How to Become an Online Personal Trainer in 5 Steps

Whether you’ve been a personal trainer for a while or you’re interested in building a business in the fitness industry, you’ve probably thought about becoming an online personal trainer.

Online trainers have the flexibility to work with clients around the world — whether virtually or through on-demand videos — and build their business according to their terms. 

If you’re curious about starting your online personal training business, there are a few things you can do to set yourself up for success. 

Step #1: Get Your Professional Website Live 

A website is essential for any online business. As an online trainer, your website is the first place potential clients will visit when they’re interested in working with you or watching your workout videos. Keep these steps in mind when building your website. 

Optimize Your Website for Search 

Leveraging search engine optimization (SEO) is key when you run an online business. Your website needs to include certain keywords that your clients will search for so they can find you online. 

Use your website to incorporate search terms and keywords that describe your business and appeal to your target clients. Describe your specialty, what type of training you offer — whether that’s live, on-demand, 1-on-1, or group training — and your personal training style. 

It’s also important to establish your credibility in order to give your website more authority in search rankings. If you’re a certified personal trainer, communicate that on your website. On your About page, describe how long you’ve been in the fitness industry and why you decided to become a personal trainer. 

You can also share client testimonials on your website and social media as social proof. 

Hosting Your Personal Training Content 

Another reason having a professional website is essential for your personal training business is that it acts as a hub for your fitness content. 

If you offer on-demand videos, you need a place to host them so clients can watch them whenever they want. If you offer live training, your clients should be able to easily schedule a session with you through your website. 

Build Your Personal Training Website With Durable 

Durable’s AI website builder makes it easy to create a professional, optimized site in minutes with customizable templates, built-in SEO, and mobile-friendly designs.

All we ask is for some basic information about your personal training business, and our AI will use that to create a website for you in seconds — from images, content, and coding, we handle everything. 

Want to get your personal training website up and running today? Use Durable’s AI Website Builder to generate a professional website in 30 seconds.

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Step #2: Decide To Run On-Demand or Live Online Training 

As an online trainer, there are a couple of ways you can work with clients. If you prefer to have real-time connection and instruction, then live sessions are the way to go. 

On the other hand, pre-recorded videos offer you the freedom and flexibility to reach more people on their own time. There are pros and cons to each, so we caught up with a personal trainer who has experience with both methods.

Meet the Small Business Owner: Elethia Gay

Elethia Gay is a NASM-certified personal trainer, yoga instructor, and board-certified coach. Elethia specializes in online training because of its flexibility — not just for her, but for clients. Not only does online personal training cater to those who crave autonomy, but it’s also a great option for people who prefer to work out at home or aren’t comfortable in traditional gym settings.

Elethia offers both live training sessions and on-demand videos, balancing real-time connection and accountability with the convenience of flexible, repeatable content. 

“While tech challenges and the lack of in-person feedback can be hurdles,” Elethia shares, “I focus on clear instruction and maintaining high-quality sessions that deliver just as much value as in-person training.”

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On-Demand Content 

On-demand videos offer flexibility for both you and your clients. People can work out whenever it fits into their schedule, and you can create content on your own time. 

You can record a workout once, add it to your website, and repurpose that content into smaller clips for social media, email marketing, or other marketing assets. Having access to a video library also allows clients to focus on specific exercises for as long as they want, without the pressure of keeping up in real time. 

One of the biggest challenges of online personal training through on-demand videos is the lack of real-time instruction, says Elethia. 

“Since I’m not with clients in person, I can’t correct someone’s form in the moment,” she shares. “That means I have to be very intentional about my instructions and demonstrate movements clearly.”

When it comes to recording and editing on-demand videos, it’s also important to prioritize quality. 

“A poorly produced video can cause people to lose interest quickly,” shares Elethia. “I make sure my content is engaging and professional.”

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Live Personal Training Sessions

One of the biggest benefits of live personal training sessions is that you can work with clients directly, whether in a group setting or 1-on-1. 

The good thing about this is being able to apply your training advice in real-time, as Elethia shares. “I can correct posture and form on the spot, answer questions immediately, and create a sense of community,” she says. “There’s also built-in accountability. When a session is scheduled, clients have to show up, which helps keep them committed.”

The challenge of live training sessions is that you have to rely on technology. If you aren’t confident in your tech stack, things like internet issues, platform glitches, or environment problems can disrupt a session. 

Elethia also adds that technology can add friction to in-person sessions. “As much as I love live interaction, it requires a lot of energy because you have to be fully present every single time,” she says. “And sometimes, despite all the preparation, you may have a no show and that’s just part of the reality.”

Booking Your Sessions 

Another consideration is how clients will book sessions with you. 

If you’re going to do live workouts, you’ll need to feature your calendar and booking system on your website. If you offer on-demand sessions, you’ll need a central place to host your videos so clients can easily purchase and watch at their leisure. 

Elethia has a streamlined system for how clients book sessions with her, no matter the method.

“I host my live sessions through Zoom because it offers the integrations I need for a smooth, interactive experience,” she shares. “Clients register for programs and purchase sessions through my website, which keeps everything organized and user-friendly.”

For more business tips, check out our Business Starter Guide for Personal Trainers.

