personal trainer startup business plan

Personal Training Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Personal Training Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their personal training companies. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a personal training business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is a Personal Training Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your personal training business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Personal Training Business

If you’re looking to start a personal training business or grow your existing personal training company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your personal training business to improve your chances of success. Your personal trainer business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Personal Training Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a personal training business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for personal training companies.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a personal training business.

If you want to start a personal training business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The business plan outline below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your personal training business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of personal training business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a personal training business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of personal training businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the personal training industry.
• Discuss the type of personal training business you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of personal training business you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of personal training businesses:

• Mobile personal trainer: This type of business involves traveling to the client’s home, a park, or another location that is convenient for the client to provide personal training sessions.
• In-home personal trainer: This type of business is operated out of the trainer’s own home. This type of business may be great for trainers that have their own equipment.
• Online personal trainer: This type of business involves providing training one-on-one or group sessions online live or via pre-recorded webinars.
• Gym trainer: This type of personal training business operates out of a gym that allows the trainer to work with their own clients at the gym.

In addition to explaining the type of personal training business you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of clients served, the number of sessions provided with positive outcomes, reaching $X amount in revenue, etc.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the personal training industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the personal training industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your personal trainer business plan:

• How big is the personal training industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your personal training business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your personal trainer business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, schools, families, and corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of personal training business you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other personal training businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes other types of trainers, coaches, gyms, and fitness programs. You need to mention such competition as well.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of personal training business are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you make it easier for clients to acquire your services?
• Will you offer products or services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a personal training business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of personal training company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide lifestyle training, boot camps, or performance training services?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your personal training company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your personal training business located in a busy retail district, a business district, a standalone gym, or purely online? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your personal training marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your personal training business, including answering calls, planning and providing training sessions, billing customers and collecting payments, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to book your Xth session, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your personal training business to a new city.

Management Team

To demonstrate your personal training business’ potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing personal training businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a personal training business or successfully running a small fitness class.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you see 5 clients per day, and/or offer group training sessions? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your personal training business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a personal training business:

• Cost of equipment and supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your gym location lease or testimonials from happy customers.

  Summary Writing a business plan for your personal training business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will understand the personal training industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful personal training business.  

Personal Training Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my personal training business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your personal training business plan.

Where Can I Download a Personal Trainer Business Plan PDF?

You can download our Personal Trainer business plan PDF  here. This is a business plan template you can use in PDF format.

How Do You Start a Personal Training Business?

Starting a personal training business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your Personal Training Business
• Create Your Personal Training Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Personal Training Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Personal Training Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Personal Training Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Personal Training Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Personal Training Business Equipment
• Develop Your Personal Training Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Personal Training Business
• Open for Business

  OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to see how a Growthink business planning advisor can create your business plan for you.   Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

• Sports Performance
• Workout Plans

Step-By-Step Guide to Starting a Personal Training Business

Congratulations! You passed your online exam and have earned your personal trainer certification . Now comes the time when it's necessary to decide where you will work and how you will start your personal training business.

This blog will provide nine tips for starting an independent personal training business. Keep in mind that starting a business is a lengthy process with several legal implications, so there are many nuances that are not covered within this guide.

With that said, let’s dive in!

No matter which field you work in, being an entrepreneur and starting a business require a lot of energy and effort; nowhere is this more true than in the fitness industry. When it comes to promoting a fitness business and gaining customers, it will take time to develop a client base.

Plan on taking three-to-six months at the minimum to establish a revenue stream through a personal training business. When you're just starting your personal training career , whether, in real life or online, clients won't just find you. You have to hustle to get out and find them, so get to it!

2. Do Your Research

Starting a business means you’re not going to be working for an employer and instead will become an entrepreneur. You may want to research whether it is worth your time and resources to start a business entity like a limited liability company (LLC), which can separate your assets from that of your business. These rules vary from state-to-state; spend a little time to research what would work best where you live.

3. Invest in Liability Insurance

Where will you provide personal training services? Will you be paying for a space in a facility, or do you plan on working in clients’ homes? In either case, it will be necessary to invest in liability insurance. Most facilities that allow personal trainers to see clients will require this. If you’re going into clients’ homes, it's a good idea because, like forming an LLC to separate your business from your assets, it could protect you from any liability in the (unlikely) event a client becomes injured. As an NASM Certified Personal Trainer, you have access to an affordable liability insurance program .

4. Scope Out the Facility

When scoping out your facility here are 4 really helpful questions to consider asking before you make any decisions. Only after you have weighed the potential answers to these questions should pick a facility.

• If you do decide to work as a contractor, where you are paying rent for space in a facility, what type of support, if any, will the facility offer? 
• Will you have the opportunity to meet with new members of the facility? 
• Will you be able to solicit existing members, or will you be required to do your marketing to bring clients in? 
• How is the facility managed? It may be a popular place to work out. Still, if it's not professionally managed, you may want to consider whether it's worth your time to establish a formal business relationship.

5. Invest in the Right Equipment

If you decide to market yourself to clients in their homes or offer workouts in a location like a park, that will require you to invest in some exercise equipment. That's because you'll want to be sure to have what you need to successfully apply the different stages of the NASM Optimum Performance Training™ (OPT™) Model of program design.

From medicine balls to rubber resistance to kettlebells to adjustable dumbbells, there are a number of options. Your budget and ability to transport them to the locations where you will be seeing clients will help determine the best equipment to suit your needs.

If you are going to offer workouts at a park, make sure you check with the local park department to see if any permits are required.

For example, in the city of San Diego, it is okay to train one or two people at a time in a city-managed park. Still, groups over the size of four require a permit issued by the park authority (which requires having the proper liability insurance).

Graham King, the owner of Urban Fitness in Washington, DC, started his business by offering workouts in a park and has grown to have three locations. As Mr. King demonstrates, park workouts can be an excellent option for starting a fitness empire, but you want to be sure you do it correctly.

6. Consider Online Coaching Options

If you're going to offer online personal trainer programs, how will you market your services and deliver the workouts? Will you sell static programs or offer to coach through an online service? Another option is to provide live coaching via apps like FaceTime, Zoom, or Facebook Live.

Kira Stokes, an NASM Certified Personal Trainer in New York City, teaches live classes and works with clients in person. She also has evolved to offer a successful app based on her 'Stoked Method' that reaches thousands of people a month, in addition to training clients online through video conferencing.

The point is that technology has now made it possible for personal trainers to provide fitness solutions to clients anywhere in the world as long as they have a high-speed internet connection and space to exercise in. Like any other business, there is tremendous opportunity in online coaching, but it will take time to be successful.

7. Identify Your Target Market

Whether you are offering your services live or online, who is your target demographic? Who are the clients that will receive the most significant benefit from your services? It's one thing to offer a variety of different types of workout programs.

Still, if you identify a specific target market, that could help you develop your messaging for how you market your services.

For example, offering weight loss and muscle-sculpting programs in an area with a large population of older adults may not resonate with an audience. Who lives in your immediate area? What types of clients do you want to work with? Take some time to brainstorm a target demographic like new moms, older adults, or teenage athletes, then identify the most effective method for communicating with them to attract and earn their business.

8. Create a Brand

Once you identify a target demographic, how will you communicate with that demographic so they can understand the benefit of your fitness services? Marketing is branding, and branding is marketing; creating a brand identity can help you to communicate with potential clients.

When you think of tissues or adhesive bandages, brand names like Kleenex or Band-Aid tend to pop in your head right away. This is called 'top-of-mind' brand recognition and is the power of developing a recognizable brand identity.

Ms. Stokes used the convenience of her last name to establish her 'Stoked Method,' an instantly recognizable brand that has developed a strong following for her workout programs and coaching services.

9. Research Payment Methods

Whether you offer live or online services, how will your clients pay you for your time or the programs you sell? Just like technology has made it possible to reach clients anywhere in the globe, it will be necessary to research payment methods.

You can start an account with PayPal, Venmo, Square, or any other service so that you can be sure that you are adequately compensated for your time and efforts.

A lot goes into starting a fitness business. There is no guarantee of success, but if you have the hustle, put in the work, and apply these nine steps, then you will be well on your way to a long, rewarding and potentially lucrative career as a fitness professional.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS AND ADDITIONAL ADVICE

If you choose to work for an employer like a health club or fitness studio, they should have training and development programs in place that will educate you on what you need to do to work in their operation successfully.

The role of the fitness manager is to support you as you start your business. Listen to their advice because they know what works. Also, look for the more experienced, established personal trainers and ask for their help on how to be successful in that business model.

ONE LAST THING TO CONSIDER 

If you plan on opening a facility, it requires several different steps from finding the best real estate to hiring the right contractors for the build-out. Therefore, these recommendations are for those of you who are considering becoming an independent personal trainer either contracting with a facility, working in clients’ homes, or offering online coaching programs.

Coping with Pressure, Anxiety and Adversity in Uncertain Times

Push, pull and shift: learn the power of perturbations, pete mccall.

Pete McCall is a NASM-CPT, PES, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), international presenter, host of the All About Fitness podcast, fitness blogger and an author of several articles, textbook chapters and the book Smarter Workouts: the Science of Exercise Made Simple. In addition, Pete holds a master’s degree in exercise science and has been educating fitness professionals for more than 15 years. Currently Pete lives in Encinitas, CA where he is an education consultant and content creator for Core Health & Fitness, Terra Core Fitness and 24 Hour Fitness.

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How to Start a Personal Training Business: The Ultimate Guide

The ultimate guide.

With over 330,000 personal training jobs forecasted in the US by 2026 and a growing body of fitness-conscious individuals, it seems now, more than ever, is the best time to start a personal training business.

However, without a strategy or a sound personal trainer business plan, you’ll make the process of becoming a self-employed personal trainer harder than it needs to be.

To help you start a personal training business that has the greatest chance of success, we’ve put together this ultimate guide so you can avoid common pitfalls, save money, and understand how to put a business plan together that works.

In this ultimate guide on how to start a personal training business, you’ll learn:

• First Steps for Personal Training Business Preparation
• How to Create a Personal Trainer Business Plan

Types of Personal Training Businesses You Can Start

How to become a successful personal trainer.

And if you want an even deeper dive into business structure, building your book of business, sales techniques, and more, check out the online masterclass, Business and Sales: The Guide to Success as a Personal Trainer .

Today’s personal trainers come from a mixed bag of backgrounds. Some work at gyms, others with colleges or sports teams, many work at community centers, and some create their own personal training businesses.

The businesses that personal trainers can start usually fall into the below categories:

Train at a Private a Gym that Allows You to Pay Per Session

• You Train at Clients’ Homes/Facilities
• You Train Clients at Your Own Home

Start a Personal Training Business Online

In a recent post on personal trainer salaries , we discussed a payment structure where the trainer could bring in their own clients to gyms that they had relationships with. In these relationships, the personal trainer and their clients are independent from the gym’s payroll or clientbase, respectively.

The gym allows trainers and their clients to utilize their facilities and the trainer is able to charge whatever they can negotiate with their clients. The catch is that the trainer will pay the gym a fee each time the facilities are used.

In-home Personal Training: You Train at Clients’ Homes/Facilities

An increasingly popular personal training business is taking your in-person personal training services to the homes or facilities of your clients. If you are interested in this route, there are a few things that you’ll have to keep in mind as you start an in-home personal personal trainer business.

The main question and concern you’ll have as an in-home personal trainer is the type of equipment the client has or that you need to bring. If a client lives within a gated community, condo, or other association with a community gym, then you may have access to some decent machines and/or equipment.

If the training setting is, for example, your client’s living room, you’ll have to get more creative. This may limit the exercises you are able to perform and may impact the results without proper planning.

Regardless, a good trainer can adjust to the equipment on hand and will figure out a way to make the training as effective as possible.

In-home Personal Training: You Train at Your Own Home

In-home personal training in your own homes is similar to training at your clients’ homes with the exception that the training is performed at your home and your clients come to you.

Most trainers I know who train at their own homes have fairly elaborate garages that are built out to accomodate a number of different machines and equipment. This too is a popular form of personal training and can be an ideal business model for trainers who have the space within their homes or who don’t mind clients coming to their personal residences.

Online personal training is by far the most exciting new personal training business model out there. Compared to the other personal training business models, this model varies in that the personal trainer does not have to meet in-person with a client to create a massive impact on their health. In fact, because of new technology, a trainer can work online from anywhere in the world and change the lives of tens, hundreds, thousands and even millions of people.

So, what is an online personal trainer?

An Online Personal Trainer is someone who enhances the health of others through  internet-based technological mediums.

The variety of online personal trainer businesses is broad, but here is a overview of they types of online personal training businesses you can start:

Private Personalized Online Training

Non-Personalized PDF Fitness Programs

Non-Personalized Video Fitness Programs

Hybrid Online and In-Person Personal Trainer

Live Video Chat Workouts Online

Online Group Personal Trainer

The private personal online model is most like traditional in-person training. The trainer performs all the tasks of a normal personal trainer but does not work with the client in-person. Through specific software, phone, email and text messaging, this trainer provides all the tools and programming needed to achieve a fitness goal, and the client follows along without the trainer being present.

Premade, downloadable programs are made by the trainer and published online. These non-personalized models involve zero client interaction and are generally pushed over to the client through automated software.

Video fitness programs have been around for a long time. However, the advantages for today’s  trainers are the ability to store their premade workout programs online and provide immediate access to a workout video library. Like the PDF programs, there is no client interaction.

The hybrid model utilizes the internet to deliver programs to local clients, but also involves in-person training 1-4 times per month. Using a “hybrid” model allows the client to

receive the hands-on training of a personal trainer at a lower cost, since most of

the program is performed on their own. This is a great starting point for trainers

looking to take their business online.

Video chats or calls allow the trainer to see, hear, and interact with a client live, but not actually in-person. This allows the trainer, and client, to benefit from immediate feedback on form, exercise demonstrations, and cueing.

The online group personal trainer performs live group fitness classes, records them, and delivers them to as many people as possible. Think of on-demand workout classes — Online Boot Camp, Yoga, Pilates, Etc.– that require membership to access the content. Companies like Peloton have cornered this niche exceptionally well and proven people will subscribe to workout in the comfort of their homes.

Now that you have gone through the foundational steps of getting certified, specializing, launching a brand, and choosing the type of personal training business you want to start, now you’ll need to move on to business development.

We do a deep dive on the below in our Business and Sales course, but here are some talking points you’ll want to include in your personal trainer business plan.

Setting Prices

Every successful personal trainer has to figure out how to price their services for maximum profit and value to the client. As your own boss, you are able to charge whatever you like. Here are some things you should consider:

• Location- Where are you training? A trainer in Malibu will justify charging more than a trainer in Compton.
• Economy- Personal training is a luxury item for most. When the economy turns, so does interest in luxury items. Be understanding of this when setting prices.
• Target Population- Set a price that is attainable for your target population by understanding what they might pay for your products/services.
• Cost to Train Client- Consider things like the travel expenses, the payments you have to make to use a private gym, tools and equipment such as machines and dumbbells, and other expenses like software. You should understand the difference between gross and net income .

Read more: How to Set a Pricing Structure for Your Personal Training Business

Addressing Buyer Hesitation

If every trainer pitched a potential client and got “Yes, I’m in” as an answer we’d all be rich. Thing is, people are not always convinced of your value and have what we call buyer hesitation.

Here are some areas that are common for buyer hesitation and how you can address them.

• Fear of failure- The thought of accomplishment can outweigh the fear of failure; attach a positive emotion toward your service and give them a little more inclination to buy.
• Perceived value is less than the cost- Your presentation for services must convince the buyer that the the money is worth the expense.
• Money- Quite simply, if you have approached a potential client and they truly do not have the means to purchase, then the sale will be impossible. It is important to find that out as soon as possible rather than spend a lot of time/effort only to find you are out of their league.
• Lack of proof- If a client does not believe what you are selling will work, they will be hesitant to buy. Combat this with examples of clients like them that have experienced the results you are selling.
• Selling Personal Training with a Sales Dialogue: a 4-Step Guide Client
• 5 Personal Trainer Selling Personalities (with Effective Sales Tips)

Personal training marketing… There can be entire books written on the topic and while related to starting a personal training business, it goes so far beyond those beginning stages.

One of our most popular articles is all about personal trainer marketing and has 19 personal training ideas catered at getting you more clients. Some of these ideas include:

• Getting featured on industry blogs
• How to use email marketing
• How to create effective referral documents
• How to do personal trainer search engine marketing

If you are planning on getting some help with your marketing and hiring a firm or doing some advertising, note that the Money Task Force recommends spending 12 to 20 percent of your gross revenue for marketing if you are a new company, and 6-12 percent if you are an established company.

Start Your Personal Training Business Today

This ultimate guide has nearly everything you need to begin the process of starting your very own personal training business. If you need extra guidance, or like the idea of a reputable personal training certification, check out the Fitness Mentors CPT . If you already are a trainer but want to further specialize and hone your knowledge, check out our CEU courses and blog . If you want a full course on the above with more details and step-by-step instruction, check out our Business and Sales course.

If you have any comments or questions, please post them below.

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BS Kinesiology, NASM-CPT, CES, PES FNS, MMAS, WLS, FM-CPT, ACE-CPT, NFPT-CPT, Master Personal Trainer

Eddie Lester is a personal trainer from Los Angeles and the Founder and CEO of Fitness Mentors . With over 20 years experience and 10 different certifications and specializations, as well as multiple years teaching personal training at a vocational college, Lester loves sharing his knowledge of practical training experience as well as how to study for PT exams. Lester is the author of Business and Sales: The Guide to Success as a Personal Trainer .

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Personal Training Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Personal Training Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Personal Training business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Personal Training businesses.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Personal Training business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Empowered Fitness is a new personal training business located in Atlanta, Georgia. We are committed to helping the residents of Atlanta achieve their fitness goals by providing them personalized one-on-one and group training sessions. All workout plans designed by our trainers are personalized to each client, and utilize their strengths to help them achieve their goals. Whether our clients want to lose weight or get stronger, we will be there to help them every step of the way.

Empowered Fitness is founded and run by Joanna Teller. Joanna has been a personal trainer for several years, but is now eager to expand her business to include a larger clientele and a full staff of personal trainers. Her passion for fitness and experience in the industry will be the company’s most valuable assets.

Product Offering

Empowered Fitness helps its clients achieve their fitness goals. Clients primarily come to us when they need help with losing weight, increasing their stamina, or improving their muscle mass. We serve anyone 18 or older and provide one-on-one training as well as group sessions for groups of up to ten people.

Customer Focus

Empowered Fitness will target all men and women ages 18 – 99 who are interested in achieving and maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. Atlanta is a very diverse city that includes people from all walks of life. This diverse demographic has numerous fitness and health goals that can be helped by hiring a personal trainer. Therefore, we expect to have a very diverse clientele that includes people from multiple demographics.

Management Team

Empowered Fitness is run by Joanna Teller. Joanna is an experienced personal trainer who has helped hundreds of clients over the past five years. Though she has had a rewarding career as a solo personal trainer, her passion for helping people inspired her to start a larger company where she can hire other personal trainers and expand her clientbase. Her experience in the industry will be a solid foundation for the company to grow and thrive on.

Success Factors

Empowered Fitness will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Staff of friendly, passionate, and knowledgeable personal trainers that can help clients achieve a multitude of health and fitness goals.
• Moderate pricing for our excellent personal training services.
• Services at our clients’ convenience. We will meet our clients anywhere they want to work out, including their gym, the park, or their home.

Financial Highlights

Empowered Fitness is seeking $250,000 in debt financing to begin operations of the business. The funding will be dedicated towards building out the office space and purchasing equipment. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and working capital. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Leasing and building out the office space: $100,000
• Equipment purchase: $50,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $50,000
• Marketing & advertising: $25,000
• Working capital: $25,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Empowered Fitness.

Company Overview

Who is empowered fitness.

Empowered Fitness is a new personal training business that serves the residents of Atlanta, Georgia. We are committed to helping locals reach their fitness goals, whether that be to lose weight or increase their strength. We serve anyone ages 18 -99 and offer both one-on-one and group sessions. No matter what health goals our clients want to achieve, we will be there supporting them every step of the way.

  Empowered Fitness helps its clients by providing personalized training sessions. Clients can hire our trainers for hour-long sessions up to multiple times per week. While most clients opt for one-on-one training sessions, we also offer group sessions for up to ten people. All sessions are conducted at the client’s choice of location. We can meet our clients at their favorite gym, park, home, or other convenient location.

Empowered Fitness is run by Joanna Teller, who has considerable experience as a personal trainer. Her prior experience, expertise, and clientbase will provide the solid foundation our company needs to be successful.

Empowered Fitness’ History

After surveying the local customer base, and finding a potential office location, Joanna Teller incorporated Empowered Fitness as an S-Corporation on July 1st, 2023.

Currently, the business is being run out of Joanna’s home office, but once the lease on Empowered Fitness’ location is finalized, all operations will be run from there.

Since incorporation, the company has achieved the following milestones:

• Found a commercial space and signed Letter of Intent to lease it
• Developed the company’s name, logo, social media accounts, and website
• Determined equipment and fixture requirements
• Began recruiting key employees with previous fitness and personal training experience

Empowered Fitness’ Services

Empowered Fitness provides personal training services to the residents of Atlanta, Georgia. These sessions are primarily one-on-one, but we also provide group personal training for groups of up to ten people. We can help our clients with a variety of fitness goals including:

• Weight loss
• Increasing stamina
• Increase strength

Industry Analysis

The Personal Training industry is expected to grow to an annual revenue of $41 billion in 2023 and will grow at a CAGR of 4.6% from now until 2033. This growth is due to several factors. First, the pandemic years encouraged many people to focus on their health, with many people taking up online fitness courses and virtual personal training. Second, the industry is positively affected by the increase in per capita disposable income. Consumers with more disposable income are more likely to spend it on services that improve their health and well-being, such as personal training services. Finally, the overall trend towards health consciousness will indirectly benefit the Personal Training industry as more people will invest in services that improve their health.

During this period, demographic changes are expected to drive revenue growth for operators. Additional revenue streams are also expected to play an integral part in industry growth. In particular, as healthcare costs continue to escalate, health insurance providers may implement incentives to promote preventive health practices, such as partnering with gyms and personal training businesses. Furthermore, the number of obese individuals in the United States has increased in recent years. Consequently, to cut healthcare costs, many health insurance providers will likely attempt to lower an individual’s risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, among other ailments. Additionally, initiatives that promote the health benefits of exercise will likely increase over the next five years, stimulating industry revenue.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market, customer segmentation.

Empowered Fitness will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Individuals who want to lose weight and improve their fitness
• Physical therapy patients

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Empowered Fitness will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Sunshine Personal Training

Sunshine Personal Training is a personal training studio that offers personalized one-on-one training sessions. The trainers work with each client to customize a fitness and nutritional program that is designed to reach their goals. Though Sunshine’s trainers can help clients with a variety of goals, the studio primarily promotes its services to people who want to lose weight. Therefore, we expect that Sunshine Personal Training will only be a major competitor for this particular customer segment.

Atlanta Fitness

Atlanta Fitness is a multi-location personal training business that offers personalized training to athletes and fitness junkies. Each location is a fully equipped gym along with dozens of personal trainers that help each client reach their fitness goals. They primarily market to clients who are already working out regularly but just need extra help to reach their peak performance. Therefore, they will only be a competitor for a fraction of our target market, as we are willing to help anyone who has fitness goals, not just athletes.

