How to Launch a Personal Training Business

A fitness professional's job revolves around training clients and helping them reach their fitness goals. Learn more about the different kinds of fitness business structures and what steps to take to start your business.

What Is a Personal Training Business? 

A personal training business offers fitness-related services, such as a personalized exercise program. Through fitness and sometimes nutritional guidance, personal trainers help clients reach their health and fitness goals. 

Fitness trainers work with a diverse client base, regardless of age or physical performance. 

4 Personal Training Business Models

As a fitness professional, you can offer prospective clients a few different options: 

1. One-on-one Training

Fitness industry professionals can offer clients individual, in-person training. Through this model, customers receive your undivided attention during their one-on-one sessions. 

2. Group Sessions

With group sessions, you create a workout program for a team, like a senior citizen community center or a department at an office. You won't be able to focus on each individual as much, but you can still offer corrections and tips to your clients. 

3. Online Sessions

Fitness training is also possible through the internet. With this model, you can meet with a person or a group and offer tips and advice online. While this isn't as hands-on as other models, it allows you to work with a wider customer base since you're not limited by geography. 

4. Hybrid Sessions

A hybrid model offers your potential clients flexibility. You can meet them in person or online depending on their schedules. This is a great option for busy professionals. 

How to Start a Personal Training Business: Step-by-step Guide

1. Find Your Niche

Before you launch your business, figure out what kind of services you want to provide. For example, if you are a fitness professional with an online presence, you can offer online classes to reach a wide range of clients. Or maybe you are a former dancer who wants to help make exercise feel less boring through dance fitness classes. 

2. Get Certified

Fitness certifications are typically a requirement for a personal trainer business, especially if you want to work through a gym. Getting certified helps build your credibility, which can help you. Find a fitness certification company, such as National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) and International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA).

3. Set Up Your Business

Now that you know your area of focus and have your certification, you can set up your business. Start with a business plan, so you know what your goals are, what kind of business you want to start (for example, are you a sole proprietor or do you want a limited liability company?) and whether you want to work with a gym space or independently.

Once you have outlined your plans, you can get a business license and get insured, both of which can help you remain in good standing. Liability insurance can help protect you in the case of emergencies. 

4. Gather the Right Gym Equipment

If you are going solo, make sure you have the right exercise equipment in place before you start taking on new clients. You can even use this equipment as a way to stand out or intrigue potential customers. 

5. Market Your Business

When you start a business, a marketing strategy is paramount. If you want to take on local clients, you can try to partner with a health food store that can help refer clients your way. If your ideal client lives anywhere, you can use social media platforms to reach your target market.

6. Commit to Improvement 

Your fitness journey isn't over once you get your personal trainer certifications. Continue to grow by staying up to date on the latest fitness trends and partaking in continuing education. This will help you better serve your clients. 

How to Make Your Personal Training Services Stand Out

Here are a few ways you can attract future clients: 

1. Create a Business Profile

A professional profile can encourage fitness enthusiasts to want to hire you. With a Noodle account, you can create a sleek profile that can even take the place of a website. 

2. Make it Easy to Book You

An appointment management system makes it easy for clients to book your services without any back-and-forth communication. Noodle allows you to sell and schedule your services automatically, giving you and your customers one less thing to worry about. 

3. Create Online Content 

Even if your goal is not online coaching, you can benefit from offering a demo class. It gives potential clients an idea of how you train clients, which can encourage them to hire you. You can use Noodle's Byte feature to show who you are as a trainer. 

4. Present Several Options

Not every client has the same goals, so make sure you offer several options. Offer a variety of training hours and price ranges so you can attract as many customers as possible. If you have current clients, ask them how you can be more flexible and let that inform what other services you offer. 

With Noodle's one-link, you can display all your services on a sleek interface. 

5. Offer a Discount

Consider offering a discount for first-time clients. This can encourage people to try your services, and then you can wow them with your skills and professionalism. 

6. Start an Email List 

Building an online community is a good way to get clients. With a newsletter, you can offer practical tips they can use in their everyday life. For example, you can send an email that details five easy ways to increase their steps in a day. Providing valuable information like this is a way to build goodwill with clients. 

FAQs: Personal Training Business

How do I start a business as a fitness professional?

Start with a personal training business plan, which can help you narrow down what kind of business you want to start, what you want to accomplish and what services you will offer. After that, you can focus on getting the proper certifications, business license and liability insurance. Once you have set your business up, work on marketing yourself. 

How do I sell my fitness services?

There are several ways you can stand out, including by creating a newsletter, offering a demo class and discounting a client's first class.