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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for a personal trainer is approximately $45,380, which breaks down to about $21.82 per hour.
So based on this data if you work 40 hours per week as a personal trainer at a gym, your monthly earnings would be around $3,781.
However, we all know that covering expenses like rent, groceries, and various bills can be challenging with rising inflation and relying on a single income source.
This scenario is even more precarious for freelance personal trainers.
Their main income comes from one-on-one client sessions, which is precisely what they hoped to do.
However, the challenge here is either maintaining long-term clients or constantly acquiring new ones to sustain your income.
Not every personal trainer succeeds in this, which is why it’s important to have multiple revenue streams.
This ensures a steady monthly income, even if one source dips. In this article, we will explore various strategies to amplify your personal trainer revenue growth.
1. Increase Your Rates
Sometimes, the simplest way to boost your revenue is by raising your prices. This approach depends on your business model. You might charge clients by the hour, or you might offer a flat monthly fee.
For instance, if you currently charge $50 per hour for training, consider increasing it to $75. Alternatively, if your rate is $300 per month, you might raise it to $350.
It’s understandable to feel nervous about hiking your rates, especially when it comes to long-standing clients. Concerns like “What if they cancel the contract?” or “What if they find someone cheaper?” are completely normal.
However, remember this: if you are truly adding value and positively impacting their lives, clients won’t leave over price alone.
Yes, some might face financial constraints, but your business needs to sustain itself too.
If you’re fully committed to helping clients achieve their goals, they will likely see the value and be willing to accept the slight increase in fees.
2. Maximize Your Time And Earning With Group Classes
This is similar to conducting a 1:1 training session; the only difference is that instead of one person following your instructions, you’ll have a group of 5-10 people following your lead.
There are two major benefits to offering group classes:
- More people are likely to sign up. Many individuals enjoy the communal atmosphere of training in a group, and studies have shown that they are more likely to stick with their training in such environments.
- You can train a large number of people at once and charge each participant the same fee as you would for a 1:1 session.
This means you could potentially increase your income tenfold, while still having time in your day to train additional clients.
Instead of training five clients individually for 45 minutes to an hour and a half each, group classes allow you to maximize both your time and your income efficiently.
For tips on conducting a successful group fitness class, check out our guide here.
3. Offer Home Workout Programs
In this strategy, the goal is to attract an audience that prefers exercising at home rather than going to a gym.
This can be achieved in two ways:
- You can train people live via video call. You demonstrate the exercises, and they follow along from home.
- You can create a comprehensive video library of workouts. This library could include a variety of workout types, such as HIIT, cardio, and sessions using bands, dumbbells, or no equipment at all. Think of it as creating your own “Netflix of workouts.” You would offer this library to clients through a paid subscription, which they could renew quarterly, every six months, or annually.
To implement this, you could use Virtuagym’s video workout platform.
Here, you can create workouts that cater to different demographics and have categories like workouts for seniors, stay-at-home moms, and busy office workers.
Additionally, it’s important to continually update the library with new content. This ensures there is always something fresh for everyone to try.
4. Make Videos For Youtube
YouTube is an excellent platform to showcase your strengths and earn rewards through a loyal viewer base and ad revenue.
You might think you need expensive equipment like a high-end camera and microphone, but that’s not the case.
A smartphone with a camera is all you need to get started.
Also, you might worry about the time commitment required for filming and editing.
However, you don’t need to be a full-time YouTuber to succeed. You can treat it as a hobby, filming in your free time.
For instance, if you usually take the weekend off, you could film a 30-minute home workout video each weekend.
By doing this every Saturday and Sunday, you could build a library of over 100 videos in a year.
According to survey data, the average YouTuber earns about $0.018 per view, which translates to roughly $18 for every 1,000 ad views.
Based on this data if you upload 100 videos and even if each video gets 100 views per month, you would make around $180 just from ad views.
Additionally, partnering with a fitness brand could provide further income.
They might pay you to feature their products in your videos, and using your affiliate link for purchases could generate commissions.
For a personal trainer, YouTube is an effective way to augment your income with just consistent quality content over a year.
And your content does not have to be limited to workout videos either, it can be educational content, Q&A, fitness podcasts, etc.
5. Create Your Fitness Blog
Using a fitness blog to create a new revenue stream works like this. The first step is to identify topics that people are searching for online but haven’t been extensively covered.
To do this, you can use search engines like Google or Pinterest.
For instance, consider this search query: “How to stay fit when you are over 60.” Your task is to write a detailed and informative article on this topic, as well as related subjects. Some related topics might include:
- Home workouts for people over 60
- 5 Safe Stretching Exercises for Seniors to Improve Flexibility
- The Best Low-Impact Cardio Exercises for People Over 60
- Strength Training After 60: A Beginner’s Guide
- Essential Equipment for Effective Home Workouts for Seniors
- How to Motivate Yourself to Stay Fit After 60
The aim is to group these related topics into one category. Over time, as people search for these topics, your articles will begin to appear more frequently in search results, establishing you as an authority in this niche.
Once your blog starts attracting traffic, you can monetize it through several methods:
- Display ads
- Affiliate marketing, where you review products and include a purchase link. You earn a commission if someone buys through your link.
- Creating your own products, such as e-books or digital fitness courses.