Steve’s Personal Training Services

Established in 2018, Steve’s Personal Training Services is a small personal training operation run by Steve Miller. Steve worked as a personal trainer for several gym chains but broke off as his own separate business in 2018. Since then, he has helped hundreds of clients get in better shape and achieve their fitness goals. Steve is a popular trainer in the area and markets to the same geographic area as Empowered Fitness. However, Steve’s company is a small operation, so we expect that it will only be a minor competitor.

Competitive Advantage

Empowered Fitness will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

• Affordable pricing : Empowered Fitness will offer its services for a more affordable rate than the competition.
• Friendly staff : Empowered Fitness will only hire trainers that are friendly and compassionate. All of our trainers will positively encourage our clients to achieve their goals.
• Convenient services : We will meet our clients wherever they want to work out, whether that be the gym, a park, or at our client’s home.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Empowered Fitness will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Dedicated team of trainers.
• Affordable fees.
• Convenient hours of operation.
• Ability to meet clients wherever they want to work out.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Empowered Fitness is as follows:

Social Media Marketing Strategy

Empowered Fitness will invest in advertising its services on social media platforms Facebook and Instagram. By using targeted social media marketing, Empowered Fitness will be able to reach the appropriate target audience of Atlanta.

Joanna will invest in two billboards strategically located at busy intersections that receive thousands of traffic daily. She will hire an advertising agency to develop the print for the billboard design.

Website/SEO Marketing Strategy

Empowered Fitness will invest in a strong SEO presence so that when someone enters “Atlanta personal trainers” or “personal trainer near me” in their Google or Bing search bar, Empowered Fitness is at the top of the list. Their website will list all of Empowered Fitness’ services, location, pricing, and contact information.

Word of Mouth

Word quickly spreads around town and once a few people work with our amazing trainers at Empowered Fitness, more and more people will want to hire our personal training services.

The pricing of Empowered Fitness will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive value when purchasing our services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Empowered Fitness. Operation Functions:

• Joanna Teller will be the Owner of Empowered Fitness. She will handle the general operations of the company as well as provide personal training services to her clients. Joanna will spend the next several months hiring the following staff:
• An Administrative Assistant who will oversee all administrative aspects of running the business. This will include bookkeeping, tax payments, and payroll of the staff. They will also help with scheduling appointments and answering client questions.
• Several trainers who will provide training personal services to clients.

Milestones:

Empowered Fitness will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

• 8/1/202X – Finalize contract to lease office space.
• 8/15/202X – Begin build-out and design of office space
• 9/1/202X – Hire advertising company to begin developing the company’s branding, logo, social media accounts, website, and billboard design.
• 9/15/202X – Order all equipment.
• 9/30/202X – Launch social media campaign and website. Billboards go up.
• 10/1/202X – Hire and train several personal trainers.
• 11/1/202X – Grand Opening of Empowered Fitness.

Empowered Fitness is run by Joanna Teller. Joanna is an experienced personal trainer who has helped hundreds of clients over the past five years. Though she has had a rewarding career as a solo personal trainer, her passion for helping people inspired her to start a larger company where she can hire more personal trainers and expand her clientbase. Her experience in the industry and expertise will be a solid foundation for the company to grow and thrive on.

Though Joanna has never run a company of her own, she has considerable experience in the industry and knows how to run the general operations of a personal training company. As the company grows, she will hire other staff to help her run aspects of the business that she is unfamiliar with.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Empowered Fitness are the fees we will charge each client that hires our services.

The cost drivers will be the payroll for the staff, rent, utilities, cleaning supplies, and equipment. In the initial years, the company’s marketing spending will be high, as it establishes itself in the market.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and pay off the startup business loan.

• Initial number of clients per month: 20
• Average personal training fees per session: $80
• Office lease per year: $20,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, personal training business plan faqs, what is a personal training business plan.

A personal training business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your personal training business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Personal Training business plan using our Personal Training Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Personal Training Businesses? 

There are a number of different kinds of personal training businesses , some examples include: Mobile personal trainer, In-home personal trainer, Online personal trainer, and Gym trainer.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Personal Training Business Plan?

Personal Training businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Personal Training Business?

Starting a personal training business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Personal Training Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed personal training business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast. 

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your personal training business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your personal training business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Personal Training Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your personal training business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your personal training business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Personal Training Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your personal training business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your personal training business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

7 Simple Steps for Writing a Personal Trainer Business Plan (with Templates)

• Last Updated: 25th November 2022
• Personal Training Resources
• Editors: Harry Griffiths
• Verified By: Abbie Watkins

If you’re just starting on your own as a PT, writing a personal trainer business plan is one of the most important first steps you’ll have to take.

In this article we’ll cover:

Why Do I Need a Personal Training Business Plan?

Step 1: write your personal trainer business plan summary.

• Step 2: Detail Your Qualifications on Your PT Business Plan
• Step 3: Pinpoint What You Sell When Writing a Personal Trainer Business Plan

Step 4: Perform a SWOT Analysis as Part of Your Personal Training Business Plan

• Step 5: Outline Your Marketing Strategies in Your PT Business Plan
• Step 6: Include Your Financial Plans & Projections in a Personal Trainer Business Plan
• Step 7: Conclude Your Personal Training Business Plan with a Closing Statement

Before you start with your PT business plan, there’s one thing you should always factor in, and that’s professional development.

With  our Level 4 Sports Nutrition Course , you’re able to set yourself apart from the competition and ensure your business can thrive in a competitive industry.  Download our free course prospectus to find out more !

EXPERT ADVICE ON BOOSTING YOUR PT INCOME

12 ways you can boost your pt income.

Before we look in detail at the process of writing a personal trainer business plan, it’s vital to understand why you should produce one. 

In short, a personal trainer business plan acts as the guide for where your business currently is, where you aspire to be, and how you’ll get there.

As you can imagine, this is vital for establishing your business and plays an integral role in:

• How to make money as a personal trainer
• How many, and the kind of, clients you attract
• How you market yourself
• Who your competitors are, and how you’ll beat them

It’s easy to assume that you’ll be the only person who’ll see the business plan for your personal trainer business but it will play a vital role in securing external funding if that’s what you need.

You will have to show prospective investors what you plan to do with your business and outline every detail if you’re looking to secure money from a third party.

Ultimately your personal trainer business plan is an opportunity to showcase your brand and display what you’ll be contributing to the fitness industry. 

Every successful personal trainer business plan should start with a summary. This is an overview for readers and potential investors, covering:

• Who you are
• What your business offers, and your target market
• Your financial state, and projections for the future
• Your marketing strategy
• Plans for the future

Despite it seeming simple, this is one of the most crucial parts of any business plan for a personal trainer because it’s the first impression you’ll make. 

You’ll need to summarise for the reader what you’ll be covering so they’ve got a good snapshot of your business and the service you will provide.

This personal trainer business plan example from CIBT Visas, a global financial company, is a great illustration of how it should be done:

Just from this short section, we find out a few key points about CIBT, including:

• What they do
• Where they operate
• Their core values
• What they aim to achieve

This should essentially contain your personal trainer mission statement and what you intend your brand to achieve and fulfil!

Your next sections will expand on these key features, and offer a more in-depth look at what you do, and where you can take your business.

Step 2: Detail Your Qualifications on Your Personal Trainer Business Plan

Following your summary, your personal training business plan should lead into a comprehensive inventory of your qualifications and certifications.

This serves a few different purposes. For any potential investors or banks, you’re proving that you’re well-positioned to provide a service to your clients.

Each qualification is an indicator to those who want to put money into your business that you’re a professional able to bring return on their investment with trustworthy expertise.

Each one is also an example of the different areas your business could branch into in order to grow and develop. For example, any specialist Level 4 master personal trainer courses you’ve completed  show a potential for advancement .

You should include a list of qualifications as well as where they come from. This will show that you’ve completed a course with a reputable provider and allows potential investors to see your credentials.

You should list them simply, like in our own personal trainer business plan sample below:

Diploma in Personal Training - OriGym COE Level 3 Exercise Referral - OriGym COE Level 4 Advanced Sports Nutrition - OriGym COE First Aid for Sports - British Red Cross CPD in Strength and Conditioning - OriGym COE

This list offers a comprehensive overview of our example PT’s qualifications, as well as where they were achieved. 

CPD fitness courses will also help demonstrate a wide ranging skill set and areas that your business could potentially branch into! 

Step 3: Pinpoint What You Want to Sell When Writing a Personal Trainer Business Plan

Next up for your personal trainer business plan is detailing exactly what it is that you intend to sell and how you plan to cater to a particular audience and customer base.

This should be one of the most extensive sections of your business plan template. As a personal trainer you need to put trust in your services and your ability to meet other people’s fitness goals as well as those you have for your business.

This is your opportunity to detail all of your revenue streams and the different ways in which you intend to make money for your business.

This is also a way of illustrating why there’s room in the market for your business to cater to a particular demographic and offer a service that there’s a want or need for!

This may sound simple but plenty of trainers will miss out revenue streams from their personal training business plan, or don’t detail potential opportunities for expansion and selling other services or products.

Most PTs will have several revenue streams and you want to make sure you detail all of these without putting too much emphasis on the most lucrative ones.

For example, you don’t want to just detail your one-to-one training, despite it probably being your main source of income!

Some of the revenue streams you might want to include on top of this are:

• Online or face to face seminars
• Nutrition consultations
• Affiliate marketing with prominent brands such as sportswear and supplement brands
• Personal trainer tutor for a training provider
• Workout guides or ebooks
• Speaking at fitness or educational events

You also need to find your personal training target market . 

Something holistic like ‘gym goer’ is too broad and will hinder your ability to create marketing strategies and develop your business.

Expand The Services of Your PT Business!

Grow your business with our Level 4 Sports Nutrition Course, combining personal training with nutrition advice!

Your target market is the ideal customer and should be directly linked to the services you’re offering. 

You need to be able to show why you’ve chosen this demographic and how your product or service answers their specific needs.

Again, the more specific you can be the better. Some examples include:

• People with physical health conditions or impairments
• People with long term health conditions during rehabilitation 
• Women under 30 looking for postnatal classes
• Athletes looking for strength and conditioning training

We’ve written our own personal trainer business plan example for this particular section that you can use as a template:

My business offers one-to-one, bespoke, personal training sessions for women who are 40 years of age or older.  My services predominantly focus on helping women use exercise and nutrition to deal with the symptoms and stresses of menopause. My research suggests there is a huge need for a combination of services such as mine, offering nutrition and exercise programmes to help women with some of these issues. All of my qualifications uniquely equip me to work with this demographic to provide a much needed service. I offer nutrition sessions one-to-one, building recipes and selling them as a recipe guide, or working with individual clients to build bespoke nutrition plans. I also offer personal training sessions one-to-one or in groups with other women of the same age or same symptom experience.  Because of how common these issues are in this demographic there’s also a huge demand for seminars and educational sessions in partnership with women’s charities and other healthcare professionals. I provide consultancy on these issues as well as being available for talks and seminars online or in-person for various institutions.

This business plan template for a personal trainer company can be used as a jumping off point and fleshed out for your own brand!

The next thing you will need to perform for your personal trainer business plan is SWOT analysis.

Personal trainer SWOT analysis is vital for determining what you’re doing well and if there’s any sticking points, preventing your business from growing and developing as it should. 

SWOT stands for:

• Strengths - these are the elements you think makes you stand out as a PT making your business unique 
• Weaknesses - this is where you’ll reflect on any areas for improvement or development 
• Opportunities - building on the above, decide on actions that can be taken to improve your business and develop your brand
• Threats - this last step is to assess whether there’s anything stopping these actions from being taken or potential disruptions to how you might want to grow and develop your business

By performing these steps you’ll have an idea of how you can promote your USP and reinforce the other sections of your business plan, realising what gap you’re filling in the market.

You’ll also be able to identify any room for improvement and things that you can do to allow your business to grow.

This will help you by identifying exactly what your next moves are and how you can grow your business moving forward.

This will also help to show potential investors that you’re aware of the challenges your business might face and how you’re prepared to meet them and adapt your business accordingly.

This makes you seem like a more trustworthy investment and somebody who’s aware of how best to return on that investment and grow your business and income!

Step 5: Outline Your Marketing Strategies in Your Personal Trainer Business Plan

Another vital part of a business plan for any personal trainer is outlining your marketing strategies. 

This is vital for both you and any potential investors or collaborators. Here, you’ll outline the specific techniques and campaigns you will use to grow your business and gain new clients!

Showing your marketing plan will also reinforce your understanding of your target market because the particular strategies you use should be dictated by who you’re marketing to.

Identifying Your Target Market

If you’re writing a business plan to open a personal training studio , what’s the age range of your prospective clientele?

As we mentioned earlier, you need to make sure you’re as specific as possible with your target market.

The more specific you can be about the demographic the more specific you can be in targeting them, based on their behaviour and interaction with different platforms.

Using Social Media Platforms Relevant to Your Target Market

You need to make sure you’re aware of which platform is most used by your target age range. 

This is so that you can demonstrate that you understand the best way to target this specific audience with your marketing. 

If you're looking to target an older age range, you may want to get clients from Facebook , as the social media site  tends to be used by an older generation of users.

If you’re targeting young women, for example, you should target platforms such as TikTok and Instagram that are dominated by this younger demographic.

However, some platforms such as Google are frequented by everyone and are a worthy investment no matter your target market.

Using Ads on Social Media

You should also include information about any existing personal trainer marketing strategies you’ve implemented. 

This will show your progress and illustrate your understanding of including this in your SWOT analysis and your awareness of how best to reach your target market.

You can include a screenshot of any existing ads you have on social media but you also need to ensure you include details of any spending and your projected spends on future strategies.

You should also detail any spending you’ve already done for advertising and marketing efforts.

This should include the costs for the maintenance of your existing marketing strategies, as well as any projections for future ones such as getting PT referrals or affiliate marketing.

Showing the Impact of Your Marketing Strategies

You should also make sure you include figures you have about the impact of any existing strategies you have in place.

For example, you might show the reach and engagement of certain ads you’ve had on social media platforms.

This will show what’s worked already and support any request for funds if you can show how and to what end your budget for marketing has worked.

In terms of showing what you’ve already done, this might be simply including a screenshot of what you’ve already spent on your advertising and any leads or impressions generated as a result.

For example, here’s an image of the leads generated by our own Facebook ads within a month:

And here’s what it might look like to show what you’ve spent in order to generate those leads:

This will show a potential investor that your existing spends have been successful and will be considered in terms of how much you can borrow or get.

This way you’re showing that what you’ve spent already has been successful and what you need to continue to spend in order to maintain that success.

However, you may not have already done any marketing in this way. If you’ve worked in a gym chances are you have to promote your own services but you might not have been solely responsible for things like ads and email marketing. 

If you’re just starting out, and this is the case, you should just include projections based on your market research.

Make sure to focus on the aforementioned factors, including any financial projections you can make. 

This way you’re still showing you’re aware of exactly what you need to do and what you need to monitor to have a successful marketing campaign!

If you found this section helpful, you can find out more about marketing your personal trainer business with some of our other articles below:

• Strategies for Personal Trainer Lead Generation
• How to Use Google My Business as a Personal Trainer
• Personal Trainer Social Media: Ideas, Examples & Schedule

Step 6: Include Your Financial Plan and Projections in a Personal Trainer Business Plan

If you’re trying to secure money from a third party for your business, probably the most important sample of your personal trainer business plan is your financial projections.

The level of detail you include will depend on where you’re trying to secure funding from and how far into your business you are.

For example, this will look different for a personal training studio business plan than if your services are online or from home. 

It will also depend on some of the other features from our personal trainer business plan examples, such as marketing.

If you’ve only just started then your marketing costs will be projections rather than the screenshots we included in our own personal trainer business plan sample. 

You’ll need to detail not only what your expenses are or will be, but exactly how you see your business making and maintaining a steady financial flow.

No matter what your brand is, when you’re writing a personal trainer business plan you need to make sure you include the following crucial elements:

• An income statement
• A balance sheet
• A cash-flow statement

We’ll run through each of these now so you know exactly what they entail and why they’re important for any successful personal trainer business plan.

An Income Statement 

An income statement is a crucial part of any business plan template and a personal trainer business is no exception.

This is a statement that shows how much money you’ve made after your expenses and taxes are deducted from your income. 

Any business will keep this anyway for tax purposes and it can be helpful to have those numbers in front of you when you’re looking at ways to grow or streamline your business.

This is especially useful for anybody looking to invest or support your business financially because it shows your business’s profit and success.

It will also show any losses made and where they’ve come from so you can make any alterations.

This will inform and reinforce other parts of your personal trainer business plan. For example, having these figures ready will help you with your SWOT analysis.

Throughout your career you will have to complete an income statement for your business every fiscal quarter.

However, when you’re starting out, and for the purposes of the personal training business plan, you should do one every month for a year where possible.

This will also depend on your personal trainer business registration because your taxes will depend on whether you’re a sole trader or a limited company.

You should check this or use a business plan template for your personal trainer income statement.

A Balance Sheet

Your balance sheet is a calculation of what you have versus what you owe, giving a sum that shows the equity of your business. 

On one side it will list your business assets, which are things you own and could be liquidated and turned into cash. On the other side it will show liabilities, which are what you owe.

Most people will have a mixture of short and long term assets, called ‘current’ and ‘noncurrent’. 

Current assets are those which you could turn into cash within the year so either cash you currently have or accounts receivable (invoices from clients who are yet to pay).

Noncurrent assets are those which you don’t expect to liquidate in the near future.

This includes things like equipment or, if you’re writing a personal training studio business plan, you’d include property on this list too.

This is only in the list of assets if you own the property, though. If you’re renting a space or you’re paying off a mortgage, this would be in the liabilities section.

Liabilities will mostly be related to starting your business and any loans or any costs you got on finance.

Being able to show a healthy balance of these two things is a vital part of your business plan as a personal trainer because it shows the financial health of your company.

Showing that these things are well balanced will demonstrate to a bank or any potential investors that you’re a trustworthy business and will be financially stable enough to repay any money lent.

You should subtract the amount of liabilities from your assets to show the equity of your company.

A Cash Flow Statement 

Any business plan template for a personal trainer business should also include a cash flow statement. 

This is similar to an income statement but instead of just showing how much money you have after your outgoings this calculates the ‘flow’, i.e how much you have consistently coming in and out of your business.

Ideally, you want to be able to show that the flow of money is always positive, meaning you take in more money than you’re spending on expenses. 

Including this in your business plan serves a similar purpose to an income statement in regards to the SWOT analysis too.

Having these figures showing the cash flow will help you identify what’s working best to make money as a personal trainer , and where you could improve or cut back on expenses. 

The cash flow statement should show where your money is low and where there may be a surplus, meaning you have some opportunity to spend or redistribute some funds.

Having these figures will not only help you adjust your business but will also give a good indicator to investors or potential lenders of your financial stability as a business.

Step 7: Conclude Your Personal Trainer Business Plan with a Closing Statement

Last but not least, you should end your personal trainer business plan with a closing statement.

This will serve a similar purpose to your summary from step one but you can now summarise based on everything from the other sections.

This will act as a conclusion and an indication of where your business is up to and what you see as the next important steps.

This will help you to decide what you want to do with your business and the most immediate concerns and actions you need to take.

This will also act as an indicator to investors and lenders that you understand and know what to do with the data from previous sections.

If you can assess your business and read through your PT business plan to make some decisions, this reinforces your understanding of your business and your trustworthiness as a business owner!

After all, in any sample personal trainer business plan this is your opportunity to summarise your successes and illustrate that you understand how to fix any issues, and adjust accordingly.

Before You Go!

Hopefully now you’ve seen our personal trainer business plan examples, you feel ready to start writing your own!

Don’t forget you can grow your business by learning new expertise and skills and offering new services. You can do this with our  Level 4 Sports Nutrition qualification .

Find out more by getting in touch with our team today and download our course prospectus to see how else you can continue to grow your business.

Written by Jessie Florence Jones

Jessie has a 1st class honours degree in English Literature from University of Leeds and an MA in English Literature from Durham University. Naturally Jessie has a real passion for writing especially about film, culture and wellbeing. Outside of writing she loves hiking, country walks and yoga, which she has been doing religiously over lockdown.

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Starting a Business | How To

How to Start a Personal Training Business [With Plan]

Published November 7, 2019

Published Nov 7, 2019

WRITTEN BY: Blake Stockton

This article is part of a larger series on Starting a Business .

A personal training business helps clients improve their fitness level. Learning how to start a personal training business is simple when you follow a step-by-step process beginning with research and a business plan. To help secure clients, build a personal brand. A full-time personal trainer can earn between $30,000 to $150,000 a year.

Before starting a personal training business, you should create a website to promote your business. When someone searches your name in Google, your website should show. A business without a website appears less credible. Dreamhost is an all-in-one website building platform. It can help you secure your domain name, obtain hosting, and create a website theme. Get started with Dreamhost today.

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Here is a personal training business plan template you can use to keep your business on the right track:

Click a link to download the template; if possible, we recommend using Word because the Table of Contents update automatically as you as fill out the template Word / Google Doc / PDF

Here’s how to start a personal training business in six steps.

1. Research Personal Training Business Ideas & Options

Before diving into your personal training business plan , it’s important to do research and think about your personal training business: What type of services will you provide? Who will you market these services to? What type of certifications will you obtain, and how much do they cost? What type of location do you want to work at? What equipment do you need to purchase to make that location effective?

What Kind of Personal Training Will You Provide?

There are several choices you will need to make about the personal training you provide. Will you specialize in a particular training, such as bodybuilding, high intensity, martial arts-related, or rehabbing injuries? Additionally, what demographics would you like to train? There are women, men, young athletes, seniors, and physically impaired individuals. Will nutritional guidance be part of your business? Is it going to be a full-time or part-time operation?

Becoming clear on the type of personal training you want to provide will guide the marketing, branding, and certification training you pursue. Generally, you shouldn’t want your training to be for everyone. Classic marketing advice is that if a product is for everyone, it’s for no one because the messaging doesn’t connect with anyone specifically.

“I consistently find that the busiest trainers are the ones who picked niches that were goal-oriented and/or problem-related. In Boston, the busiest trainers specialize in running coaching (solves the problem of bad running form), yoga training for runners (recovery training from running), cycling coaching (fixes slow speed due to strength imbalances), swim coaching (poor stroke form slows me down), and so on. Focusing on a niche not only makes a trainer stand out against the generalists but also helps build a referral network from other trainers who work with your ideal customer.” ―Giuseppe Frustaci, Founder, Stick Shift Driving Academy

Personal Training Certification

Certifications are important for personal trainers because they help build your knowledge base and add to your credibility. A popular certification is the National Academy of Sports Medicine’s (NASM) personal training certification (NASM-CPT) , which costs anywhere from $524 to $1,499.

Additionally, there are several other certifications, like the American Fitness Professionals Association’s (AFPA) Senior Fitness Specialist Certification and Youth Fitness Specialist Certification. The AFPA’s certifications generally cost between $349 to $599.

All personal trainers should get certified in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automatic defibrillation (AED). You can find this training locally at health training companies, college recreation centers, the American Red Cross, and the American Heart Association. First aid, CPR, and AED training costs around $100.

