You already know how to help people to become stronger, fitter, and healthier.
But now, you want to expand it to reach more clients, work from anywhere, and build something scalable.
That’s where an online personal training business comes in.
The global online fitness market is set to grow. Statista Market Insights predicts an annual increase of 7.31%. By 2028, it's expected to hit $80 billion. Coaching alone is expected to hit the $25 billion mark!
So yes, it’s the perfect time to turn your passion into a powerful online business.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to start, grow, and scale your online personal training business. We'll also explain how to grow it using the best platforms that make things easier.
Let’s build your training business from scratch.
What Is an Online Personal Training Business?
An online personal training business can offer various digital fitness services. Each online fitness business model can help you create a profitable income stream. There are four approaches to digital fitness services, such as
1-on-1 online coaching (custom plans + private video sessions)
Group fitness classes (live or prerecorded)
Digital fitness programs (on-demand video lessons + progress tracking)
Nutrition coaching (if certified)
Learn how to become an online personal trainer before starting your training business. This guide has everything you need.
Now, let’s explore how to turn your skills into a successful online business.
8 Steps to Start Your Online Personal Training Business
You’ve worked hard and officially qualified as a personal trainer.
That’s fantastic!
Now it's time to turn your skills into a profitable online business. Here is a quick guide to launching your online personal training business.
Step 1: Find Your Perfect Niche
Choose what kind of trainer you want to be. This is the first step in building your online personal training business. Think about what you enjoy most, what you’re great at, and what type of clients you want to help.
When you focus on a clear niche, it becomes much easier to attract the right people and grow faster.
Some popular personal training niches include:
Yoga and Meditation: Incorporate mindfulness practices into your training programs, emphasizing holistic wellness.
Nutrition Coaching Niche: Get customized advice on diets and fitness plans. Integrate meal planning and tracking tools.
Specialized Training: Focus on niches like sports-specific training, rehabilitation, or postnatal fitness.
Rehabilitation Training: Offer post-injury training, helping clients recover safely.
Holiday Fitness Challenges: Organize fitness challenges during holidays and seasonal weight gain.
Corporate Wellness: Team up with companies to provide employee fitness programs. This can improve workplace productivity and health.
Remember, many clients don’t just want fitness; they want holistic health support. This could include meal tips, nutrition guides, ebooks, or online courses on wellness and meditation.
👉Do you want to get fit and become a coach? Check out this complete guide on How to Become an Online Fitness Coach in 2025!
Step 2: Get Personal Training Certifications
Every client wants to know they’re in trusted hands, especially when it comes to their health.
Online personal training certification shows you’re a qualified and professional trainer.
Certifications usually take 3–6 months of study and cost some money upfront, but they’re a worthwhile investment for your business.
Here are some of the best certifications for online personal trainers:
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM): It’s Ideal for those who are focusing on strength, performance, or functional training.
American Council on Exercise (ACE) It provides a solid and perfect curriculum for new trainers.
International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA): This is a fully online personal training certification. It’s great if you want to learn at your own pace while preparing for an online coaching career.
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) It’s popular for strength and conditioning. This is a great choice if you want to work with athletes.
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) This is one of the oldest and most respected programs. ACSM focused on health, research, and clinical fitness.
If you’re targeting weight loss clients, ACE might be perfect. If you’re going after athletes, NASM could be your best choice.
Step 3: Register Personal Training Business
Once you’re certified, it’s time to make it official. Here’s how to legally start a personal training business and set up your foundation for success.
Choose your training Business Structure:
Decide how you want to operate your business. Common options include:
Sole Proprietorship: Easy to set up, but personal assets aren’t protected.
Limited Liability Company (LLC): Offers personal asset protection and more credibility. It’s a popular choice. It keeps the business owner’s assets and debts separate from personal matters.
Select a Business Name:
Choose a name that reflects your niche and is easy to remember. Make sure it’s unique and not already registered in your state or country.
Register with Your Local Government:
Depending on your country, you may need to:
Register your business with your state or territory. In the US, each state has a Secretary of State website for this. For example, check the California Business Portal.
Obtain a Business License if required locally.
Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for tax purposes.
Check for Permits or Certifications:
Some places need permits for fitness or health services. This is especially true if you train clients in person.
Set Up a Business Bank Account:
Keep your personal and business finances separate. A business bank account helps you:
Track income
Manage taxes
Look professional to clients
It's a smart choice!
Step 4: Build Your Training Studio
As an online personal trainer, you need a professional setup for your training studio.
This isn’t a physical gym. It’s a space, either real or virtual. Here you can record workouts, host live sessions, and coach clients effectively.
An organized studio shows to the clients that you’re serious, professional, and trustworthy.
Here’s how to set up a home studio for online fitness coaching:
Pick Your Space: Choose a quiet, clean spot with good lighting. Natural light is great, but a ring light or LED panel works too.
Keep a Clear Background: Avoid clutter; a plain wall or branded poster works perfectly. This keeps the focus on you and your workouts.
Stock Up on Basic Equipment: Have essential tools nearby. Keep dumbbells, resistance bands, yoga mats, and stability balls. These items offer great versatility for your workouts.
