How to become a personal trainer | The ultimate guide

So, you want to know how to become a personal trainer? Well, the good news is that you’ve come to the right place to get started — welcome to The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Personal Training Business.

If you’ve taken the time to sit down and read this guide (or skim — don’t worry, we get it), you’re probably taking your first venture into personal training or looking to enhance your current business.

Considering the job market for personal trainers in the U.S. is expected to grow 39% through 2030, and in the UK the industry is valued at over 626 million pounds, with an annual growth of around 3%, we’d say that’s a smart move.

At My PT Hub, we know the last few years have been tough for personal trainers. They’ve also brought many changes to the fitness industry. That’s why we want to provide a comprehensive, trusted, no-strings-attached resource to help you get on your feet.

Whether you’re just getting started or growing an enterprise, this guide will show you what you need to know to create a successful personal training business.

Let’s get started!

What do you need to become a personal trainer?

Getting qualified

The first step to becoming a certified personal trainer is ensuring you meet the necessary qualifications and age requirements in your country. Here’s what you need to know:

United Kingdom (UK)

You can enroll in your first skills test at 16 years old and even start working as a fitness instructor in some gyms.
To run your own personal training business, you must be at least 18 years old due to insurance requirements.

United States (US)

You must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED to qualify for certification.
While not always mandatory, many employers require CPR and/or AED certification to ensure you can respond to medical emergencies.

Australia

To work as a personal trainer, you must earn a Certificate III and Certificate IV in Fitness.
Most courses require you to be at least 16 years old to enroll.

Meeting these basic age and education requirements ensures you’re eligible to start your personal training journey and take the next step toward certification.

Personal training certifications

Choosing the right personal training certification is a crucial step in launching your career. Whether you’re in the US, UK, or Australia, there are many accredited certification programs to choose from. The best certification for you will depend on several key factors, including:

The type of clients you want to train (e.g., general fitness, athletes, rehabilitation)
Specializations (e.g., strength training, weight loss, injury prevention)
Program cost and available payment plans
Your existing knowledge and experience in fitness
Time commitment required for study and certification exams
Your preferred work environment (e.g., gym, online coaching, self-employed)
Training style (group fitness, one-on-one, virtual coaching)
Long-term career goals (building a business, working for a gym, corporate wellness)
What you want to learn to enhance your expertise and value

If you’re unsure where to start, My PT Hub’s Marketplace offers exclusive access to top certification and education programs for our members and trialists. Some of our leading education partners include:

These industry-recognised certifications will help you establish credibility, gain expertise, and confidently train clients in various settings.

Different certifications to consider

A well-rounded personal training certification goes beyond exercise programming. To provide the best experience for your clients, look for programs that cover:

✔ Nutrition – Understanding dietary needs, meal planning, and macro tracking
✔ Anatomy & Physiology – Learning how the body moves and adapts to training
✔ Lifestyle & Behaviour Change – Helping clients with habit formation and motivation
✔ Client Assessments & Screening – Evaluating fitness levels and tracking progress

Essential certifications to get started

To start your career as a certified personal trainer, consider these foundational qualifications:

🏋️ Level 2 Certificate – Gym Instructing (Entry-level qualification)
🏆 Level 3 Diploma – Personal Training (Enables you to work as a certified PT)
🎓 Level 4 Course – Elite Personal Trainer Certification (Advanced specialization)

With the right certification and foundational knowledge, you’ll be prepared to deliver expert training, build client trust, and grow your fitness career.

Legal requirements for personal trainers

While the business and legal side of personal training may not be the most exciting part, it’s essential for protecting yourself and your clients. Here are the key legal forms you need to get your personal training business off the ground:

📜 1. Certificate of Insurance

Most gyms and fitness centers require independent PTs to have liability insurance. Even if you work for yourself, having insurance adds professionalism and financial protection in case a client gets injured.

💡 Exclusive Offer: My PT Hub members and trialists can access discounted insurance through our partnership with Insure4Sport. Visit the Resources area in your account now to take advantage of this deal!