Choose a Location

A positive of owning a personal training business is the ability to work at many different locations. You’re not restricted to working in a building that has a high overhead cost. As a personal trainer, you can train people in public areas, such as at a park or the beach. Additionally, you can meet clients in their own home gym or have them come to your house to workout.

Many personal trainers are independent contractors and rent out space in a local gym. Training online is also growing in popularity. Apps like Trainiac help people looking for online training. Marketing your services over the internet expands your potential customer base from local to worldwide.

Research Equipment

Once you know the type of training you plan to offer, and where it will take place, you can look into purchasing equipment. We recommend you purchase used equipment, which can cost about 40% to 60% less than new equipment. If meeting clients in their home for a training session, you may want to purchase basic equipment that can provide a quality workout, regardless of the equipment they have.

2. Write Your Personal Training Business Plan

Every personal training business, both full-time and part-time, need a business plan . A business plan is a strategic plan that helps you think through everything needed to make the business a success. Most importantly, it includes a section for financial projections, where you will use data to predict how much money the business will earn and expense over the next 3 years in business.

We created a personal training business plan template for you to use and customize. If possible, we recommend downloading the template in Microsoft Word format. We included a Table Of Contents to help you easily follow along with each section, but the actual page numbers change as you add more information to the template. To save the Microsoft Word document, open the document, click File and then Save As. Rename the document, and finish by clicking save.

The Google Doc is accessible but isn’t editable. To make the Google Doc editable, click on the Google Doc link to open the template, open your own Google Doc, and paste our version. The PDF is read-only and is a great way to get an overview of the business plan template.

Traditional vs Modern Business Plan

A traditional business plan is similar to an in-depth business report. If you’re seeking financing from a bank for a personal training gym, we recommend using a traditional business plan. The business plan template we created for you is designed for a traditional plan. Alternatively, a modern business plan is a leaner model that you can finish in less than an hour. Additionally, it tends to be more visual than a traditional plan.

A business model canvas (BMC), another name for modern business plan, is best for the average personal training business because it can be completed quickly. Compared to the traditional business plan, there are new sections, such as the Value Proposition (that tells what you provide clients) and the Customer Relationships (detailing how you maintain contact with clients outside of the training session).

The business model canvas features the Channels section, which is about where and how you reach your customers

Competitor Analysis

In a business plan, you need to include information about your competitors. For the competitor analysis, list your top five competitors that are located within a five-mile radius―expand if needed―of your business. For each of the five competitors, list how far they are from your location. Include each competitor’s advantages over your business, and the advantages your business has over them.

Financial Projections

The financial projections section is the most difficult yet most important section of a business plan. This section is where you show how much money your business will earn and spend over the next 3 years. If you’re looking for an investor, they will want to see the financial projections section first to learn how they will make their money back. The Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE), provides a free customizable financial projection template .

Business Plan Software

Business plan software walks users step by step through the writing process. Many business owners use software to help write their business plans because it tells them exactly what to do, often with video instruction. Most business plan software also takes the financial projection numbers and creates easy-to-read-charts. LivePlan is one of the most popular and affordable business plan software available at $11.66 per month.

“I highly recommend that all entrepreneurs take the time to write a business plan. This exercise prompts you to think through all aspects of the new business—marketing, managing, financing, and more. The act of writing a business plan will highlight your strengths and identify your weaknesses, giving you motivation to fill any gaps before you build upon the foundation of your business.” ―Chris Beer, Owner, B.Well Consulting

3. Finalize Your Business’ Administrative & Legal Paperwork

Now that you know the type of personal training business you’re going to open and have a solid plan in place, it’s time to make legal arrangements before accepting clients. Personal training is full of risks and potential liability because a client can be injured seriously. It’s important to register your business as a legal entity with the state and have personal liability insurance to avoid any financial disasters that could ruin the business’ or your personal finances.

Obtain Your Employment Identification Number

The employment identification number (EIN) is a number the federal government gives businesses for federal tax purposes. Additionally, many banks will require an EIN before you open a business checking account. If you go directly to the IRS , the EIN is free. If you’d like to avoid the paperwork, you can use an online legal service, like Rocket Lawyer, to obtain the EIN for you.

Personal Training Business Registration

Every personal training business needs to register as a legal entity within the state in which they’re operating. Creating a legal business entity, also called business structure, protects the personal trainer from personal financial liability if a lawsuit were to occur against the business. The most common legal entity is a limited liability company (LLC) . State fees to register an LLC vary from $40 in Kentucky to $500 in Massachusetts. Start your business registration today with Rocket Lawyer for $99 plus state fees.

“Incorporate or form an LLC for the company. This will provide your personal training business with liability protection that creates a separation between personal and professional assets. It will also help you establish credibility a bit faster than if you had not incorporated the business.” ―Deborah Sweeney, CEO, MyCorporation.com

General Liability Insurance for Your Personal Training Business

Liability insurance for a personal trainer protects their business assets from customer injury, property damage, and reputational harm. For example, the insurance would cover if a client trips, breaks a toe, and claims your business is liable for their injury. Typically, general liability insurance costs between $150 and $300 a year.

You can obtain general liability insurance from a local insurance broker or online. Embroker is an online insurance broker that provides on-demand expertise and technology to make getting insurance for your business simple. Start searching for your ideal insurance coverage today with Embroker.

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Business & Tax Licenses

Depending on your city and state, you may need a business license. If you’re seeing clients at your home, you may need a work-at-home license. Getting caught without this license may result in a fine. Businesses typically get caught when a neighbor reports it to the county.

Additionally, if your business operates in a state with a sales tax, you may need to register for a sales tax ID number. Go to your state’s official tax website for additional information.

Open a Business Bank Account

It’s important to have a business bank account so that personal and business finances are not mixed. In the event of a tax audit from the IRS, you want to have all income and expenses from the training business in one account. Mixing income and expenses into a personal account can complicate the audit. Most business bank accounts, such as Chase, require a minimum $1,500 balance, or a monthly fee is charged.

“My advice is to get your business ducks in a row before you ever start taking clients! Set up your business entity, get a business bank account, have a website and business cards. Training people is the fun part but keep it professional too.” ―Kourtney Thomas, Owner & Coach, Kourtney Thomas Fitness

4. Raise Funds for Your Personal Training Business

Unless you’re opening a physical location, a personal training business is a fairly low-cost business. Many trainers tap into their personal savings to open the business. However, if you don’t have that option, there are other ways you can access additional funds. One option is to take a personal unsecured loan. Another is to start a crowdfunding campaign and sell your services in advance.

Apply for a Personal Microloan

A microloan is typically below $50,000, which we consider pretty low compared to a traditional bank loan that usually starts at a minimum of $100,000. A microloan is easier to obtain than a traditional loan. However, the interest rate is higher. A microloan is similar to a personal unsecured loan from a lending institution. Depending on your personal credit, you should expect to pay up a 20% interest rate on a microloan.

Find an Investor

An investor is someone who invests money into your business in exchange for a percentage of ownership, also called equity. Most business owners choose to work with an investor instead of a bank because of the investor’s business expertise. In addition, new business owners aren’t usually eager about taking on new debt.

It can be challenging to find investors. One of the best places to run across them is at local business networking events. Keep in mind, however, that before you begin actively seeking investors, you need to have a well thought out business plan with solid financial projections.

Start a Crowdfunding Campaign

A crowdfunding campaign is a strategy businesses use to raise money by preselling products and services as “rewards” for their business. Typically, on a website like Kickstarter, you’ll see people raising money for a product before it’s created. A crowdfunding platform will deduct around 5% of the total money raised. Plus, there is usually a payment processing fee of around 3%.

If you’re trying to raise money for equipment or gym space, you can presell memberships or workout packages. For example, you could presell a single workout, five workouts, and 10 workouts, all at varying reward levels.

Also, consider selling swag items like branded T-shirts for a smaller reward amount. For a personal training crowdfunding campaign to be successful, the owner needs to be well-connected with those interested in the services.

5. Purchase Software for Your Personal Training Business

Software helps automate your personal training business and saves you time. Client scheduling software makes it easy for clients to schedule appointments with you. Accounting software helps you track your income and expenses. Client billing software allows clients to pay online easily and set up a recurring billing process.

Client Scheduling Software

Scheduling software allows clients to go online or through an app and make an appointment. This software saves you time and headache from having to deal with phone calls and making training appointments. 10to8 is a free scheduling software used by more than 50,000 businesses. The first 100 scheduled appointments in a month are free.

Accounting Software

Accounting software keeps track of business income and expenses. A small personal training business may not need accounting software because there is only one type of income―hourly training―and expenses are minimal. However, as you grow your business and potentially open a physical location, you may want to look into accounting software like QuickBooks to keep track of multiple income streams and expenses.

Client Billing Software

When you’re just starting out, you may use cash or a simple system like Venmo―a one-time online payment platform―for clients to pay per session. As your business grows, members may begin to owe larger payments, especially if you start offering annual prepaid contracts. You may also want to give clients the ability to set up a recurring payment system . Use software like Square to set up recurring payments. Clients can enter their payment information once and never have to do it again.

Email Marketing Software

Email marketing software is a convenient way to stay in touch with current, former, and potential clients. Personal training is a great industry for email marketing because there are many opportunities to provide valuable information to clients. Consider emailing current and former clients at least once a month with exercise and health tips. Mailchimp is an email marketing software that is free for the first 2,000 email addresses.

6. Market Your Personal Training Business

Marketing is everything for a personal training business. You’re a new trainer, and you’ll have to separate yourself from the dozens of other personal trainers through your marketing strategies. Tangible marketing tools like business cards and brochures are ideal for ensuring potential clients can contact you. Online marketing tools like websites and social media pages are important when someone searches for your name using Google.

“It’s important to remember that you are operating in a sea of sameness. Differentiation is the key to survival. You have to offer something unique and different. A simple positioning exercise can help: “Joe Trainer is the ONLY personal trainer that does/provides (unique benefit) that’s because (support point 1), (support point 2). If you can’t think of an ONLY, then you’ll be facing a long uphill battle.” ―Brian Cairns, CEO, ProStrategix Consulting

Traditional Marketing Materials

Generally, traditional marketing materials are considered physical materials like business cards, brochures, and flyers with contact information. Additionally, it can include your biography, case studies, before and after photos, and testimonials from happy clients. Branding training items is common. Consider making water bottles, towels, and stickers with your business name and logo.

Online Marketing

Online marketing is using internet-based tools and platforms to reach customers. Some online platforms are standard, like websites, Facebook pages, and Google My Business (GMB) listings. Other tools, such as those that help with video marketing and email marketing can be used to keep your clients engaged.

Here are online marketing platforms that all personal trainers should consider:

• Website: A website is similar to your online billboard. On your website, include several large, high-resolution photos to explain the type of services you provide. Also, include testimonials of happy customers.
• Social media: You need to create a Facebook page. However, Instagram will likely be the platform you have the most success with because your business is visual. Consider trying out Instagram Stories to connect with your audience frequently.
• Video marketing: Video can communicate your training workouts better than photos. Facebook and Instagram Stories are a terrific way to post short, authentic videos about your training.
• Email marketing: As you grow your lead and customer base, it’s important to keep in touch with them. Email marketing is a free way to do that. Send informative emails once a month about training and nutrition.
• GMB: Every business that has local customers gets a free GMB listing, which is a directory listing on Google. If you work from home, you can hide your home address and set GMB to display a service area radius around where you live.

Upload photos and videos to your GMB listing that represent your personal training

Online marketing is always changing, which presents an opportunity for trainers who stay up to date with the latest changes. Social media and GMB will have feature updates most frequently. It’s important to keep up with their changes.

Personal Training Marketing Package

As a personal trainer, you will be meeting potential clients in person and online. It’s important to look organized and have a marketing package that summarizes your services and background. The package can consist of a folder with several pieces of paper, or it can be a digital PDF. Inside, include your bio, a description of the business, client testimonials, client results, several photos, and possibly a video.

Branded Clothing

You may want to brand yourself by wearing a uniform that represents your business. Many personal trainers wear shirts with their main business colors and logo. If you’re opening a business with several trainers, you can have all of them wear your branded T-shirts or collared shirts to look professional. Additionally, you should consider selling branded shirts, tanks, hoodies, and shorts for customers to purchase and wear.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for How to Start a Personal Training Business

This section includes the most frequently asked questions about how to start a personal training business.

Do personal trainers get paid well?

Personal trainers can get paid well. The typical personal trainer makes between $50 and $60 per hour. That price can increase as the demand for your services increases. If you help people lose weight and gain muscle, word will spread about your success. Additionally, you will need to be well-organized to turn the $60 an hour you earn into 25 sessions per week, which would earn $1,500 in weekly revenue.

Can I personal train without a certification?

Yes, you can train without certifications. However, before starting a personal training business, it’s a good idea to get first aid, CPR, and AED training in the event of a client’s health issue. This training is given locally at first aid training companies, local colleges, and the American Red Cross. They cost around $100.

Is personal training a good career?

Personal training can be a great career. You make your own hours. You get to dress casual. You can work in a variety of locations. You get to see physical improvement in others as well as yourself. Additionally, as you grow your client base and demand for your services increases, you can increase your hourly rate.

Are personal trainers in demand?

According to industry research company IBIS World, the number of personal trainers has been growing in demand during the past 5 years. People interested in weight loss and customized workout plans have fueled this growth in demand.

Bottom Line

Personal training can be a very rewarding and lucrative business. You get to help others physically transform their bodies and improve their health. As your client base grows and demand for your services increase, so does your hourly rate. Initially, it can be challenging getting new clients and developing a brand for yourself. However, once you do, you can earn between $50 and $60 per hour easily.

Every personal trainer, whether full-time or part-time, needs to have a website. When a potential client types your name into Google, your website should show. If it doesn’t, you lose credibility automatically. Dreamhost is an all-in-one website company that will help you purchase a domain name, get hosting, and design your website. Get started with Dreamhost today.

About the Author

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Blake Stockton

Blake Stockton is a staff writer at Fit Small Business focusing on how to start brick-and-mortar and online businesses. He is a frequent guest lecturer at several undergraduate business and MBA classes at University of North Florida . Prior to joining Fit Small Business, Blake consulted with over 700 small biz owners and assisted with starting and growing their businesses.

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Personal Training Business Plan: Example & Template

Written by Megan Williams

What is a personal training business plan?

A personal training business plan is useful for any personal trainers wanting to go solo and set up their own personal training business. Putting together a personal training business plan will ensure you cover all the key events and information you need to successfully launch your personal training business. 

In this handy article, we have outlined detail of the different elements within a personal training business plan along with a downloadable template that you can start building on straight away. Our aim is to provide you with all the elements you need to be successful in kick-starting your personal training business and service.

Why do you need a personal training business plan?

Having a personal training business plan will make the process of starting any personal training business smoother. This may include opening your own personal training studio , becoming a self-employed personal trainer or freelancing for a gym. It can become very easy to quickly start working with clients and avoid planning out the bigger picture.  

Banks or Investors

If you need additional funding to get started with your personal training business , being prepared to showcase your full personal training business plan to potential investors or banks will put you in a better position. In both cases, you are looking to persuade these people to invest in your fitness business, if they can’t see a clear plan mapped out on why you are worth the investment you may be unsuccessful in achieving the investor or funding. This provides potential investors with the step by step process on how you are planning to get your personal trainer services running.

Approaching this situation with a fully mapped out personal trainer business plan shows that you have thought through all possible elements of the business strategically with evidence on how you have got to this stage to be successful in the fitness industry.

Self Motivation

If you are looking to become self-employed and go out in the fitness world as an independent personal training business has a well thought out plan in place that will keep you on track with your own personal business goals. Spending some valuable time putting together a personal training business plan will be beneficial in the long run to keeping yourself on track, this can be a document you constantly refer back to. A personal training business plan will be what continues to drive you to achieve your ultimate business goals.

Summary & Pitching

The first section will be a summary of your overall business plan which will include business goals/aims, what the business does and any financial projections. The best way to approach this section is to complete it last once you have completed all the research for you to summarise. The purpose of this summary is to outline your business at a quick glance for somebody to understand your main goal and outcome.

Pitching your personal training business plan

A personal training business plan pitch will include a brief summary of what you do and what you are aiming to achieve. In your pitch, you should include your aims and objectives as a business, an overview of financial forecasts, business plan ideas and identify your USP.

The pitch should only be a few sentences long and ensure it is all relevant material avoiding any repetition or filler. The idea of the pitch is to attract your listener, an indicator of a successful pitch is your listen asking questions or wanting to know more about your pt business plan.

Personal background

This section is to outline your own personal background this section will help you outline your strengths and potential weaknesses for listeners to understand. 

Use your experience and expertise to boost credentials

Your qualification and experience will have high value in this section with the opportunity to showcase how you have educated yourself and the route you have followed. If you have undertaken additional studies including continuous professional development courses, this is a good place to showcase this.

This is also a good opportunity to identify any training you may need to still undertake to work on yourself, this demonstrates that you have a focus on personal growth and are planned for this. This is a beneficial section to understand for personal growth, working on identifying your own strengths and weaknesses will highlight any sections of the business you may need additional support or training in prior to starting.

Product or service

Personal training is positioned as a service business as you do not sell a physical product, you offer time and experience to your client’s fitness journey. In this section, you will highlight your core service, will you just be offering personal training sessions or is there an option to build out nutrition meal plans? Use this opportunity to explain your service in detail including what you offer the client, how you plan to deliver the service and any resources needed for this.

Outline your USP

In this section, it is also important that you highlight what makes you different and how your knowledge, experience and background has created a USP for your personal training service.

In order to be successful in launching your personal training business, you would need to have an in-depth understanding of the market you are entering. This includes carrying out market research within the potential clients operate in. After this point you will be able to build out a marketing strategy based on your understanding of the client market, this will ensure you are marketing your business in the most effective way.

Target Market research

Gathering marketing research is the process that helps determine the success of your new service which is conducted in line with your potential clients. Market research is carried out by companies to discover their target market in more detail by gathering opinions and feedback on particular interests.

To carry out successful market research you should gather information which providers you insights on the following:

• Current behavioural habits of your clients?
• How big is the personal training market?
• How much competition is there?
• What are the buying habits of your potential clients?
• Current market trends for pt businesses?

Create a marketing strategy

Once you have completed your market research you will be in a good position to map out your marketing plan strategically. Your marketing plan is a huge contributing factor to running a successful business, without this potential clients will not come across your business which impacts revenue and profit. 

When creating a marketing strategy you may find the cost can be daunting, however, you should consider marketing as a personal business investment for which you calculate the return on investment as this is essential to your business success. Whilst you are going to have to invest money into marketing, there are also options that aren’t as costly to include within your strategy such as word of mouth, attending networking events and running social media accounts. Marketing has a direct impact on your business which is why it is essential to ensure you cover everything you can to benefit from the market share. For this reason, we have covered everything you need to know to build out a marketing plan with our beginner’s guide to personal trainer marketing and advertising.

Competitor analysis

Competitor analysis is a good exercise to complete to ensure you are entering the market in a strong position. To complete a detailed competitor analysis you should carry out thorough research into who your competitors are, their service, their location, their pricing and their strengths and weaknesses. 

Once you have completed this, you should complete a swot analysis on your own personal training business compared to competitors within the market. Doing this will help you identify any pain points you may have as well as a USP which will prove to be a strength within the fitness training business.

Operations & logistics

Operation and logistics are a fundamental part of the business particularly for those setting up their own personal training studio or personal trainer freelancing . This includes evaluating elements of the business operations such as training space and location, suppliers of gym equipment, how to sustain your equipment and any additional products you may need to operate successfully as a business.

Understanding inventory & logistics

This section applies to individuals who are looking to set up their own personal training studio , you should use this area to cover details on where you will be delivering your personal training service, what locations, the facilities you will be using and how you regular sustain any equipment or software.

If you are planning on becoming a freelance personal trainer who is working within different gyms, this section may not be applicable to you as it focuses on how your service will be sourced and delivered.

Pricing strategy

A pricing strategy will help you work out what profit margins you are working towards and understand at what point you will break even and start making money once you have factored in the costs and investment.

When figuring out your price point you need to consider the business needs and client needs, if you are just starting out as a personal training business performing at a higher-end price point is likely to penalise the business success. You need to choose a price which is going to accommodate the business operations as well as appeal to potential clients.

Cost & expenditure planning

As the final part of your personal training plan, you will need to calculate the cost and expenditure involved in how you are planning to operate. This will include calculating gym rent, advertising and marketing, legal costs, personal training equipment, personal training studio rent or gym rent.

Pt business plan: Template

To make the process easier we have put together a personal training business plan template for you to download and use. This template provides the all-important sections needed to create a detailed pt business plan to help you set up your fitness business for success.

Personal Training Business Template – Download Now

Personal trainer business plan conclusion

Writing a pt business plan may seem like a long and daunting task when first faced with it, however completing this is a valuable exercise for your success as a personal training business. As business owners, it is important that this plan is revisited and revised when applicable to ensure your business path and goals are continuously on track and up to date. 

Cash flow may seem slow when getting started but with a plan as detailed as this in place, you will be prepared which will motivate and push you into improving your revenue streams. It is important to remember you are a new business and you are likely to face challenges but just take them head-on and create a learning hurdle from them knowing you have a strong business plan in place. Spend hours completing a personal training business plan to make a worthwhile investment in your personal time and energy later on down the line.

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Eight Steps to the Perfect Personal Trainer Business Plan

Now is a great time to become a personal trainer because the Covid-19 pandemic has made it difficult for people to visit gyms. This means that many gym-goers are now relying on personal training services to keep them fit and healthy.

However, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to start your business. As a personal trainer, you know the importance of creating a plan to help clients adhere to their fitness programs.

Well, the same is also true for your personal training business.

Using a personal trainer business plan to set goals and create a roadmap for how you will achieve them is an effective way to make sure you will be successful in the fitness industry.

In this article, we’ll look at why you need a personal training business plan, as well as the eight steps you should take to make an effective one.

Table of Contents

• 1 Why Write a Personal Training Business Plan?
• 2 Your Personal Training Business Plan Template
• 3 Step One: Write Your Executive Summary
• 4 Step Two: Analyze the Personal Training Market
• 5 Step Three: Perform a Customer Analysis
• 6 Step Four: Write Your Sales Plan
• 7 Step Five: Write Your Personal Trainer Marketing Plan
• 8 Step Six: Write Down How Your Business Will Operate
• 9 Step Seven: Your Qualifications
• 10 Step Eight: Financial Plan
• 11 Wrapping Up

Why Write a Personal Training Business Plan?

A personal training business plan is a guide you can follow to work out your unique selling points and help your business succeed.

It will also help you define the business’s revenue streams, make financial projections, identify market trends, and find out who your target market is and what your marketing strategy should be.

It will also give you an idea of the risks or challenges your business might face. For example, the competitor research section gives you an understanding of how others in the fitness industry work, which helps you to stay one step ahead.

Having a clear view of your finances will also help you make better decisions. Doing this before you get started is beneficial as it becomes harder to make these changes once you are training clients.

It is also usually necessary to write a business plan if you want to apply for funding. Banks or other potential investors will want to see you have put thought into how you will run a profitable business.

Finally, business plans aren’t just for personal trainers starting out. If you already run a personal training business, creating a plan can still be a useful tool to ensure you are heading in the right direction.

Your Personal Training Business Plan Template

Your plan will include sections on market analysis, marketing sales, operations, staffing, and finance.

