Starting your own business can be a daunting prospect. It can appear fraught with difficulties and potential pitfalls, with the risk of failure and ever-present danger. However, running your own business can be an extremely liberating experience that frees you from the shackles of a traditional employed role.
In recent times, the personal fitness industry has enjoyed enormous growth. Fuelled by people seeking to improve their physical condition, gyms and personal trainers have proliferated into what is now a colossal industry. Many fitness fanatics are looking to tap into this burgeoning industry by become personal trainers. While established gyms will employ personal trainers, many trainers are looking to forge their own path and create a business of their own. If this sounds like something that appeals to you, check out these tips for starting your very own personal trainer business.
Take A Personal Trainer Course
The very first step you need to take on your journey to starting your own personal trainer business is to obtain all the necessary qualifications. The law in the UK stipulates that all personal trainers, self-employed or not, must hold a Level 3 Personal Trainer certificate before they can begin taking on and training clients.
Study Active offer a range of course for fitness professionals. Not only will you be able to obtain the basic Level 3 qualification there, but you will also have the chance to take a number of advanced courses that will only work to further develop and strengthen your knowledge and experience.
Having the correct qualifications is a legal requirement but will also help reassure and convince prospective clients that your service is legitimate and that you know what you’re doing. Display your certificates on the walls of your gym for your clients to see. Speaking of gyms…
Find A Premises To Use
Perhaps the biggest drawback of running your own personal trainer business is the fact that you’ll need to find a premises to use as a gym and training space. This can prove to be a difficult task and you may need to think creatively. Check for empty shops or commercial units for rent and check if they’d be suitable for you to repurpose into your own bespoke gym.
Larger established gyms will often rent space out to self-employed personal trainers. This can be a viable option for you if you are just starting out, you will have access to the gym’s equipment and be able to make direct contact with a lot of potential clients.
One drawback to renting a space at a gym is that they can often charge high fees. This might not be particularly suitable if you are a beginner, and your profit margins are still finely balanced.
Finding your own premises to use can give you greater creative control and allow you to design the space as you see fit. However, it does mean that you will be responsible for sourcing and renting and/or purchasing equipment, as well as paying rent and any other associated fees.
When it comes to choosing which route to take, your best bet is to carefully weigh up and assess your options before deciding which is the best for you and your business.
Conclusion
Becoming a personal trainer can become a fantastic career choice. Not only will it keep you fit and allow you to improve the lives of others, but it will also give a range of path and routes to take when moving forward in your career. Choosing to become self-employed offers a number of benefits and can be a potentially lucrative and rewarding decision.
