Becoming an online personal trainer is thrilling\u2014you have control over your schedule, the format of your sessions, and the number of clients you take on. However, making a full-time income from online fitness coaching can be difficult without the right guidance.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s our full guide to becoming an online personal trainer, covering everything from getting qualified to growing your personal brand.<\/p>\n
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Becoming an online personal trainer (step-by-step guide)<\/h2>\n1. Get qualified as a PT<\/h2>\n
If you\u2019re not already working in the fitness sector, the
\nfirst step to becoming an online personal trainer is to ensure you have the
\ncore qualifications needed, which are:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing<\/li>\n
- Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Achieving a Level 2 qualification enables you to work as an
\ninstructor in a gym or sports centre. But if you want to offer personalised
\none-on-one coaching to clients, you\u2019ll need a Level 3 Certificate in Personal
\nTraining.<\/p>\nYou\u2019ll also need to develop a range of hard and soft skills to feel confident working as an online personal trainer. You can read more about these in our guide to the 12 roles and responsibilities of a personal trainer<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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2. Define your unique selling point\u00a0 \u00a0<\/h2>\n
You may think
\ntargeting everyone interested in improving their fitness will help you succeed in
\nbecoming an online personal trainer.<\/p>\nHowever, it\u2019s much easier to identify a smaller area of the market, as you\u2019ll have a greater chance of standing out against the crowd and gaining a following of like-minded clients who are seeking expert advice rather than a general approach to their fitness.<\/p>\n
For example, @rebeccalouisefitness<\/a> on TikTok (with over 500k followers) creates content geared towards pregnant women. This is evident in her bio as soon as you land on her profile, which reads \u2018Your Pregnant Workout & Mindset Bestie\u2019.<\/p>\n
She uses her account to promote her training programme, the Burn Method<\/a>, which is aimed at the same target audience.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a good idea to:<\/p>\n
- \n
- identify a niche area of the market you\u2019re genuinely passionate about<\/li>\n
- perform in-depth competitor research<\/a> to see what\u2019s already out there<\/li>\n
- build your knowledge and expertise in this area through further training and research<\/li>\n
- grow your personal brand in this area by creating content catered towards your target audience, and developing a training programme that suits their fitness goals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Keep reading for more detailed advice on these steps.<\/p>\n
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3. Create a business plan<\/h2>\n
The journey to
\nbecoming an online fitness coach becomes much clearer once you\u2019ve chosen a
\nniche to target. You can begin outlining your goals, services, pricing
\nstructure, and marketing strategies based on what you discover in your initial
\nresearch.<\/p>\nThoroughly
\nresearching the market, both within and outside of your niche, will give you
\nideas and help you visualise the business you want to create.<\/p>\nA quick Google or social media search of different terms, such as \u2018online personal trainer for runners<\/a>\u2019 or \u2018online personal trainer for women over 50<\/a>\u2019 will give you examples of existing businesses and their format, pricing structures, and so on.<\/p>\n
It can also help you
\ndecide on your main income streams, such as:<\/p>\n- \n
- one-on-one coaching<\/li>\n
- group training sessions<\/li>\n
- a subscription service<\/li>\n
- pre-recorded online programmes<\/li>\n
- e-books on fitness or nutrition<\/li>\n
- affiliate marketing<\/li>\n
- sponsorships and brand partnerships<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If you already have an online following or strong social media marketing skills, you may prefer generating income through brand partnerships instead of traditional one-to-one personal training sessions.<\/p>\n
Once you\u2019ve done your research and had an initial brainstorm, read our guide on what to include in your personal trainer business plan<\/a> to flesh this out.<\/p>\n
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4. Choose the right platform for your business<\/h2>\n
When learning how to become an online fitness coach, choosing
\nthe platform that best suits your business needs is an important step.<\/p>\nThe options available to you are:<\/p>\n
- \n
- social media<\/strong>\u2014a personal brand-building approach through sharing workout tips, challenges, and nutrition advice via TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube<\/li>\n
- a personal trainer website<\/strong>\u2014best for promoting one-on-one coaching or pre-recorded programmes and attracting clients through fitness articles, videos, and other resources<\/li>\n
- a third-party coaching platform<\/strong>\u2014such as My PTHub or Trainerize. Though less customisable, these can be more affordable and user-friendly than developing your own website<\/li>\n
- a combination<\/strong>\u2014you can use social media to promote one-to-one coaching and training programmes if you\u2019re a keen content creator, or encourage website users to connect with you on social platforms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Related: <\/strong>How to design personal training packages (step-by-step)<\/a><\/p>\n