While this may seem like a lot, we’ve made the process manageable by breaking it down into eight easy to follow steps.

Step One: Write Your Executive Summary

Your executive summary is a quick overview of your fitness business and why you think it will be successful.

Start with your mission statement. This is a one-sentence summary of what you are trying to achieve with your personal training business.

Include what you want to help your potential customers to achieve and how you will do this. For example, will you offer one-on-one sessions, nutritional guidance or small group training?

You can use your mission statement on your website or in marketing. Even if you don’t share it publicly, it is still a useful tool to help you define your goals and keep you on track when making business decisions.

Here are some examples of personal trainer mission statements:

North West Personal training in Vancouver:

“We are passionately committed to changing people’s lives around the world by helping them adopt a more healthy and fit lifestyle so they look and feel their best.”

Bodyline Studios in the UK

“It is our aim to encourage people of all ages and abilities to get fit and improve their wellbeing by providing a well-equipped, supportive space where highly qualified and experienced health and fitness professionals can deliver their services.”

After your mission statement, your executive summary should also include:

• Your fitness value proposition: This could be body-building, weight-loss, resistance training for seniors, TRX bands, etc.
• Who your customers will be: middle-aged men looking to get back in shape, high-level athletes, millennials looking for a new way to work out.
• Where your personal trainer business will operate from: Your own personal training studio, rented space in another gym, the local park or fitness center.
• Basic pricing strategy: How much you will charge per session, costs for renting space/equipment, your marketing budget.

This section is step number one in our guide because it is the first part of a personal training business plan.

However, many people find it beneficial to complete this step after writing the rest of the document. At this point, they are usually better prepared to answer the above questions.

Step Two: Analyze the Personal Training Market

Next, you need to analyze the personal training market. This will include the local area you will operate in as well as national — or even global — trends.

Completing this section shows you understand the personal training industry and may give you ideas about how to run your fitness business more effectively.

Include information such as:

• What are the most popular types of personal training?
• Is the industry growing or shrinking?
• How has Covid-19 affected other trainers?
• Approximately how many personal trainers will you compete within your area?
• How does a self-employed personal trainer find customers on a national and local level? Will it be beneficial to become active on social media, sign up to certain forums, advertise in local media?
• Do you have a lot of competition in your niche? Is the service you plan to offer in-demand? If not, how will your marketing strategies help you stand out?
• What qualifications do the personal trainers you will be competing with have? Are there any qualifications you could get to make yourself stand out?
• How much do personal trainers in your niche charge per session? And how do your planned prices compare to those of existing trainers?

When completing this section, it’s best if you can include specific figures. Searching on Google will provide you with a lot of information you can use. Or you can speak to other people you know in the industry.

Step Three: Perform a Customer Analysis

Next, you can talk specifically about the potential clients you will target.

You should find demographic information about your local area, such as the size of the population and the percentage of people in different age groups.

You can also focus on the intrinsic motivations of your customers. Thinking about what motivates them, how they like to work out, and why they might need a personal trainer can help when it comes to the marketing and operational parts of your business plan.

Step Four: Write Your Sales Plan

In the sales plan, you can map out how you will make sales and how many you expect to make. Things you can include in this section are:

• How many sessions a day or week will you run?
• How much do you expect to charge per session?
• Will you run discounts for clients who bulk buy sessions? How about people who refer other clients to your business?
• Using the above information, how much do you expect to earn per session, day, or month?
• How will you process sales? For example, will customers pay cash in hand on the day, or will they pay when they book a session through your website or app?

When writing this section, it will help if you have an idea about your costs and industry standards. This will help you choose a price point that is competitive while being enough to keep your business profitable.

Step Five: Write Your Personal Trainer Marketing Plan

It’s all well and good having a sales plan, but you’ll need a way to get your client base to pay for your service. In the marketing plan, you can describe all the ways you will try to attract clients, as well as any costs associated with this.

Some ideas include:

• Being active on social media.
• Using referrals to encourage word-of-mouth.
• Using PPC adverts on Google.
• Advertising in your local gym or fitness centre.
• Adding your Google My Business listing.
• Advertising in local office buildings or other places where your target customers gather.

When writing your marketing plan, you should go into detail about how you will utilize the techniques you choose.

For example, if you want to get new clients through Google search queries, list the queries you will target and provide estimates for how much you expect to spend on this area of marketing.

You can read more about personal training marketing ideas here.

Step Six: Write Down How Your Business Will Operate

In the operations section of your business plan, describe how you will run your business. This will include all the things you need to do daily to provide your service.

Where possible, include specific details like exact locations, prices, and times.

Image source

Completing this section in as much detail as possible is a good way to spot if you are missing anything before you start.

In this section include:

• How many sessions you will run every day and when you will run them.
• Where you will run the sessions.
• How you will gain access to the locations you need to run the sessions and how much this will cost.
• The steps you will take to measure the progress of clients.
• When you will take care of other aspects of your business, like marketing, accounting, etc.
• Do you need to provide anything for clients (water, etc.). If so, how will you source this?
• How will you process client payments?
• How will you process and organize bookings?
• Anything else you think is important to the running of your personal training business.
• Do you need to hire any extra staff? If so, how will you manage them?
• Do you need any qualifications or certificates before you can start your business?

One tool that can help streamline your personal training business is your own app .

By asking customers to download an app, you make it easy for them to book and pay for sessions on the go. You can also add helpful content such as videos, blog posts, or social media links that can help your customers achieve their fitness goals.

Click here to find out how you can easily create an app for your personal training business.

Step Seven: Your Qualifications

Write down what makes you suitable to be a personal trainer. Include your qualifications and experience in the industry. If you are going into business with anyone else, you can include information about their suitability for the role.

Step Eight: Financial Plan

The final step is to check the financial viability of your plan. In this section you should include:

• Startup costs: What do you need to pay for before going into business?
• Operating costs: How much will you spend to run your business? This can include rental costs, replacing equipment, costs associated with software to help you run your business, costs of hiring staff, marking costs, etc.
• Expected revenue: Here you can write down how much you expect your business to earn every day, week, month, year, etc.
• Break-even analysis: If you have high startup or operating costs (for example if you rent a space to run your business from) this section will show you how long it should take before you start making a profit.

This section will show you what you need to do to stay financially viable as a business. It will show you if your business model is realistic or if you need to make adjustments to prices or costs to hit your earning goals.

Wrapping Up

Now you’ve finished your business plan you can begin to take steps to put it into action. If you noticed there are areas of weakness in your business, now is the time to make changes to strengthen your position.

If you want further information about starting your business, check out these articles on writing a business proposal in 2020 , and writing an effective small business marketing plan .

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Starting a Personal Training Business From Scratch: How to Do It

• by Two-Brain Business
• November 10, 2021

Whether you are a fitness expert, an exercise buff or an exercise entrepreneur, starting a personal training business is possible with the proper approach and planning.

When you finish this article, you should have a sound understanding of what it takes to:

• Establish a personal training business.
• Avoid the pitfalls you might encounter.
• Make your personal training business sustainable.

Why Do You Need a Business Plan?

Owning a successful personal training business can be an enriching experience. By helping your clients reach their fitness goals or overcome their physical weaknesses, you can develop strong bonds that could last a lifetime.

However, the business part of the venture will make or break your personal training career. It’s a sobering fact that 90 percent of all startup businesses fail, and personal training businesses are no exception. No matter how much your clients love you, your business practices will determine the fate of your enterprise.

Having formal business training is excellent, but you can learn as you go if you have a good business plan. For this reason, we will continue as if we were putting together your personal training business plan.

Planning Your Personal Training Business

Before you start planning, you should determine what your vision is for your personal training business. Do you see it as a resource for the community or an industry disruptor? And who is your ideal client? College-age athletes, busy professionals, seniors or some other group? The answer will have a significant effect on how you set up your business.

Also, it is essential to decide what outcome you want for your business. For instance, you might want to develop it into an expandable model that leads to employees, franchises or satellites. On the other hand, you might want to keep it a one-person operation. Creating a clear definition of your vision and mission for your business will help shape the planning and operation.

Because you will be the founder of this personal training business, its success relies on you. These are some questions you can ask yourself before moving forward:

• Am I comfortable in a leadership role?
• Am I a teacher and mentor?
• Do I consider myself a problem solver?
• Am I a good salesperson? 
• Am I hard to discourage?

If you can affirmatively answer these questions, you are ready to plot out the process of starting your personal training business.

Choosing Your Personal Training Business Model

The first task in starting your business is deciding what business model is best for delivering your service. This decision will dictate your initial and ongoing costs, operational planning, marketing, and revenue potential. With this in mind, here are some major personal training business models that may suit your background, training and ambitions.

Operating in a Private Gym That Charges You a Per Session Rate

Operating in a private gym is a low-cost way to start your personal training business. In this set-up, you train clients using the gym’s equipment and facilities just as the staff personal trainers do. Some gyms allow you to solicit their members and others don’t. Either way, you are responsible for your clients’ safety and liable for any damages attributed to you or them. Most private gyms require you to carry liability insurance.

Typically, your only daily cash outlay would be a per session fee. These fees are usually reasonable unless you’re working in a popular gym. Many small gym owners like this arrangement because they can offer personal training services without incurring salary, liability and tax expenses. Plus, they usually require that you become a paying member—or that your clients become members if you bring them in from outside the gym.

Pros and Cons

Private gym arrangements have the following pros:

• Low entry cost and no maintenance cost—equipment is provided and cared for by the gym.
• No lease, managerial or operational expenses.
• Convenient.
• Flexible: You can switch gyms at any time with no transition costs.

Here are the cons of private gym arrangements.

• It’s challenging to build a brand or create a unique gym experience.
• Sometimes you will face stiff competition. On occasion, other trainers might try to steal your clients.
• You are bound to the gym’s operating days and hours.
• During peak hours, you might have to wait for specific pieces of equipment to become available.
• It’s challenging to develop a client list that you can sell to someone else.

This business model works best when you are a regular gym member and have a friendly rapport with the staff and owner.

Training Clients in Their Homes or On-Site Facilities

Training clients in their homes or condo gyms would be the cheapest way to conduct a personal training business—except for the travel expenses. There are no per-session fees or maintenance costs. But you must account for gas prices, parking fees, car maintenance and down time due to travel.

You can offset the travel cost by charging in-home clients more or securing other clients who live in the same neighborhood or building. For this reason, some personal trainers work as on-site trainers for large condo complexes or resorts. A contract or monthly fee might be part of these types of arrangements. But ongoing fees are rarely involved.

If you decide to train clients directly in their homes, you will initially pay a few hundred dollars for the exercise equipment. Inexpensive resistance bands work well for this purpose. In some cases, some of your clients may have well-equipped home gyms. 

Starting a Personal Training Business in Your Home

Without travel-related expenses, in-home training is arguably the least expensive way to deliver your service. Some trainers use their garages, backyards, condo gyms or ad hoc gyms to train their clients. This business model gives you more control of equipment choices, your business environment and operating hours.

You will need to acquire and maintain your own equipment, and you’ll have to give up part of your home to the business. If that’s the case, your business should pay you for the use of your home. That might not be possible when you start out, but keep it in mind for the future. An accountant can help you figure out what exact options are available to you.

You must also have insurance, and it’s worth checking into local zoning to make sure your neighbors don’t call in the bylaw officers because your clients are taking up all the parking spaces.

If you don’t have a problem separating work from private time, training clients at your home might appeal to you. It is low cost and low risk. However, it has unique challenges to growth.

Starting an Online Personal Training Business

The advances in internet-based technology have introduced an exciting new personal training business model. Live video chat programs allow you to deliver your training online from anywhere in the world to almost anyone in the world with compatible technology.

Although this venue is still in the early stages, there are many ways you can use online platforms to enhance your business with:

• Non-personalized video fitness programs. You can record a series of exercise instruction sessions and market subscriptions to them.
• Hybrid online and in-person training. This is an excellent benefit for clients who don’t like missing personal training appointments because of vacations, deployments or quarantines.
• Online group personal training. Live online chat services like Zoom, Skype and Google Meets allow you to train clients in separate locations simultaneously.
• Customized programming.

Get the Two-Brain ebook “How to Add Online Training in 24 Hours”

Entry costs for this online personal training business model are low. The initial cost generally ranges from $300 to $500 for a webcam with a tripod, a microphone, lights and a reflector, exercise equipment and props. If you are short on cash, you can use the built-in equipment on your laptop or desk computer until you can upgrade.

More info on media equipment: “Best Gear for Online Classes”

When it comes to software, Zoom , Skype , Google Meet and other cloud-based chat platforms will do if you’re leading sessions. With some variations, free versions of communications software usually offer hosting of unlimited one-on-one or group sessions (sometimes with time limits).

For example, Zoom is very popular in the fitness world, and the free version will serve you well for one-on-one sessions. If you have groups, you’ll hit a 40-minute time limit with the free version. If you want to go longer with groups, add about 1 GB of recording and enable social media streaming, the upgrade to the pro subscription is only about $14 per month. Otherwise, your only monthly cost would be the internet connection.

Other platforms exist and have features specifically for fitness trainers. The cost for coaching software varies widely—click here to see our 2020 review of the top platforms.

Remember: Online coaches don’t always lead workouts live. Many provide programming and accountability instead. For more info, listen to this podcast: “Online Coaching: Pro Tips for Excellence and Efficiency.”

Things You Will Need to Start a Personal Training Business

Allocate most of the initial cost for starting a personal training enterprise to business essentials. Here is a rundown of the main requirements.

Personal Training Certification

Along with providing knowledge and coaching skills, a credential in personal training gives you a professional advantage in dealing with clients and the public. Plus, this accomplishment qualifies you for insurance.

The initial cost of a personal training certificate ranges between $500 and $2,000. Some credential institutions require maintenance and renewal costs along with continuing education requirements. Some of the best personal training certifiers are listed in the table below.

More info: “The Best Certifications for Personal Trainers”

Business Bank Account, Business License and Insurance

Commingling your business funds with your private funds is a recipe for a tax-time nightmare. At the very least, it can lead to money mismanagement, and confusion as to whether you’re making a profit or taking a heavy loss can lead to disaster. For these reasons, a business bank account is a valuable tool.

Before you open your business bank account, register for a business name. This move helps you distinguish your personal life from your business activities even more. For example, when you open your business bank account under your business name, it will appear on all the payments, bills and statements. As a result, your business record keeping will be much easier.

For added protection, you should register your personal training business as a limited liability company (LLC). This simple and relatively inexpensive step separates your business liability and finances from your personal affairs: A client or any other party cannot go after your personal assets in a lawsuit against your business.

Another essential form of protection is personal training insurance. It helps cover the cost of client injuries or other mishaps. For $200 to $300 per year, you can get up to $2 million in general liability insurance. Many credential issuers are connected to insurers; for example, NASM partners with Next Insurance Inc. to offer trainers professional and general liability insurance for as little as $11 a month.

How Much Should You Charge?

On average, personal trainers charge between $35 to $100 per hour—a very wide range.

To find your starting point, figure out what you need to charge to earn the income you need. Then ensure your services provide the value that justifies your rate. If you can add more value for your clients, you may be able to enter the market at a higher price point. Examples of adding value include perks like exercise/nutrition packages or off-hour sessions.

If your expenses demand you set a higher price than the standard rate, you can focus your marketing on couples, pairs or threesomes.

For more info on personal trainer wages, read “How Much Does a Personal Trainer Make?”

How Do You Get Personal Training Clients?

As you start your personal training business, the most important and challenging business task is getting clients. But new technology has made this an exciting time to start a personal training business. There are many ways to channel your efforts and money to reach potential clients.

Identifying your target market is a crucial task in marketing your personal training business. Essentially, your target market is a segment of people who are most likely to become your clients. You can group them by age, gender, occupation and many other categories. Generally, it is easier to truly define your target market after operating your business for a while. In the meantime, you can consider who you like working with and do some online research to find out which market segments are attracted to your personal training business model.

Once you have reasonably identified a target market, you can attract clients with old and new marketing techniques.

Old-School Marketing and Advertising Techniques for Trainers

Although there are many new options available to promote your business, here are some long-standing techniques that still work.

• Telling everyone you know that you’re starting a personal training business.
• Circulating business cards, brochures, free consultation coupons.
• Joining networking groups, giving free seminars, organizing free walk groups and exercise sessions.
• Wearing T-shirts and hats with your business name on it.
• Starting by recruiting potential clients from your inner circle of family and friends.

Read: “Personal Trainer Business Cards: Everything Coaches Need to Know”

New-School Marketing and Advertising Techniques for Coaches

Your first online marketing move should be to build a website for your personal training business. For a very low setup cost and monthly expense, website builders such as Wix, Squarespace and Monster provide easy-to-use tools and templates to make very professional-looking websites. They also offer domain names, business email addresses and traffic analytics.

After you build the website, you can try these options to fill up your client schedule.

• Fill your website with helpful content that appeals to your target market.
• Create exercise instructional videos on YouTube and Instagram.
• Develop a social-media presence by posting exercise-related content and joining fitness groups on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Pinterest (be sure to make impressive profiles).
• Create a profile on Yelp and get clients to write positive reviews on your business.
• Create a Google Business account and get clients to write good reviews.
• Use digital marketing.

Consumer service websites like Yelp and Thumbtack provide free listings for service providers. With their per-click advertising, you only pay for the potential customers who visit your website or call you. Plus, their filtering tools allow you to focus on your target market. Facebook is another platform that offers many tools to a marketer. Remember this: If you choose to spend money on ads, track your metrics so you know if you’re getting a return on your investment.

For our “Affinity Marketing Guide” and “Free Digital Marketing Course,” click here .

Making Your Personal Training Business Profitable

When you consider all factors, your net profit potential depends on how well you balance your total monthly revenue and your ongoing expenses. This fact highlights the importance of maintaining good accounting practices.

Fortunately, you can invest in inexpensive accounting or bookkeeping software to help you keep track and record your transactions and balances. Also, payment apps like PayPal, Venmo and Zelle do an excellent job collecting, processing and recording your transactions.

The Road to Success in Personal Training

With a thoughtful plan, starting a personal training business isn’t that hard.

Due diligence before you take the plunge can help you profit in a lucrative market by avoiding the pitfalls that sink most startups. Being prepared and staying informed of developments in this industry can give you an advantage.

Two-Brain Business can help you along the way. For a detailed done-for-you business plan for personal trainers, click here .

About the Author—John Burson successfully ran a personal training business for over 20 years, and he has written volumes of published articles on business entrepreneurship, finance and the fitness industry.

One more thing!

Phone +1 705-575-4535

Email [email protected].

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Create a Personal Trainer Business Plan in Six Steps

My personal training career began, as so many do, at a big box gym.

I worked my way up to management, then regional management, and eventually struck out on my own. Soon I opened a small gym, which progressively grew into a bigger gym over the next six years.

A natural evolution maybe, but no accident. It happened because I had a plan.

A business plan helps you stay focused. It puts you in control, leading you where you want to go, so you’ll end up happier and wealthier.

Yet lots of trainers don’t think to make one, or assume they don’t need one. You do. Taking the time to carefully craft a business plan can give you an edge, regardless of where you are in your career.

To help you get started, I’ve outlined a personal trainer business plan template with six basic steps:

Step 1: Write your mission statement

Step 2: assess the fitness industry and your competition, step 3: map out your revenue streams, step 4: plan for operating costs, step 5: create your sales and marketing plan, step 6: honestly assess your risk.

We’ll hit each of those in a moment, and share a downloadable worksheet for you to craft your own business plan. But first, you probably have a few questions.

What is a personal trainer business plan?

A personal trainer business plan is a written description of your business’s future. Think of it as your North Star. It will help guide every aspect of your business: services, products, people, location, competition, costs, and income.

Who needs a personal trainer business plan?

Anyone who makes a living as a personal trainer. Don’t wait until you’re self-employed. It’s never too early to think about your future trajectory, even if you’re still a gym employee.

What is a personal trainer business plan used for?

A business plan articulates what you do and why you’re doing it. Having it in writing helps you stay focused.

But depending on your needs and goals, you might also use it to impress potential investors, attract employees or customers, or deal with suppliers.

How long should a personal trainer business plan be?

A typical plan is about 10 to 20 pages, but there’s a lot of room for variation. It can be as simple as a few notes on the back of an envelope, or as complex as 50 pages with detailed projections and analysis.

What’s the purpose of your plan? If you’re trying to score financing, err on the longer side. But if it’s just for you, make it as brief or detailed as you like.

How do you start?

Easy: Just write. Tailor the language to your prospective audience. If you’re writing the plan for yourself, make it as casual as a conversation with a friend. If you’re writing it for a bank or private investor, be more formal. If it’s for clients, be professional, avoiding jargon or slang.

I remember agonizing over my first business plan, making a million revisions. I felt stuck because, as hard as I tried, my plan wasn’t perfect yet.

Then I realized something: Perfection isn’t possible, and you can’t let the pursuit of it keep you from moving forward.

The goal is to think about your personal training business in a more mature way. As you move through your career, stretching your abilities and learning from mistakes, you’ll gain the perspective you need to refine it.

Put another way, as you get better, your plan will too.

Personal trainer business plan template

This is two or three sentences explaining what your company aims to do, and why: “I help THIS group of people do X, Y, and Z. And this is why I do it.”

Don’t skip the second part. Clarifying why you do what you do is essential for setting your business apart. It starts with two things:

• Your core values
• Your training philosophy

Core values are your personal beliefs: who you are, and what you stand for. Your training philosophy is what you believe about training.

Why is training people important to you? Why is the demographic you work with important? What are the two or three most important things you believe about training that are nonnegotiable?

If you can answer those questions, you’ll have a much easier time conveying your value to others, and creating a coaching avatar that helps people connect with you.

READ ALSO:   How to Get More Personal Training Clients

Before you can figure out where you fit in in the fitness industry, you first need to know what that industry looks like. That takes research into the two most relevant market tiers for fitness pros:

To understand what’s happening locally, hop online and look up all the gyms and fitness facilities in your area. Visit a few. Talk to the locals, and pick their brains about what they’re interested in and why they chose their current gym. Gauge sample size.

For a national perspective, you could turn to Google.

Now think about where you fit in, both locally and nationally. What gap do you fill? What do you offer that someone needs but no one else provides? An honest assessment of your strengths and weaknesses will help you find those answers.

Finally, determine your biggest threat. Think you don’t have competition? You do. Look at it this way: In the absence of your product or service, how do people fill that void? Where do they go? What do they buy? That’s your competition.

This one is simple. Just answer one question: How are you going to deliver your service? Will you train clients one-on-one, and also lead a group class a couple times a week? Or will you do small-group training at your gym, and supplement your income with online training ?

Start with only one or two income sources, and see how they work (or don’t work). Maybe you’ll find that one (like online training) generates enough revenue for you to focus on it exclusively. Maybe you’ll find that another (like teaching group classes at 6 a.m.) doesn’t pay well enough for you to continue. Maybe you’ll have so much success with one demographic or style of training that you’ll decide to create and sell a product related to it.

But don’t feel you have  to add revenue streams. Some of the most successful businesses in the world offer only one or two products. A sharp focus lets you excel at one thing. Sometimes that’s better than being kinda good at several.

READ ALSO:   Avoid These Mistakes When Building an Online Training Business

Jot down all the expenses you need to run your business: rent, equipment, insurance, software, business license, and any administrative fees. Add it all up, and you get your operating costs, the minimum income you need to exist. Keep in mind that some percentage of that income will go to taxes .