Step #3: Decide if You Want to Offer 1-on-1 or Group Online Training

There are different types of training sessions you can offer. Many personal trainers choose to offer a combination of 1-on-1 and group sessions to cater to different client needs. To help you determine which one is best for your fitness business, here are a few considerations to make. 

1-on-1 Personal Training 

Working with clients 1-on-1 gives you the chance to provide direct support. You can build a long-term relationship with your clients and provide training sessions that are personalized to their needs. This is a great option for clients who are looking for specific advice and someone to support them on a long-term fitness journey.

A potential downside to consider is that 1-on-1 sessions can be more time-consuming as a personal trainer. You may have to work around your client’s schedule and there’s less flexibility than a group session with a set schedule. 

Group PT Sessions

Group personal training sessions are a popular offering for fitness businesses. A group setting allows you to help multiple people at once, usually at a specific time that you determine. A class format is not only more flexible for your schedule, but it can help build community within your business. 

Something to consider when offering group sessions is the technology aspect. If you have technical difficulties, those can affect a large group of people and may be difficult to reschedule. Or, you may have to refund the class entirely. 

It’s also harder to provide specific guidance when you’re training a group of people. Your instructions need to be more broad and you usually can’t offer any personalizations. 

Step #3: Get Your Equipment Ready 

Like any online business, running an online personal training business means you need to have the right equipment to get the job done. Here are some recommendations for your tech stack and virtual personal training equipment. 

4 Tech Tools for Online Personal Training 

Offering personal training online means you must rely on tech to create and share your content. Here are some creator tools you need to run an online personal training business: 

• Camera: If you offer 1-on-1 sessions, Zoom can act as both your camera and audio. But if you record your training sessions, you’ll need a professional camera setup. You can use your phone or invest in a digital camera like the Sony ZV-1. No matter what you choose, you’ll also want to get a tripod so you don’t have to worry about adjusting the camera while you’re in the middle of recording. 
• Lighting: Natural lighting is the best option for recording videos. But if you don’t have access to a sun-drenched studio space, you can create good lighting with a ring light. There are several ring lights to choose from, but this one is highly rated and comes with a tripod.
• Microphone: As an online personal trainer, you need a mic that stays with you as you move. Clear audio is essential, and your laptop or phone microphone isn’t strong enough to rely on. Consider getting a lapel or clip-on mic that you can wear while you teach. 
• Video editing software: If you offer on-demand videos, you’ll need a video editing tool. Veed is a great option, even if you don’t have any video editing experience. The tool offers features that enable you to trim, crop, add subtitles, and export your video to your website, YouTube, or social media. 

Personal Training Equipment 

Another benefit of starting an online personal training business is you don’t need a ton of workout equipment to get started. 

Whether you’re working out from your home or renting out a studio to record your training videos, you’ll likely need workout equipment basics such as a set of dumbbells, resistance bands, yoga mats, and a foam roller. Anything else you need depends on your personal training style and methods. 

If you’re looking for more ideas, we’ve put together a full list of personal training equipment.

Step #5: Create a Marketing Strategy 

Finally, you need to have a marketing strategy for your fitness business. Luckily, personal training is a fun industry that offers plenty of content opportunities. As long as you’re active on the right marketing channels and engage with your audience, you can bring in new clients in no time. 

Use Social Media 

Get the word out about your fitness business on social media channels like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Social media is a great place to get discovered, reach a wider audience, and showcase your personality. 

When you’re just getting started, reach out to your friends, family, and professional network to let them know you’re starting an online fitness business. Encourage them to follow you, share your content, and engage in the comment section. 

You can also use social media to connect with other health and fitness professionals. Follow hashtags like #personaltraining and #fitnesscoach to engage with content from fellow trainers and build your following from there. 

Set Up Email Marketing 

Email marketing is another key component of an effective fitness marketing strategy. Unlike social media, an email list is a direct way to communicate with potential clients. 

There are a ton of email marketing tools you can use to build an email list, including Mailchimp, Flodesk, and Brevo. Simply set up an account, then connect it to your website where people can subscribe. 

Once you have your email list set up, use it to share your industry expertise, create free workout templates, or promote a new workout video. 

Discover how you can launch and promote your business with Durable today → 

Challenges of Being an Online Personal Trainer 

While being a personal trainer is a great way to build your own business, it’s not without its challenges. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind if you want to be a successful online trainer. 

Technology Issues 

As we shared earlier, online personal training relies on technology. This can be nerve-wracking if you aren’t confident in your setup. Some potential risks are having to re-record something because your camera stopped working or losing connection in the middle of a virtual session. 

To prevent these issues from disrupting your online sessions, make sure you have the right equipment (we shared our recommendations above). As long as you have a reliable set up and a backup plan in case your systems don’t work, then running an online business can be seamless. 

Client Relationships 

If you function best with in-person connections, you may find it challenging to work with clients virtually. The computer screen adds a layer of friction that can’t be ignored. 

However, there are still ways to ensure you have a strong training relationship. Taking the time to get to know clients before a session and checking in virtually between sessions can help build a stronger connection. In a group setting, you can also encourage people to turn their cameras on so it feels more like an in-person class. 

Becoming an online personal trainer is a great way to run your own business in the fitness industry. Follow these steps to ensure you’re set up for success. 

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