How to Get Clients for Personal Training: Insider Tips and Strategies

Daniel A., May 10, 2022

Home   »   Blog  »   How to Get Clients for Personal Training: Insider Tips and Strategies

Are you a personal trainer looking for new clients? If so, you’re in luck! This article will share some insider tips and strategies to help you get personal training for clients fast. We’ll cover everything from creating a winning marketing strategy to how to set your rates. So whether you’re just starting or you’ve been in the business for a while, read on for some valuable advice.

Here are some tips on how to get clients for personal training:

How to Get Clients for Personal Training: Insider Tips and Strategies

1- Identify your Target Audience:

As a personal trainer, one of the most important things you can do is identify your target audience, and this will help you identify your target market and determine the best way to reach them. To get started, ask yourself these questions:

  • Who is your ideal client? What are their demographics (age, gender, income, etc.)?
  • What are their fitness goals? What kind of results are they looking for?
  • What are their lifestyle preferences? Where do they live and work?

Once you clearly understand your target audience, you can reach out to them through targeted marketing strategies.

2- Decide What Services You Will Offer:

Another critical step in getting more clients is to decide what services you will offer. Some of the most popular services include fitness training, nutrition coaching, group classes, and injury rehabilitation. Decide which services best align with your skillset and interests, and then focus on promoting those services to potential clients.

3- Develop a Marketing Strategy:

Once you have identified your target audience and services, it’s time to start marketing yourself. There are many different ways to market your training business, so be sure to explore all of your options. You can begin by Investing in professional marketing materials that accurately represent your brand. This includes creating a strong logo and developing high-quality business cards, flyers, and other marketing collateral. Your materials should be professional and reflect the quality of your training services.

4- Create a Website

Creating a website for your personal training business is one of the most effective marketing tools you can use to attract new clients and grow your business. A well-designed and user-friendly website will allow potential clients to learn more about your services and book a session. Here are some tips to help you create an effective website for your personal training business.

  • Make sure your website is optimized for search engines.
  • Include high-quality photos and relevant content on your website to help attract potential clients.
  • Consider using a professional web design service to create a personalized website for your business.
  • Have an easy-to-use booking system so that potential clients can quickly and easily schedule appointments with you online.
  • Use social media and email marketing to promote your website and attract new clients.
  • Create a landing page or opt-in form that allows potential clients to sign up for a free trial session, so they can get a taste of what your training sessions are like.
  • You may also want to include a portfolio or testimonials from satisfied clients.

5- Use social media:

As a personal trainer, social media can be an invaluable tool for getting new clients. Many different social media platforms are available, and it’s essential to use the most relevant ones for your target audience. Some good options include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

  • To get started with social media marketing, you should create profiles on each platform and share relevant content with your target audience. For example, if you’re targeting women interested in getting fit, you can share tips on healthy eating and workout ideas. You should also make sure to post regular updates so that your followers know what you’re up to.
  • In addition to sharing great content, you can also use social media to engage with potential clients. For example, you can join relevant Facebook groups or start a Twitter chat to connect with people looking for personal trainers in your area.
  • As you continue to grow your social media presence, remember that it’s important not to be too sales-focused. Instead, focus on building relationships and providing value. You’ll be more likely to attract new clients if you do this.

6- Focus on Email Marketing:

Another effective way to market yourself as a personal trainer is through email marketing. This involves creating an email list of potential clients and sending them regular updates about your services, special offers, or new programs.

  • To get started with email marketing, you should create a simple sign-up form on your website or in your physical location. You can also include a sign-up form in your marketing materials, such as flyers and business cards.
  • Once you have an email list, it’s essential to regularly stay in touch with existing clients. This means sending them regular updates about what you’re up to and any new services or offers available.
  • As you continue to grow your email list, ensure that you provide value to your subscribers. If they find your emails uninteresting or irrelevant, they will quickly unsubscribe from your list, which means you’ll miss out on potential clients and revenue.

