The fitness industry is growing at an exponential rate. Many fitness coaches are transiting to online coaching or supplementing in-person training with virtual coaching. Technology has made it possible for personal trainers to go beyond physical barriers and take charge of their careers.
Starting an online fitness coaching business opens up many opportunities that would otherwise be impossible when training one-on-one. You can easily scale up your services and take advantage of the different opportunities to grow your client reach and build a reputable career.
Therefore, if you are hoping to break the ceiling wall and thrive as a personal fitness coach, taking your skills and expertise online is an excellent option.
So, how do you build your online fitness business? Here is an outline to help you make this boss move and get coaching clients.
- Choose Your Niche
Fitness businesses are surging online. If you do not define your services, you’ll struggle to build a client base. Thus, to have a competitive edge over others, you must single out a niche.
When starting, you can have a single niche. This will help you try and test different techniques that work for your niche with ease. You can grow fast to be the go-to person in your industry.
To find a niche, access your expertise and what makes you stand out as a personal trainer. Next, define your target market. Have an overview of the age, profession, the struggles your target group experiences with fitness and their health needs. You can conduct a mock interview to understand your target audience better. That way, you’ll base your decision on real data.
Limiting your market enables you to reach potential clients easily. You can tailor your services to meet their unique needs.
- Design the Training Template
With a potential client in mind, you can design three to four training templates that fit this particular group.
A template helps you to work with diverse clients without starting from scratch every time. A strength-building exercise of a 60-year-old will have similarities to someone else’s of the same age and same objective. So, a template is your reference point.
Once you’ve assessed a client, you can now customize the template to fit an individual’s fitness needs. Templates come in handy because you can modify them over time as you better understand your clients’ needs and what works.
- Meet the Legal Requirements
The laws and regulations governing online businesses differ. But one thing is for sure; you must comply with the legal requirements if you want your business to run smoothly.
Here, you need to understand tax regulations beforehand. You must have your business registration documentation. Adhere to laws governing business structure, name, and trademarks.
Also, ensure you’ve set up clients’ registration forms that capture your clients’ details before signing up for the program.
Further, research to understand the certifications you need and any state-specific laws you must meet when starting a virtual fitness business.
- Compile Training Videos
When working virtually, you must demonstrate workouts for your clients. Take time to compile a list of links to other trainers’ YouTube videos that show the routines you’d like your clients to practice. You should embed these links on the training documents.
You might not find all the workout routines you intend to give your clients online. In this case, you must shoot your videos. To short a video, ensure you have all the equipment you’ll need within reach. Do your demonstrations in a well-lit room using a high-resolution camera for clarity.
Remember, you are doing a demonstration of a particular move that your client will refer to in the middle of their workout. Therefore, make the demo between 10-20 seconds and ensure you’ve clearly shown the exercise. Again, insert the link to the video on the training materials.
- Settle for a Training Software
Most trainers have embraced training applications as they are convenient, easy-to-use, and efficient. Most of the training apps have a 30 days free trial to help you test before you purchase.
It is essential to try different applications before settling for one. Analyze how the apps can increase your business efficiency in the long run. It is also important to check if the app is automated, flexible, and scalable.
All the training apps have benefits and disadvantages. However, settle for one that gives you an option to customize your workout templates, enhances communication, simplifies payment, and eases the creation and organization of documents.
- Decide on Your Pricing
When settling for the right price for your services, analyze the value you are adding to your clients’ life, access the time and resources you use to produce your training materials, and review the characteristics of your potential client. Your price should reflect your expertise and the quality of services you offer.
Once you have a price, choose a convenient payment processing service. You can settle for Paypal, Stripe, or any other service provider that suits your clients and your business.
- Select the Channel to Promote Your Services
Once your business is set up, you need to make your potential clients know that you exist. The demographic analysis you did when finding a niche will help you see where you can find your clients.
You can start by offering some of your services for free or offer discounts. You’ll be able to build a network and increase your visibility. If clients find value, you’ll get referrals, and your clients will commit, thereby expanding your market reach.
Social media is a platform that you can use to advertise your services. Depending on where your target audience is, you can opt for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or any other platform.
Another option is forming partnerships with other coaches in your industry. Partnering enables you to build your network and reputation.
- Build your Brand
Finally, establish your brand. Have a website, a logo, and an efficient system to run your business. Be helpful on social media. Post useful information on your accounts and write informative content on your blog.
Strive to connect with each client on a personal level. Treat your clients with respect and ensure they have a great experience. When clients can relate to you, it builds trust and confidence.
Continuously gather knowledge and use your experience to improve your services.
About Tyler Read
Tyler Read is the owner of PTPioneer.com which is a website dedicated to helping people get started in the personal training industry. He helps people discover, study, and pass their fitness exams. Check out his free videos for the latest trends.
