isn’t moving—even if they’re getting stronger, sleeping better, or reducing pain.
That’s why regularly scheduled reassessments are essential.
Every 4–6 weeks, sit down and revisit their goals.
Every 1-2 weeks, you should be providing feedback on their progress whether it be weight, bodyfat, circumference measurements, etc.
Perform measurements, retest movement patterns, and re-evaluate priorities.
Make the progress visible.
When a client sees clear, data-backed evidence that their time is paying off, they’re far more likely to keep investing in their training.
3. Follow Up Like a Pro
Most trainers do a great job in the session—but where you differentiate yourself is what you do between sessions.
Did your client mention they have a stressful presentation this week? Shoot them a quick text the day before to say, “You’ve got this!”
Did they hit a PR last week? Send them a message on how proud you are they gritted it out and stuck to the plan.
These small touches build emotional connection and trust—two elements that directly correlate with client longevity.
Coaching doesn't end when the session ends.
4. Set and Re-Set Goals Consistently
Goals evolve over time.
What a client wanted on Day 1 might not be what they want 6 weeks or even 4 weeks down the road. That’s why we are constantly reshaping our goals.
Instead, incorporate goal reviews into your routine check-ins. If someone’s original goal was to lose 20 pounds, and they’ve lost 15, start mapping out their next performance goal—maybe a 315 lb deadlift or completing a race.
This keeps the training purposeful and keeps motivation high.
The Bottom Line
Client attrition is a real challenge in the personal training industry.
But if you zoom out and look at the patterns, a clear solution emerges: get your clients to 50 sessions.
The data supports it, and the results speak for themselves. Those who reach 50 are more likely to renew, more likely to achieve lasting results, and more likely to become your best referral sources.
If you are looking for more tips on how to get to that 50th session, book a free call with me or check out the Career Trainer Mentorship on how to utilize my system to create the career you always wanted!
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