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5. Automate your business through software<\/h2>\n
The software you\u2019ll need depends heavily on the format of
\nyour online fitness coaching business. It differs on a case-by-case basis, but
\ngenerally:<\/p>\nGeneral software needs<\/h4>\n
- \n
- website builder<\/strong>\u2014Squarespace, Wix, or WordPress are good options for creating a professional personal trainer website<\/li>\n
- payment processing<\/strong>\u2014PayPal or Stripe are designed for handling transactions (though this is often included in CMS tools, if you\u2019re using this as your platform)<\/li>\n
- email marketing<\/strong>\u2014tools like Mailchimp or Active Campaign are useful if you want to send newsletters to your clients<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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One-on-one coaching and group classes<\/h4>\n
- \n
- video conferencing<\/strong>\u2014Zoom or YouTube Live can be used for running online sessions if you don\u2019t have an all-in-one software such as Trainerize<\/li>\n
- CMS (client management software)<\/strong>\u2014tools like Trainerize or TrueCoach are designed for tracking client progress and communications, and improving client retention through their connectivity and ease of use \u00a0<\/li>\n
- scheduling software<\/strong>\u2014Calendly or Acuity Scheduling may be useful for managing your appointments if this isn\u2019t part of your CMS \u00a0<\/li>\n
- community platforms<\/strong>\u2014Facebook Groups or Discord can be used to foster a sense of community among clients<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Pre-recorded programmes<\/h4>\n
- \n
- live streaming software<\/strong>\u2014Zoom or YouTube Live can be used for streaming to multiple clients<\/li>\n
- CMS (client management software)<\/strong>\u2014tools like Trainerize or TrueCoach are designed for tracking client progress and communications, and improving client retention through their connectivity and ease of use\u00a0<\/li>\n
- LMS (learning management software)<\/strong>\u2014Thinkific or Teachable are specially designed for hosting online courses<\/li>\n
- scheduling software<\/strong>\u2014Calendly or Acuity Scheduling may be useful for managing your appointments if this isn\u2019t part of your CMS\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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All online fitness coaching formats<\/h4>\n
- \n
- fitness tracking apps<\/strong>\u2014integration with apps like MyFitnessPal or Garmin may be useful for tracking client progress<\/li>\n
- content creation tools<\/strong>\u2014tools like Canva can be invaluable for designing marketing materials or social media posts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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6. Develop your training programme<\/h2>\n
Once you\u2019ve scoped
\nout a strategy for your business, you can develop a training programme aimed
\nspecifically at your target audience.<\/p>\nIt should be customised based on your clients\u2019 goals, fitness level, health status, and age, amongst other factors<\/a>.<\/p>\n
To offer a more tailored approach, you may decide to create varied programmes for different clients based on their answers to a questionnaire or during a PT consultation<\/a>.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re delivering
\nthis through pre-recorded sessions, LMS software such as Thinkific or Teachable
\ncan host your programme and provide a seamless learning experience for your
\nclients.<\/p>\nY<\/del>ou
\nmay decide to solely run live one-to-one or group sessions\u2014if so, you\u2019ll find platforms
\nstreaming platforms such as Zoom are best for this client experience.<\/p>\nRelated: <\/strong>How to create & build effective online training programmes for your clients<\/a><\/p>\n
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7. Build your online presence<\/h2>\n
Developing your online marketing skills and using them to
\nbuild a strong digital presence is essential for you to become an online
\npersonal trainer.<\/p>\nNot only does it help you showcase your expertise in your
\nchosen niche and attract potential clients, but it fosters a sense of community
\nand trust, encouraging engagement and retention from existing clients.<\/p>\nIt\u2019s important to:<\/p>\n
- \n
- create a professional website<\/strong>\u2014building a quality PT website<\/a> is crucial when becoming an online personal trainer (unless you\u2019re building a business solely on social media)<\/li>\n
- leverage social media<\/strong>\u2014targeting platforms that resonate with your target audience, such as Instagram, TikTok or Facebook, is a must<\/li>\n
- learn other forms of online marketing<\/strong>\u2014learning basic skills in SEO<\/a>, email marketing<\/a>, or even paid advertising<\/a> can help you scale your business once its established<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Robust Running<\/a> and the Burn Method<\/a> are two good examples of online fitness coaching websites with a clear target audience in mind.<\/p>\n
The first example is
\naimed at runners wanting to build their strength, and the latter is aimed
\nprimarily at women looking to improve their fitness and nutrition.<\/p>\nYou can read our full guide on using TikTok as a personal trainer<\/a> and this guide to Instagram marketing for fitness professionals<\/a> for actionable advice on building your following on these platforms.<\/p>\n