7- Develop Your Personal Brand

Creating a personal brand is one of the best ways to attract new clients and grow your business. But what exactly is a personal brand? A personal brand is a way you market yourself as a trainer, and it’s how you present yourself to potential clients and the image you want them to have of you.

When creating your brand, it’s essential to be authentic to yourself. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Potential clients will see right through it, only damaging your reputation.

Here are a few tips for creating a personal brand:

  • Find your niche – When creating your brand, it’s essential to find your niche. This could be anything from sports-specific training to post-natal training.
  • Choose a name and logo: Once you’ve found your niche, it’s time to choose a name and logo for your business. This is your chance to be creative and make an impression on potential clients.
  • Create a website: A great way to showcase your brand is to create a website. This will give potential clients a place to learn more about you and your business.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to creating a personal brand. Just make sure you stay true to yourself and be creative. With a bit of effort, you’ll be able to attract new clients and grow your business in no time.

How to attract Clients for Personal Training

8- Define Your Rates:

As a personal trainer, setting your rates is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. You might price yourself out of the market if you charge too much. But if you charge too little, you might not be able to make a living. So how do you strike the perfect balance?

Here are a few things to consider when setting your rates:

  • The cost of living in your area is especially important if you live in a major city where the cost of living is high.
  • The going rate for personal trainers in your area – If you’re not sure what to charge, look at what other personal trainers are charging. This will give you a good starting point.
  • Your experience and credentials – If you have more experience or advanced credentials, you can charge more than trainers with less experience.
  • The type of training you offer – If you offer specialized services like post-natal or sports-specific training, you can charge more than trainers who offer general fitness coaching.

Once you’ve considered these factors, you can set your rates. Just remember to be flexible and adjust your rates as needed.

09- Get Listed In Online Directories:

Another good thing you can do is to apply in online personal training directory listings, this will allow potential clients to find you more quickly when searching for personal trainers in their area.

Include your contact information in your listing, describe what services you offer, and some basic information about yourself. You may also want to include a photo or two so that potential clients can better understand what you look like and the types of training methods you use. Some of the most popular directories include Find-a-Trainer, Gym Finder, and PT Finder.

10- Offer Free Consultations:

If you’re a personal trainer, one of the best ways to get new clients is by offering free consultations. This allows potential clients to come in and meet with you, learn more about your services, and see if you’re a good fit for their needs. It also allows you to sell them your services and convince them to become clients.

One of the challenges of offering free consultations is that you only have a limited time with each client. It’s essential to make sure that you use this time effectively and get as much out of it as possible. You need to plan, prepare your materials and tools, and know what to focus on during the consultation. However, you can offer a free consultation either on-site or by phone, depending on your preference.

11- Network With Other Fitness Professionals:

If you want to get more clients, it’s also important to network with other fitness professionals. This will help you reach a wider audience and connect with people looking for personal trainers in your area. Some of these professionals are:  

  • Personal trainers: By building relationships with other trainers, you can work together to refer your clients to one another when needed.
  • Health Professionals: Doctors, physical therapists, and massage therapists are potential referral sources for personal trainers.
  • Local gyms and fitness studios: Chances are there are several gyms in your area. Try reaching out to the owners or managers and see if they’re interested in referring their clients to you.
  • Group fitness instructors: These professionals often have an extensive network of people they can refer to as personal trainers.
  • Fitness bloggers: Many fitness bloggers online have a large following. If you can get them to write about you and your services, this can help you reach a new audience of potential clients.
  • Health coaches: Health coaches are similar to personal trainers but focus more on lifestyle coaching and healthy eating. Dietitians and nutritionists are also potential referral sources for personal trainers.

By building relationships with professionals from the health and fitness industry, you can quickly increase your client base. Just remember always to provide quality services to continue to receive referrals.

12- Give Referrals:

Another great way to get more clients is by giving referrals. Find out what other local businesses and professionals your potential clients are using, and then reach out to those businesses to see if they’d be interested in recommending you. Offering referrals can be a powerful way to attract new clients, so don’t hesitate to get creative with this strategy.

