How to Start a Personal Fitness Trainer Business

Personal fitness trainers help people achieve their fitness goals. Providing personal training services is an exciting and lucrative business venture. However, to achieve financial success in this field, you need to have a large number of clients. If you are passionate about health and fitness, you may consider becoming a personal fitness trainer.

1. Become certified. There are several associations that offer personal training certification. However, it is important that you obtain certification from an accredited personal training organization. You can contact the National Board of Fitness Examiners for details. Visit their website to find out how to register for the certification exam.


2. Find a good facility to train your clients. You can train your clients in their home or you can train them at your local gym. Another option, if you have the resources, is to set up your own training facility. If you decide to train clients at your local gym, be sure that the gym allows you to train your clients at their fitness center.


3. Set your fees. Research your competitors before deciding how much to charge for your services. Most people want to save money, so it is easy for a client to leave their personal trainer to hire a trainer who offers a better rate. Set your rates to be competitive. Also offer irresistible deals to entice clients to sign up for a long-term commitment of 6 months or a year of training. Clients appreciate discount offers and are more likely to stay with you if the deal is right.


4. Market and promote your services. Advertising is an important aspect of running a successful business, so you need to advertise and market your services in as many ways as possible in order to acquire a large number of clients. Place ads in local papers including health and fitness publications, distribute fliers in busy areas of your community including community centers, libraries, laundromats, supermarkets and recreation facilities. Get permission to leave stacks of flyers and business cards at doctors' offices, hospitals, and other health and fitness facilities.


5. Build a referral business. Encourage your current clients to spread the word about your fitness training services and send business your way. To reward them, you can offer them a free training session or a cash incentive for sending you a new client. Set up a website and promote your services through social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.