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8. Growing your client base<\/h2>\n
There\u2019s a lot you can do either to convert potential clients into paying customers or keep those already subscribed to your services on board.<\/p>\n
- \n
- surveys<\/strong>\u2014gathering insights from both existing and potential clients can help you determine their needs and preferences and further tailor your services towards them<\/li>\n
- reviews and testimonials<\/strong>\u2014offering existing clients an incentive, such as a voucher for a partnered fitness brand, in exchange for leaving you a review or testimonial can help you build social proof and attract new clients<\/li>\n
- networking<\/strong>\u2014by participating in forums, groups, or social media discussions to connect with others in the fitness industry, you can build your online presence further and establish yourself as an expert in your area<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Related: <\/strong>How to use PT testimonials to boost your business<\/a><\/p>\n
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Online fitness coaching FAQs<\/h2>\n
Do I need a qualification to be an online personal trainer?<\/h3>\n
Holding a personal training qualification in the UK is not legally required, as the title \u2018personal trainer\u2019 is not a protected term. However, a Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training is a pre-requisite for most fitness jobs and personal trainer insurance policies.<\/p>\n
Without this qualification, operating as an online personal trainer could jeopardise your business and client safety.<\/p>\n
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Are online personal trainers in demand?<\/h3>\n
Yes\u2014there\u2019s been a huge shift towards virtual fitness solutions in recent years, especially since people are becoming more pressed for time and require flexible fitness solutions that fit their schedules. And it\u2019s not hard to find personal trainer vacancies<\/a> online.<\/p>\n
Related: <\/strong>How to write a personal trainer bio<\/a><\/p>\n
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Can you make money as an online personal trainer?<\/h3>\n
Becoming an online personal trainer versus working in a health and fitness setting can be incredibly lucrative, as your earning potential is uncapped. You can easily sell pre-recorded or group fitness sessions and, therefore, take on more clients.\u00a0Through Insure4Sport, you can provide personal training sessions for up to 10 online clients at once and accommodate up to 30 participants based on the type of fitness class.<\/p>\n
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How much do online personal trainers make?<\/h3>\n
There\u2019s technically no limit to how much you can earn as an online personal trainer, especially if you\u2019re skilled at leveraging your website traffic or social media following.<\/p>\n
However, it can certainly take some time to build your online client base, so you may want to gradually transition into taking your business online rather than relying on it as your sole source of income straight away.<\/p>\n
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Specialist personal trainer insurance through Insure4Sport<\/h3>\n
Before you\u2019re caught up in the excitement of becoming an online personal trainer, you may want to consider specialist insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Through Insure4Sport, you\u2019ll be covered to teach up to 10 online clients in group PT sessions and up to 30, depending on the type of fitness class. Pre-recorded sessions are also covered for onboarded clients.<\/p>\n
Learn more about how we can help here<\/a>, or click the button below to get an instant online quote.<\/p>\n
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- reviews and testimonials<\/strong>\u2014offering existing clients an incentive, such as a voucher for a partnered fitness brand, in exchange for leaving you a review or testimonial can help you build social proof and attract new clients<\/li>\n
- leverage social media<\/strong>\u2014targeting platforms that resonate with your target audience, such as Instagram, TikTok or Facebook, is a must<\/li>\n
- content creation tools<\/strong>\u2014tools like Canva can be invaluable for designing marketing materials or social media posts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- CMS (client management software)<\/strong>\u2014tools like Trainerize or TrueCoach are designed for tracking client progress and communications, and improving client retention through their connectivity and ease of use\u00a0<\/li>\n
- CMS (client management software)<\/strong>\u2014tools like Trainerize or TrueCoach are designed for tracking client progress and communications, and improving client retention through their connectivity and ease of use \u00a0<\/li>\n
- payment processing<\/strong>\u2014PayPal or Stripe are designed for handling transactions (though this is often included in CMS tools, if you\u2019re using this as your platform)<\/li>\n
- a personal trainer website<\/strong>\u2014best for promoting one-on-one coaching or pre-recorded programmes and attracting clients through fitness articles, videos, and other resources<\/li>\n
- social media<\/strong>\u2014a personal brand-building approach through sharing workout tips, challenges, and nutrition advice via TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube<\/li>\n
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