Passes Education

How to Make Money as a Personal Trainer: Online and Offline

You don’t need a massive following or a fancy gym name to make a real income as a personal trainer. What you need is a clear plan to turn your coaching skills into products, services, or sessions people want and will pay for.

Today, trainers are earning beyond the gym by running outdoor sessions, meeting clients virtually, and creating digital programs that can be sold repeatedly. From private coaching and small group workouts to custom plans and downloadable guides, the income paths are clear and more flexible than ever.

If you are newly certified or ready to move beyond trading time for money, now is the time to build a career that fits your schedule, supports your goals, and grows with real client demand.

How Can You Start Earning with In-Person Personal Training?

If you are looking to start making money right away, in-person training is the fastest path. It gets you in front of real clients, builds trust quickly, and gives you hands-on experience that leads to referrals and long-term income.

One-on-one coaching helps you learn what clients really need and how to deliver results that keep them coming back. Before you scale online or sell digital programs, this is where real fitness careers begin.

Offer One-on-One Training at Local Gyms or Parks

Private sessions are the fastest way to start earning. You don’t need a facility, just a plan and a place.

Here’s how to launch one-on-one sessions:

Partner with local gyms or offer training in parks or open spaces.
Set a reasonable hourly rate, taking into account experience and local market averages.
Safeguard your legal and professional interests with client intake forms and waivers.
Create a structured plan for every session; showing up prepared builds trust fast.

To retain clients:

Offer check-ins and personalized feedback.
Track visible progress with measurable milestones.
Add small touches, such as fitness challenges or nutrition tips.

Pro Tip: One-on-one clients are the foundation of your business. They are the ones who will refer others, stick with you through seasons, and give you the real-world feedback that shapes your style and brand.

Run Small Group Fitness Classes or Bootcamps

Group sessions increase your earning power without adding hours to your day. With just 4-8 clients in one class, you can multiply income and impact.

Start with and stick to formats like:

HIIT circuits: short bursts of high-intensity moves to burn fat fast.
Bodyweight conditioning: full-body strength using no equipment.
Weekend bootcamps: outdoor hybrid sessions mixing cardio and strength.
Beginner strength training: basics using light resistance and safe movement.

Host your classes in public parks or community centers to keep costs low. By charging $15–$25 per person, you can earn $75–$125 in the same hour it takes to train just one client. To fill your spots, create a consistent schedule and promote locally. Flyers, Facebook groups, and referral offers like “bring a friend for free” all work well.

What Are the Best Online Income Streams for Personal Trainers?

Training clients in person helps you build real relationships, but your income still depends on showing up and training people hour after hour. Online income streams let you scale your business, reach more people, and keep earning, even when you are not actively coaching.

Whether you are supplementing your in-person schedule or shifting fully online, these methods help you grow faster, build your brand, and increase income without being tied to one location.

Offer Virtual Training Sessions via Zoom or Fitness Apps

Live video sessions are one of the easiest ways to start making money online as a trainer. You can coach clients in real-time, demonstrate movements, and offer personalized feedback without leaving your home.

To run smooth virtual sessions:

Use platforms like Zoom, FaceTime, or apps with built-in video coaching tools (e.g., Trainerize, My PT Hub).
Set up in a quiet, well-lit space with your camera at eye level.
Wear a headset or mic for clear audio.
Make sure your full body fits within the frame when demonstrating exercises.
Keep sessions interactive by offering real-time guidance and follow-up messages between workouts.

Virtual coaching is personal, flexible, and easy to launch. All you need is a strong internet connection and a reliable setup. It’s an ideal option if you want to coach one-on-one or small groups without renting space or commuting.

Sell Customized Workout or Nutrition Plans Online

Selling plans online is a great way to generate income passively. Instead of trading time for money, you create once and sell multiple times, making it one of the most scalable income streams in fitness.

Here’s how to get started:

Pick a specific goal: fat loss, muscle gain, beginner mobility, or meal prep.
Design your plan using tools like Canva, Google Docs, or Trainerize.
Format it as a PDF, app-based guide, or email drip sequence.
Sell through platforms like Gumroad, Teachable, or your website.

To boost sales:

Upsell with add-ons like video demos, weekly check-ins, or recipe bundles.
Promote your offer via Instagram, email lists, and client referrals.
Offer limited-time discounts or exclusive bonuses to increase urgency.

Digital plans are great for reaching a wider audience, especially those who aren’t yet ready for live coaching. They help position you as an expert, and they keep selling in the background while you focus on coaching or building your brand.

