Business strengths
Personal trainer Ty Paul shares the highs and lows of running a successful coaching service, and why being your own boss requires the right support
When Ty Paul launched his personal training business 16 years ago, it looked very different to how it does today. For a start, there was no bricks-andmortar gym. Ty Paul Fitness essentially amounted to
Paul hopping on his bicycle, resistance bands and dumbbells in tow, to train clients around Brighton
– in parks, on the beach or in their homes.
Fast forward to today and Paul is regarded as one of the most distinguished fitness professionals working in the UK. A former Men’s Health Coach of the Year, he now has his own studio, kitted out with the latest BlazePod reflex training tech and NOHrD treadmills, and he trains everyone from professional Premier
League footballers, such as Marc Cucurella and
Yves Bissouma to swole septuagenarians.
Duty of care
From the very beginning, says Paul, the three best things about owning his own business have remained the same: doing what he loves, being his own boss, and getting to set his own agenda. But being in charge also comes with worries and pressures – such as what to do if something were to go wrong.
Whoever the client is, he points out, while they’re in his gym he’s responsible for them and owes them a duty of care. ‘Even though I’m fully qualified and have been working for over 16 years, the safety of my clients is something I worry about,’ he admits. ‘Injuries can occur at any time, and it’s always a concern. There’s only so much you can do and accidents can happen.’
One less worry
If something was ever to go wrong, Paul needs to feel confident that he’s protected – which is why having the right insurance, such as the policies offered by Fitness Gold, is high on his agenda when it comes to business priorities. Knowing that he has support in his corner should the worst happen means one less thing to worry about, so he can concentrate on what he loves: helping his clients.
Because, as he puts it, ‘The biggest high comes from the positive effect I feel I have on people’s lives.’
‘The safety of my clients is something I worry about. Injuries can happen’