13- Showcase Your Value

As a personal trainer, it is of utmost importance to showcase your value to attract potential clients. This is because you need to display that you are worth the investment and have what it takes to help them achieve their goals. Below are tips on how you can do this:

  • Attaining accreditation from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) is one way to showcase your value as a personal trainer.
  • Share some of the results that you have achieved with your clients to convince potential clients that you are capable of helping them achieve their fitness goals.
  • Make sure that you include pictures, testimonials, and contact information on your website so prospective clients can easily get in touch with you.
  • Attend industry events and participate in competitions like bodybuilding shows as these will attract more attention from potential clients looking for fitness trainers who can help them achieve their goals.
  • Get featured in magazines, newspapers, or online publications as this will help establish you as an expert in your field.

14- Offer Special Deals And Promotions From Time To Time:

To attract more clients, you may also want to consider offering special deals and promotions from time to time. For example, you could offer new clients a discounted rate or package of services or host regular giveaways or raffles to build excitement around your business.

There are a few key things to keep in mind when offering deals and promotions for personal training services:

  • It’s important to make sure that the offer is appealing and relevant to your target audience.
  • The terms and conditions of the promotion should be clearly stated upfront, so there are no surprises later on.
  • It’s always a good idea to offer a variety of deals and promotions so that you can cater to different types of clients. 

15- Use Paid Advertising:

You may also consider using paid advertising to promote your personal training business if you have the budget. There are several ways to use paid advertising to get clients for your personal training business. One way is to place an ad in the local newspaper or other print publication.

You can also use online directories or classified ads websites to reach potential clients. Additionally, you may consider using pay-per-click (PPC) advertising to drive traffic to your website or blog. Whichever method you choose, be sure to include a call to action in your ad so that potential clients know how to get in touch with you.

16- Invest In Professional Development And Continuing Education:

It is essential to keep your skills and knowledge up to date as a personal trainer. This shows that you’re serious about your career as a trainer, and it can help you stand out from the competition. Here are some tips on how to get started:

  • Get certified. A certification from a respected organization like the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) or the American Council on Exercise (ACE) can show potential clients that you know what you’re doing.
  • Get insured. Insurance is essential for any business, but it’s especially important for personal trainers since you’ll be working with people one-on-one. This will give potential clients peace of mind knowing that they’re covered in case of an accident.
  • Join a professional organization. Joining a group like the National Association of Professional Personal Trainers (NAPPT) can help you network with other trainers and stay updated on the latest industry trends.
  • Stay up-to-date on industry trends. Read personal trainingindustry publications, attend conferences, and take continuing education courses to stay sharp and show potential clients that you’re committed to your career.

17- Promote Word Of Mouth Referrals

You can do a few key things to encourage word-of-mouth referrals for your personal training business.

  • First, provide exceptional service to your clients. This means going above and beyond their expectations and providing them with results.
  • Second, build relationships with your clients. Get to know them on a personal level and let them get to know you. This will make them feel more comfortable referring you to their friends and family.
  • Finally, offer incentives for referrals. This could be a discount on their next training session or a freebie if they refer a certain number of people to you.

18- Get Involved In The Community:

Another great way to find personal training clients is by getting involved in your community. This can include attending local events, sponsoring a youth sports team, or volunteering for a local charity. By getting involved in your community, you’ll not only be able to build relationships with potential clients, but you’ll also be able to show that you’re invested in your community and that you care about making a positive impact.

19- Organize Mini-Workshops

Another great way to attract new clients is to provide mini-workshops or lunch-and-learns to local businesses. These workshops can be targeted toward specific groups of people, such as senior citizens, college students, or others who may be interested in improving their health and fitness levels. Here are some tips for organizing and marketing these workshops effectively:

  • Choose a catchy name for your workshop, and this will help attract attention and get people interested in attending.
  • Promote your workshop through various channels, such as social media, flyers, and word-of-mouth.
  • Make sure to have a detailed agenda and schedule for your workshop so that participants know what to expect.
  • Offer participants something of value, such as a free workout or nutrition plan, at the end of the workshop. This will help to incentivize them to sign up for your personal training services.
  • Follow up with participants after the workshop to see if they have any questions or would like to schedule a personal training session.