📜 2. Liability Waiver

A liability waiver ensures that clients acknowledge the risks of training and exercise. This reduces your legal risk if an injury occurs. Make sure every client signs this before you begin training.

📜 3. Personal Training Contract

A contract sets clear expectations between you and your clients. It should outline:
✔ Payment terms and refund policies
✔ Training session details
✔ Cancellation, late arrival, and no-show policies

📜 4. Consent & Disclaimer Form

This document protects you in situations where a client is unhappy with their results rather than physically injured. It also serves as written consent for fitness assessments and training programs.

By getting certified and ensuring your business is legally protected, you’ll set yourself up for a successful, professional, and long-term career in personal training.

Personal Trainer wearing shirt that says "personal trainer"

Deciding how much to charge as a personal trainer

Now comes the tricky part — how do you set your prices? If “how much should personal trainers charge” has made its way into your search history, you’re not alone.

Pricing your services is all about finding that sweet spot. Charge too much, and you risk pricing out potential clients. Charge too little, and you may undervalue your expertise and credibility.

The goal is to strike a balance that reflects your skills, experience, and market demand.

Several key factors should influence your pricing, including:

Certifications – Higher-level or specialized certifications can justify premium pricing.
Years of experience – Seasoned trainers can charge more based on proven results.
Local market – Prices vary based on demand, competition, and cost of living in your area.
Target audience – High-end clients may expect higher fees, while budget-conscious clients may need more affordable options.
Specialty training – Niche expertise, like rehabilitation or athletic performance, can command higher rates.
Competitor rates – Research what other trainers in your area charge to stay competitive.
Running costs – Consider expenses like gym rental fees, insurance, and equipment.
Desired profit margins – Ensure your rates support your financial goals and sustainability.

For a deeper dive into structuring your pricing strategy, check out our guide How Much to Charge as a Personal Trainer.

Top Tip: Use the My PT Hub Finance feature to simplify your payment process. Through our app or online software, you can easily create packages, take card payments, track money in and out (including cash and check payments), and generate receipts.

Choosing a type of personal training

So, you’re qualified, great! Now it’s time to decide what type of personal trainer you want to become.

Traditionally, personal training involved meeting clients in person at a gym, studio, or health club for face-to-face workouts.

However, in recent years, online personal training has rapidly grown in popularity. The rise of social media fitness influencers, workout videos, and digital coaching programs has made virtual training a highly viable career path.

The shift to online fitness was further accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic, with 68% of Americans reporting they planned to continue using online fitness services after the pandemic, according to IHRSA’s 2021 Media Report.

As a new or growing personal trainer, you have a key decision to make: will you offer in-person training, online coaching, or a mix of both?

This choice will shape your business, influencing how you promote your services, attract clients, and even which certifications you pursue next.

To help you decide, let’s break down the benefits of each type of training.

The benefits of in-person personal training

There’s a lot to love about traditional face-to-face personal training. One of the biggest advantages is the social connection it fosters. Meeting in person allows you to build stronger relationships with clients, making it easier to establish trust and rapport—key factors in retaining long-term clients and generating referrals.

Another major benefit of in-person training is the increased engagement and accountability. When you’re physically present, it’s easyto motivate clients, keep them focused, and push them to give their best effort. Without distractions from home or technology, your sessions become a dedicated time for progress and results.

From a practical standpoint, in-person training also offers flexibility in program design. Not every client has access to a full set of equipment at home, so working out in a gym or studio allows for a wider variety of exercises.

You can also adjust workouts on the spot, correct form in real time, and modify exercises based on your client’s progress—all of which contribute to an effective and personalized experience.

Additionally, accurately tracking progress is often easier when you’re physically with a client. Whether it’s monitoring movement patterns, assessing fatigue, or adjusting intensity levels, in-person training gives you a clearer picture of where they are in their fitness journey.

While online training has its advantages, the hands-on experience of working with clients face-to-face is a rewarding and effective way to help people achieve their fitness goals.

Personal trainer recording online workout

The benefits of online personal training

Coaching fitness online comes with plenty of advantages, especially for trainers looking to build a flexible and scalable business. The biggest perk? Freedom. With online personal training, you can work from anywhere—no need for a home gym or access to a physical training space.

