“I’m going to tell my friend about you!”
Personal trainers hear this all the time. But how do you take these nice words and turn them into real business?
Client referrals remain one of the most powerful and affordable ways to grow a small business whether you’re a personal trainer, studio owner, or running a local gym.
Asking for referrals is incredibly cost-efficient because they come from trusted sources, which means prospects can transition quickly from cold leads to loyal clients, and often stick around longer as well.
But beyond delivering great service, what can you do to make it even easier for clients to refer you, to nudge them in the right direction, and to turn happy customers into true brand advocates? Read along to find out.
Why Do Client Referrals Matter?
A client referral is a huge vote of confidence for you and your business. And in a world where 93% of consumers say online reviews affect shopping choices, referrals are far superior.
That’s because they come from someone the prospect already trusts, which makes their decision much easier. According to Nielsen, 82% of Americans say they turn to friends and family for advice before making a purchase.
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Just think, when a client of yours tells a friend or acquaintance about you and your services, it means you already have a leg up on establishing the “know, like and trust” factor with that prospective client.
They’re receiving positive information about your business straight from a trusted source, and that fast-tracks their decision-making process.
If you still think referrals are about asking for a favor, it might be time to rethink how you view your business. Understanding how to turn client success into word-of-mouth growth is a valuable skill, and one of the most effective and professional ways to grow locally.
When you present it as part of the value you offer, clients are happy to recommend you. After all, they already trust you and know the impact you can make.
Here are five simple, professional ways to encourage more referrals and turn happy clients into advocates.
5 Ways to Generate More Client Referrals
#1: Ask for a testimonial via email
Email is a simple, professional way to collect testimonials without putting anyone on the spot. If the thought of bringing it up face-to-face makes you cringe, email takes the pressure off both you and your client while still getting the job done.
It also makes it easy for your client to respond on their own time. Here’s an example email you can customize and use:
Dear (Name),
I’m finally launching that new program, and I would love to show others what’s possible when they commit to their help, just like you! 🤭👏
Your experience could inspire someone else to take that first step.
If you’re up for it, would you answer these quick questions? Feel free to reply here or even send me a short video or voice note, whichever is easier:
- What was your biggest challenge before starting?
- How did that affect your day-to-day?
- How has our program helped you?
- What’s different for you now?
Thanks so much for being willing to share. Let me know if you’d rather chat about it live instead
See you soon,
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#2: Develop a customer loyalty program
Loyal clients are amazing brand ambassadors, and they are more likely to refer others to your business. And it pays off: referred members typically spend 16% more over their lifetime.
Reward models you can try:
- Percentage discount on next package: Clients get a set percentage off their next package when their referral signs up.
- Free sessions: Offer one or more free sessions when they bring in a new client.
- Account credit or points: Give clients a monetary credit they can stack and redeem later.
- Value-add perks: Offer a bonus like a nutrition consult, branded gear, or a recovery drink instead of a discount.
If you’re using Trainerize, you can even automate it with the built-in Client Referrals banner. Clients simply tap the banner in their app, auto-share their unique link, and you can see exactly who referred whom in your dashboard.
You can also keep it personal with a quick automated message like this:
“Hey [Client name], high-five on crushing today’s session. If you’ve got a friend who’d vibe with our training, share this link: [URL]. When they book an 8-session pack, both of you get 15 % off your next invoice. No fine print, just more gains together.”
Next move for you this week:
- Open ABC Trainerize and switch on referrals.
- Draft your one-sentence invite and schedule it to go out in tomorrow’s client recap messages.
- Circle back in 30 days, check the numbers, and adjust the reward if your cost to acquire (CAC) is still under your target.
#3: Ask your clients to follow you on social media
If your clients are paying you, it’s safe to say they like what you are doing. So why not get them to validate that by following you on social media?
All you have to do is ask them to follow you, and if you want to throw in a little incentive, let them know what kind of content you share.
