The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has radically changed how fitness instructors operate. If like many personal trainers you want to deliver exercise sessions online, this guide will help.

We answer common questions on how to get started and give advice on how you can market yourself to become a successful online personal training provider.

How do I start an online workout program?

The first step is to get qualified. The minimum requirements that you should have are Level Two Gym Instructor and Level Three Personal Trainer certificate or diploma.

Experience in a gym or other fitness setting, such as having military experience, is also a great advantage.

Becoming a member of the National Register of Personal Trainers and gaining a listing on the Registry of Exercise Professionals (REPs) can give you extra recognition and showcase your expertise and professionalism.

It is also important to get personal trainer insurance beforehand. This provides public liability cover, protecting you financially in the event of client accidents and injuries.

Can you sell workout plans?

Absolutely! You can sell workout plans, give them away free, or provide a mixture of free and member only content.

If you are just starting out with online fitness training, you will likely need to build up an audience before you can begin charging. One way to do this is to give away free advice and workout tips.

As your following grows, you can introduce more paid content — or even offer personalised bespoke sessions for paying clients.

Can you sell workout plans without being certified?

You can — but it is ill-advised. The reason is simple: you will not be trusted or have the credentials to attract paying clients over the long-term.

Gaining as many relevant qualifications as possible will allow you to stand out among competitors and enable you to charge higher fees.

How much money do online fitness coaches make?

The amount of money you can make depends on many factors, such as the type of content you produce, the frequency of the sessions, the target audience, and your pricing.

When just starting out and building up a client base, the rewards will be fewer. But grow your audience and you will naturally generate a regular income.

Working with existing clients can get the ball rolling quicker. If you usually run exercise classes at a gym or fitness centre, try and sign-up your existing clients.

You can also boost your income by offering bespoke services, such as by offering private online exercise sessions with subscribers.

Having a specialism, such as fitness nutrition, sports psychology, or injury recovery can enhance your repertoire and enable you to charge more.

Marketing your online fitness program

Before you can get the word out and build a following, you will need a website or another platform where you can deliver your virtual sessions.

It is important to think about who your ideal target market is, then gear your personal training sessions around this audience. Targeting a particular niche often works better than attempting to please everyone.

Also be sure to provide incentives for members. Typical examples include free e-books, personalized sessions, and equipment giveaways.

Create regular content by blogging and generate a loyal social following – then have others recommend you. You will be well on your way to online training success.

Visit Diverse Trainers for personal training fitness courses

At Diverse Trainers, we provide a comprehensive range of personal training fitness courses, including online training programs.

This includes Level 2 Gym Instructor certification and diplomas, Advanced Level 3 Gym Instructing and Personal Training, and the Level 4 Elite Personal Training Diploma.

Browse our full range of personal trainer courses.

Visit our website and get in touch with us today to see how we can help you achieve your fitness training career.