20- Record TED Talks or Podcasts

Recording TED Talks or podcasts is a great way to attract new clients and show potential clients what you know. You can either search for popular TED Talks or Podcasts that focus on health and fitness or look for ones that feature interviews with successful personal trainers. Once you’ve found a few interested, reach out to the hosts and see if they’re open to having you on as a guest. If so, record a short introduction and start sharing your knowledge with the world!

If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few popular TED Talks or Podcasts that focus on health and fitness:

  • The Rich Roll Podcast
  • The Tim Ferriss Show
  • The Joe Rogan Experience
  • The Health Theory Podcast
  • TheMindBodyGreen Podcast

Stay Positive, Persistent, And Confident!

No matter what challenges you face, it is essential to stay positive and confident in your ability to succeed as a personal trainer. Remember that success takes time, dedication, and hard work. If you are passionate about helping others reach their fitness goals, you will find the motivation and determination you need to achieve success in your career.

How Can Persona Help You To Get More Personal Training Clients?

Persona is a free invoicing app that can help personal trainers manage their business more effectively. With Persona, you can easily create and send professional invoices, track payments, and outstanding balances, and stay on top of your finances at all times. 

The app allows you to easily organize client information such as contact details, scheduling preferences, and more. Overall, Persona is an excellent tool for personal trainers looking to streamline their business and take their career to the next level.

tips on How to Get Clients for Personal Training

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Promote Myself As A Personal Trainer?

You can do a few things to promote yourself as a personal trainer. First, make sure you have a strong online presence. Make sure your website is up-to-date and professional and that you’re active on social media. You should also consider creating marketing materials (like a flyer or business card) that you can leave at gyms or hand out to potential clients. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for referrals from your current clients. Word-of-mouth is always one of the best forms of marketing!

How Hard Is It To Get Clients As A Personal Trainer?

This is somewhat dependent on the type of clients you are targeting. If you are trying to work with high-level, experienced athletes or bodybuilders, it can be challenging to attract their attention and build trust. However, if your focus is on general fitness or weight loss, getting clients may be easier.

You can use several techniques to promote yourself and your services, including online marketing, networking with other professionals in the industry, and offering free or discounted sessions as an incentive for new clients. Ultimately, building a strong client base takes time and persistence, so be persistent and keep working to build your business!

How Can Personal Trainers Make More Money?

One of the main ways that personal trainers can make more money is by acquiring additional certifications, such as becoming a certified nutritionist. Additionally, many trainers specialize in certain areas, such as sports performance or weight loss. Having specialized knowledge and experience can allow you to charge higher rates for your services, increasing your income over time.

Finally, many trainers find that they can make more money by working with private clients rather than at a gym or fitness center. Private clients are often willing to pay higher rates for one-on-one attention and customized services. In general, the more experience and expertise you have as a personal trainer, the more money you will be able to earn.

How Do I Promote My Personal Training On Instagram?

There are several ways you can promote your personal training on Instagram. You can start by creating an engaging and visually appealing profile that accurately represents what you do as a trainer. Make sure to use relevant hashtags in your posts and post high-quality photos and videos that will capture your followers’ attention.

You can also consider running ads on Instagram to reach a wider audience. Use Videos and GIFs to promote your training services, and consider creating standout content that is not directly related to personal training but can be appealing to your target audience. Lastly, try to partner with other businesses or influencers in your industry to cross-promote your personal training services.

Conclusion 

So, what’s the best way to get clients for personal training? We’ve given you 20 insider tips and strategies that should help. But don’t stop here – keep learning about your potential clients and their needs so you can create an offer they just can’t refuse. And when you’re ready to start taking on more clients, make sure to check out Persona, our invoicing app that will make billing and payments a breeze. Thanks for following along – we hope this information helps you reach your fitness goals!

Persona is the #1 management platform for independent business owners. it's 100% free, download it now.

GET STARTED >>

Persona is the #1 management platform for independent business owners. Download it now, it's 100% free.

GET STARTED >>
Skip to content