This strategy is an excellent way to generate a new revenue stream. Although it may take some time to build momentum, it can eventually provide a steady income.
6. Offer Customized Meal Plans
As a personal trainer, you understand how important a nutrition plan is to achieve any fitness goal.
Let’s say you’re training your clients effectively, ensuring they’re consistent and perform their workouts with proper form.
However, if they go home and eat whatever they want, this behavior can become a barrier to achieving their goals.
Alternatively, they might need to consult another fitness professional who specializes in nutritional counseling to obtain meal plans.
Why not offer this service yourself for an additional fee? By doing so, you not only oversee their workout plans but also their diet, which will help you track their progress more effectively and create an additional revenue stream for yourself.
Before you begin, it’s important to ensure you have the appropriate education and certification.
As a personal trainer, you’re permitted to discuss nutrition generally and refer clients to specialists, but you’re not allowed to create customized diet plans without a specific nutrition certification.
Make sure you are equipped with the necessary knowledge and credentials to comply with the law.
7. Sell Supplements To Your Clients
Selling supplements effectively involves understanding each client’s unique needs.
As a personal trainer, you can evaluate your clients’ diets, fitness goals, and health conditions to recommend the most suitable supplements for them.
For instance, for a client looking to build muscle, you might suggest a protein supplement and creatine to aid in muscle growth and recovery.
For a vegan client who struggles with energy during workouts, you could advise them to get their blood tested.
If the results indicate a B12 deficiency, and if dietary adjustments aren’t enough to correct it, recommending a B12 supplement could be beneficial.
When promoting supplements, transparency is key. Be clear about the benefits, potential side effects, and the reasons you believe a supplement is right for a client.
Avoid overstating claims and always remind your clients that supplements are meant to complement, not replace a balanced diet.
On your social media platforms, consider sharing articles on the benefits of specific supplements, as well as client testimonials (with their permission) that highlight their positive experiences. This approach can help inform and reassure potential customers.
Why is it Important to Diversify Revenue Streams as a Personal Trainer?
As personal trainers demand grows and the competition to capture the market share increases, here are the reasons why diversifying your income streams is important now more than ever:
Enhanced Financial Stability
Diversifying revenue streams helps stabilize personal trainer income, especially important given the fluctuating demand for personal trainer jobs.
By offering multiple services like group fitness classes, online personal training sessions, and selling fitness products, trainers can create more consistent revenue sources.
This approach reduces dependence on any single income source and buffers against seasonal fluctuations and economic downturns.
Expanded Market Reach
Certified personal trainers can expand their market share by targeting different client segments.
For example, while some clients may seek one-on-one personal training sessions, others might prefer online coaching or nutritional guidance.
By diversifying offerings, trainers can attract a broader client base, increasing industry revenue and ensuring more sustained demand across various service categories.
Adaptation to Industry Trends
The global personal training industry is continually evolving, with new trends and technologies emerging regularly.
Trainers who diversify their service offerings are better positioned to adapt to these changes.
For instance, integrating virtual reality workouts or wellness coaching as part of personal trainer services can keep trainers relevant and competitive.
This adaptability is critical for leveraging industry statistics that point to growing segments within the market.
Increased Job Security
Personal trainer employment can be unpredictable, with many factors influencing job availability and security.
Diversifying revenue streams can provide trainers with more control over their careers and decrease their vulnerability to job market shifts.
For example, trainers who offer both in-person and online services can maintain client engagement even during times when physical access to gyms is restricted, thereby enhancing job security.
Opportunity for Growth and Development
Expanding into new areas such as corporate wellness programs or specialized training for different demographics allows trainers to continuously develop their skills and expertise.
This professional growth not only helps in increasing personal trainer income but also contributes to a stronger resume and higher standing in the personal trainers market.
Investing in continuous education and diversifying services aligns with the needs of personal trainers to stay ahead in a competitive industry.
Conclusion
There you have it: by exploring these ideas to increase your revenue streams, you’ll be doing yourself a favor and securing your financial future.
Relying solely on one income source, especially as an independent personal trainer, can be risky.
We suggest experimenting with one strategy at a time to see what works best for you. The simplest approach could be to raise your fees.
More time-consuming strategies, such as starting a fitness blog or a YouTube channel, usually take at least a year to begin showing results.
However, if you are persistent, you’ll find that establishing these new sources of income is worth the effort in the long run.
FAQ
Is the personal trainer industry growing?
Yes, the personal training industry is experiencing growth, fueled by increasing health awareness and expanding fitness centers. The demand for personal training services continues to rise as more people seek customized workouts and health regimes.
How profitable is being a personal trainer?
Profitability in the personal trainers market varies widely based on location, experience, and specialization. Personal trainers can significantly increase their income by offering additional services, such as nutritional counseling and online training programs.
Can you make $100,000 as a personal trainer?
Yes, it is possible to make $100,000 or more as a personal trainer, especially for those who operate in major markets, have a solid client base, and diversify their income streams, such as through selling products, online coaching, or working in upscale fitness centers.
What is the turnover rate for personal trainers?
The turnover rate in the personal trainers industry can be high, largely due to varying client demand and the often seasonal nature of the market. However, established personal trainers with strong client relationships and effective business practices tend to have more stability and lower turnover rates.
