If we’ve learnt one thing from the last few years, it’s that online offerings are essential for most businesses. If you’re a personal trainer, there’s a good chance you’ve considered taking your business online. After all, online personal training is sustainable, flexible, efficient, and has plenty of room for you to grow to levels that are usually limited with a strictly in-person business model.
In a time where fitness clients are increasingly seeking hybrid offerings for personal training and exercise, it’s a great idea to pivot your PT business to online!
But where do you start? What does it take to create an effective online presence for your business? This can be a complicated and daunting process, but never fear! Our Personal Trainer Business Success course is designed to teach you how to set up and run a successful fitness business. Coupled with our Online PT Business eBook (valued at $195) you’ll have the step-by-step guide to offer your services online. Enrol to become a Personal Trainer with Onfit and you’ll receive this guide, as a free inclusion!
In the meantime, read on and we’ll outline the basics of setting up an online PT business.
Step One: Brainstorm!
First thing’s first! It’s crucial to map out your business plans and goals, so a brainstorming session is essential!
What is it that you’re wanting to offer your clients? Perhaps a live-streamed class, pre-written programs, or a blended approach? Will you be offering private classes, group training, or maybe even both? These are just a few of the key questions to ask yourself.
It will be important to source a point of difference for your business and really hone into that key factor. The online fitness industry is growing rapidly, so you’ll need to show that your services are superior to other services and providers. Research is key here – do some research on your competitors and find your edge. Maybe you can gain a new skill and offer an additional service such as nutritional coaching.
From there, it’s vital to map out what your offerings will be. It’s a great idea to create package deals for your services, and to categorise them by the clients you’ll be training – which will then ultimately inform your pricing. There are plenty of resources available for you to source appropriate prices for your services, so be sure to research relevant and up-to-date industry sources.
Step Two: Set your Business up for Success
Next, it’s vital that you acquire all equipment, technology, and applications necessary for your online sessions to run as smoothly as possible.
Firstly, be sure that you secure a suitable and reliable workspace that will facilitate successful training sessions. This space would include ample lighting, be a pleasant environment, and have no distractions, disruptions, or background noise.
Then you’ll need to ensure you have the following:
Step Three: Grow your Client Base
The first step to growing your client base is to know who you want to target! Start by narrowing your target audience by age, gender, occupation, marital status, and goals (such as weight loss, or strength training).
This will help you find a way to speak to one ‘person’ in your marketing otherwise, as the saying goes, you’ll speak to nobody. Once you have Identified your target market, you can then create marketing content that will speak to them.
Begin growing your online audience through social media. If you’re not social savvy, we recommend arming yourself with some knowledge in this area so that you’re up to speed. Udemy offers a range of affordable social media courses.
If you don’t ‘talk’ marketing funnels and social posts, that’s OK. Start by just talking to people! The golden rule is to have FIVE conversations with FIVE people EVERY DAY.
At the end of the day, how you find clients will depend on your budget and goals and the time you have available, but it all starts with talking to people – whether it’s online or in-person.
What’s Next?
Of course, there are many more factors to consider when starting your own online PT business, but these steps are sure to get you on the right track.
If you’re still on the fence about how online training may work for your business, why not start slowly and implement some sessions while continuing to see in-person clients as well. This way, you can see if it’s something that will work for you and your clients without giving up all of your in-person work.
At Onfit, we offer a variety of courses that will set you on the path to success as a personal trainer, as well as a team of Career Advisors that will keep you on track. Check out our online courses here.