As an online coach, you can train clients, create workouts, communicate, and manage your business entirely through your laptop, phone, or tablet.

This not only eliminates geographical limitations but also allows you to work with more clients without being restricted to your local area. Since online training doesn’t require the same time commitment per client as in-person sessions, you can serve a larger client base while maintaining a more flexible schedule.

Another major benefit is the cost savings. Without the need for travel or renting gym space, your overhead expenses are significantly lower, allowing you to reinvest in your business or enjoy a better work-life balance.

Many online coaches diversify their services to create a more sustainable and profitable business model. Instead of solely offering one-on-one training sessions, they provide custom workout programs, digital coaching resources, and habit-based coaching.

This approach not only benefits clients but also allows trainers to generate multiple income streams.

More than ever, personal training clients are looking for comprehensive wellness support beyond just exercise.

Many want guidance on lifestyle changes, mental well-being, and long-term habit building. With an online platform like My PT Hub, you can seamlessly incorporate these services.

Features like the Habit Tracker and client check-ins allow you to support your clients from anywhere, making it easier to deliver holistic, results-driven coaching.

The benefits of hybrid personal training

One of the best things about running your own personal training business is that you don’t have to choose between in-person or online training. A hybrid model allows you to combine both approaches, giving you and your clients the best of both worlds.

By supplementing traditional in-person sessions with online coaching, you can maximise your time, increase profits, and enhance the client experience. Whether you offer live virtual training, pre-packaged programs, or assigned DIY workouts, a hybrid approach gives you more flexibility in how you run your business.

It’s also a growing trend. As of 2021, 1 in 5 gym members also subscribed to a premium online fitness service. This shift means that many clients now expect the option to train both in-person and online.

Another key advantage of hybrid personal training is increased accessibility. Clients who may not be able to afford multiple in-person sessions each week, or struggle with scheduling conflicts, can still work with you at a frequency that fits their lifestyle.

Meeting in person once or twice a week while continuing the program at home through custom workouts or on-demand video sessions helps clients stay consistent and see better results.

For you, this means more efficiency, higher client retention, and increased revenue potential. With hybrid training, you can serve a wider audience without being limited by location or time constraints.

How to create personal training workout programs

Now that you have a niche, and hopefully some clients, it’s time to start designing workout programs.

Designing effective workout programs is a fundamental skill for personal trainers. A well-structured program helps clients progress efficiently, stay motivated, and achieve their fitness goals.

Whether you’re working with beginners or experienced athletes, the key to a great program is customisation, tailoring it to each client’s fitness level, goals, and lifestyle.

Step 1: Understand your client’s goals and abilities

Before designing a workout plan, gather key information through an assessment:

Fitness goals – Weight loss, muscle gain, endurance, strength, or rehabilitation?
Current fitness level – Beginner, intermediate, or advanced?
Injury history & limitations – Any past injuries, medical conditions, or movement restrictions?
Workout preferences – What type of training do they enjoy or dislike?
Equipment availability – Will they be training at a gym, at home, or outdoors?

Step 2: Structure the program based on goals

Once you have client data, structure their program based on training frequency, intensity, and progression.

General fitness & weight loss – Focus on full-body workouts with a mix of strength, cardio, and functional training.
Muscle building (Hypertrophy) – Prioritise resistance training with progressive overload (3-5 sets per muscle group).
Strength training – Use lower reps, heavier weights, and longer rest periods (e.g., 4-6 reps at 80-90% max effort).
Endurance & conditioning – Include high-rep strength training, interval workouts, and cardio-based exercises.

A balanced program should incorporate:

✅ Warm-up & mobility work – Prepare muscles and joints to prevent injury.
✅ Primary strength/resistance work – Compound movements (e.g., squats, deadlifts, presses).
✅ Accessory exercises – Target weak areas and support overall function.
✅ Conditioning/metabolic work – Cardio, HIIT, or functional circuits (if applicable).
✅ Cooldown & recovery – Stretching, mobility drills, or relaxation techniques.