Upgrade Your Tech:
Camera (smartphone, webcam, or DSLR)
Microphone (USB or lapel for clear audio)
Lighting (ring light or softbox)
Use Online Platforms: Find platforms that let you host live classes. You can also upload videos, track client progress, and manage payments all in one place.
Organize Your Workflow: Store all client programs, workout plans, and schedules in a single digital folder or platform. This makes it easy to find and manage everything.
Create the Right Atmosphere: Keep your training space bright and inspiring. Make sure it's free from distractions. Small touches like plants, inspiring quotes, or your brand colors really matter.
Optional Mobile Setup: If you train clients outdoors or at home, have a portable mat, resistance bands, a tripod, and a small speaker ready. This way, you can coach anywhere easily.
Step 5: Create Personal Training Website
Your online personal training site is more than just a website. It’s a hub for your brand and business. An organized website helps you attract clients online. It shows your skills and helps grow your personal training business.
Include this basic branding on your website:
Share your fitness journey, personal achievements, and experience as a certified personal trainer.
Include offerings like 1-on-1 virtual coaching, group fitness classes, and nutrition programs.
Add your personal training certifications and explain your training philosophy.
Post before-and-after photos, testimonials, or video transformations (with permission).
Link your Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or Facebook pages to the website. This will boost your visibility.
Beyond branding, your website needs to function as a business tool.
Here are the essentials to include:
Contact & Intake Forms: Help potential clients easily book online personal training sessions.
Online Scheduling & Bookings: You can use platforms like EzyCourse to set up sessions. Also, you can track progress and manage memberships.
Payment Processing: Accept payments for
Virtual personal training packages
Online group classes, and
Digital fitness programs.
Sell Digital Fitness Products: Host and sell workout guides, video courses, meal plans, and fitness challenges.
You’ll see many website builder platform which don’t require any coding skills. But If you’re looking for the affordable and user friendly site builder platform for your online personal training website, EzyCourse might be the great choice who want an all-in-one setup like you.
👉Try No-Code Website Builder
Step 6: Set Your Training Package's Price
Designing online personal training pricing packages helps you offer flexibility to clients while maintaining steady monthly income. To succeed, find a pricing plan that shows your skills, effort, and potential.
Understand the Market Value
In the U.S., the average hourly rate for a personal trainer is about $32/hour (~$67,269 annually) as of October 2025.
But your rate can vary depending on your experience, certifications, and niche, like
New trainers in cities often start at $40–$50/hour
Experienced trainers with a strong client base can charge $100–$150/hour or more
Factors you should consider
When setting your rate, don’t just think about training hours. Also include:
Time spent creating workout plans and nutrition guides
Client communication and check-ins
Business management and marketing tasks
All of these are part of the value you deliver, and your pricing should reflect it.
Get Ideas on How Offer Smart Pricing Packages
Create monthly or tiered packages instead of billing per session. This offers more flexibility and ensures steady income.
For example:
Starter: Access to your fitness app, workout plans, and progress tracking
Growth: Includes video check-ins and chat support
Elite: Personalized workouts, nutrition guidance, and accountability sessions
Not all time slots are equal! You should value the cost based on timing:
Charge premium rates for high-demand hours (like 6am to 8am or 5pm to 7pm).
Offer discounts for off-peak or midday sessions
Run limited-time deals or challenges to attract new clients
Step 7: Marketing Your Training Program
You’ve built your skills, website, and packages. Now it’s time to advertise your business out there and start attracting clients. Marketing is how you turn your passion into a growing, profitable fitness brand.
Here’s how to make your online training business stand out
Use Social Media Wisely
Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are perfect for fitness trainers.
You can share:
Short workout clips or fitness challenges
Client transformations and testimonials
Nutrition tips and motivational content
Add a call to action (CTA) in your bio, like “Join my online training program,” on your site!
Create Helpful Content
Start a fitness blog or YouTube channel to share free tips on workouts, diet, and motivation. This helps boost your SEO, build authority, and keep clients coming back.
Build an Email List
Provide a free resource, such as a “7-Day Workout Challenge” or a “Healthy Eating Guide,” for email sign-ups. Then, send helpful tips, exclusive offers, or course updates in the email.
Collaborate & Network
Partner with local gyms, wellness influencers, or nutrition experts to grow your reach. You can even host joint challenges or live sessions to attract new audiences.
Run Paid Ads
If you have the budget, try Facebook or Google Ads to promote your services. Target keywords like “online personal trainer,” “virtual fitness coach,” or “online workout programs.”
👉Get Your Email Automation Tool
Step 8: Additional Income Streams
Being an in-person personal trainer is fantastic, but there are only so many hours in a day. You will be on your feet, showing exercises and supporting clients. This can limit your income.
Creating passive income for online trainers is the smartest way to grow your business without trading time for money.
Here are some ways to increase your income:
Custom Exercise and Nutrition Plans: Create workouts and meal plans for clients. They can follow them between sessions or after finishing a program. You can sell these online to people anywhere in the world.