How to Monetize Fitness Content Without Clients

You don’t need a full roster of clients to earn a steady income. Your fitness knowledge itself is valuable, and content creation lets you turn it into digital products that pay you over and over again.

Whether you're posting videos, writing guides, or sharing workouts online, these strategies help you grow your brand, reach more people, and create income on your schedule.

Launch a YouTube Channel With Training Tips or Workouts

YouTube is a powerful way to earn income while building trust with a wide audience. Once your channel grows, you can monetize through:

Ad revenue via the YouTube Partner Program.
Brand sponsorships for product placements or shoutouts.
Affiliate links in video descriptions for fitness gear or supplements.

What to post:

Home workouts and beginner-friendly routines.
Short tips on form, nutrition, or motivation.
Weekly fitness challenges or tutorials.

Tips for growth:

Use strong video titles and eye-catching thumbnails.
Engage with comments to build loyalty.
Upload consistently to keep your audience coming back.

Example:

YouTube content takes time to grow, but it pays off. Once monetized, your videos can keep generating income long after they are posted.

Create and Sell Printable PDF Guides or Mini-Courses

Selling digital products is one of the easiest ways to earn passive income without live coaching.

Here’s how to start:

Choose a clear focus, like a 4-week strength plan, meal prep guide, or beginner mobility course.
Design your guide or video course using tools like Canva or Google Docs.
Host and sell through platforms like Gumroad, Teachable, or your own website.

To increase sales:

Offer bonuses like demo videos, check-in calendars, or community access.
Promote through Instagram, email lists, and your existing YouTube or website traffic.
Utilize urgency drivers, such as early-bird pricing or limited-time bundles.

Once set up, these products sell automatically. That means more revenue without adding coaching hours, perfect for scaling your business or earning while you focus on in-person or virtual clients.

Can You Earn Through Brand Partnerships and Affiliates?

Absolutely, brand deals and affiliate programs are one of the smartest and most powerful ways to earn as a personal trainer, especially if you have built trust with even a small audience.

You can turn product recommendations into real income by partnering with brands you actually use. These partnerships don’t just boost earnings; they also grow your credibility and provide more opportunities to monetize without requiring additional hours of training.

Join Affiliate Programs for Fitness Gear or Supplements

Affiliate links pay you every time someone buys through your recommendation. You don’t need a big following. When you share gear, supplements, or tools that genuinely help your clients or followers, people buy. And you earn a commission.

Top affiliate programs to consider:

Amazon Associates: Easy to join and perfect for gym gear, fitness books, or wellness gadgets.
Legion Athletics or MyProtein: High-trust supplement brands with solid commission rates.
Nike, Under Armour, or Gymshark: Well-known brands with activewear affiliate programs popular with fitness creators.

Pro Tip: Keep it authentic. Only link to products you actually use or would recommend to a client. People trust you because you show up consistently, don’t risk that for a quick buck.

Partner with Local Brands or Healthy Food Startups

You don’t need national sponsors to start earning. Local businesses are often looking for trusted faces to promote what they offer, and you already have a connection with your fitness-minded audience.

Start by reaching out to:

Meal prep companies.
Local juice bars or smoothie shops.
Wellness boutiques or supplement stores.

Pitch a simple win-win idea: co-branded giveaways, sponsored Instagram posts, or exclusive discount codes for your clients. Make your value clear, highlight your niche, client base, and engagement frequency.

Why this works: Local partnerships build your brand in your community, increase your visibility offline, and offer consistent side income with very little extra time invested.

Why Relying Only on Hourly Clients Limits Growth

Hourly sessions limit income because they tie earnings directly to your available time. You only get paid when you are present, which means every client cancellation, time-off request, or scheduling gap reduces your monthly total.

This model makes it hard to scale. Even with a full schedule, your revenue is capped by the number of hours you can work each week.

To earn more and build a business that lasts, you need additional income streams that generate revenue without demanding more hours. Group training, digital products, brand partnerships, and subscription models let you increase income and impact without increasing your workload.

How Can Personal Trainers Build Recurring Revenue with Passes?

You don’t need a big audience to build a reliable monthly income; you just need the right setup. Passes gives personal trainers a clean, client-friendly platform to sell subscriptions, share exclusive content, and stay in control of their earnings. It’s built for fitness creators who want long-term income without relying on unstable algorithms or risky networks.

If you want recurring revenue that grows with your brand, here’s how to use Passes to make it happen.

