How to start a personal training business

Personal training services are a booming industry in the UK’s start-up sector – in 2023, there were over 23,950 personal trainers in the UK, an increase of almost 2% each year since 2018.

With more people integrating health and fitness into their lifestyles, the demand for personal trainers is growing.

If you’re a fitness enthusiast or sporting professional, you could consider starting a personal training business to combine your passion with being your own boss.

With its relatively low start-up costs, working as a trainer may allow you to do rewarding work that fits around your schedule.

With an average base salary of £30,000 in London – which will vary depending on location, experience and target customer – becoming a personal trainer can provide the flexibility of generating an income while enabling you to work around other commitments as you help others.

But what does a personal trainer do, and how do you become a personal trainer?

What is a personal training business?

A personal training business provides personalised fitness training and advice to help people achieve their health and fitness goals.

This can include:

• personal training and workout plans – one-on-one training to address specific needs and tailored plans for fitness goals such as weight loss, muscle gain, or overall health
• fitness assessments – ongoing fitness assessments to gauge clients’ fitness levels and track progress
• group training – small group sessions that can be more cost-effective for clients while still providing personal guidance
• online services – services online via virtual sessions, digital coaching, and fitness programmes delivered through apps or websites
• nutritional advice – advice on diet and meal planning to support training and overall wellness
• corporate health programmes – tailored fitness and wellness plans for employees.

Personal trainers may work in various locations depending on their clients’ needs.

These might include private workout spaces, public parks, or people’s homes.

A personal training business can offer flexibility in terms of hours and location.

Many personal trainers opt for self-employment and work as sole traders, effectively freelancing their services to clients and gyms.

Alternatively, some may choose to be directly employed in gyms or health clubs.

This option can provide a steady income and access to gym facilities but may also limit your earning potential and flexibility.

Who is a personal training business best suited to?

A personal training business can be an excellent fit for individuals who are good at motivating others, passionate about health and fitness, and enjoy working with people.

Before exploring how to become a personal trainer, consider the pros and cons to decide whether it is right for you.

Pros of starting a personal training business:

• flexible schedule – as a personal trainer, you may be able to set your own working hours according to your lifestyle and client needs
• making a positive impact – you could enjoy the satisfaction of helping clients achieve their health and fitness goals
• control over your career – you may have the freedom to choose your client base and areas of specialisation
• potential for good income – with a solid client base and good reputation, personal training could be profitable
• relatively low start-up costs – a large initial investment may not always be required, especially if offering home or outdoor training sessions.

Cons of starting a personal training business:

• irregular hours – you may need to work evenings and weekends to cater to clients’ schedules
• income instability – your income may be inconsistent and unpredictable, particularly in the early stages
• physical demands – the job can be physically challenging and can require you to maintain high energy levels
• the need for up-to-date knowledge – staying current with trends and new training methods could require a commitment to continuous learning
• client retention – keeping clients engaged for the long term may be challenging, so you may need to look for new customers fairly regularly.

What skills and qualifications do you need?

There are no regulations that determine the skills or qualifications personal trainers need when starting out on their own.

However, commercial organisations such as gyms usually require a Level 2 certification if you plan on working with clients through a gym or fitness centre.

Obtaining relevant qualifications may help increase your credibility and build customer trust.

Undergoing training and gaining certification can help ensure your clients receive professional service from someone with the comprehensive knowledge and skills needed to deliver training safely.

A Level 2 fitness instructor certification is typically the minimum level obtained by aspiring professional trainers, as it covers a range of fundamental aspects, such as:

• anatomy
• physiology
• health and safety
• client assessment
• exercise programming.

From here, instructors are encouraged to obtain a Level 3 certification to expand their existing knowledge and refine their expertise.

This enables them to design personalised fitness programmes for individual clients and demonstrate their commitment to ongoing professional development.

You could become qualified as a personal trainer through apprenticeships, Level 3 diploma courses, or university courses.

Once qualified, gaining some additional skills could be useful for providing your clients with a more comprehensive service.

You may wish to consider:

• training or further training in nutrition – as someone who works to improve the physical health and fitness of others, you may also want to consider some form of nutrition certification. As a starting point, the government offers free level 2 courses in England for those eligible
• an additional qualification in psychology – by understanding how motivation works, you could enhance your coaching and tailor your approaches, more effectively managing client expectations and goals
• first aid training – if you plan to work in public spaces such as parks or in client homes, you may also want to consider becoming trained in first aid in the case of an injury or medical emergency – the British Red Cross offers a basic first aid for sports training course that is valid for three years on certification.

Trainers can gain credibility by joining the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), backed by HM Government and Sport England.

Membership may also help fitness instructors to further their skills through workshops and events.

Becoming a personal trainer may also benefit from organisational skills, patience, adaptability, and excellent communication.

You would also benefit from an interest in wellbeing and a genuine desire to help clients achieve their fitness goals.

Personal trainers may also need to be sensitive when working with clients experiencing health issues or personal insecurities.

Read our guide on what skills you need to start a business.

How much does it cost to set up a personal trainer business?

Starting a personal trainer business involves several costs, from equipment and certifications to marketing and maintenance.

To get qualified, you may have to pay to undergo a training programme.

The cost is determined by the provider and the level of qualification you’re aiming for – prices can range from a few hundred pounds to a few thousand, and you may also have to pay for your certification.

Many trainers like to establish a dedicated space for their sessions, so if you’re considering renting space in a gym, studio, or local hall, you’ll need to determine how long you intend to use it and factor in the cost of using that space.

You could also use this space to store any fitness equipment you decide to provide for your clients.

