Starting an online personal training business takes eight steps, from getting certified and choosing who you'll coach to setting your prices and finding your first clients. Here's how to work through each one.
Online coaching gives you the freedom to work with clients on a schedule that suits you both, and lets you coach more clients than you could in person.
An online personal training business can offer various digital fitness services, such as 1-2-1 online personal training, digital fitness coaching, group fitness coaching, and even nutrition coaching if the trainer is qualified.
It's like bringing the gym to your client's device. You'll still provide that personalized experience without the physical space.
You'll guide clients through their exercises, track their progress, and adjust plans, all remotely. Online fitness services allow you to reach clients worldwide seeking convenient, tailored fitness coaching.
Most online personal trainers start with one of these models, then add or drop others as their business grows:
While you need a trainer's knowledge and expertise to launch online personal training services confidently, you'll also need to consider additional technical and skills requirements to make your digital fitness coaching business successful.
Here's what you need to start your online personal trainer business:
If you're already a trainer, you have gone through this, but if you're considering a fitness career, earning the proper certification is your first step.
This is vital for ensuring safe and effective training, establishing credibility in a crowded field, and acquiring liability insurance.
We've previously reviewed the top personal trainer certifications.
Choosing the right one involves finding an accredited program that covers everything you need to know. After studying the materials, you'll gain practical experience and take an exam to get certified.
You don't need a university degree, but it's a plus, especially if you plan to become a certified nutrition expert or work in specialized fields like hospitals.
You can find courses from trusted organizations such as NASM, ACE, or ISSA. Many of these programs also offer nutrition training, which is a great fit since fitness and diet go hand in hand.
While not mandatory, obtaining an online personal trainer certification can equip you with essential skills for virtual coaching, such as client management and remote program design.
Our partner company, PTD Ninja, has developed a comprehensive course for aspiring online trainers with the OPTC, which you can access through their PTD Ninja Academy.
Ash and his team provide specialized knowledge, helping you thrive online.
Before starting a personal training business, determine who you want to work with based on their demographics, interests, and fitness goals.
Are you focusing on beginners, people looking to lose weight, or athletes who want to improve their performance?
Defining your target market will help you tailor your marketing and create services that speak to your audience. Ideally, you want to focus on an area you're passionate about first and foremost, but you also need to consider how you identify your target audience.
Your ideal clients have a problem that needs solving. They are open to exploring new solutions that differ from what they've been doing and must have the means to pay for them.
For example, if you are committed to helping people with their weight loss goals, you might consider working with a specific section of the population, such as stay-at-home mums, people over 50, or high-earning professionals, and figure out which one you'd be most interested in and happy working with.
Your brand is more than just a logo or color scheme. It's about what you represent and what makes you unique.
Start by figuring out your unique selling proposition (USP). What sets you apart from the competition?
Your target audience is one part of the puzzle; you also want to find what makes them tick and why they should choose your services over another trainer offering something similar and communicate that through your marketing.
It's also essential to stay consistent across all your marketing channels. Your logo, color palette, fonts, and messaging should align across your website, social media platforms, and beyond.
Consistency helps build a recognizable brand that potential clients will remember.
Since you're starting an online business, creating a website should be one of your first steps.
Your personal trainer website should be easy to navigate, with clear descriptions of your services, testimonials, and a way for clients to book sessions or purchase programs.
Since many people will visit your site on their smartphones, ensure it's mobile-friendly.
This will enhance user experience and improve your site's SEO, helping it rank better in search engines and attract more traffic.
Ensure your website's design reflects your brand's colors and logo across all pages.
If your logo is blue and black, those colors should be prominent throughout your site.
You'll need one place to deliver programs, check-ins, nutrition coaching and messaging, so clients get the same experience wherever they train.
PT Distinction is a personal trainer software platform built for exactly this. You can build programs or create a first draft with the AI Program Builder, track progress and habits, share nutrition plans and message clients, all in one app.
See all PT Distinction features.
Look for tools tracking client performance, such as fitness watches or apps that sync with mobile devices.
These give you valuable insights into your clients' progress.
Also, consider software for managing subscriptions, one-time payments, and invoicing.
Tools like Stripe or PayPal are standard and provide secure payment options tailored to small businesses.
Next, determine what services you'll offer and the pricing of your online personal training packages.
These can include personalized workout plans, group or 1-2-1 coaching calls, nutrition guidance, or habit coaching.
Decide whether to bundle these into packages or offer them individually to provide more flexibility.
Research your competitors, as Questionpro recommends, to understand their pricing. Look at their services, pricing models, and customer reviews.
This will help you position your services competitively while ensuring they align with market rates.
Remember to account for all costs, such as software, marketing, and overheads, to set a price that covers your expenses and generates profit.
Most online coaches charge a monthly fee rather than a price per session.
It gives clients continuity and gives you predictable income. When you set it, include your software costs, the time you spend designing programs, and the time each weekly check-in takes.
Some pricing models to consider:
Now that you've got the essentials, it's time to attract clients. Developing an online marketing plan is critical to starting your online personal training business.
Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, WhatsApp Channels, and YouTube to showcase your services.
Maintaining an active online presence keeps you visible to potential clients.
Engage with your audience by responding to comments, sharing user-generated content, and joining relevant discussions.
You can also build an email list to inform your audience about new offers, tips, or promotions. Regular updates help maintain their interest in your services.
It is crucial to share useful content that appeals to your target market. This can include blog posts, videos, or social media posts that demonstrate your skills and expertise as a personal trainer.
Also, consider running ads on Google or social media to reach more potential clients. Make sure your ads are targeted at the right audience for maximum impact.
If you're already working with clients in person, consider transitioning them to your online services.
However, it's essential to recognize that not all clients are suited for virtual training. Some may prefer the structure of meeting in person to stay accountable or enjoy the social aspect of visiting a gym.
Before making the switch, evaluate which clients are a good fit by explaining the benefits of online training, such as time savings and personalized guidance via video.
Ask them about their preferences and whether they want to try the service.
To ease the transition, offer a free trial or discounted first month. For those hesitant to fully move online, consider offering hybrid options.
This way, you allow clients to familiarize themselves with your app and online features while still getting in-person sessions for accountability and motivation.
If you're starting from scratch, your first clients usually come from people who already know you:
Most online coaches charge a monthly fee. Work it out from the income you want and the number of clients you can coach well, then compare it with trainers in your niche. Include your software, marketing and time costs.
In most places there's no legal requirement, but an accredited certification (such as NASM, ACE or ISSA in the US) gives you the knowledge to coach safely, builds credibility, and is usually needed for liability insurance.
Yes. Many trainers run a hybrid model, with in-person sessions and online programs and check-ins between them. See our guide to hybrid personal training.
Starting an online personal training business means transitioning gym-based services to digital platforms.
To succeed, you need to create and promote your digital presence, from your website to social media and YouTube, to attract, train, and retain clients.
You don't have to manage it all with separate tools. PT Distinction brings programming, client management, messaging, progress tracking and meal plans into one place, with a custom-branded app available on the Pro and Master plans.
Start your 1-month free trial and set up your online coaching business.
Ready to join the family?
We'll get you up and running in no time. Start with our zero-risk free trial and build your personal training empire today.
