Offline clients are designed for trainers who want to manage client information, programs, and progress without giving the client access to the ABC Trainerize mobile app. This client type is commonly used for in-person training, pre-launch setup, or internal planning before a client officially joins your coaching.
This article explains what Offline Clients are, how they work, and best practices for using them effectively.
What Is an Offline Client?
An Offline Client is one of the four client types that you can choose from when adding a new client to your account.
When a client is added as an Offline client:
- The client cannot log into the Trainerize app
- The client does not receive an invitation email
- All activity and progress is managed and tracked by the trainer
- The client still takes up a client seat on your plan
Offline clients exist entirely on the trainer side, allowing you to build and manage their training experience without client-facing access.
When To Use Offline Clients
Offline clients are ideal when you want to prepare everything in advance or manage in-person clients who don't require app access.
Common use cases include:
- Setting up client profiles and programs before officially launching
- Preparing clients ahead of your Custom Branded App launch
- Managing in-person training clients
- Structuring programs internally before inviting clients to the app
As a trainer, you can fully manage an offline client's training experience behind the scenes, including assigning programs, habits, logging and tracking workouts on the client's behalf, as well as building and organizing client programs before launch.
Managing Offline Clients
Offline clients appear in the Coaching Clients folder of your Client List. You can easily filter your client list 'By Type' to easily identify and manage Offline Clients:
Filtering by Client Type is especially helpful if you:
- Bulk upload clients using a CSV file
- Want to tag offline clients in bulk
- Subscribe offline clients to a program or group
- Plan to convert multiple offline clients at a later date
You can also use the bulk actions in the Client List to update multiple offline clients at once, such as changing client types, applying tags, or subscribing them to programs.
Converting Offline Clients
Offline clients do not receive an invitation email when they are first added. A client will only receive an invitation email if and when they are converted to a coaching type that has app access (for example, Full Access 2-Way, Full-Access 1 Way, or Basic).
This allows you to:
- Fully prepare programs and structures in advance
- Control exactly when the client gains access to the app
- Ensure a clean, ready-to-use experience on day one
How to Convert Offline Clients Manually
To manually convert an offline client to an active coaching client:
1. Navigate to your Clients tab and select the clients you want to update.
2. From the menu, select the Change Type drop down.
3, Choose the desire coaching type (Full Access 2-Way, Full Access 1-Way, or Basic)
4. Select Change to save.
Once updated, the client will automatically receive an invitation email prompting them to setup their account and log into the ABC Trainerize mobile app, or your Custom Branded App.
How to Convert Offline Clients via Automation
Offline Clients can be converted automatically using Product Automation, allowing you to control when clients receive app access and their invitation email.
A common setup includes:
First Purchase Automation: Set the client type to Offline, preventing the invitation email from being sent to new clients immediately on product purchase.
Product Starts Automation: Change the client type to a Full Access coaching client, at which point the invitation email is sent.
This approach is ideal when a client's purchase date and product start date are different, so you can ensure the client only gains access to the app when coaching officially begins.
For more information about setting up Product Automation, visit: Automating Content Delivery with Product Automation