Now tackle revenue projections. Make a high-low chart, with one column for worst-case scenario, and another for best-case.

Your best-case scenario is what would happen if you absolutely crushed it, and kept a full book of paying clients all year. Your worst-case is the opposite, the least amount you would make if things don’t go according to plan.

Comfortable with those numbers? If not, rejigger the plan until you are.

READ ALSO:   How Your “Freedom Number” Can Give You the Opportunity to Fail

At Fitness Revolution  (where I work), we have something called the Triple-A Marketing Method : Assets, Arsenal, Action plan. Here’s how it works.

• Start with your assets—your skills, talents, and strengths. Maybe you’re really good at videos, or you’re great face to face.
• Now determine your arsenal, the tools you’ll use to deploy those skills. If videos are your thing, social media might be the way you share them. If talking to people is your strength, focus on networking.
• Finally, create an action plan, taking care to define exactly how often you’ll deploy those resources. Maybe you’ll post a new video every week, or attend a networking event once a month.

Over time, you’ll refine this section as you figure out what works and what doesn’t. But this is a good start.

There’s a reason why, in Step 4, I had you draw up a worst-case scenario alongside your sunniest projection. Too many personal trainers are overly optimistic, and write up business plans that assume things will always be awesome.

The problem with projecting 365 days of sunshine is that you’ll be blinded by the imagined glare. You won’t be ready for the bootcamps that get rained out, the clients who move on, the rent that goes up, or the car that breaks down.

Try pretending it’s your friend’s business plan. What would you say to that friend? Even better: Seek feedback from a fitness industry mentor or someone whose business advice you value. A neutral expert can give you much-needed perspective on the realities of running a business in an often-unpredictable world.

That brings us to risk. How much risk is written into your plan, and how much can you tolerate?

If you’re just starting out, your risk tolerance is probably pretty high, simply because you have less to lose. You could also pivot and try something else if your plan doesn’t work out.

But as your business grows, and you have more people who depend on you, the decisions will be harder, and your appetite for risk will probably drop.

Ready to get started? Click here to download our free Personal Trainer Business Plan worksheet.

What happens now?

A business plan is never complete. Even if you never need a detailed, professional version for investors, and you’re the only one who ever sees it, it’s still something you revisit as needed.

Every time your business shifts direction, your financial outlook changes, or you launch a new product, you’ll need to revisit your business plan.

But you don’t have to wait for a major change. Even a successful plan will eventually run its course, and need to be updated. If you think it’s time to revisit your plan, you’re probably right.

David Crump

David Crump is a personal trainer, industry-recognized speaker, and fitness business consultant who helps other fitness professionals grow their business. He is the training and content manager for Fitness Revolution, where he oversees continuing education and all things start-up related. He has helped open at least seven independent fitness facilities in addition to his own, which he ran for six years. You can keep up with him at his website or on Facebook .

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Personal Trainer Business Plan Template (FREE)

Get this free personal trainer business plan template to learn how to create a personal trainer business plan. Use the free personal trainer business plan examples and then modify as needed.

Scroll down for a free personal training business plan template, and then be sure to check out our guide on how to create a gym business plan and then utilize the gym business plan template and fitness business plan template to get inspiration for creating your PT business plan.

Remember though, the important part is to get certified and then get started. Don’t delay, what you can start today. Learn how to start a fitness business , and how to start a personal training business , but don’t forget that you technically don’t have to be certified to sell workouts (though you should get certified!) so there are many ways to make money from fitness , one of which is making money selling workout plans online .

Then be sure to find the tools you need to grow a fitness influencer business. From the best software for gym management to the best software for personal training to the best fitness software for fitness influencers , the Exercise.com platform has the tools you need to grow and manage your fitness business.

Sell workout plans online .

Run online fitness challenges .

Create and sell fitness memberships, products, and digital offers.

Manage, message, and market to your leads and customers.

All from your very own custom branded fitness apps .

Get a demo now!

Personal Trainer Business Plan Template

Creating a business plan is a crucial step for personal trainers aspiring to establish a successful fitness business. A well-crafted business plan serves as a roadmap, outlining your goals, strategies, and the steps you need to take to achieve them. It provides clarity on your business model, target market, services offered, marketing and sales strategies, and financial planning. This plan is not only vital for your own reference and guidance but also essential if you’re seeking funding or partnerships.

A comprehensive business plan for a personal trainer should encompass several key components, including an executive summary, market analysis, business structure, services offered, marketing and sales strategies, and financial planning. Below is a detailed template that personal trainers can use as a guide to creating their own business plan.

Executive Summary

• Business Name and Location : Your business name and the location where you will operate.
• Mission Statement : A brief statement outlining your business’s purpose and goals.
• Business Goals : Short-term and long-term objectives for your personal training business.
• Owner’s Background : Your qualifications, experience, and any unique skills that set you apart.

Market Analysis

• Industry Overview : Current state and future outlook of the fitness industry.
• Target Market : Specific demographic and psychographic details of your ideal clients.
• Competitor Analysis : Overview of competitors, their offerings, strengths, and weaknesses.
• Market Trends : Emerging trends in personal training and fitness.

Business Structure

• Type of Business Entity : Whether you are a sole proprietor, partnership, LLC, etc.
• Business Model : How you plan to charge for your services (e.g., hourly rates, package deals).
• Facility and Equipment : Details about your training facility and equipment needs.

Services Offered

• Training Services : Types of personal training services you will offer (one-on-one, group sessions, online coaching).
• Special Programs : Any specialized programs or niche training services (e.g., weight loss, athletic training, rehabilitation).
• Additional Services : Other services like nutrition counseling, fitness assessments, etc.

Marketing and Sales Strategies

• Branding : Your business’s branding strategy, including logo, colors, and overall image.
• Marketing Channels : How you plan to market your services (social media, local advertising, partnerships).
• Sales Techniques : Strategies for selling your services and converting prospects into clients.
• Client Retention Strategies : Methods for retaining clients and encouraging long-term commitments.

Financial Planning

• Startup Costs : Initial costs involved in setting up your personal training business.
• Pricing Strategy : How you will price your services.
• Revenue Projections : Estimated earnings for the first few years.
• Expense Forecast : Ongoing operational costs (rent, equipment maintenance, marketing costs).
• Break-Even Analysis : The point at which your business will start to make a profit.

Additional Components

• Legal and Insurance Considerations : Necessary permits, licenses, and insurance policies.
• Risk Analysis : Potential risks your business may face and how you plan to mitigate them.
• Growth and Expansion Plans : How you plan to grow and scale your business in the future.

This template provides a comprehensive framework for a personal trainer business plan. Tailoring each section to reflect your unique vision, goals, and strategies will result in a robust and effective business plan, guiding your venture towards success.

• Personal Trainer Marketing
• Personal Trainer Mission Statements
• Personal Trainer Insurance
• Best Personal Trainer Software

#1 Example Mobile Personal Training Business Plan

“Fit On The Go” is a mobile personal training business catering to busy professionals and parents who struggle to find time for gym visits. Our mission is to bring customized fitness solutions directly to clients, offering convenience, flexibility, and personalized attention. We aim to tap into the local market of working professionals in urban areas, delivering tailored workout sessions at their homes, offices, or outdoor spaces.

• Type : Sole Proprietorship
• Business Model : Charging clients on a session-by-session basis or through monthly packages.
• Facility and Equipment : No fixed facility; equipment is portable and suitable for various environments.
• Training Services : One-on-one and small group training sessions, including strength training, cardio, and flexibility workouts.
• Special Programs : Corporate wellness programs, post-natal fitness, senior fitness.
• Additional Services : Basic nutritional advice and online support.
• Industry Overview : Growing demand for personalized and convenient fitness options.
• Target Market : Busy professionals aged 30-50, new parents, and corporations.
• Competitor Analysis : Other local personal trainers and fitness apps.
• Market Trends : Increasing interest in health and well-being, especially post-pandemic.
• Branding : Professional, approachable, and tailored to busy lifestyles.
• Marketing Channels : Social media marketing, local networking events, partnerships with local businesses.
• Sales Techniques : Free first sessions, referral incentives.
• Client Retention Strategies : Personalized progress tracking, flexible scheduling.
• Startup Costs : Minimal – mainly for equipment and marketing.
• Pricing Strategy : Competitive pricing with discounts for package purchases.
• Revenue Projections : Aim to achieve a steady client base within the first year.
• Expense Forecast : Ongoing costs including travel expenses, equipment maintenance, and marketing.
• Break-Even Analysis : Expected within the first six months.

Read More: Mobile Fitness Business Guide

#2 Example Boutique Personal Training Studio Business Plan

“Elite Fitness Studio” is a boutique personal training studio located in a high-end neighborhood, focusing on providing exclusive, high-quality fitness experiences. Our goal is to create a community of fitness enthusiasts who value personalized attention, state-of-the-art facilities, and a supportive environment.

• Type : Limited Liability Company (LLC)
• Business Model : Membership-based with additional charges for personal training sessions.
• Facility and Equipment : Well-equipped studio with modern fitness equipment.
• Training Services : Individual and small group personal training, specializing in weight loss, muscle building, and athletic performance.
• Special Programs : Wellness retreats, fitness workshops, and seminars.
• Additional Services : In-house nutritionist consultations, physiotherapy services.
• Industry Overview : Increasing demand for exclusive and specialized fitness services.
• Target Market : Affluent individuals aged 25-55, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts.
• Competitor Analysis : Other high-end fitness studios and luxury gyms.
• Market Trends : Personalization in fitness and holistic health approaches.
• Branding : Luxurious, exclusive, and results-driven.
• Marketing Channels : High-end local magazines, community events, influencer partnerships.
• Sales Techniques : Membership exclusivity, premium pricing.
• Client Retention Strategies : Customized fitness plans, member-only events, loyalty rewards.
• Startup Costs : Significant – for studio setup, equipment, and initial marketing.
• Pricing Strategy : Premium pricing reflecting the exclusivity and quality of services.
• Revenue Projections : Gradual growth with an expansion of services and client base.
• Expense Forecast : High, including rent, equipment maintenance, staff salaries, and marketing.
• Break-Even Analysis : Expected within the first 18 months.

Read More: Best Boutique Fitness Studio Software

#3 Example Online Personal Training Business Plan

“Virtual Fitness Coach” is an online personal training business providing remote fitness coaching and virtual workout sessions. We focus on offering convenient, accessible, and customized fitness solutions to individuals globally, utilizing technology to bridge geographical gaps.

• Type : Partnership
• Business Model : Subscription-based online services with various tiered plans.
• Facility and Equipment : Home office setup with necessary tech equipment for virtual sessions.
• Training Services : Live virtual training sessions, pre-recorded workout programs.
• Special Programs : Weight loss challenges, fitness boot camps, yoga and mindfulness sessions.
• Additional Services : Online nutrition coaching, fitness blogs, and webinars.
• Industry Overview : Surge in demand for online fitness services.
• Target Market : Tech-savvy individuals, those with limited access to gyms, global clientele.
• Competitor Analysis : Other online fitness platforms and apps.
• Market Trends : Digital transformation in fitness, growing popularity of home workouts.
• Branding : Modern, accessible, and tech-friendly.
• Marketing Channels : Social media advertising, content marketing, online fitness communities.
• Sales Techniques : Free trials, tiered pricing plans.
• Client Retention Strategies : Engaging online community, regular program updates, personalized feedback.
• Startup Costs : Moderate – mainly for software, website development, and initial marketing.
• Pricing Strategy : Subscription-based with different tiers for various needs.
• Revenue Projections : Aim for global reach and a substantial subscriber base within the first year.
• Expense Forecast : Moderate, including website maintenance, marketing, and software subscriptions.
• Break-Even Analysis : Projected within the first 12 months.

Each of these fitness trainer business plans caters to different market segments and operational models, offering a diverse range of services and experiences. Personal trainers can adapt these templates to align with their specific goals, target audience, and available resources.

Read More: Best Online Fitness Coach Software

The Importance of Having a Business Plan as a Personal Trainer

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on creating a successful personal trainer business plan. In this article, we will explore the importance of having a business plan as a personal trainer, delve into the key elements to include in your plan, and provide detailed insights into various aspects of running a thriving personal training business.

Looking to start your own personal training business? This comprehensive personal training business plan template will guide you through the process, helping you outline your goals, target market, marketing strategies, financial projections, and more.

As a personal trainer, having a well-defined business plan is crucial to your success. It serves as a roadmap that outlines your goals, strategies, and tactics for achieving them. A solid business plan helps you stay focused, organized, and accountable. It allows you to clearly articulate your mission, vision, and unique value proposition to potential clients, partners, and investors.

Furthermore, a business plan helps you foresee challenges and identify opportunities in the ever-evolving fitness industry. It allows you to devise strategies to effectively navigate market fluctuations, competition, and changing consumer preferences. Ultimately, a well-crafted business plan sets the foundation for your personal training business and increases your chances of long-term success.

One key benefit of having a business plan as a personal trainer is that it helps you establish a clear financial strategy. By outlining your revenue streams, expenses, and pricing structure, you can ensure that your personal training business remains profitable. Additionally, a business plan allows you to set financial goals and track your progress towards achieving them, providing you with a benchmark for success.

Another advantage of having a business plan is that it enables you to effectively market and promote your personal training services. With a well-defined target market and a comprehensive marketing strategy, you can identify the most effective channels to reach potential clients. Your business plan can also include a detailed analysis of your competition, allowing you to differentiate yourself and highlight your unique selling points.

Key Elements to Include in Your Personal Trainer Business Plan

A comprehensive personal trainer business plan should consist of several key elements. These include:

1. Executive Summary: Summarize your business concept, mission statement, and unique selling proposition. This section provides an overview of your plan and entices readers to continue reading.

2. Company Description: Outline your personal training business, including its legal structure, location, services offered, and target market.

3. Market Analysis: Conduct thorough market research to gain insights into your target market, competitors, and industry trends. Analyze the demand for personal training services in your area and identify gaps you can capitalize on.

4. Marketing and Sales Strategies: Detail your marketing and advertising tactics, such as online and offline promotion, partnerships, and referrals. Create a pricing structure that reflects the value you provide and consider offering introductory packages or discounts to attract new clients.

5. Organizational Structure: Define your business’s organizational structure, roles, and responsibilities. If you plan to hire additional trainers or administrative staff, outline their job descriptions and qualifications.

6. Financial Projections: Create a comprehensive financial plan that includes startup costs, revenue projections, expense forecasts, and cash flow analysis. This section helps you understand the financial feasibility of your business and secure funding if needed.

7. Operations and Systems: Develop strategies for efficient operations, such as scheduling, client management, and record-keeping systems. Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track your business’s performance and identify areas for improvement.

8. Risk Assessment: Evaluate potential risks and challenges that may impact your personal training business. Identify strategies to mitigate these risks, such as obtaining appropriate insurance coverage, implementing safety protocols, and developing contingency plans.

9. Professional Development: Outline your commitment to ongoing professional development and staying up-to-date with industry trends and certifications. Include plans for attending workshops, conferences, and continuing education courses to enhance your skills and knowledge as a personal trainer.

Defining Your Target Market and Identifying Your Niche

Before diving into the details of your business plan, it’s crucial to define your target market and identify your niche as a personal trainer. Understanding your ideal clients’ demographics, psychographics, and fitness goals will help you tailor your services and marketing efforts to attract the right audience.

When defining your niche, consider your expertise, passion, and unique selling proposition. Are you passionate about weight loss? Do you specialize in strength training for athletes? Identifying your niche allows you to position yourself as an expert in a specific area and stand out from the competition.

Conducting Market Research for Your Personal Training Business

Thorough market research is essential for developing a successful business plan as a personal trainer. It provides insights into your target market’s needs, preferences, and willingness to pay for your services. Start by analyzing the local fitness industry, demographics, competition, and consumer trends.

Utilize online research tools, conduct surveys, and talk to potential clients to gather data on their fitness goals, challenges, and expectations. This information will help you fine-tune your services, pricing, and marketing strategies to meet your target market’s demands effectively.

Setting SMART Goals for Your Personal Trainer Business

To ensure the success of your personal trainer business, it’s crucial to set SMART goals – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. SMART goals provide clarity and direction, allowing you to track your progress and make necessary adjustments.

For example, instead of setting a vague goal like “increase revenue,” a SMART goal would be “increase monthly revenue by 15% within six months through targeted marketing campaigns and client retention strategies.” SMART goals provide clear metrics and timelines, enabling you to stay focused and motivated.”

Developing a Strong Value Proposition for Your Services

Your value proposition is what differentiates you from other personal trainers in the market. It highlights the unique benefits and value that clients will receive by choosing your services. Develop a clear and compelling value proposition that resonates with your target market.

Consider factors such as your training philosophy, certifications, experience, and any specialized services or equipment you provide. Communicate your value proposition effectively through your marketing materials, website, and in-person consultations to attract and retain clients.

Creating a Pricing Structure that Reflects the Value You Provide

Determining your pricing structure is a critical aspect of your personal trainer business plan. It should strike a balance between your financial goals and the perceived value of your services. Research industry standards and competitors’ pricing while considering your unique value proposition.

Take into account factors such as your experience, certifications, location, overhead costs, and the target market’s willingness to pay. Consider offering tiered pricing options, package deals, or monthly memberships to cater to different client needs and budgets.

Mapping Out Your Marketing and Advertising Strategies

Marketing and advertising are crucial for attracting clients and growing your personal training business. Develop a comprehensive marketing plan that incorporates both online and offline strategies to reach your target audience effectively.

Consider leveraging digital marketing channels such as social media platforms, search engine optimization (SEO), email marketing, and content creation. Offline tactics like networking events, local partnerships, and referrals can also play a significant role in generating leads.

Building an Effective Online Presence for Your Personal Training Business

In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is paramount for any business, including personal trainers. Develop a professional website that showcases your services, testimonials, success stories, and contact information.

Optimize your website for search engines to increase its visibility in organic search results. Utilize social media platforms to engage with potential clients, share valuable content, and promote your services. Consider creating a blog, producing educational videos, or starting a podcast to establish yourself as an industry expert.

Leveraging Social Media to Attract and Engage Clients

Social media platforms provide an excellent opportunity to connect with potential clients and nurture relationships. Identify the platforms most popular among your target market – whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn – and develop a social media strategy accordingly.

Regularly post engaging and educational content, such as workout tips, motivational quotes, success stories, and client transformations. Encourage client testimonials and user-generated content to build trust and credibility. Interact with your audience by responding to comments, direct messages, and inquiries promptly.

Networking and Collaborating with Other Fitness Professionals

Networking and collaborating with other fitness professionals can open doors to new opportunities and expand your client base. Attend industry conferences, seminars, and workshops to meet like-minded individuals and potential referral partners.

Consider collaborations with other fitness trainers, nutritionists, physical therapists, or wellness centers. Cross-promote each other’s services, refer clients, or organize joint events or workshops. Collaborations not only widen your reach but also enhance your credibility and expertise through association with other professionals.

Establishing Partnerships with Complementary Businesses in the Health and Wellness Industry

Identify complementary businesses in the health and wellness industry that share a similar target market. Establish mutually beneficial partnerships to cross-promote each other’s services and expand your reach.

For example, partner with local gyms, yoga studios, or health food stores to offer exclusive discounts or joint promotions. Consider guest blogging or speaking engagements to share valuable content with their audience, generating both visibility and credibility for your personal training business.

Creating an Effective Sales Funnel to Convert Leads into Clients

An effective sales funnel helps guide potential clients from awareness to becoming paying clients. Implement a step-by-step process that nurtures leads and encourages them to take action.

Start by offering valuable content, such as free workout guides or educational webinars, to capture leads’ contact information. Nurture those leads through regular email communication, providing additional value and showcasing your expertise. Offer introductory sessions, consultations, or free trials to convert leads into paying clients.

Providing Exceptional Customer Service to Retain Clients and Generate Referrals

Providing exceptional customer service is key to retaining clients and generating referrals. Ensure your clients feel valued, supported, and motivated throughout their fitness journey.

Offer personalized training programs, regular progress tracking, and frequent communication to demonstrate your commitment to their success. Encourage client feedback and testimonials to showcase the results and satisfaction of your clients. Word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied clients are one of your most powerful marketing tools.

Implementing Systems and Processes to Streamline Operations and Improve Efficiency

Efficient operations are essential for running a successful personal training business. Implement systems and processes that streamline administrative tasks, client management, and scheduling.

Utilize client management software to track client progress, schedule appointments, and send reminders. Automate email marketing campaigns to nurture leads and engage with clients. Consider outsourcing tasks like accounting or social media management to free up your time for client-focused activities.

Managing Finances and Tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Effective financial management is crucial for the long-term success of your personal training business. Track key financial metrics such as revenue, expenses, profitability, and cash flow to identify areas for improvement.

Consider hiring a professional accountant or utilizing accounting software to ensure accurate bookkeeping and compliance. Regularly review your financial performance against your goals and make necessary adjustments to stay on track.

Developing a Growth Strategy for Scaling Your Personal Training Business

Once your personal training business is thriving, it’s essential to develop a growth strategy to maximize its potential. Assess opportunities for expansion, such as adding additional trainers, offering specialized programs, or opening new locations.

Set new goals, revise marketing strategies, and invest in continuous professional development to stay ahead of industry trends. Explore the potential of online training, group classes, corporate wellness programs, or partnerships with corporate gyms to expand your reach and client base.

Staying Up-to-Date with Industry Trends and Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

The fitness industry is constantly evolving, with new trends, techniques, and research emerging regularly. Stay updated with the latest industry developments and continuously invest in your own professional development.

Attend industry conferences, seminars, and webinars. Read industry publications, books, and research papers. Pursue additional certifications or specialized training programs to enhance your expertise and stay competitive in the market.

Assessing the Success of Your Personal Trainer Business Plan and Making Adjustments as Needed

Regularly assess the success of your personal trainer business plan and make necessary adjustments to align with changing market dynamics and business goals.

Review your financial performance, client feedback, and marketing efforts to identify areas of improvement. Stay open to feedback and adapt your strategies accordingly. Regularly revisit and update your business plan to reflect your growth and new opportunities.

Congratulations! You’ve completed our comprehensive guide on creating a successful personal trainer business plan. By following these steps and implementing the strategies discussed, you’ll be well on your way to building a thriving and profitable personal training business. Remember to stay focused, persevere through challenges, and always prioritize the needs and goals of your clients.

How do I write a business plan for a personal trainer?

To write a business plan for a personal trainer:

• Executive Summary: Outline your business concept, fitness philosophy, and goals.
• Market Analysis: Research your target market, competition, and fitness trends.
• Services and Pricing: Detail the training services you offer and pricing structure.
• Marketing Strategy: Describe how you plan to attract and retain clients.
• Operational Plan: Include how you will operate your business, equipment needs, and any staff requirements.
• Financial Plan: Provide projected income, expenses, and profitability.

How do I make a personal trainer plan?

To make a personal trainer plan:

• Identify Client Goals: Understand what each client aims to achieve.
• Assess Fitness Levels: Conduct initial assessments to tailor the plan.
• Create Custom Workouts: Design workouts that are effective and engaging.
• Nutrition Advice: Offer nutritional guidance if qualified.
• Progress Tracking: Include methods for monitoring client progress.
• How to Design Workout Plans for Clients
• Fitness and Diet Plan Templates to Use with Clients
• Best Personal Trainer Client Tracking Apps

How do you structure a PT business?

