How to Start a Personal Trainer Business

If you are a professional personal trainer that has been working for a gym or other entity, you have have considered starting your own personal trainer business. If you like to be in charge of your schedule and would like to work with your own clients, this may be a wonderful choice for you. It does take a lot of work and dedication, but the results can be very rewarding and you may find that you do far better financially on your own than you did at a traditional job. Read on for tips on starting your own personal trainer business.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Internet
• Marketing Plan
• Budget
• Business Cards
• Business logo
• Accounting Software

1. Create a Business Plan

   ~ Create Your Business Plan ~

   Creating a business plan doesn't have to be overly time-consuming and it doesn't have to be a really in-depth document. It should lay out the goals for our personal trainer business so that you know what direction you need to go.

2. Create Business Materials

   ~ Choose a Company Name, Company Logo, & Company Slogan ~

   Take your time doing this as it's going to be your identity to all of your potential clients. Look at what other personal trainer businesses are using to get ideas, but make your logo uniquely yours. Once you have your company name, logo, and slogan, you should immediately have business cards printed. You should also create professional letterhead.

3. ~ It's time to start marketing ~

   In order to get clients, you have to market your new personal trainer business. As a new business owner, you are likely on a tight budget. Here are some marketing ideas that won't break the bank:

   ~ Use your entire network to get the word out. Let all your friends, family, and business connections know that you are starting your own business and ask them to refer you.

   ~ Make connections at small, local gyms that may not have a personal trainer on staff. See if you can leave information for their members.

   ~ Do a direct mail campaign to carefully chosen areas - make sure the people you are sending information to can afford your services.

   ~ Newspaper advertising may work. If you have a magazine that is created only for your general area, you may want to advertise there as well.

   ~ Look for groups of women who fit your demographics and offer a free course on fitness. This will help you to get your name out and possibly get clients. For example, approach homeowner's associations in high income areas.

   ~ Offer free consultations and or/reduced prices for an initial session with you. Offer reduced prices to clients who refer their friends.

4. ~ Build your business by offering more than what is expected of you ~

   You will find that eventually you'll get most of your business from referrals. Getting the first few clients will be the hardest. When you get them, make sure that you consistently offer more than what they expect so that they will refer you without hesitation.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider staying at your current job while you get your new personal trainer business up and going.