Step 3: Plan for progression & adaptability

A program should evolve as a client progresses. Use progressive overload by increasing:

Weight/resistance
Reps/sets
Exercise complexity
Training frequency or intensity

Adjust the plan based on weekly progress tracking and client feedback to ensure consistent results.

Step 4: Provide clear instructions & support

To keep clients engaged and accountable:

Demonstrate proper form – Either in person or via video resources.
Set realistic expectations – Explain how long results typically take.
Encourage consistency – Help clients stay committed with structured check-ins.
Track performance – Monitor progress through assessments and adjustments.

By following these steps, you’ll create effective, client-centered workout programs that deliver results while keeping training engaging and sustainable.

If you want to start building your programs manually, you can follow this free personal training template to ensure consistency and effectiveness.

Using software to design workouts

When you’re starting out, programming can take up a lot of time. This is time that could be spent on learning, marketing, or actually training clients.

While you could create every workout from scratch, a more efficient approach is using My PT Hub’s Workouts feature to streamline program creation.

With the Workouts feature, you can:

Create unlimited custom workouts and deliver them directly to clients through your branded app.
Access a library of 7,500+ exercises or upload custom ones.
Mix and match exercises to build personalized training plans.

Clients can also:

Track their exercise history and progress.
Keep time during workouts or individual sets.
Sync their fitness wearables for seamless tracking.

How to grow a personal training business

Now that you’ve set up your personal training business and created effective workout programs, it’s time to focus on growth. Expanding your client base and increasing revenue can feel challenging, but with the right approach, it’s absolutely achievable.

The good news? If you’ve followed the steps above to launch your business, you’re already on the right track. And if you’re still struggling to attract clients, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.

Step 1: Define your target audience

Earlier, we discussed how identifying your ideal client helps you set the right pricing. The same principle applies when growing your business. By clearly understanding who you want to train, you can tailor your marketing efforts, services, and messaging to attract the right clients.

Start by asking yourself:

Who do I want to work with? (Beginners, athletes, busy professionals, new moms, etc.)
What specific problems can I help solve? (Weight loss, strength building, rehab, etc.)
Where do my ideal clients spend their time online and offline?

Focusing on a smaller niche first will help you build a strong foundation. Once you establish credibility and gain traction, you can expand into broader markets later.

Step 2: Leverage marketing to attract clients

Once you’ve identified your audience, it’s time to turn strangers into paying clients. The key is using the right marketing channels to reach them.

Some effective ways to promote your personal training business include:

Social media marketing – Share workout tips, client success stories, and educational content. Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are great platforms to build credibility.
Referrals & word-of-mouth – Happy clients will bring in new ones. Offer incentives for referrals.
Content marketing – Write blogs, create YouTube videos, or send email newsletters to establish authority.
Local networking – Partner with gyms, health clubs, or wellness professionals to gain exposure.
Paid advertising – Consider Facebook Ads or Google Ads to target specific demographics.

Step 3: Improve client retention

Attracting clients is one thing, but keeping them long-term is where your business truly thrives. Focus on providing an exceptional experience through:

Consistent communication – Check in regularly, offer guidance, and celebrate wins.
Personalised training programs – Show clients you understand their needs.
Tracking progress – Keep clients motivated with measurable improvements.
Offering additional services – Nutrition coaching, habit tracking, or online programs can add value.

By mastering client acquisition and retention, you’ll create a sustainable and profitable personal training business that continues to grow.

The best apps for personal trainers

Running a personal training business means taking on multiple roles. As well as coaching clients, you’re also managing scheduling, payments, marketing and client progress tracking. Whilst it may be a lot to handle, the right apps can help you stay organized, save time and grow your business.

From workout programming and financial management to content creation and client engagement, there are tools designed to make every aspect of your job easier. Choosing the right ones can help you streamline your workflow and focus on what you do best – training clients!

Here are some of the best apps to help you become a personal trainer with a successful and thriving business.

Canva

Canva is a great tool for personal trainers who want to create high-quality graphics without needing design experience. It’s free to use, with a paid plan offering extra features, but the free version covers most essentials.

