How to Become an Online Fitness Coach [Updated January 2025]

As the world wakes up to the potential of online personal training, more and more fitness professionals are starting to offer online fitness coaching.

This is great, but what are the first steps to take to become a fitness coach, and how do you start to stand out amongst others in a growing marketplace? And how do you help potential clients pick you over your competitors? What personal trainer digital marketing techniques will work best for you?

Remember, online you’re competing against personal trainers across the world, not just your local area or gym!

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t space for your online fitness coaching business to thrive. Social media for personal trainers is a quickly expanding market, and the more you optimise your social media, the more you’ll expand your client list.

Group of happy, multinational women and man wearing stylish sportwear, talking, training together on the street, outdoors.

Steps to becoming an online fitness coach

1. Obtain the necessary qualifications

Before you dive into the world of online coaching, make sure you have the proper certifications and qualifications.

This not only ensures you’re providing safe and effective guidance but also builds trust with potential clients.

Research accredited fitness certifications like Future Fit or ACE and consider pursuing specialised qualifications in areas such as nutrition or specific fitness disciplines.

RELATED ARTICLE: How to Build a Career in Fitness

2. Define Your Niche

The fitness industry is vast, and finding your niche can help you stand out in a crowded market. Are you passionate about weight loss, strength training, yoga, or working with a specific group like new mothers or older adults?

Identifying your niche will allow you to tailor your services and marketing to attract your ideal clients, or find a gap in the growing market.

RELATED ARTICLE: 6 Reasons Personal Training Niches Generate More Revenue 

3. Build a Professional Online Presence

Creating a strong digital footprint is essential. Start by building a user-friendly website that showcases your services, qualifications, and a few testimonials.

Then, establish profiles on key social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to share valuable content and engage with your audience. Short-form video content and motivational posts about healthy habits and nutrition are ideal. Ensure your branding is consistent across all your social platforms.

RELATED ARTICLE: Using My PT Hub to Become An Online Fitness Coach with Jack Wilson 

4. Invest in Tools and Technology

Running an online coaching business requires the right tools. Use software like My PT Hub to manage client programs, track progress, build your brand and communicate effectively.

Also, consider investing in good-quality cameras or smartphones to create professional-looking content for your social media and marketing.

RELATED ARTICLE: 5 Things Your Personal Trainer Software Should Be Doing for You

Woman talking with her personal trainer while checking a clipboard outdoors.

Four ways to stand out as an online fitness coach

Standing out in the online fitness coaching world requires more than just expertise – it’s about building trust, showcasing results, and creating a unique presence that resonates with your target audience.

With competition growing globally, it’s essential to use strategic approaches that highlight your strengths and demonstrate the value you can provide.

Here are four effective ways to make your mark and attract the right clients to build your online fitness business.

1. Building social media credibility

The most successful personal trainers are those who use social media to boost their credibility and show their dedicated fans exactly how good they are. If you’re just starting out online, you might not be at the stage of having a huge following across your socials, but potential customers will be judging you on a lot of what you post online.

One of the first things that potential clients are going to look for is evidence of your credentials – who have you helped before? What kind of results have they achieved? If you have an excellent track record of results with other clients, make sure you show it!

Don’t just tell people how good you are, show them! People like seeing progress; if they can see that you’re achieving incredible results with real people like them, they’re much more likely to pick you as a coach.

Consider that 62% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase based on photos and videos from other customers, and you’ll understand just how powerful social proof can be for your fitness business.

Use client testimonials and case studies to enhance your brand and credibility on social media. Before and after progress photos are also a big hit with potential customers. 

Don’t forget to always ask for permission from your clients before sharing their stories! And even better, why not ask your clients to share the testimonial or case study with their networks too? Word of mouth is just as powerful when it comes to online personal training and fitness coaching as potential clients want to feel like they can trust you before they commit.

2. Stay professional

Remember that online, the world is watching. If you want to offer a professional service, bear that in mind with your online presence. Keep your social media professional, or at very least keep your personal channels private and separate to your business. You don’t want to put off potential clients by seeming unprofessional on social media.

When becoming an online fitness coach, remember that your potential clients’ first experience of your brand will be based on how you present yourself on your website and social media profiles. Because of this, creating a killer first impression is essential.

Your social media might be your potential clients’ only reference of how you will train them, so make sure that you come across as friendly, approachable and professional to maximize your chances of winning new business.

Man and woman smiling and high-fiving in a gym setting.

3. Communication

Online doesn’t have to mean impersonal.

If you get too complacent with your client interactions, they’ll leave and find another trainer.

Make sure you keep on top of client communication. My PT Hub allows you to easily check-in with clients regularly through the Chat feature. Send your clients a dose of motivation or some all-important feedback as an Individual, Group, or Broadcast Message.

A small motivational message now and then will do wonders for your clients! From a voice note, image, GIF or good old-fashioned written message, make sure you keep up your end of the bargain when it comes to communication with your online clients.

Communication will also be easier if you have a social media account. Even if you have five followers, and you only chat with them on there – this will build rapport with your customers and hopefully mean they will be more likely to recommend you!

4. Utilise your fans and followers

Have you helped change a life? Ask that person for a testimonial!

Everybody expects your marketing to list your credentials and experience and share with people how good you are, but if someone else is doing it on your behalf, it adds an extra level of persuasion for a potential client and can be a lot more authentic.

People like being able to see success on multiple levels. If potential clients see something they like on your business social media account that is then backed up by something on a client’s account, they’ll know that you’re the real deal!

With reviews becoming a huge part of a consumer’s purchase decision, ask previous or current clients to feature in a piece of your marketing material- from a blog post, before and after photo to a review or case study, client testimonials are powerful stuff.

Looking for personal trainer social media ideas? Client reviews and testimonials are great for social media because they’re short, snappy and sound much more authentic to potential clients than anything you could post yourself.

If potential clients can see how much you’ve helped another person just like them, it can be very persuasive. Use your fans – they could be your biggest marketing asset!


The verdict of becoming an online fitness coach?

Although online personal training is becoming more popular, that doesn’t mean you can’t bag yourself a piece of the action.

Remember, always act professionally online (anywhere that is ‘public’) and show you care by connecting with both existing and potential customers.

Most importantly, if you offer a supportive and welcoming service, the possibilities for building a strong online fitness business are completely endless!

Ready to start your coaching journey as an online fitness coach?  Sign up for your 30-day free trial of My PT Hub to unlock 15+ features designed to help you successfully manage and grow your fitness business.