Whether it’s recipes, motivational quotes, fitness tips, or updates on new programs or offers, your clients will enjoy staying connected with you on social media.
To make it even more effective, create posts designed for them to share, such as a workout challenge, a transformation template, or a motivational quote featuring your handle. Every tag, Story mention, or repost helps expand your reach to new people who already trust the recommendation because it came from someone they know.
The best part? It’s free! All it takes is a little bit of creativity and some time on your part. Talk about a winning marketing tactic!
📝 Check Out: The Ultimate Guide to Instagram Marketing for Fitness Professionals
#4: Send a “Bring a Friend” invitation
Bring-a-friend invitations work best when clients can share them in a single tap with zero friction. Start by creating a unique booking link or coupon code for the free session, set an expiry date (like the end of the month), and, if your CRM allows, drop the client’s first name into the sender field so it feels personal.
Once your link is ready, give your client a pre-written message they can forward in the channel they already use. Here are a few proven examples you can copy:
- Seasonal (New Year, summer, etc.):
“New year, new habits. I’ve got a free January group session with my trainer. Claim your spot before 10 Jan: [Link]. Let’s kick off 2026 stronger together.”
- Group Class:
“Hey [Friend Name], I booked a spot in my trainer’s Glute & Core Blast small group on [Date/Time], and I can bring one guest free. Want to join? Grab your place here before [Date]: [Link]. See you on the mats!”
- Challenge or Event:
“My trainer is running a 30-Day Strength Challenge starting [Date], and I can invite a friend to join the kickoff class. Here’s the link to sign up: [Link]. Let me know if you’re in so we can do it together!”
- Social Media Story (for challenges or themed weeks):
“🚨 Free guest pass for this week’s Mobility Challenge! DM me ‘PASS’ by Thursday and I’ll send you the link.”
Send your clients the template that matches their preferred channel, paste in their unique link, and ask them to forward it to one friend today.
Check your booking calendar daily, confirm both names once the guest reserves, and after the session, follow up with a thank-you and even a referral discount if the guest signs up.
Keeping the process this simple makes it easy to measure how many invites turn into clients and adjust the message or reward as needed.
#5: Follow up and say thanks
Following up after a referral turns a one-time gesture into a habit. The key is to reinforce their action while the good feeling is still fresh, ideally within two hours of the guest session, so they associate the reward with their behavior.
Send a quick, personal voice note or short video instead of text to strengthen the connection. Make it specific and genuine:
- “You really kept [Friend Name] motivated on those last push-ups, because of you, he just started his first real training plan.”
Framing it around the benefit they created, not the favor they did you, makes them feel like a supportive teammate, which they’re more likely to repeat.
The next day, follow up with a progress update on their friend:
- “[Friend Name] booked his follow-up for next Tuesday.”
Don’t forget to include a small, unexpected bonus, such as a mobility PDF or a recovery drink voucher. Keep the bonus modest so it feels like appreciation, not a transaction.
A week later, if they’re comfortable, give them public recognition, in a group class or Instagram Story, and highlight the benefit to the guest:
- “Thanks to [Client Name], [Friend Name] is already nailing goblet squats.”
Finally, track their referrals and rotate rewards over time, starting with a free session, then branded gear, and finally an invite-only workshop, to keep things novel and engaging without having to increase the value every time.
Client Referrals: Conclusion
When dealing with face-to-face or online training clients, referrals should be at the forefront of your personal training business. Referrals can easily increase traffic to your site, land more clients, and most importantly, help establish you as an authority in your niche.
With tools like Trainerize, you can automate and track referrals, create shareable links and booking codes, and even deliver rewards seamlessly, so you can focus on what you do best: coaching.
Practice these methods in your daily marketing efforts, and you’ll quickly find it to become second nature. Watch the referrals start pouring in with this organic marketing strategy.
Ready to take your online fitness game to the next level? Start your free 30-day trial of ABC Trainerize today!