With Canva’s pre-designed templates, you can quickly create logos, business cards, email campaigns, social media graphics (Facebook covers, Instagram posts, and ads), posters, and flyers.

For those who prefer more customisation, you can use free design tools such as Photopea (similar to Photoshop) to build designs from scratch.

Adobe video editing software

Video content is more important than ever. According to IHRSA’s 2021 report, consumers continue to use at-home workout options more than gyms, even as in-person fitness makes a comeback.

For personal trainers, creating high-quality video content helps expand reach and strengthen branding. Whether you offer online coaching, pre-recorded workouts, or social media content, a good video editing tool is essential.

Adobe offers a range of user-friendly video editing options suited for different needs:

Premiere Rush – Quick, easy edits on any device
Premiere Pro – Advanced editing for professional-quality videos
After Effects – Motion graphics and visual effects
Spark Video – Simple video creation with templates

Many of these options include step-by-step guided edits, making them perfect for beginners. You can edit on your phone, laptop, or tablet and share videos directly to social media.

Adobe Express is also available as a free video editor if your budget is limited and you want to start editing videos for social media.

Constant Contact

Email marketing is a powerful tool for personal trainers. Regular email communication keeps clients engaged, adds value to your services and improves retention.

Constant Contact makes it easy to create and automate professional email campaigns. The platform also provides detailed analytics, including open rates, click-through rates, and subscriber activity, helping you track engagement and refine your messaging.

Automation ensures no clients fall through the cracks, saving time while keeping your audience informed and connected.

My PT Hub

Having a software specifically designed to manage your PT business is essential to your success. The right app will do most of the bureaucratic legwork required to run your business, stay organized, and continue to grow — and that’s where My PT Hub comes in.

My PT Hub is an all-in-one management software for personal trainers and fitness coaches. Available as a mobile app and desktop software, it covers everything you need to operate your business smoothly.

Here are some of the top features that’ll streamline your workflow, save time and help your business grow:

Key features

Workout programming – Create unlimited custom workouts from scratch or use pre-made templates. Access a library of 7,500+ HD exercise videos or upload your own.
Nutrition planning – Build detailed meal plans with access to the world’s largest verified nutrition database, a macro calculator, a barcode scanner, and shopping list features. You can also integrate with MyFitnessPal for seamless tracking.
Client management – Keep all client details organized with instant chat, progress tracking, social sharing, client notes, and PAR-Q forms.
Marketing & business growth – Set up a virtual storefront with MySite, run Google ad campaigns, and access exclusive discounts on fitness equipment, supplements, and education through the Marketplace.
Payments & scheduling – Sell packages, accept payments, and manage billing and accounts all in one place. Use the calendar booking system to schedule private sessions, group classes, or recurring appointments.
Custom-branded fitness app – Provide clients with a personalized app where they can receive workouts, book and pay for sessions, communicate with you, integrate with fitness wearables, and track progress.
Live & On-demand training – Stream live sessions or on-demand events directly through the app.
Habit Tracker – Help clients build sustainable, long-term health habits with the integrated Habit Tracker.

With My PT Hub, you can spend less time on admin and more time doing what you love – coaching clients and growing your business.

Next steps to building a successful online fitness business

Congratulations—you’ve made it through our guide on how to become a personal trainer! By reaching this point, you’ve taken a huge step toward successfully launching, managing, and growing your personal training business.

Building a thriving fitness business that supports your lifestyle and transforms your clients’ lives is a journey. The hardest part is getting started, and you’ve now laid the foundation.

What’s next?

Now it’s time to take the next step toward long-term success. If you want to diversify your services and strengthen your business foundation, check out How to Become a Successful Personal Trainer for expert insights on leveling up your career.

When you’re ready to scale and attract more clients, head over to our Personal Trainer Marketing Guide to learn how to grow your audience, strengthen your brand, and increase revenue.

Take this guide with you

Download The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Personal Training Business to have all these insights in one place as you continue building your fitness empire.

Get started with My PT Hub

As you grow, the right tools make all the difference. Start uncovering the power of My PT Hub to streamline your business and support your success.