This might include weights, heart rate monitors, exercise mats, blocks, resistance bands, and cardio machines.

Before you set up your business, it’s worth deciding what equipment is best suited to your services and considering the costs.

You may also need to consider the cleaning and maintenance costs of equipment or exercise spaces that you work from.

You also need to consider insurance and marketing costs for your business.

Read our guide to calculating business start-up costs.

What insurance do I need as a personal trainer?

Insurance is a key consideration for your business.

Personal trainers should have public liability insurance, which can cover them if clients injure themselves during a session.

The amount of cover you need and the cost will depend on how your personal training business operates.

If you have employees, you will need employers’ liability insurance to cover any claims your staff make for injuries or illnesses.

If you are providing equipment for your clients, you may also wish to get product liability insurance in case a client is injured by your equipment, potentially through misuse or damage.

Equipment insurance can also be worth considering in case your fitness equipment is damaged, stolen, or lost.

You may also wish to consider professional indemnity insurance covering you for any professional negligence claims.

How to become a personal trainer – starting a business

Business requirements

As a business owner in the UK, you must meet several requirements for your business to be legitimate.

You’ll need to register your business – whether you are operating as a sole trader or a partnership – with HMRC.

Learn more with our guide on tax for self-employed people.

If you decide to set up your personal training business as a limited company, you must also register with Companies House.

This registration provides legal protection for the business name and limited liability protection for the owners.

If you intend to work commercially, you must keep secure, accurate client information records and comply with the Data Protection Act 2018.

Safety and security

You must conduct regular risk assessments to ensure any location and fitness equipment are safely maintained and do not pose any avoidable risks to your clients.

This is for insurance purposes and to comply with health and safety guidelines.

You may wish to obtain a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, especially when working with vulnerable people.

Since you may be working with clients on a one-to-one basis, you may need to practice personal vigilance when meeting with clients.

You might have to visit a stranger’s home or be alone with people you do not know.

Choosing a location that makes you feel comfortable, such as a park or public space, is a good idea to ensure your safety and security.

Let a trusted person know where you are going, share your client’s name, and let them know when you will be expected to return.

Installing a safety app on your smartphone may help provide additional security.

Funding your personal trainer business 

You have several options for financing your personal training business.

You may wish to choose finance such as a business loan, savings, or a loan from friends and family.

Alternatively, you may wish to apply for a government-backed Start Up Loan, which comes with 12 months of free mentoring.

Eligible business owners can secure a loan up to £25,000, repayable over one to five years with a fixed interest rate of 6% per year.

Arranging your finances

Before you get your business up and running, you will also need to decide on how to price your services:

• will you charge per session or offer a course of sessions?
• will you invoice clients or ask for payment in advance?
• how will you accept payments – by bank transfer or direct debit?

If you’re a sole trader, you may also consider opening a business bank account to keep your professional finances organised and separate from your personal ones.

Limited companies are legally required to operate a business bank account.

It could be worth setting monthly reminders to set aside a portion of your money for your monthly tax bill.

Creating a business plan

All these funding and financing details should be included in your business plan.

A business plan is a working document outlining your personal training business goals and how you plan to achieve them within a set period.

A business plan can help you keep your business on track as it grows.

It could also help you secure funding at the beginning of your start-up journey and later on as you expand and require more money.

Download our free business plan template.

Attracting customers and marketing strategies

Creating an online presence to attract clients may be worth investing time and funding into.

You could consider using Google My Business and setting up a website for your personal training business.

You could include a biography about yourself and your personal fitness journey, positive client testimonials, information on costs for your services, and good-quality photos that showcase what you do.

Setting up social media accounts to reach a wider audience, interact with clients, and showcase your skills and personality can be an excellent way to attract new customers.

Creating a social media presence for your business could be key to your start-up’s marketing strategy and could help you build your clientele.

Discover how to use social media platforms to promote your personal training business.

Read our guides on social media platforms, including:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• TikTok
• YouTube
• X (formerly Twitter)
• LinkedIn

Learn more with our guide on how to make social media work for your small business.

You can prove your skills and demonstrate the efficacy of your work by presenting reels and videos with helpful fitness tips or promote your classes by posting client reviews alongside “before” and “after” pictures of their successful fitness progress.

Advertising your services locally with leafleting, adverts in shop windows, and in local newspapers could be beneficial, as many potential customers are likely to live in your local area.

Read our guide on marketing on a shoestring.

Another way to attract clients is to offer group training, which could be a more affordable and less intimidating option.

Promotion

Offering package deals can be a great way to incentivise clients to sign up for personal training sessions and become long-term clients.

This could involve them committing to a block of sessions ahead of time for a small discount or benefitting from a deal to pair workouts with your nutrition services.

You could also consider offering referral discounts for clients who bring their friends, family, and colleagues to your service.

It may be a good idea to network with other fitness professionals, such as gym owners, nutritionists, physical therapists, and sports coaches.

Other professionals could support you as you build your personal training business, and you could work together to refer your clients to each other.

Scaling your business

If your business continues to grow, consider scaling your enterprise by integrating additional services to reach a broader range of clients.

For example, you can obtain certificates in other areas related to health and fitness, such as yoga and mindfulness classes, massage therapy, or in-depth nutritional guidance.

Alternatively, you could also do further training to offer bespoke classes, such as pre or post-natal sessions or sessions designed for those with disabilities.

If the demand increases, you could hire additional trainers to help you meet demand and expand your business by giving extra classes in different locations.

Read our guide to the do’s and don’ts of successfully scaling your start-up.