Structure a PT business by:

• Business Model: Decide if you’ll work independently, with a gym, or online.
• Services Offered: Determine what types of training and additional services you will provide.
• Pricing Structure: Establish your rates for different services.
• Marketing: Develop a strategy to attract clients.
• Operations: Plan your daily business operations, including scheduling and client management.

Should personal trainers have an LLC?

Personal trainers should consider forming an LLC (Limited Liability Company) for personal asset protection, potential tax benefits, and increased professionalism. It separates personal and business liabilities.

How to make 6 figures as a personal trainer?

To make six figures as a personal trainer:

• Specialize: Offer specialized training or services that can command higher rates.
• Build a Client Base: Focus on client retention and referrals.
• Expand Offerings: Consider online training, group classes, or creating digital products.
• Market Effectively: Utilize digital marketing and networking to attract high-paying clients.
• Continual Education: Keep upskilling to offer the latest and most effective training methods.

Read More: How can I make 6 figures as a personal trainer?

How do I sell myself as a personal trainer?

Sell yourself as a personal trainer by:

• Showcasing Your Expertise: Share your knowledge and successes on social media and in client interactions.
• Personal Branding: Develop a strong personal brand that reflects your training style and philosophy.
• Networking: Build relationships within the fitness community and with potential clients.
• Client Testimonials: Use testimonials and success stories to demonstrate your impact.
• Professional Presence: Maintain a professional online presence and high-quality promotional materials.

How much do personal trainers charge for a workout plan?

Personal trainers typically charge between $50 to $150 or more for a workout plan, depending on the plan’s complexity, customization, and their expertise. Online or template plans may be priced lower.

Read More: How Much to Charge for a Workout Plan

Should I use my name for my personal training business?

Using your name for your personal training business can be effective for personal branding, especially if you aim to build a reputation based on your personal expertise and training style. It can also add a personal touch to your business.

How do you write a business plan for a gym?

Writing a business plan for a gym involves outlining your business concept, conducting market research, detailing the gym’s services and pricing, creating a marketing and operational plan, and providing a financial projection including startup costs and revenue forecasts.

Read More: How to Write a Business Plan for a Gym

What is the purpose of a business plan for a personal trainer?

The purpose of a business plan for a personal trainer is to outline clear business objectives, strategies for achieving them, understand the market and competition, and provide a roadmap for business growth and financial stability.

What is a good mission statement for a personal trainer?

A good mission statement for a personal trainer might be: “To empower clients to achieve their fitness goals through personalized, effective, and sustainable training programs, while fostering a supportive and motivating environment.”

Read More: Best Personal Trainer Mission Statements

How can Exercise.com help me run a personal training business?

Exercise.com can help run a personal training business by providing comprehensive software solutions for client management, workout programming, scheduling, progress tracking, and billing. Its platform streamlines administrative tasks, enhances client engagement, and provides tools for managing and growing your personal training business effectively.

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Personal trainer business plan template

After deciding to launch your personal training business, your next step is to begin writing your business plan. A business plan is an excellent tool to ke

After deciding to launch your personal training business, your next step is to begin writing your business plan. A business plan is an excellent tool to keep you organised, help you avoid mistakes both in the present and down the line, and brings together all the parts of your business to make it succeed. While you will likely make several amendments to your business plan as your business grows, having a solid document with all of your goals and the strategies you want to execute will help you successfully get your personal training business up and running.

To assist you in creating your business plan we have provided you with a template and business plan examples of everything your document should include, what information to cover in each section, and what your business plan can help you achieve. Let's get started.

What is a business plan?

First things first, a business plan is a written document, typically 10-20 pages (depending on your business and how in-depth you go) that details everything one needs to know about your business. It should define your objectives, your business goals, and how you plan to achieve them - meaning how you will grow your business and in what ways.

Essentially it is the roadmap of your business and should clearly detail and state logistics as well as marketing, financial, and operational strategies and forecasts. Although business plans are unique to every business, there is a set structure you can follow to create your own and make it understandable to anyone reading your document.

Why is a business plan important for my personal training business?

Aside from being the document that you will follow to stay on track to achieve your goals, business plans also serve several other important purposes. A well-written business plan can help you attract investments and build your credibility.

When applying for a grant or loan or any type of financial support, often time the body providing you with the funds will ask for a business plan to verify your legitimacy. Business plans can also help you analyse gaps in your business, where you need to improve, and what things you may need to revisit as your business grows.

It's not only good practice to write a business plan, but it also serves as a way to set yourself apart from your competition and show your audience and potential clients how professional you are.

If you have already launched your business without a business plan, don't worry, there is still time to make one. Using our template you can create a strong plan that will establish your business and set you up for success.

The fine details: what to include in your business plan

Although you might be thinking right now, that writing a business plan will be boring, challenging, and that other PT businesses in your area probably already cover a lot of what you will include in your plan, you'd find it interesting to know that business plans are usually never identical because no two businesses are exactly the same, even if it might seem that way. This is why being as specific as possible and clearly detailing what your business is, what it offers, and to who is extremely important. In your business plan you must include the following topics:

• Executive summary

Mission statement

Industry analysis, competitor analysis, customer analysis.

• Marketing plan and analysis

Products and services

Financial plan, facility and location, management team.

These fundamental elements will help shape your plan and provide the exact details and strategies to start your personal training business off on the right track. While you might not have certain elements yet or are still considering whether or not to include certain elements in your personal training business for example a management team or purchase of your own facility, that's no problem. Including details such as your hopes and ideas for your business in the future or why your business will not cover certain areas should still be mentioned in your business plan. This will help give readers a big picture idea of your business and the possibilities for future growth and expansion.

Executive Summary

The first section of your business plan is your executive summary, or a synopsis of your business plan and what the reader of your plan can expect to learn from reading it. Your executive summary should have at least two to three sentences on each of the topics in your business plan, with a clear statement about your financial projections, who your ideal client is, and what you plan to achieve.

A great executive summary will hook your readers and motivate them to continue reading. A poorly executed executive summary will discourage the reader from reading more and leave a poor first impression of your business. Your executive summary should tie together all the following points you will cover in your entire plan and it must be concise and straightforward.

One of the first things an investor or reader of your business plan will look for in your executive summary is your mission statement. The purpose of a mission statement is to state your business's values, what you will achieve, and how you will achieve it. No matter whether you are launching your fitness business as a sole owner or plan to grow an entire company, having a mission statement that is very clear and sharp will let your audience know exactly what your business is all about.

For example, TeamUp's mission statement is:

We empower fitness businesses and their customers by providing the best management software for fitness studios, boxes, and gyms.

Don't worry too much about having the perfect language. The important part is to make sure your reader understands exactly who you serve and how you intend to meet their needs.

The industry analysis section of your business plan explains the positive relativity your new business has to other similar products and services in your industry. In this section, you will give a brief overview of the fitness industry, specifically the personal training industry with a brief history and why this industry exists. You can expand this section with popular trends, common needs in this industry, and how your personal training business would stand out. Use factual data and industry research to support your position and take this opportunity to show you really know what you're talking about as a new business owner entering a very popular sector.

In the competitor analysis, you will provide a more concrete explanation of how your business will differ from other competitors in your marketplace. You should use data and research you have done on your competitors to make factual statements, rather than assumptions, even though you might not know exactly what your competitors are doing differently. You should list out some immediate competitors in your area, their strengths and weaknesses and how you compare, what your business's role will be in the immediate marketplace, and give concrete examples of what you will do differently.

The customer analysis section of your business plan covers who your ideal client is and why your services cover their needs. Being specific in their identification, their demographic, where they are located, and how they spend their disposable income, will help you learn who your ideal client is and how you can attract their business. You should use similar traits and behaviours to describe why that type of person is your ideal client and why your type of service is the best fit for their needs. You can use your details to create realistic profiles for various ideal clients so that investors and your readers can get a great sense of who the exact person you will target is.  

Marketing strategy and sales forecast

In the marketing plan and sales forecast section, you will address how you will attract clients and clients to your personal training business. You will detail your strategies to enter the market and how you intend to grow and target clients to join your business. Your marketing strategy and plan will evolve over time and you will need to update them whenever you are emerging or entering into new markets. But in your initial plan, you should describe what you will do to earn your first clients, how you will communicate, market, and advertise your services, and who your clients would be.

In this section you should also use market trends and data to support how doing those strategies and methods will earn your clients and what your forecasted earnings will be once you have these clients, going as far as to forecast the next five to ten years.

The products and services section of your business plan is where you will describe what you are offering as a personal trainer and personal training business and why. Are you providing small group training , private one to one appointments , plan on teaching group classes, or a combination of all the above? When you know what services you intend to offer you need to clearly explain what they entail and how they are a benefit to your clients.

If you sell any additional merchandise or programming, you need to be specific as to why that is important to your business and offering. If are interested in offering products or services for example online classes and online one-on-one personal training services, nutrition programs, or on-demand content , you should make mention of these in this section and your plan for including these services and products in your offering.

In this section, you should also discuss how you plan to deliver these services to your clients. Will you focus primarily in-person, online, or both? Will you invest in personal training software to provide your clients with an easy to use booking and membership experience? These details help your reader and potential investors understand the customer experience you plan to execute beyond the product or service itself.

Your financial plan is one of the most important parts of your business plan. It is in this section that you will detail how much you expect to both charge and earn for your services as a business and personal trainer. You will also identify how much you intend to spend, if you receive funding what you intend to spend it on for example coaching salaries and perhaps, personal training software , how much you expect to make, and why potential investors should invest in your business. Your financial plan will give both you and the readers of your business plan an expectation and forecast of your profitability both in the present and in the future. Include your budget and what additional costs related to marketing, operations, development and expenditures you foresee your business having.

The facility and location section of your business plan is where you will state where your business will operate. Do you want to open your own gym or studio or rent space from an existing facility or run your training outdoors? Knowing the exact location or type of location where you will run your business is a very important part of 1, assessing your risk and how much insurance you will need and 2, assessing the cost you will incur from rent or a mortgage.

Being as specific in this as possible for the first and second-year stages of your business will help you readers and potential investors understand how you will grow in a specific area or region. Even if you plan to run your business online, taking into account where you will run your online training from and the very specific locations where your clients will be able to train with you is necessary information to include in this section.

The management team section of your business plan is where you will discuss any team members or staff you plan to have when starting a personal training business. Even if you plan to start your business as the only management team member, you can include any plans you have to grow your team in the future or plans to remain a sole trader. You should include fine details such as salary amount, how you will pay and train staff, and how each member of your team or staff will operate, meaning what role they would fulfil, for example, three coaches, one finance manager, one receptionist.

If you are running your personal training business online, you could also include where your management team members might be located or where you plan to have them located if you plan to recruit from a specific area or region.

Start your personal training business plan

While starting your personal training business and writing your business plan might seem like a challenge now, you have all the tools and resources you need to be successful. The rewards for your professionalism, preparedness, and entry into the fitness market will be much greater when you have taken the proper steps to launch your business the right way with a detailed, informed, and solid plan to guide you.

How profitable is a personal training business?

The average amount an entry-level PT can expect to make is $16.70 per hour which equates to about $34,000 per year. But the average income for trainers as a whole is closer to $42,000 per year, with the top 10 percent making in excess of $76,000.

How much do you need to start up a personal training business?

Start-up costs for personal training businesses vary from business to business, but they don't have to start off steep. Getting certified can cost anywhere between $500—$2000. Investing in liability insurance should cost between $200—$300 per year, and factoring in about $1,000 for an initial marketing strategy is also sensible. Should you decide to invest in your own space, rented or owned, that depends entirely on your location and the size of the space you want. If you need assistance earning funds to start your personal training business, check out our guide on applying for business grants for personal trainers .

Once your business plan is written and you're ready to take the next steps towards launching your personal training business, start by signing up for our free trial .

Thanks for reading!

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Personal Training Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Are you looking to start your own personal training business but feel overwhelmed by the amount of information you need to get started? With The #1 Personal Training Business Plan Template & Guidebook, you can rest assured that you have everything you need in one place. This comprehensive guidebook provides a detailed step-by-step template that explains exactly what is required to create an effective business plan and helps you to develop a successful personal training business. Read on to find out how this template and guidebook can give you a head start in your entrepreneurial journey.

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• How to Start a Profitable Personal Training Business [11 Steps]
• 10+ Best & Profitable Personal Training Business Ideas [2023]

How to Write a Personal Training Business Plan in 7 Steps:

1. describe the purpose of your personal training business..

The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your personal training business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers’ problems. It also helps you identify what makes your business different from others in its industry.

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

Here is an example of a purpose mission statement for a personal training business:

Our mission at [Name of Personal Training Business] is to empower individuals to reach their health and fitness goals through tailored personal training sessions designed to provide an effective, safe, and holistic approach to physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.

2. Products & Services Offered by Your Personal Training Business.

The next step is to outline your products and services for your personal training business. 

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is my business?
• What are the products and/or services that I offer?
• Why am I offering these particular products and/or services?
• How do I differentiate myself from competitors with similar offerings?
• How will I market my products and services?

You may want to do a comparison of your business plan against those of other competitors in the area, or even with online reviews. This way, you can find out what people like about them and what they don’t like, so that you can either improve upon their offerings or avoid doing so altogether.

3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your personal training business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

A good marketing plan for your personal training business includes the following elements:

Target market

• Who is your target market?
• What do these customers have in common?
• How many of them are there?
• How can you best reach them with your message or product?

Customer base 

• Who are your current customers? 
• Where did they come from (i.e., referrals)?
• How can their experience with your personal training business help make them repeat customers, consumers, visitors, subscribers, or advocates for other people in their network or industry who might also benefit from using this service, product, or brand?

Product or service description

• How does it work, what features does it have, and what are its benefits?
• Can anyone use this product or service regardless of age or gender?
• Can anyone visually see themselves using this product or service?
• How will they feel when they do so? If so, how long will the feeling last after purchasing (or trying) the product/service for the first time?

Competitive analysis

• Which companies are competing with yours today (and why)? 
• Which ones may enter into competition with yours tomorrow if they find out about it now through word-of-mouth advertising; social media networks; friends' recommendations; etc.)
• What specific advantages does each competitor offer over yours currently?

Marketing channels

• Which marketing channel do you intend to leverage to attract new customers?
• What is your estimated marketing budget needed?
• What is the projected cost to acquire a new customer?
• How many of your customers do you instead will return?

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4. Write Your Operational Plan.

Next, you'll need to build your operational plan. This section describes the type of business you'll be running, and includes the steps involved in your operations. 

In it, you should list:

• The equipment and facilities needed
• Who will be involved in the business (employees, contractors)
• Financial requirements for each step
• Milestones & KPIs
• Location of your business
• Zoning & permits required for the business

What equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a personal training business?

• A valid personal training certification
• Fitness Equipment (free weights, benches, resistance bands, exercise balls, etc.)
• Access to a gym or an area suitable for exercising
• Business License or Permit (if required by local authorities)
• Accounting and Financial Software
• Marketing Materials (business cards, flyers, website)

5. Management & Organization of Your Personal Training Business.

The second part of your personal training business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

This section will cover all of the following:

• How many employees you need in order to run your personal training business. This should include the roles they will play (for example, one person may be responsible for managing administrative duties while another might be in charge of customer service).
• The structure of your management team. The higher-ups like yourself should be able to delegate tasks through lower-level managers who are directly responsible for their given department (inventory and sales, etc.).
• How you’re going to make sure that everyone on board is doing their job well. You’ll want check-ins with employees regularly so they have time to ask questions or voice concerns if needed; this also gives you time to offer support where necessary while staying informed on how things are going within individual departments too!

6. Personal Training Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

This section should be broken down by month and year. If you are still in the planning stage of your business, it may be helpful to estimate how much money will be needed each month until you reach profitability.

Typically, expenses for your business can be broken into a few basic categories:

Startup Costs

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a personal training business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a personal training business.

Running & Operating Costs

Running costs refer to ongoing expenses related directly with operating your business over time like electricity bills or salaries paid out each month. These types of expenses will vary greatly depending on multiple variables such as location, team size, utility costs, etc.

Marketing & Sales Expenses

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your personal training business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

A financial plan is an important part of any business plan, as it outlines how the business will generate revenue and profit, and how it will use that profit to grow and sustain itself. To devise a financial plan for your personal training business, you will need to consider a number of factors, including your start-up costs, operating costs, projected revenue, and expenses. 

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your personal training business plan:

• Determine your start-up costs: This will include the cost of purchasing or leasing the space where you will operate your business, as well as the cost of buying or leasing any equipment or supplies that you need to start the business.
• Estimate your operating costs: Operating costs will include utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as labor costs for employees, if any, and the cost of purchasing any materials or supplies that you will need to run your business.
• Project your revenue: To project your revenue, you will need to consider the number of customers you expect to have and the average amount they will spend on each visit. You can use this information to estimate how much money you will make from selling your products or services.
• Estimate your expenses: In addition to your operating costs, you will need to consider other expenses, such as insurance, marketing, and maintenance. You will also need to set aside money for taxes and other fees.
• Create a budget: Once you have estimated your start-up costs, operating costs, revenue, and expenses, you can use this information to create a budget for your business. This will help you to see how much money you will need to start the business, and how much profit you can expect to make.
• Develop a plan for using your profit: Finally, you will need to decide how you will use your profit to grow and sustain your business. This might include investing in new equipment, expanding the business, or saving for a rainy day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Training Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a personal training business.

A business plan is essential for any business as it helps to define the company’s goals, target markets, services, and expected growth. It also gives potential investors and partners an overview of how the business is structured, how it plans to make money, and how it will achieve its goals. For a personal training business, a business plan will outline the services offered, the target demographic, the financial plan and marketing strategies. It will also provide information on competitors in the area and ways to differentiate from them.

Who should you ask for help with your personal training business plan?

You should ask a business advisor, an accountant, and/or a mentor with experience in personal training for advice on how to create an effective business plan. Additionally, there are many online resources available that can help you develop your plan.

Can you write a personal training business plan yourself?

Yes, you can write a personal training business plan yourself. Writing a business plan is an important step in starting any type of business. It allows entrepreneurs to map out the process of setting up the business, establishing the goals and objectives, securing funding, and managing the day-to-day operations. The process will include researching and analyzing the local market and industry trends, outlining a marketing strategy, estimating startup costs and defining operational processes. A personal training business plan should include an executive summary, company overview, service offerings, target market analysis, competitive analysis, sales & marketing strategy, operations & management information, financial analysis & projections and conclusion & appendices.

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I'm Nick, co-founder of newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. As a small business owner with over five years of experience, I have garnered valuable knowledge and insights across a diverse range of industries. My passion for entrepreneurship drives me to share my expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs, empowering them to turn their business dreams into reality.

Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, I uncover the essential steps, software, tools, and costs associated with launching and maintaining a successful business. By demystifying the complexities of entrepreneurship, I provide the guidance and support needed for others to embark on their journey with confidence.

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How to Write a Business Plan for Personal Trainers

Reading Time: 5 minutes 57 seconds

DATE: 2020-11-04

Many fitness professionals operate without a business plan. This is partly because writing this type of plan takes time. And in the fitness industry, if you aren't in the gym training clients, you aren't getting paid. This may lead you to operate your personal training business without a plan as well. But is that really a good idea?

Do You Need a Business Plan as a Personal Trainer?

If you provide personal training services as a hobby, you can probably get by without a business plan. You're not reliant on the success of your side venture, so creating a detailed plan as to how it will operate isn't as necessary. Conversely, if you want to make a career out of personal training, there are many benefits to sitting down and writing out a business plan.

For instance, if you want to become a gym owner, it could cost you anywhere from $65,000 for a modest gym up to $1 million if you want a gym loaded with every amenity possible. Where will you get the capital to build your gym? If your answer is "from investors," you will need a business plan to convince them that your gym business is worth the investment.

Or maybe you want to build and grow an online personal training business. Creating a business plan helps you become crystal clear on what your virtual company needs in order to operate smoothly. It provides a detailed budget, marketing plan, and a thorough look at your competition. All of this will help you position your online personal training company for maximum success.

Other benefits of writing a personal training business plan include:

A clearer understanding of what the future looks like for your fitness business, and how to get there

A list of all the people needed to build and grow your training business, such as other trainers, legal counsel, business insurance providers, and other business partners

A plan for how you will monitor your business's success, ensuring that you continue to progress forward

Realizing how to stand out from your competition , making your training services more in demand

Understanding Your Business Plan Options

There are two basic business plan formats. They are a traditional business plan and a lean startup business plan .

What's the Difference?

A traditional business plan is more comprehensive. That makes this a good option for a personal trainer who thrives on detail. It's also helpful if you're a new business owner and want to ensure that you've addressed all issues when building and growing your company.

Traditional Business Plan

The nine sections in a traditional business plan are:

Executive summary . This is where you state your mission statement and provide basic information about your personal trainer business. It is essentially an overview of what your business looks like.

Business description . In this section, you'll give more detail about your training business. You will explain the problems you solve as a personal fitness trainer. Depending on your specialty, this could be helping clients with weight loss, improving senior fitness , or designing fitness programs for youth.

Market analysis . How does your personal training business compare to others in the field? What does it take to become a successful personal trainer? What must you do to appeal to a new client?

Business structure . This section explains both the legal structure of your training business and the structure of your company internally. You must decide whether you're going solo or if you want to hire employees.

Service and product offerings . Typically, a personal trainer business provides a service. But maybe you want to offer your clients products as well. In this section, you will share your plan for what these services and products look like.

Marketing strategy . Here you will explain how you plan to find and appeal to a potential client. Will you buy social media ads or send out mailers? You'll also include what you'll do to retain your clients long term.

Funding needs . If you need capital to start your personal training business, this is where you'll outline this information. Provide the costs related to building or growing your gym or fitness studio. Be specific about how much money you need, as well as where you plan to spend it.

Financial projections . What is your financial plan for the next five years? Don't forget to consider your reoccurring cash flow needs, such as utilities and gym equipment maintenance.

Appendix . This final section includes any supporting documentation for your personal trainer business plan. If you're seeking funding, you might include a credit report and project price quotes. Other items to consider include building permits, a copy of your personal trainer certification , and vendor contracts. If you've been acting as a personal trainer already, provide your past financial statements as proof of your business's financial health.

Lean Startup Business Plan

Because a traditional business plan is so lengthy, some fitness professionals opt for a shorter, less comprehensive plan. This is where the lean startup format comes into play. Creating a lean plan is often enough for someone who wants to provide personal training services solo. This type of plan also enables you to begin providing personal training services fairly quickly.

Like with a traditional plan, the lean format also has nine basic components. The difference is that they can be outlined more briefly. In some cases, you may be able to get by with a bullet list of that section's information. These nine components are:

Key partnerships. The suppliers or vendors you will be working with as you build and grow your fitness business.

Key activities. The actions you will take to bring in new clients; your personal trainer marketing plan.

Key resources. Your business assets, whether financial or people-related, like having staff.

Value proposition. The things that set your business part; how you are unique.

Customer relationships. How you plan to communicate with your clients. What your customer service looks like.

Your ideal client. Identify your target market. Do you want to provide fitness advice to people who've had a stroke ? Would you rather work with young athletes who play a particular sport?