Ebooks and Digital Guides: Create easy guides like
Strength Training for Beginners, or
30-Day Fitness Challenge
Sell them repeatedly without extra effort, like digital workout programs or fitness memberships.
Online Influencer Partnerships: As your social media grows, brands may ask you to promote their products.
Merchandise: Have a fun slogan or logo? Put it on t-shirts, water bottles, or gym bags and sell them on your website.
Adding these streams helps you grow your online training business. You’ll reach more clients and boost your profits.
How to Scale Your Online Personal Training Business
You can easily train a small group of 3–4 clients using tools like YouTube or Zoom. But once your audience starts growing, managing everything manually can become exhausting.
Don’t worry! Scaling your online personal business doesn’t have to be complicated.
The right online coaching platform helps you connect with thousands of clients. You can even manage everything in one place and build a lively online fitness community.
Here’s how you can scale your online personal training business effectively
1. Use Online Coaching Platforms Like EzyCourse
If you want to make your online personal training smooth and stress-free, EzyCourse is always there to help you.
Its strong coaching feature provides everything you need to train clients. You can track their progress and keep them motivated, all in one place.
How EzyCourse’s coaching makes scaling easy:
Create and share workout plans, videos, and fitness programs easily.
Chat with clients and send real-time feedback.
Track client progress and adjust plans anytime.
Keep all your coaching tools and client info organized in one dashboard.
2. Build an Online Training Community
Creating an online fitness community keeps your clients motivated, connected, and loyal to your brand.
EzyCourse has a built-in community feature. You can set up a Facebook-like community group right inside your platform.
How it helps:
Create a Supportive Place: Bring your clients together to interact, share progress, and motivate one another. So, EzyCourse is the ideal platform for you. Because you can manage everything in one place, from running courses to building communities.
Boost Engagement: Post challenges, tips, or motivational content regularly. This keeps the community active and engaged.
Build Retention: A vibrant community motivates clients and grows your online training business.
3. Build a Personal Training Website with EzyCourse
Your website is your online training studio. It shows people who you are, what services you offer, and how to join your programs.
With EzyCourse’s drag-and-drop website builder, you can create an online personal training website within minutes (no tech skills required!).
What you can do with it:
Build a professional fitness website: Include pages for your services, testimonials, and training programs.
Sell directly from your site: You can safely accept payments for courses, memberships, or personal sessions.
Showcase your brand: Customize your site with your logo, brand colors, and style.
Link your tools: You can keep your courses, community, and email marketing in one smooth system.
4. Use EzyCourse’s Email Automation
Scaling isn’t just about finding new clients; it’s about nurturing the ones you already have. That’s where EzyCourse’s built-in email marketing tools come in handy.
How you can make the most of it:
Automate follow-ups: Send welcome emails, course reminders, or workout updates automatically.
Promote new offers: Tell your subscribers about new fitness challenges, classes, or memberships.
Re-engage inactive clients: Use email drip campaigns to win back clients who haven’t trained in a while.
Build stronger relationships: Share valuable fitness tips, motivation, and updates to stay top of mind.
Why EzyCourse is Perfect for Scaling Fitness Coaching
EzyCourse isn’t just a course builder; it’s your complete business growth platform. It offers all the tools to build, automate, and grow your personal training business.
Here’s what makes it more special:
All-in-one course and coaching platform
Zoom premium integration for live sessions
Customizable course and landing pages
Membership site support
Fully branded mobile app
Secure payment management
Dedicated customer support
Are You Ready to Start Your Journey?
It's time to act! Turn your love for fitness into a successful online personal training business.
EzyCourse helps you turn your personal training services into an online coaching business. This all-in-one platform is made for fitness trainers, coaches, and creators. It helps you design training programs, manage clients, and grow your income easily.
Real success comes from steady effort. It also means being flexible and wanting to help others achieve their fitness goals.
So why wait?
Start an online fitness business with EzyCourse today and see how simple it can be to coach, connect, and grow.
👉Try EzyCourse with 30-day free Trial
FAQ
Is personal training a profitable business?
Personal training can be profitable. You can raise your income by finding new ways to earn, not just from one-on-one sessions. Check your state’s labor stats for average earnings in your area. Specialized trainers with wealthy clients can earn much more than the median income.
How much does it cost to start a personal trainer business?
Startup costs vary depending on your business model. Major expenses include certification, insurance, business registration fees, building rent costs, and marketing.
How to legally start a personal training business?
To start your fitness business legally, pick a structure. You can choose from sole proprietorship, LLC, LLP, or corporation. Then, register with your state and get the right insurance.
What certifications do I need to be a personal trainer?
You usually need a personal trainer certification. This builds credibility and meets insurance requirements. Good options are NASM, ACE, NSCA, ISSA, or NCSF. Extra nutrition certifications can enhance your support for clients. This varies by your specific niche.
Can I start a personal training business online?
Yes. Virtual training may offer live video sessions, recorded workouts, or custom programs on apps or websites. This online personal training model removes geographic limits. You can train clients worldwide without the costs of physical space.
