spacer spacer spacer spacer spacer spacer spacer spacer spacer
Logo Starting a Personal Training Business spacer
Home Sitemap Contact Support Our Site spacer
Trainer Directory Discussion Forum What's New spacer

Become a Personal Trainer

EnglishFrenchGermanItalianPortugueseRussianSpanish


Step 1:
Is Personal Training
Right for Me?

arrow
Step 2:
Get Certified
arrow
Step 3:
Get the Job
arrow
Step 4:
Launch Your Business
arrow
Step 5:
Train Smarter



- Popular Pages -

Exam Prep Course

Complete Training System

Business Plan

List of PT Schools

Cert Comparison

Cert Discounts

CEU Discounts

Free Starter Kit

Job Board

Salary Calculator

Shop



Site Search



spacer spacer
Katie's Tip spacer

“Choose a niche that you will love. That way it won't feel like work when you earn extra certifications in your niche.” (about me)

spacer
spacer
sidebar bottom
 

Starting a Personal Training Business

Finding Your Target Market

We continue on through Step 1 of our guide to starting a personal training business by exploring some of the market niches available to you. Niche is one of those words that gets used in Business Schools but rarely anywhere else. But it is a very important concept to understand.

Its all about Specializing!

A niche is a specialty. A market niche is the group of people who are potentially in need of your specialty.

Why are they "potentially" in need?

Because most people don't have a clue what market they belong to. Let me give you an example.

Helen is 55 years old and interested in personal training. She seeks out a trainer through her gym which assigns her to the next available trainer. She trains successfully with the trainer but she doesn't know that she has special needs due to her advancing age.

 

How it Could Be

Helen is 55 years old and interested in personal training. She noticed a flyer at the Doctor's office (or grocery store) that offered personal training services for mature age women. Helen contacted the trainer and successfully trained with the trainer. She received valuable advice and an exercise program that was expertly tailored to her needs. Helen and some of the other trainer's clients formed a walking group so they can exercise together when not working with the trainer.

spacer spacer
logo  
Newsletter  

Get your FREE Personal Trainer Starter Kit by subscribing to our weekly newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Email

Name




Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you our newsletter. We Respect your Privacy
and keep your info secure.
spacer
spacer
sidebar bottom
 

Targeting Small Niches Leads to Faster Growth

It seems wrong. But by targeting a small niche when starting a personal training business, your business will actually grow faster.

Question: In the example above, which trainer is Helen more likely to talk about with her friends?

Answer: The one that made her feel like she was getting expert advice just for her.

Question: Who are Helen's friends?

Answer: They are likely to be other mature age women. Your exact target market!

Why not target everybody?

Nobody wants a one-size-fits-all workout outfit, and nobody wants a one-size-fits-all personal trainer. By trying to specialize in everything, you end up specializing in nothing.

Are you Interested in
Becoming a Personal Trainer?
Get Free Email Advice!

Its perfectly acceptable to have multiple specialties, just try to limit to two main areas. And while your specialty niche business is building, there are plenty of healthy adult clients you can serve.

So What are the Specialties

The main niche markets to consider when starting a personal training business are:

Athletes
Athletes require training programs that increase performance and minimize the risk of injury. You can further specialize by focusing on individual sports: Running, Basketball, Football, Martial Arts, etc. These sports already have "coaches" but coaches are lousy personal trainers. Coaches can be a great source of client referrals. personal trainer certification course
Kids
Training kids is a lot different than adults. Their bodies are still growing and their maturity isn't fully developed. But if you have a way with kids this can be a great specialty. With the "obesity epidemic" facing kids today, this market is growing fast.
Seniors
Older people have special needs as well. As their bodies change their exercise programs need to change to maximize the benefits and minimize injuries. And with the ageing of our population and the impending retirement of the baby boomers, this is a huge area. In the example above, the trainer further specialized in mature age women.
Pregnant Women
It has become common to see pregnant women at the gym almost up to their due dates. While I think pregnant women are beautiful, our clients don't always share that self-image. A personal trainer can help them maintain their fitness and even improve their flexibility before the birth which can reduce labor pains. Of course, there is a special responsibility to the health of the child as well. Most clients will continue training after the birth and even past their child bearing years.

And of course, you should always have healthy adults in sight. In fact, you will probably start off training healthy adults when starting a personal training business. That's because they are the easiest group. They don't have any "special needs".

You can also jump in one trends like Pilates and Fitness Boxing.

Certifications

In Step 2 of our starting a personal training business guide we will discuss your personal trainer certification options (and there are a lot of them!). But for now, you need to understand that all certifications will prepare you to train healthy adults. But you will likely require additional certifications to train the niche markets above. The specialty certifications usually build upon what you learned in the general certification program. So make sure you have an eye on your future specialty when choosing a personal trainer certification program.

 

What do you think about Targeting a Personal Training Niche Market?

Share your best tip or ask a question about servicing special needs clients.

Personal Trainer Niche Market Discussion

Check out what other personal trainers are saying about working with special needs clients or targeting particular niche markets. Jump in and share your views and answer questions.

Is there a market niche and certification for ADHD specialty fitness trainer 
I am a 52 year old male with ADHD. I want to become a personal trainer and help others who struggle with ADHD. What are some thoughts on this niche as …

Shattered Dream or Opportunity? 
Hi there/Im 45 and was building up my courage to take my training as a personal trainer later this year. It's been my dream and passion for quite some …

Personal Trainers and Multiple Sclerosis 
I am a 41 year old male with MS. I am in very good shape, very defined and a low body fat percentage. I am interested in becoming a personal trainer. Do …

Firefighters 
Do many people specialize (or is it even a specialty) in training firefighters? Their job tasks are specific, and they also have to prepare for a test …

Brain Aneurysm 
I am a trainer and am about to take on a post op brain aneurysm client. He had a 11 hour surgery 4 years ago and the aneurysm ruptured during the procedure. …

Boxing for Fitness Business 
I boxed professionally and want to turn my experience /training into a-personal-trainer business focusing on boxing for fitness and competition. What …

Marketing My Niche 
Hi, My name is Erik S. Beard, CPT. I have been in fitness for quite some time, I have become a trainer in the recent years and would like to know how …

Personal Training for Senior Citizens 
I'm in my 60's and during my workouts at my gym, 6-7 days a week, I noticed that , on many occasions, an older person eg. 50+ who was new to the gym, would …

Training those who can't afford a gym membership 
My passion is for people who can't afford personal training....WHAT? Yes, I'm going into this not expecting to make much money. I don't want to work …

Physical limitations a problem? 
I am a 47 y.o. male that has a desire to learn and help others. But my limitations are permament decreased flexability due to RA. Do you think my limitations …

Diabetes CPT.  Not rated yet
I am a 57 yr old type 1 diabetic and have had diabetes for 33 yrs and control my condition well through diet, exercise. I am considering becoming a CPT …

Personal Training for Children Not rated yet
I am a Registered Nurse for 18 1/2 years. I am 39 years old. I have a Bachelor Of Science in Nursing. I am a Certified Childbirth Educator, Certified …

Click here to write your own.

 

Next Page: The Best Part of Being a Personal Trainer

Navigation Guide:  Home Page / Step 1 Index / Starting a Personal Training Business



spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer spacer

Home | Sitemap | Contact | Support Our Site | Trainer Directory | Discussion Forum | What's New | Privacy

Step 1: Is Personal Training Right for Me? | Step 2: Get Certified | Step 3 - Get the Job
Step 4 - Launch your business | Step 5 - Train Smarter

Copyright © 2007-2020. Starting a Personal Training Business. All rights reserved.
We do not sell any information to third parties.