Have you ever thought about running a mobile personal training business? This flexible PT business model allows you to bring fitness directly to your clients, whether at their homes, local parks, or workplaces.
In this article, we'll explain how mobile personal training works, guide you through setting up your business, and share strategies for attracting, training, and retaining clients.
A mobile personal training business means you travel to train clients instead of working from a fixed location. Depending on your target clients and resources, you can run this business in two ways.
This model works best when training clients who have basic equipment. You travel with minimal home workout gear like resistance bands, a few dumbbells, and exercise mats. This setup is perfect for clients who:
This approach requires a vehicle equipped with comprehensive training gear. You bring everything needed for a complete workout to clients who don't have equipment. You'll need:
Both setups let you offer various services including one-on-one training, small group training sessions, corporate wellness programs, and specialized niche training like senior fitness or post-rehab exercise.
As with any personal training business, you must be certified before working with clients. You can complete one of these personal training courses or CPD courses and then take the following steps:
Research your local market before starting a mobile personal training business. Find out how many mobile trainers operate in your area, their pricing, and services.
Look for opportunities where you can make a difference, maybe there's a significant demand for early morning sessions or specialized programs like senior fitness.
Talk to potential clients about their fitness goals and where they'd like to train. This way, you can tailor your services to fit what people need.
Once you've identified a gap in the market, it's time to make things official and register your business.
Start by choosing a business structure that protects your assets. Many mobile and freelance personal trainers register as sole proprietors or LLCs. You'll also need the right licenses and permits to operate legally.
In simple terms, you'll want to register your business name, get an EIN for taxes, and open a business bank account.
Since you'll be training in different locations, standard gym insurance won't cut it. Make sure you have coverage specifically for mobile training.
It's a good idea to get quotes from multiple insurers who understand the unique needs of a mobile fitness business.
Once you've registered your business, you need to get your mobile setup ready.
Your business runs on reliable transportation and portable equipment, so choose a fuel-efficient vehicle that fits your gear and looks professional.
You'll likely offer both types of mobile training (light and full equipment setup). So, consider investing in equipment such as:
Now it's time to structure your offerings, think about the pricing packages you want to provide based on your market research.
You might start with standard one-on-one training packages, then expand to group sessions or specialized programs.
When setting your rates, consider your expertise and the unique costs of mobile training.
Unlike gym-based trainers who factor in rental fees, you'll need to calculate travel time, fuel expenses, and the maximum number of sessions you can realistically fit into a day.
To get a clear picture, map out your service area and determine the radius within which travel remains profitable.
Estimate how long it takes to get between clients and how much fuel you'll use.
Then, compare that to your session capacity, how many clients you can train in a day without excessive downtime.
From there, set an hourly rate that ensures your time and expenses are well covered while remaining competitive in your market.
Before you start training clients, you need systems to manage your business efficiently. For this, you can consider personal training software such as PT Distinction.
With a comprehensive personal trainer app, you can offer hybrid personal training services and manage custom workout programming, progress tracking, and payment processing in one place.
PT Distinction's reliable client management software will save you time managing multiple clients across different locations.
You are now ready to attract, train, and build long-lasting relationships with clients, and for that, you need an effective marketing strategy!
Start by creating a professional PT website that shows the services, prices, and training areas you cover.
Add client success stories as you get them to build trust. You'll also want to focus on local SEO so people can find you when searching for a "mobile personal trainer" in your area.
So, create a Google Business profile and encourage happy clients to leave reviews.
You can also set up social media profiles to grow your online audience by sharing workout tips, client transformations (with permission), and behind-the-scenes content. Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn are good platforms to start with!
Consider email marketing so you can create an email list for interested prospects and stay in touch with valuable fitness content.
In addition to online marketing efforts, consider networking with local businesses in the health, fitness and wellness sector that share your target market but don't compete directly.
For example, physical therapists might refer clients who've completed rehabilitation and need continued exercise guidance.
You can also partner with apartment complexes or corporate offices to offer their residents or employees special rates.
This will give you access to groups of potential clients in one location.
Another great way to widen your net and exchange skills is to attend local events for fitness professionals, where you can learn new strategies, discuss experiences, and get inspired.
Getting clients is essential, but keeping them is crucial for long-term success.
You can work towards client retention with an onboarding process that makes new clients feel confident about training with you.
Then, use PT Distinction to track their progress and celebrate their wins.
Remember to check in regularly about their goals and adjust programs as needed.
Of course, happy clients will become your best marketers through word-of-mouth referrals!
Starting a mobile personal training business gives you the flexibility to work on your terms while meeting clients where they are, on their terms as well.
Allowing you to build a steady stream of income. From the outset, focus on creating smooth, efficient systems from managing bookings to tracking client progress.
Stay organized with your equipment, communicate openly and clearly with clients, and always aim to deliver top-notch service.
With the right mindset and tools like PT Distinction, you'll set yourself up for success, building a thriving business driven by satisfied clients who refer you to others.
Ready to get started? Try PT Distinction free for 1 Month and set up your practice without the stress!
We'll get you up and running in no time. Start with our zero-risk free trial and build your personal training empire today.
