5 Tools To Help Your Personal Training Business Succeed

If you’re a self-employed personal trainer—or you’re hoping to be—you have the opportunity to enjoy a lot of freedom in how you structure your workday. However, like anyone who is self-employed, keeping your business afloat can be difficult. As a personal trainer, however, there are some specific business practices and resources you can use to help make your business more successful. Like the kettlebells, yoga mats, free weights, and other tools of your trade, this list can help your business get swole, just like you help your clients.

5 BUSINESS TIPS FOR PERSONAL TRAINERS

1. GET PROPERLY CERTIFIED

Some of today’s most successful personal trainers hold multiple certifications from credible and accredited organizations. They may even hold advanced degrees in subjects such as exercise science, sports physiology, kinesiology, physical therapy, etc. To make yourself competitive—and to offer the best possible services for your clients—you just can’t beat old fashioned knowledge. In addition to more traditional accredited four year colleges, you may also want to consider receiving certifications through:

• The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
• The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
• The American Council on Exercise (ACE)
• The Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)

For a list of more accredited organizations, visit the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE) and choose the “Fitness and Wellness” industry and perform a search.

2. COMPLETE CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES

The fitness industry is always changing, so in order to stay relevant, you’ll want to make sure your education never ends. Many of the above certification programs also offer good quality continuing education courses, and their websites are a good place to start. You can also take a look at the courses offered through the National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT), as well as this list of the 5 best CE courses for personal trainers compiled by Fitness Mentors LLC.

3. PURCHASE COMPREHENSIVE & AFFORDABLE INSURANCE

Personal trainers face a lot of liability risks (for a more detailed look at what these risks are, take a look at this post). Having insurance to protect you against potential bodily injury and professional liability claims is essential to making sure your business stays financially fit. Personal trainer insurance from Insurance Canopy offers a wide range of coverages with competitive limits at a price that doesn’t overtrain your business.

4. CONNECT TO NEW CLIENTS WITH TECHNOLOGY

Fact: people are super connected to their phones. You can use this knowledge to your advantage as a way to find new clients. One of the newest phone apps, V-Training, helps connect people with personal trainers so they can find each other. It works by matching people to trainers in their area who have the specific qualifications, experience, training styles, and other metrics that they’re looking for. Though V-Training is not yet set up to work in all states, it’s making great headway. Check it out for iPhones or Androids to see if you live in a state where it’s been released.

5. JOIN A PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OR ORGANIZATION

Professional memberships show potential clients that you’re serious about your career. In addition to the investment of your time and money, a membership in a professional organization also demonstrates your dedication to staying up-to-date with trends and new information.

WHIP YOUR BUSINESS INTO SHAPE

We hope these five resources help you succeed as a personal trainer. If there are any tools we missed that you’ve found invaluable, share them with us in the comments! Purchase your personal trainer insurance here. All insurance policies have conditions, limitations, and exclusions, please refer to the policy for exact coverages.