Home Based Business Personal Fitness Trainer

We all know the benefits of exercise to maintain health. But with the demands on our time, we start exercise programs and abandon them. Millions of dollars have been spent on exercise videos and gym memberships. The problem is not getting started. The problem is staying motivated to continue. That is where the home based business personal fitness trainer helps.

The personal fitness trainer designs an exercise program for individual clients and works with them one-on-one. Or, the personal fitness trainer can work with small groups leading them in an exercise regimen.

When working with individual clients, you can meet with them in their home or at a gym where you have rented space or at your home if you have a gym set-up.

If your client has a membership in a gym or health club and wants to use those facilities, you will need the approval of the owner or manager. Some require that you be certified to teach in their facility.

This is a highly competitive business. You have to carve a niche for your home based business. You may want to target executives and professionals who have little time and meet with them for weekly sessions at a place convenient for them.

You can work with a particular group, such as people trying to lose weight, people over fifty, people with disabilities, and so on.

You will be your best marketing tool. You must be physically fit in appearance and health. You will need to show your clients the proper way to perform an activity and you may have to exercise with the client.

Establishing a good clientele is the key to success in this home based business. People tend to drop exercise programs. If you have helped your clients, word-of-mouth referrals will generate leads.

Some of your clients may prefer to have a plan designed for them and they follow it independently, giving you progress reports by phone or e-mail.

The health and well-being of your client is important. You need to be an expert in the type of training you provide and be aware of health and safety issues. The last thing you want to do is cause injury to a client.

Trainers are certified by professional organizations. If you are a member of a local gym or health club, you can talk to them about the requirements for becoming a personal fitness trainer.

If you are physically fit and enjoy working with people, this may be the home based business opportunity for you.

What does it take for this business?

This is a home based business in which you are your marketing tool. You must be physically fit and in good health. You must be able to demonstrate the proper technique to perform a specific activity. You need to have a place in which the specific activities can be conducted. You should understand health and safety issues related to the suggested activities and equipment used. You should apply for certification. You should know CPR.

Check your local and state laws. Your state may not require certification. To reach a large market, you may need certification and you may be required to rent space in a gym. Your clients will consider you a professional and will trust you.

What do I need to operate this business?

You should set up a separate space for your home based business office. The start-up cost for this business can range from $200 to $1000. The cost depends on whether you have some of the equipment or supplies needed. Costs will also be determined by whether you need to rent space in a gym. If the client comes to your home, you will need to have a full set of equipment which can run upwards to $100,000.

If your clients have not been exercising, you should have them get their doctor's permission. You will want to get liability insurance coverage and have your clients sign waivers.

Basic equipment and supplies include:

• Video/DVD Player
• CD player
• Audio and video tapes
• Portable fitness equipment
• Exercise outfits
• Computer
• Printer
• Contact Management Software

You can review resources for this home based here.

What services do I provide?

• A personal fitness trainer provides:
• A custom exercise plan for the client
• Teaches the client the proper way to perform the activities
• Meets with the client to monitor progress
• Teaches basic exercise principles and techniques

What are my potential earnings?

$20,000 to $75,000 annually

How much do I charge for my services?

Fees range from $30 to $50 per hour for classes; personal sessions range from $50 to $200 per session. You can charge a flat rate for a set program that meets twice weekly or for 4 to 6 weeks.

How do I bill for my services?

If you

• Conduct classes - collect fees when the client signs up.
• Conduct one-on-one sessions - you may want to contract with the client and collect the fee at the signing for the number of sessions, renewing contracts when they expire.

How do I market my business?

Offline

• List your home based business services in the Yellow Pages.
• Give seminars discussing the benefits of exercise to maintain good health and demonstrate what you do to community groups, businesses, schools, and community centers.
• Write a column on health and fitness for your local and community newspapers.
• Send direct mail to schools, day care centers, and senior citizen centers, and offer fitness classes.
• Create a portfolio of "before" and "after" picture of yourself and your clients.
• Encourage your clients to make referrals.

Online

• Create an informative Web site and list your home based business services.
• Display a portfolio of "before" and "after" pictures of yourself and your clients.
• Publish testimonials from your clients on your Web site.
• List your Web site in the online directories.
• Issue an online press release.
• Link your Web site to related businesses.
• Link your Web site to local Web sites in your community.

If you like working with people and are physically fit, this may be the home based business for you. Review the resources for this home based business here.