Launch Subscriptions Without Losing a Cut to Big Platforms

Passes lets you keep more of what you earn by offering fitness subscriptions directly to your followers, with lower fees and no corporate middlemen.

To set up and get started with Passes:

Build a standout profile: Write a clear, compelling bio, organize your fitness content into easy-to-browse categories, and upload a short welcome video that showcases your coaching style.
Offer tiered pricing: Create options for every budget, like basic tips, exclusive video workouts, monthly check-ins, or full access to your training vault.
Stay consistent: Share weekly content, answer member questions, and reward loyalty with occasional perks or bonus materials.
Use data to grow: The built-in analytics help you track engagement and adapt your offers to keep members subscribing.

It’s your coaching, your content, and your rules, with better margins than you will find on crowded, ad-driven platforms.

Create a Safe-for-Work Space for Your Clients

Not all platforms protect your brand. Passes is built for professionals, so your clients never have to question the type of content they’re signing up for.

You can confidently promote your Passes link in emails, bios, or social posts, knowing your space stays:

Professional: No NSFW overlap.
Brand-safe: Fitness-first content only.
Client-friendly: Secure for all audiences.

Your reputation matters, and this kind of clean, focused environment makes it easier to build trust and sell recurring programs without compromise.

Use CRM Tools to Build Stronger Client Relationships

Passes doesn’t just help you earn, it helps you organize. With its built-in Customer Relationship Management (CRM), you can manage relationships in one place, so nothing slips through the cracks.

Here’s what you can do:

Track leads and messages from curious followers or paying clients.
Schedule sessions or content drops without using external tools.
Collect feedback so you can improve your offers and retain members longer.

These tools help you stay close to your clients as your audience grows, and that’s how you turn a follower into a long-term paying supporter.

What Tools and Platforms Can Help Personal Trainers Grow Faster?

Running a training business today takes more than great workouts. You need the right tools to save time, grow revenue, and serve clients more effectively. Whether you are managing client programs or selling digital products, the platforms below can help you grow faster without working more hours.

Best Platforms to Sell Workouts and Courses

Selling fitness content online is one of the fastest ways to scale your business. These platforms help you deliver programs professionally and get paid without having to chase invoices.

Gumroad: An easy-to-use platform for beginners selling workout PDFs or fitness guides. Offers low fees and instant payouts.
Trainerize: Designed for personal trainers to deliver workouts, track habits, and message clients in one app.
Kajabi: A full-course platform that includes email marketing, sales funnels, and digital product hosting for fitness entrepreneurs.
Passes: Best for safe-for-work trainers offering exclusive content and subscription access with fewer fees.
Thinkific: Ideal if you want to build structured, video-based courses for clients who prefer long-term, self-paced programs.

Each tool fits a specific growth stage, from beginner sales to full course delivery. Choose one that matches your content type and how you want to deliver it.

CRM Tools for Personal Trainer Retention

A good CRM helps you stay on top of client communication, follow-ups, and progress. These tools are made for fitness professionals who want to keep clients longer and manage everything in one place.

TrainerFu: Lets you schedule workouts, track goals, and chat with clients inside a single dashboard.
My PT Hub: Combines CRM, habit tracking, payment processing, and custom workout templates.
TrueCoach: Best for remote coaching. It includes feedback loops, check-ins, and detailed plan sharing.
Passes: Offers built-in CRM tools for fitness creators, including lead tracking, client notes, and secure messaging.

Retention builds revenue. CRM tools make it easier to keep every client engaged and coming back.

Passive Income Platforms for Fitness Creators

Passive income frees up your time while your content works for you. These platforms help you sell digital products, accept tips, or offer low-maintenance memberships:

Passes: Great for selling safe-for-work content, coaching bundles, or gated workouts through simple monthly subscriptions.
Ko-fi: Accepts donations, sells quick products like meal plans, and offers content access without a steep learning curve.
Buy Me a Coffee: Good for one-off purchases, digital downloads, and fan support with zero setup complexity.

If you want freedom from the hourly grind, passive income is the first step, and these tools make it doable without tech stress.

Why Wait? Start Earning What You’re Worth

You have already built the skills. Now it’s time to turn them into income that works on your schedule, not someone else’s.

Passes gives you full control over your brand, pricing, and content. Sell subscriptions, share exclusive workouts, or offer coaching directly, without platform restrictions or third-party cuts.

Every feature is built to help personal trainers earn consistently, grow without burnout, and keep 100% of the credit for their work.

If you are ready to stop trading time for money and start building real revenue, this is your next step.

Create your free Passes profile today and start earning on your own terms.