Communication channels. What methods will you use to connect with your client base? Social media? Email marketing ? Some other method?

Costs. List the costs associated with creating a successful training business. When providing training services, will you offer any discounted pricing? Conversely, what are some ways you can increase your value to your target audience?

Revenue streams. How do you plan to make money? Solely by providing personal training services or by selling products too? You can also share your pricing strategy here.

Filling out these sections does require that you take some time, but it is often quicker than providing the detail necessary to complete a traditional business plan.

Creating a solid personal trainer business plan can help you build a strong, profitable business. To make this plan more effective, you must get crystal clear on what you want your training business to look like.

If you're unsure, take a few moments to close your eyes and imagine your business when it is up and running. How big is it? How many personal training clients does it have? How does it help them improve their fitness? What are you doing to run the business? Do you have staff? If so, how many? The more you can envision your goal business, the easier it is to create a personal training business plan that supports this vision.

Even though you now know all of the elements of a good gym business plan, it sometimes helps to work off an outline. Many online sites provide an easy-to-use business plan template. All you have to do is download it, input the requested information, and you're good to go.

Review Your Personal Training Business Plan Regularly

A fitness business plan isn't something you write up and file away never to look at again. Reviewing it regularly helps you identify if you need to strengthen certain aspects of your training business to reach higher levels of success.

Taking the time to write and review your business plan also helps you get and stay on your desired path. It provides guidance as you build and grow your personal training business.

Another way to take your business to the next level is to obtain additional certifications. For instance, the ISSA offers Certified Gute Specialist certification , Corrective Exercise certification , and Bodybuilding certification . Gaining more credentials tells potential customers that you have the education necessary to help them achieve their fitness goal!

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The Perfect Personal Trainer Business Plan and How to Make It

• February 12, 2023
• For Gym Owners

When running a business as a personal trainer it’s important to have a plan in place . This plan will guide your decisions in every aspect of your business, including your services and products, and cost and income management.

Without a plan, your business will be limited to what you can accomplish each day. If you’re seeking finance or investments, you’ll need a detailed business plan. Any lender would require this before even thinking of lending your business money.

To successfully create a personal trainer business plan, you need to have a clear vision for what your business’s future will be. Here are eight steps to help you build and accomplish your personal trainer business plan.

Executive Summary

This is your opportunity to share the proposed identity of your business. Start with your mission statement, which explains what your personal trainer business will accomplish. This should be condensed into a well-thought-out single sentence.

To make your business stand out from the rest, you must clarify what makes your business different. You can do this with two things.

• Core values.
• Training philosophy

Each of these points relates to you as a person. Core values – what you personally believe in. Training philosophy – your training method and beliefs. When you answer those two questions, customers will understand the value your business holds. Then your brand can do the marketing for you.

Once you’ve settled on a mission statement your executive summary should include the following:

• Your fitness specialty.
• Who your customers will be.
• Location of operation.
• Basic financial information.

Competition Analysis

Now you need to get a grasp of the personal training market. You need to analyze your local area as well as national personal training trends. Compare your personal training business to others in your area. What is the competition doing that’s successful? How are they attracting and keeping clients? How can your personal training services be a step above the rest ?

Having good competition analysis shows your expertise in the personal training industry. It helps you stay up to date on your business’s target market. It can also give you ideas and methods of how to improve your business.

To get a feel for your local area market, search for local gyms and fitness centers. Check out their websites, and even visit them in person. Understand what customers want by talking to local gym enthusiasts.

For a national analysis, social media is a great tool. Connect with customers as well as fellow personal trainers.

The competition analysis should include the following points:

• Who is the competition.
• Competitors’ strengths and weaknesses.
• What they provide to customers.
• Competitors’ marketing strategies.
• What makes your business different from theirs?
• How you can capture the market share.

Customer Analysis

In your personal trainer business plan, you need to include what your target market is. It’s important to be detailed. Don’t say you’re simply going after “gym-goers.” Your target market is who your ideal customer will be. They should reflect the services you’ve stated in your executive summary.

Include information on your local demographic, such as population size and age ranges. You can also include what it is that drives your customers. Discover what motivates them, the ways they like to work out and why they would need a personal trainer. This is vital information for you to use in the marketing and operational portions of your personal trainer business plan.

You can go after a certain niche but, don’t limit yourself to working only in those market parameters. Pursuing a certain target market shows your ability to see gaps in market coverage and fill them.

State What It Is That You Offer

As a standard, a personal trainer business will provide a certain service . However, you may want to provide your customers with products as well. In this section, you will highlight what your services and or products will be.

This step is vital. Many personal trainers miss opportunities to expand their revenue. This can happen by not thinking thoroughly about what you will offer and sell. In your business plan, you need to be specific about what the product will be, who will buy it, how it will be delivered, and what benefit it brings the customer.

Good questions to ask yourself are: How will you deliver your service? Will your training sessions be one on one or will you do small group classes? Could you supplement your income through online personal training sessions ?

As a personal trainer, be careful not to overload yourself with too many services. Start with one or two revenue streams and see how they progress. It may be that one provides enough income to warrant more attention, while another may not be worth the time required.  

The sales plan is your opportunity to outline how you will make sales and how many you expect. This section should have the following:

• The number of sessions you will provide each week.
• The cost of each session.
• Will you provide any discounts? Such as for clients who buy sessions in bulk. Or people who refer friends to the business.

This information can give you insight into how much revenue to expect each week or month.

Creating your sales plan will provide you your costs as well as industry standards. This can help you set a session price that is profitable but competitive.

If in your business plan, you will sell products you’ll need to include the companies from which you’ll source your products. Provide an inventory list of what you’ll need to execute your plan.

Get more bookings with the right tool for the job

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Trafft is the perfect personal trainer software for business owners who need to streamline their booking experience both for their staff and their clients.

Trafft handles everything for you, even sending automated email or SMS reminders to your clients. No-shows? Not anymore!

The Trafft booking software adapts to different industries for a blissful online booking experience and employee management.

Want to know more? Check out Trafft’s awesome features to see what you are missing.

Operating Costs

When developing your business plan, you need to analyze your operating costs. This will include costs like rent, insurance, equipment, staff pay, and administrative fees. These all compile into your overhead cost and show you the minimum amount of income you need to keep your business open. Remember that taxes need to be calculated into your operating costs.

Now create your revenue projections by making a high-low chart, including one column for your worst-case scenario and one for your best.

The best-case scenario is your revenue projection if everything went right and you met or exceeded all expectations. The worst-case scenario would be the opposite. It would be the absolute minimum amount you would make.

In the operating costs of your personal training business plan, you need to explain and justify your prices. These need to be compared to those of your competition and demonstrate how they will fulfill market trends.

Another piece of information to include is your profit margins. You can calculate the margins per hour or month. If once you’ve completed your margins you’re not happy with them, go back and adjust your sales plan.

Advertising and Marketing Strategy

At this point in your personal training business plan, explain how you will attract your target clients. You must decide on what marketing avenues you’ll use. You also need to explain how you plan to keep the clients you attract.

As a personal trainer, you excel in fitness training and helping clients achieve their goals. However, if you don’t develop and follow a detailed marketing plan your personal training business won’t last long.

Avenues of marketing:

• Active social media presence.
• Using referrals to encourage word-of-mouth marketing.
• Using PPC adverts on Google (You can check the best PPC companies to get some help with this)
• Advertising in your local gym or fitness center.
• Adding your Google My Business listing.
• Advertising in local office buildings or other places where your target customers gather.

A common facet among profitable businesses is most of their budget goes to advertising and marketing strategies. The same goes for your personal training business. A consistent stream of new clients is what you’re after.

How Your Business Will Operate

In this section of your personal trainer business plan, you will provide details on where your business will operate, such as the physical location, facilities required to provide your services, and any suppliers if you’re regularly buying software or equipment.

This information needs to be as detailed as possible. It can let you know if you’re missing anything. Describe the following points:

• The number of sessions and when they will be completed.
• Session location.
• How you will monitor clients’ progress.
• Will you provide any amenities to your clients (water, etc.)?
• Client payment processes.
• How will you manage client bookings?
• Will you hire additional staff? How will they be organized?
• Are any certificates or licenses required to start your business?

Financial Plan

As a personal trainer, your business plan needs to include a financial plan. If you wish to seek investments, this section will provide insight for potential investors.

Things to include:

• Startup costs.
• Operating costs.
• Expected revenue.
• Break-even analysis.

These will provide you with what your business requires to stay afloat and financially viable. This will show if you need to make any changes to your personal trainer business plan, whether you need to adjust session prices, or lower costs.

Personal trainer business plan templates

You can also use some already made templates that you can edit:

• Free plan by moreBusiness
• Free plan by Hezha Muhammad

FAQs about personal trainer business plan

1. what should be included in a personal trainer business plan.

An overview of your business objectives, a description of your target market, a pricing strategy, a list of your competitors, financial predictions, and a staffing plan should all be included in a personal trainer business plan. It should also include a thorough explanation of the tools you employ and the services you provide.

2. How do I determine my target market as a personal trainer?

As a personal trainer, take into account variables like age , gender, fitness aspirations, and geography to define your target market. You could also want to take your target clients’ lifestyles and income levels into account. You can gain a better understanding of your potential customer’s wants and preferences by conducting market research and polling them.

3. What are some effective marketing strategies for a personal trainer business?

One of the best ways to market a personal trainer business is to establish a strong online presence on social media and a website, run sales and promotions to draw in new customers , network with other fitness industry experts, and offer top-notch client service to encourage positive word-of-mouth recommendations.

4. How do I set pricing for my personal training services?

Consider aspects including your level of expertise, the services you provide, local competition, and the income range of your target market when determining the price for your personal training services . Other pricing options, such as discounts for several sessions or monthly memberships, might be something you want to consider.

5. What are the startup costs for a personal trainer business?

The initial investment needed to launch a personal training business might vary depending on the business’s location, available equipment, and marketing costs. Gym rental fees, equipment purchases, insurance, and marketing charges like website design and social media advertisements are a few examples of typical startup costs.

6. What kind of insurance do I need for my personal trainer business?

To safeguard themselves against any injuries or losses that may occur during a training session, personal trainers should think about purchasing liability insurance. Other insurance choices could be disability insurance to cover any potential work-related accidents, as well as property insurance to safeguard any equipment you possess.

7. How do I create a financial projection for my personal trainer business?

Consider aspects like your operating costs, revenue sources, pricing, and marketing budget when putting together a financial forecast for your personal training firm. Based on market research and competitive analysis, predict your costs and prospective income; then, if the market or industry changes, update your projections.

8. How can I differentiate myself from other personal trainers in the market?

Consider offering specialized services or qualifications, giving great customer service, concentrating on a particular niche or target market, or any combination of these to set yourself apart from other personal trainers in the industry. Think about your special skills and expertise and how you can use them to give your clients a better service.

9. What should be my staffing plan for a personal trainer business?

Your personal trainer business’s staffing strategy may be influenced by variables including the size of your company, the number of clients you have, and your growth projections. As your company expands, you might want to think about employing more trainers or administrative personnel to assist with running your daily operations.

10. What are some key performance indicators (KPIs) that I should track to measure the success of my personal trainer business?

Revenue growth, client retention rates, customer happiness, and social media engagement are some key performance indicators (KPIs) that you may wish to monitor to gauge the success of your personal training business. You may find areas for improvement and change your plan as necessary by monitoring these KPIs.

Ending thoughts on your personal trainer business plan

Your business plan is vital for you as a personal trainer. Even if you don’t seek outside investments, this plan will be a valuable reference tool for you. However, remember that no business plan is complete.

No business plan succeeds without any issues. Don’t get sidetracked by small details. Your business will be ever-changing. You as an owner will constantly have new ideas and avenues to pursue.

The goal of your business plan is to give you a vision of what your personal trainer business will be. Just as you as a personal trainer provide a guide for your clients, your business plan will do the same. As the business develops so will your business plan.

• Trafft Team

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• March 11, 2023

7 Funding Ideas to Help Start Your Business

I've had a lot of clients who are entrepreneurs. They come in excited about an idea they have for a small business and ask for advice on how to get funding to start it up. The first thing I do is tell them about my grandfather. That stops them for a minute, but it also ends up inspiring them. You see, my grandfather ran a successful small business. He was a gifted carpenter who went from teaching at a technical college to becoming the finest and most sought-after furniture maker in his city. I was proud of him for his unique skill, but also for the way he grew his business, making connections in the community and ultimately building wealth for his family. He opened doors for himself and for all of us.

I love that entrepreneurial spirit. And I recognize how important it is to our economy. Indeed,  small businesses generated 12.9 million net new jobs over the past 25 years, accounting for two out of every three jobs added to the economy, according to the Small Business Administration.

But as someone in the financial business, I also know it takes more than a good idea and a unique skill to get a small business off the ground. It takes research, planning—and yes, money—to get started.

So the second thing I may say to someone who wants to start their own business is: show me your plan. Have you researched your market? Do you know your competitors, both direct and indirect? What are the start-up costs? Will you need employees? How will you sustain your business if things get tough? Now let's say you've thought it through. You have the idea, the skill, and your plan of action. The next step is finding the cash.

Here are seven funding ideas to help start your business.

1. bootstrapping.

That means exactly what it sounds like—you fund it yourself. It turns out that over 70% of small business owners use personal savings to fund and grow their businesses, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. If you've planned ahead and saved up some seed money, great. But if you're eyeing your 401(k) or other retirement fund as a source of cash, think very carefully—and consider this a last resort. An early withdrawal from a tax-deferred account before age 59½ means you'll pay a 10% penalty on top of ordinary income taxes. Plus, you could even put your retirement at risk. Make sure you understand the potential consequences.

2. Friends and family

This could be a great opportunity to involve your inner circle with your success, and they typically will be your biggest fans. In fact, 38% of startups relied on friends and family over the past five years, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. But here again, a word of caution. Consider getting any financial agreements in writing. If it's a loan, spell out the terms (hopefully interest-free!) and how and when you'll pay it back. If it's an investment, consider making it clear there are no guarantees. You don't want money to tear apart your relationships.

3. SBA microloan

The U.S. Small Business Association offers a variety of loans, but most are geared toward more established small businesses. However, SBA microloans, loans of up to $50,000, could be an alternative to tapping into your IRA if you need a smaller amount for something like working capital, inventory, equipment, or a vehicle. These loans often support businesses operating in underserved communities, businesses of a certain size, or female-run businesses. SBA-backed loans offer a variety of benefits, including competitive terms and counseling and education. It's worth finding out if you qualify.

4. Business loan

An alternative to an SBA loan is a business loan from a bank. A bank loan will generally have more restrictions and will most likely require a personal guarantee. But if the terms are reasonable—and borrowing is part of your business plan—it could make sense.

5. Personal loan

If you have a strong personal credit history and low debt balances, you could be able to find a fixed-rate personal loan at a reasonable rate. But be sure to confirm you can use the loan for business. Also realize that if you miss payments or can't repay the loan, it will hurt your credit score.

6. Crowdfunding

Are you social media savvy? This could be a great way to get your idea out in the marketplace as well as get seed money. Crowdfunding platforms, like Kickstarter and GoFundMe, make it easy to launch your campaign and generate buzz about your business. But you can't just ask for the money; you may need to tell a compelling story. Plus, it could help if you can get your own network to share it far and wide. Crowdfunding typically doesn't need big donations—it needs a lot of donors!

7. Angel investor

This may well be every entrepreneur's dream, but the reality is that finding an angel investor could be unlikely as a startup. An established business may be more likely to attract funds from outside investors. Plus, having investors could mean giving up some control or ownership.

Follow your passion by being prepared.

For anyone who is talented, creative, and driven to make their small business work, I say go for it—but be prepared. Write down your business plan. Carefully consider how much funding you need and your best options for getting it. And be wary about borrowing more than you can pay back.

Last but not least, gather your own team of experts to help you. You may have the skill and the drive, but you may not have all the business expertise needed. Whether it's taxes, sales, marketing, or wherever you need help, consider finding someone who shares your passion but complements your skills. Sure, money is important to get your business off the ground. But, carefully thinking it through and having a support system could help you make it the success you envision.

The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decision.

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market conditions. Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

Examples provided are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be reflective of results you can expect to achieve.

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FACT SHEET: President   Biden Takes Action to Protect American Workers and Businesses from China’s Unfair Trade   Practices

President Biden’s economic plan is supporting investments and creating good jobs in key sectors that are vital for America’s economic future and national security. China’s unfair trade practices concerning technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation are threatening American businesses and workers. China is also flooding global markets with artificially low-priced exports. In response to China’s unfair trade practices and to counteract the resulting harms, today, President Biden is directing his Trade Representative to increase tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 on $18 billion of imports from China to protect American workers and businesses.   The Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda has already catalyzed more than $860 billion in business investments through smart, public incentives in industries of the future like electric vehicles (EVs), clean energy, and semiconductors. With support from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act, these investments are creating new American jobs in manufacturing and clean energy and helping communities that have been left behind make a comeback.   As President Biden says, American workers and businesses can outcompete anyone—as long as they have fair competition. But for too long, China’s government has used unfair, non-market practices. China’s forced technology transfers and intellectual property theft have contributed to its control of 70, 80, and even 90 percent of global production for the critical inputs necessary for our technologies, infrastructure, energy, and health care—creating unacceptable risks to America’s supply chains and economic security. Furthermore, these same non-market policies and practices contribute to China’s growing overcapacity and export surges that threaten to significantly harm American workers, businesses, and communities.   Today’s actions to counter China’s unfair trade practices are carefully targeted at strategic sectors—the same sectors where the United States is making historic investments under President Biden to create and sustain good-paying jobs—unlike recent proposals by Congressional Republicans that would threaten jobs and raise costs across the board. The previous administration’s trade deal with China  failed  to increase American exports or boost American manufacturing as it had promised. Under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, nearly 800,000 manufacturing jobs have been created and new factory construction has doubled after both fell under the previous administration, and the trade deficit with China is the lowest in a decade—lower than any year under the last administration.   We will continue to work with our partners around the world to strengthen cooperation to address shared concerns about China’s unfair practices—rather than undermining our alliances or applying indiscriminate 10 percent tariffs that raise prices on all imports from all countries, regardless whether they are engaged in unfair trade. The Biden-Harris Administration recognizes the benefits for our workers and businesses from strong alliances and a rules-based international trade system based on fair competition.   Following an in-depth review by the United States Trade Representative, President Biden is taking action to protect American workers and American companies from China’s unfair trade practices. To encourage China to eliminate its unfair trade practices regarding technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation, the President is directing increases in tariffs across strategic sectors such as steel and aluminum, semiconductors, electric vehicles, batteries, critical minerals, solar cells, ship-to-shore cranes, and medical products.   Steel and Aluminum   The tariff rate on certain steel and aluminum products under Section 301 will increase from 0–7.5% to 25% in 2024.   Steel is a vital sector for the American economy, and American companies are leading the future of clean steel. Recently, the Biden-Harris Administration announced $6 billion for 33 clean manufacturing projects including for steel and aluminum, including the first new primary aluminum smelter in four decades, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. These investments will make the United States one of the first nations in the world to convert clean hydrogen into clean steel, bolstering the U.S. steel industry’s competitiveness as the world’s cleanest major steel producer.   American workers continue to face unfair competition from China’s non-market overcapacity in steel and aluminum, which are among the world’s most carbon intensive. China’s policies and subsidies for their domestic steel and aluminum industries mean high-quality, low-emissions U.S. products are undercut by artificially low-priced Chinese alternatives produced with higher emissions. Today’s actions will shield the U.S. steel and aluminum industries from China’s unfair trade practices.   Semiconductors   The tariff rate on semiconductors will increase from 25% to 50% by 2025.   China’s policies in the legacy semiconductor sector have led to growing market share and rapid capacity expansion that risks driving out investment by market-driven firms. Over the next three to five years, China is expected to account for almost half of all new capacity coming online to manufacture certain legacy semiconductor wafers. During the pandemic, disruptions to the supply chain, including legacy chips, led to price spikes in a wide variety of products, including automobiles, consumer appliances, and medical devices, underscoring the risks of overreliance on a few markets.   Through the CHIPS and Science Act, President Biden is making a nearly $53 billion investment in American semiconductor manufacturing capacity, research, innovation, and workforce. This will help counteract decades of disinvestment and offshoring that has reduced the United States’ capacity to manufacture semiconductors domestically. The CHIPS and Science Act includes $39 billion in direct incentives to build, modernize, and expand semiconductor manufacturing fabrication facilities as well as a 25% investment tax credit for semiconductor companies. Raising the tariff rate on semiconductors is an important initial step to promote the sustainability of these investments.   Electric Vehicles (EVs)   The tariff rate on electric vehicles under Section 301 will increase from 25% to 100% in 2024.   With extensive subsidies and non-market practices leading to substantial risks of overcapacity, China’s exports of EVs grew by 70% from 2022 to 2023—jeopardizing productive investments elsewhere. A 100% tariff rate on EVs will protect American manufacturers from China’s unfair trade practices.   This action advances President Biden’s vision of ensuring the future of the auto industry will be made in America by American workers. As part of the President’s Investing in America agenda, the Administration is incentivizing the development of a robust EV market through business tax credits for manufacturing of batteries and production of critical minerals, consumer tax credits for EV adoption, smart standards, federal investments in EV charging infrastructure, and grants to supply EV and battery manufacturing. The increase in the tariff rate on electric vehicles will protect these investments and jobs from unfairly priced Chinese imports.   Batteries, Battery Components and Parts, and Critical Minerals   The tariff rate on lithium-ion EV batteries will increase from 7.5%% to 25% in 2024, while the tariff rate on lithium-ion non-EV batteries will increase from 7.5% to 25% in 2026. The tariff rate on battery parts will increase from 7.5% to 25% in 2024.   The tariff rate on natural graphite and permanent magnets will increase from zero to 25% in 2026. The tariff rate for certain other critical minerals will increase from zero to 25% in 2024.   Despite rapid and recent progress in U.S. onshoring, China currently controls over 80 percent of certain segments of the EV battery supply chain, particularly upstream nodes such as critical minerals mining, processing, and refining. Concentration of critical minerals mining and refining capacity in China leaves our supply chains vulnerable and our national security and clean energy goals at risk. In order to improve U.S. and global resiliency in these supply chains, President Biden has invested across the U.S. battery supply chain to build a sufficient domestic industrial base. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Defense Production Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act, the Biden-Harris Administration has invested nearly $20 billion in grants and loans to expand domestic production capacity of advanced batteries and battery materials. The Inflation Reduction Act also contains manufacturing tax credits to incentivize investment in battery and battery material production in the United States. The President has also established the American Battery Materials Initiative, which will mobilize an all-of-government approach to secure a dependable, robust supply chain for batteries and their inputs.   Solar Cells   The tariff rate on solar cells (whether or not assembled into modules) will increase from 25% to 50% in 2024.   The tariff increase will protect against China’s policy-driven overcapacity that depresses prices and inhibits the development of solar capacity outside of China. China has used unfair practices to dominate upwards of 80 to 90% of certain parts of the global solar supply chain, and is trying to maintain that status quo. Chinese policies and nonmarket practices are flooding global markets with artificially cheap solar modules and panels, undermining investment in solar manufacturing outside of China.   The Biden-Harris Administration has made historic investments in the U.S. solar supply chain, building on early U.S. government-enabled research and development that helped create solar cell technologies. The Inflation Reduction Act provides supply-side tax incentives for solar components, including polysilicon, wafers, cells, modules, and backsheet material, as well as tax credits and grant and loan programs supporting deployment of utility-scale and residential solar energy projects. As a result of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, solar manufacturers have already announced nearly $17 billion in planned investment under his Administration—an 8-fold increase in U.S. manufacturing capacity, enough to supply panels for millions of homes each year by 2030.   Ship-to-Shore Cranes   The tariff rate on ship-to-shore cranes will increase from 0% to 25% in 2024.   The Administration continues to deliver for the American people by rebuilding the United States’ industrial capacity to produce port cranes with trusted partners. A 25% tariff rate on ship-to-shore cranes will help protect U.S. manufacturers from China’s unfair trade practices that have led to excessive concentration in the market. Port cranes are essential pieces of infrastructure that enable the continuous movement and flow of critical goods to, from, and within the United States, and the Administration is taking action to mitigate risks that could disrupt American supply chains. This action also builds off of ongoing work to invest in U.S. port infrastructure through the President’s Investing in America Agenda. This port security initiative includes bringing port crane manufacturing capabilities back to the United States to support U.S. supply chain security and encourages ports across the country and around the world to use trusted vendors when sourcing cranes or other heavy equipment.   Medical Products   The tariff rates on syringes and needles will increase from 0% to 50% in 2024. For certain personal protective equipment (PPE), including certain respirators and face masks, the tariff rates will increase from 0–7.5% to 25% in 2024. Tariffs on rubber medical and surgical gloves will increase from 7.5% to 25% in 2026.   These tariff rate increases will help support and sustain a strong domestic industrial base for medical supplies that were essential to the COVID-19 pandemic response, and continue to be used daily in every hospital across the country to deliver essential care. The federal government and the private sector have made substantial investments to build domestic manufacturing for these and other medical products to ensure American health care workers and patients have access to critical medical products when they need them. American businesses are now struggling to compete with underpriced Chinese-made supplies dumped on the market, sometimes of such poor quality that they may raise safety concerns for health care workers and patients.   Today’s announcement reflects President Biden’s commitment to always have the back of American workers. When faced with anticompetitive, unfair practices from abroad, the President will deploy any and all tools necessary to protect American workers and industry.  

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Loudoun Co. parents raise concerns about 10 a.m. school start time due to teacher training

by Nick Minock

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. (7News) — On Tuesday, Loudoun County Public Schools administrators rolled out a plan to delay school start times on 16 Wednesdays next academic school year. The school start time on those days would be 10 a.m.

When Loudoun County School Board Member Lauren Shernoff asked what parents thought about the proposal on Facebook, hundreds of people weighed in, including Kira Gaylik, who will have a student in elementary school next year in Loudoun County.

“I think we should be prioritizing not removing any education time,” Gaylik told 7News. “Anytime we are minimizing or reducing on-purpose education time we are making a mistake.”

That’s not her only concern.

“My following reaction was we have a lot of at-risk youth in our county who will probably be missing 16 breakfasts in the school year,” said Gaylik, who was a coach for LCPS and Fairfax County Public Schools.

Many of the comment’s on Shernoff’s Facebook page came from working parents who raised concerns about finding childcare.

“Everyone is wondering because childcare is feeling very constricted right now. Especially right now,” said Gaylik.

RELATED | Child care providers rally for better pay, more affordable access for parents

LCPS administrators said teachers need more time for training to comply with Virginia Department of Education requirements.

On Tuesday, administrators told the school board what the next steps were with implementing the delayed start times. However, gathering public input on the delayed start times isn’t part of the administrator's plan.

ALSO READ | Childcare crisis impacting even more parents across the country

In an email to parents, Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Aaron Spence said the school board will vote on the delayed start on May 28.

“I do wish there was more time for the public to weigh in especially considering they’re voting on this the day after a holiday and they’re not doing any survey,” said Gaylik.

READ THIS | Loudoun County School Board members discuss more limits to public comment

Sources tell 7News that thousands of parents have reached out to LCPS and school board members to not go forward with this school day delay.

After hearing from parents’ concerns, Shernoff told 7News that LCPS needs to look at alternative options.

What's in this year's federal budget? Here are all of the announcements we already know about

Treasurer Jim Chalmers will hand down his third budget on Tuesday night, but has been tempering expectations for weeks in the lead-up, warning Australians not to expect a "cash splash".

Inflation remains a key challenge for the government, and we already have a pretty good idea of how Mr Chalmers plans to use his budget to provide cost-of-living relief while also trying to jump-start a slowing economy and navigate growing uncertainty overseas.

Here are the measures we already know about before the treasurer reveals all at 7:30pm AEST.

Short on time?

There's been no shortage of announcements in the lead-up to the budget. If you're interested in a specific topic, tap on the links below to take you there:

Cost-of-living relief

Education, training and hecs changes, tax changes, future made in australia, health and aged care, paid parental leave, domestic violence, defence and foreign affairs, environment, infrastructure, additional announcements.

Is your area of interest not covered?

• Tell us what other cost-of-living measures you're hoping to see included in this year's budget .

The bottom line

Will the budget be in surplus or deficit?

• The budget will deliver a surplus of $9.3 billion for the 2023-24 financial year, making it the second consecutive budget surplus in almost two decades
• That said, the following three financial years are all forecasted to have larger deficits than previously expected in December, but the size of each deficit is not yet known
• Overall, the treasurer says Australia's total debt has been reduced by $152 billion in the 2023-24 financial year, and the budget will benefit by a $25 billion boost in revenue upgrades

What does the budget mean for inflation and interest rates?

• The treasurer has repeatedly said he's kept inflation in mind when crafting this year's budget, and is confident that the measures won't contribute to it
• In fact, Treasury predicts inflation will fall to 2.75 per cent by December — well before the Reserve Bank's most recent forecast for the end of 2025 — due to yet-to-be-announced budget measures taking pressure off inflation
• For what it's worth, RBA governor Michele Bullock wasn't too concerned about the upcoming budget last Tuesday, saying she  would wait to see its impact first , but she said the treasurer reassured her that he was focused on curbing inflation  

The reworked stage 3 tax cuts form the centrepiece of the government's budget. They were announced in January, legislated in February and come into effect on July 1.

The changes to tax cuts originally legislated by the Morrison government mean that all Australian taxpayers who earn more than $18,200 (that is, more than the tax-free threshold) will get a tax cut.

Before Labor's changes, the original stage 3 tax cuts were skewed more heavily to higher-income earners .

A person with a taxable income between $45,000 and $120,000 will receive a tax cut of $804 more come July 1  under the revised stage 3 changes compared to the Morrison government's tax plan.

However, the government has hinted at other cost-of-living measures, with the treasurer calling the tax cuts the "foundation stone" of broader assistance.

Among those measures appears to be energy bill relief (in addition to what some states have already announced), with the treasurer pointing out that last year's measure curbed living costs and eased inflation.

Adjustments to rent assistance also seem likely, as do increases to JobSeeker and the aged pension.

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The biggest announcement in this area is the wiping out of $3 billion worth of HECS debts  triggered by last year's indexation of 7.1 per cent.

It means student debts will be lowered for more than 3 million Australians, with the average student receiving an indexation credit of about $1,200 for the past two years.

The debt relief will also apply for apprentices who owe money through the VET Student Loan program or the Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan.

Speaking of university, the government is aiming to tackle "placement poverty" by providing financial support to students to help make ends meet while they complete practical hands-on training as part of their course.

Under the scheme, those studying nursing, teaching or social work will receive a Commonwealth Prac Payment of up to $319.50 a week, but they will be subjected to means testing.

Similarly, apprentices willing to learn clean energy skills as part of their trade will be eligible to receive up to $10,000 in payments . The scheme already exists, but the government has broadened the eligibility to include apprentices in the automotive, electrical, housing and construction sectors based on industry feedback.

Universities will also be required to stop a surge in the number of international students, as part of the government's broader plans to cut annual migration levels back to 260,000 a year — much to the concern of peak education bodies .

Another  $90 million will be put towards 15,000 fee-free TAFE and VET places to get more workers into the housing construction sector , with an extra 5,000 pre-apprenticeship places provided from 2025.

While we can expect to hear more about the stage 3 tax cuts, it seems likely that the government will unveil other changes to tax in the budget to encourage business investment.

One such change will be the extension of the government's instant asset write-off scheme for small businesses for another year, allowing businesses with a turnover of less than $10 million to claim $20,000 from eligible assets.

However, the same measure from last year's budget is still yet to pass parliament — and businesses are urgently calling on them to pass the measure before it expires on June 30 .

In addition to spending more to attract skilled workers in the housing and construction sectors, the government is also tipping billions of dollars into building new homes across the country .

It's estimated the government will be putting roughly $11.3 billion towards housing, as the government works to deliver its promised 1.2 million new homes by 2030.

$1 billion will be spent on crisis and transitional accommodation for women and children fleeing family violence and youth through the National Housing Infrastructure Facility, which is re-allocated funding.

The government has also committed to providing $9.3 billion to states and territories under a new five-year agreement to combat homelessness, assist in crisis support, and to build and repair social housing — including $400 million of federal homelessness funding each year, matched by the states and territories.

Another $1 billion will be given to states and territories to build other community infrastructure to speed up the home-building process, including roads, sewerage, energy and water supplies.

The government has also committed to consulting with universities to construct more purpose-built student accommodation.

Overall, the funding announcements for housing build on the $25 billion already committed to new housing investments, with $10 billion of that in the Housing Australia Future Fund, which is designed to help build 30,000 social and affordable rental homes.

The government says the housing funding measures will also help take the pressure off the private rental market, which is experiencing record-low vacancy rates and surging growth in weekly rent prices.

Aside from the revised stage 3 tax cuts, the revival of local manufacturing is the other centrepiece of the government's budget this year.

The Future Made in Australia Act (which is often referred to without the "act" on the end) is bringing together a range of new and existing manufacturing and renewable energy programs under one umbrella, totalling in excess of $15 billion.

In other words, the government is putting serious taxpayer money towards supporting local industry and innovation, especially in the renewable energy space.

A number of measures have already been announced (or re-announced), including:

• $1 billion for the Solar SunShot program to increase the number of Australian-made solar panels
• $2 billion for its Hydrogen Headstart scheme to accelerate the green hydrogen industry
• $470 million to build the world's first "fault-tolerant" quantum computer in Brisbane , matching the Queensland government's contribution
• $840 million for the Gina Rinehart-backed mining company Arafura to develop its combined rare earths mine and refinery in Central Australia
• $230 million for WA lithium hopeful Liontown Resources , which is also partly owned by Gina Rinehart
• $566 million over 10 years for Geoscience Australia to create detailed maps of critical minerals under Australia's soil and seabed
• $400 million to create Australia's first high-purity alumina processing facility in Gladstone
• $185 million to fast-track Renascor Resources' Siviour Graphite Project in South Australia
• A $1 billion export deal to supply Germany with 100 infantry fighting vehicles , manufactured at Rheinmetall's facility in Ipswich

All up, the government is spending an extra $8.5 billion on health and Medicare in this year's federal budget, with $227 million of that put towards creating another 29 urgent care clinics.

Millions of dollars are also being poured into medical research, including $20 million for childhood brain cancer research , and a $50 million grant for Australian scientists developing the world's first long-term artificial heart .

Another $49.1 million is being invested to support people who have endometriosis and other complex gynaecological conditions such as chronic pelvic pain and polycystic ovarian syndrome. The funding will allow for extended consultation times and increased rebates to be added to the Medicare Benefits Schedule.

As for aged care, the government hasn't announced anything specific for the sector, nor has it outlined its response to the Aged Care Taskforce report that was delivered in March.

Parents accessing the government-funded paid parental leave scheme will be paid superannuation in addition to their payments from next July .

Under the current program, a couple with a newborn or newly adopted child can access up to 20 weeks of paid parental leave at the national minimum wage — however that figure will continue to rise until it reaches 26 weeks in July 2026 .

The plan, which Labor will take to the next election, would see superannuation paid at 12 per cent of the paid parental leave rate, which is based on the national minimum wage of $882.75 per week.

The cost to the budget is not yet known, however a review commissioned by the former government estimated that paying super on top of paid parental leave would cost about $200 million annually.

About 180,000 families access the government paid parental leave payments each year.

The federal government has pledged almost $1 billion to combat violence against women , including permanent funding to help victim-survivors leave violent relationships, and a suite of online measures to combat online misogyny and prevent children from viewing pornography.

The $925.2 million will go towards permanently establishing the Leaving Violence Program over five years, after it was established as a pilot program in October 2021 known as the Escaping Violence Program.

The program will provide eligible victim-survivors with an individualised support package of up to $1,500 in cash and up to $3,500 in goods and services, plus safety planning, risk assessment and referrals to other essential services for up to 12 weeks.

While the funding has been broadly welcomed, survivors and advocates want to see more investment .

The package also includes funding to create a pilot of age verification technology to protect children from harmful content, including the "easy access to pornography" online, which the government says will tackle extreme online misogyny that is "fuelling harmful attitudes towards women".

The federal government is planning to spend an extra $50 billion on defence over the next decade , meaning Australia's total defence spend will be equivalent to 2.4 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) within 10 years.

All up, the government is planning to invest a total of $330 billion through to 2033-34, which includes the initial cost for the AUKUS initiative to purchase nuclear-powered submarines.

Part of that $50 billion will be spent on upgrading defence bases across northern Australia, with $750 million to be allocated in the budget for the "hardening" of its bases in the coming financial year.

More than $1 billion of that funding will also be spent on an immediate boost on long-range missiles and targeting systems.

In the Pacific, Australia has committed $110 million to fund development initiatives in Tuvalu , including an undersea telecommunications cable and direct budget support.

The government has also pledged $492 million to the Asian Development Bank to provide grants to vulnerable countries in the Asia-Pacific.

The only dedicated announcement for the environment so far is the scrapping of the waste export levy , also known as a "recycling tax".

The proposed $4 per tonne levy was first legislated by the Morrison government in 2020 in a bid to reduce and regulate waste exports, after China announced it would no longer handle Australian rubbish.

Waste industry players had been concerned that once the levy was introduced in July, it would have caused more waste to be sent to landfill instead of being recycled.

The scrapping of the waste export levy is part of Australia's broader move to manage its own waste.

A slew of funding commitments have been made around the country, including a $1.9 billion funding commitment for upgrades in Western Sydney, ranging from road improvements to planning projects and train line extensions.

The government is also putting $3.25 billion towards Victoria's North East Link, which is being built between the Eastern Freeway and M80 Ring Road in Melbourne.

Ahead of the Brisbane Olympics in 2032, the government is also chipping in $2.75 billion to fund a Brisbane to Sunshine Coast rail link , matching the amount promised by Queensland Premier Steven Miles. (That said, $1.6 billion had been previously announced by the federal government.)

Also in Queensland, the Bruce Highway will receive $467 million for upgrades, while Canberra will receive $50 million to extend its light rail.

A proposed high-speed train line between Sydney and Newcastle will also receive $78.8 million to deliver a business case for the project.

The government will also put $21 million towards the creation of a national road safety data hub.

There are several other funding commitments the government has made in the lead-up to the budget that don't fit neatly into the categories above.

The government will spend $161.3 million on creating a national firearms register , which will give police and other law-enforcement agencies near real-time information on firearms and who owns them across the states and territories.

The money will be spent over four years to establish the register, and comes after state and territory leaders agreed to set up the register in December last year. The government has described the register as the biggest change to Australia's firearm management systems in almost 30 years.

Another $166.4 million will be spent on expanding anti-money-laundering reporting obligations , requiring real estate agents, lawyers and accountants to report dodgy transactions in a move that will bring Australia in line with the rest of the developed world.

And ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, the government has given the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) a $249.7 million funding boost to upgrade its facilities to support local athletes.

The government has also committed to a $107 million support package for farmers, after announcing it will end Australia's live sheep export trade by 2028 .

Farmers and regional communities will also benefit from a $519.1 million funding boost to the government's Future Drought Fund.

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Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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Just how long should a Supreme Court justice stay around?

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In late June, around the time the U.S. Supreme Court wraps up its current term, Justice Sonia Sotomayor will turn 70.

Is that old enough to retire?

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For most Americans, that’s a simple question: More than 80% of Americans age 70 or older have left the labor force. Among those still working, a large share say they would retire if they could afford it.

Nothing is so simple for Supreme Court justices, whose lifetime tenure turns the decision about when to step down into a complex stew of personal ambition, court dynamics and, of course, politics.

That last factor is the one that has caused some people, including Democratic senators, to gently suggest that Sotomayor, the oldest of the court’s three Democratic nominees, might think about calling it quits now, while President Biden can still name her replacement.

She’s given no indication that, after 15 years on the bench, she’s considering that now. But as the court term winds toward its conclusion — the traditional time for justices to make retirement announcements — and with Biden still trailing former President Trump in most polls, the chatter about retirement almost surely will increase.

Democrats remember Ginsburg

A memory haunts Democrats on this issue: The decision by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg not to retire in 2013, when President Obama invited her to lunch at the White House and gently tried to remind her that Democrats likely would lose control of the Senate in the 2014 midterm election.

Ginsburg thought she was the best person for the court. “Tell me who the president could have nominated this spring that you would rather see on the court than me?” she said to the Supreme Court reporter from Reuters in a July 2014 interview .

She also said she thought a Democrat would win the presidency in 2016 and be in position to appoint her replacement.

That didn’t happen, of course. Ginsburg, despite bouts of cancer, stayed on the court another six years, until her death in September 2020 , in her 27th year on the court. President Trump nominated her replacement , Justice Amy Coney Barrett, a few weeks later.

“Certainly I think if Justice Ginsburg had it to do over again, she might have rethought her confidence in her own health,” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, the second-ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, told NBC in an interview last month.

Whitehouse said he was “not joining any calls” for Sotomayor to retire, but warned of the dangers of adding another Trump nominee to the court’s current 6-3 conservative majority.

“Run it to 7-2 and you go from a captured court to a full MAGA court,” he said.

Democratic activists successfully used similar arguments to persuade Justice Stephen G. Breyer to retire in 2022 after 28 years on the court. He was replaced by Biden’s nominee, Ketanji Brown Jackson, with consent of a Democratic-majority Senate.

Discussion of Sotomayor’s tenure has been more muted, in part because Democrats are loath to be seen publicly pushing the court’s first Latina justice to step aside.

Last month the Congressional Hispanic Caucus pushed back against calls for her to step down, saying, “Justice Sonia Sotomayor is the first, and still only, Latina to sit on the United States Supreme Court and has proven to be a brilliant jurist, tough questioner, and fair arbiter of the rule of law throughout her tenure on the court.”

Sotomayor’s case differs in other ways from either Ginsburg’s or Breyer’s: At 70, she’s a decade younger than Ginsburg was in 2013. Breyer was about to turn 84 when he stepped down.

Both Ginsburg and Breyer had significantly longer tenures than Sotomayor’s 15 years.

And unlike Ginsburg, she’s also in apparent good health, despite a history of diabetes. Sotomayor seems fully engaged in her job — in oral arguments, she’s among the court’s most aggressive questioners.

Nonetheless, not retiring would increase the risk that she, too, could eventually be replaced by a Republican president’s nominee.

Betting on the election

How much risk?

Let’s first consider the short term.

Polls forecast another close race for president this year. Currently, Trump holds a slight edge , most polls indicate. Whether that will persist is anyone’s guess. Trump’s advantage is built largely on an apparent level of support from Black and Latino voters that may be hard for him to sustain.

So, for the sake of argument, assume that Biden’s chances of reelection are 50-50.

To be certain of confirming a nominee, however, Biden would also need a Democratic majority in the Senate.

In 2016, President Obama nominated Merrick Garland to the high court. Senate then-Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) refused to allow even a hearing . Ultimately, the vacancy continued until after the election, and Trump was able to fill the seat with Neil M. Gorsuch.

At the time, McConnell said Garland shouldn’t be considered because 2016 was an election year . But that argument was never more than a make-weight: The precedent he set is that a Republican-majority Senate just won’t act on a Democratic president’s nominee.

If the GOP holds the majority next year, they might back away from that level of obstruction. Republican leaders might decide that they don’t need to go all out to block a nomination if it would not change the partisan balance of the court, but merely substitute a younger Democrat for an older one.

Given the intense partisanship that now dominates Washington, however, no one should count on that.

So what are the odds of Democrats’ holding the Senate? To do so, they need all of their incumbents to win reelection, including two in states Biden almost surely will lose — Ohio and Montana. That may happen, but it’s far from a sure bet.

All together, the chances that Biden will win and have a Democratic Senate are certainly less than 50-50. How much less no one really knows, but it’s enough to worry Democrats who think about the future of the court.

After that, the picture doesn’t get a whole lot better for the party. In the last decade, Democrats have done very badly with rural voters, and the Senate has a built-in skew toward small, rural states.

Unless Democrats start winning again outside of the cities and suburbs, holding a Senate majority will continue to be a big problem for them. The current lineup of a Democratic president plus a Democratic-majority Senate may not recur for a while.

Whether Sotomayor should worry about such questions is a matter for debate. The justices like to insist that they’re fundamentally not partisans. But that’s a notion fewer and fewer Americans accept .

How long is long enough?

Beyond the political questions is a more philosophical one: Just how long should a Supreme Court justice stay in office?

Sotomayor’s 15 years on the court are just slightly more than the average that prevailed from George Washington’s presidency down to 1970, law professors Steven G. Calabresi and James Lindgren wrote in a 2006 law review article .

The average tenure, however, began to balloon in the 1970s and has now roughly doubled, they found. Presidents in recent decades have almost exclusively turned to relatively young nominees in an effort to put a long-lasting stamp on the court.

Calabresi and Lindgren argued for term limits for the justices, asserting that the current extremely long tenures undermine accountability and make the court less in touch with changing conditions in the country.

A number of liberal Democrats have taken up that cause in recent years, hoping to break up the court’s entrenched majority of conservative, Republican appointees.

None of that is necessarily Sotomayor’s concern: Several of the current justices said during their confirmation hearings that an 18-year term limit for the high court could be a good idea. None of them seem to be rushing to apply it to their own cases.

Among the six Republican nominees on the court, Clarence Thomas, 75, has served since 1991 , Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., 69, is completing his 19th year, as is Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr , 74.

Still, the court has clearly suffered from a drop in public esteem in recent years. Some of that involves deeply unpopular decisions, especially the overturning of Roe vs. Wade , which had guaranteed abortion rights in the U.S.

But some of the decline comes from the court’s image as being cloistered and out of touch. A single justice’s announcement that she thinks 15 years is enough wouldn’t change the court’s image all by itself.

It could, however, be a place to start.

What else you should be reading

This week’s must-read : Time for a robot tax?

Poll of the Week : Half of Latinas say conditions for Hispanic women have improved in the U.S.

The L.A. Times special : Arizona’s economy is booming, but Biden struggles to reap benefits from voters

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David Lauter writes the Saturday Los Angeles Times Politics newsletter from Washington, D.C. He began writing news in Washington in 1981 and has covered Congress, the Supreme Court, the White House under Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and six U.S. presidential campaigns. He served as Washington bureau chief from 2011-20. Lauter lived in Los Angeles from 1995 to 2011, where he was The Times’ deputy Foreign editor, deputy Metro editor and then assistant managing editor responsible for California coverage.

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