An online personal trainer offers the same support as an in-person trainer but does so using technology rather than meeting in person. Online personal trainers can offer a wide range of options in different packages, including but not limited to personalized workouts, personalized meal plans, one-to-one coaching, and group sessions.
A personal trainer can get his/her certification through an online course, an in-person course, or by first getting a degree in exercise science and then getting a personal trainer certification following the completion of said degree. Once that certification is achieved, the new personal trainer can start taking on clients and earning an income!
There are multiple ways for someone to achieve their goals of being an online personal trainer, but what exactly is a personal trainer, and why would someone want to pursue this job? Keep reading to find out all you need to know about getting started as an online personal trainer.
Article Contents
What Does an Online Fitness Trainer Do?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics labels the job description of a fitness trainer as people who “lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities.” An online personal trainer carries out these tasks primarily online. This can be done through an online video chat platform such as Zoom or by using fitness apps like Trainerize.
Zoom and other video chatting platforms allow for personal trainers to see their trainees in real-time, which can be helpful for those trainees that need someone to motivate them throughout their workout and keep them from giving up. Trainerize allows trainers to upload personalized workouts for those trainees who don’t need the accountability of video chat platforms but do still need the structure of the workout and/or meals planned for them.
Being an online personal trainer rather than an in-person trainer allows for more flexibility in timing and scheduling than having to actually report to a boss or gym at a designated time. Trainees who work weird schedules would also benefit from having the option of utilizing an online personal trainer that they could hire who could work around the odd hours.
3 Ways to Become an Online Fitness Trainer
There are several ways to become an online personal trainer. Up next, we’ll share the top three ways that we think are the most efficient.
Way 1
The first and what would probably be the most popular for those wanting to be an online personal trainer would be to pursue an online certification program. An online program would again offer more flexibility than an in-person one.
Online programs offer more flexibility because you do not have to report to an instruction area at a certain time but can rather study and work at your own pace. This is beneficial for those who are not available at regular classroom times.
However, an online certification program would not be beneficial for those who struggle with time management and need something more structured.
Way 2
For those needing something that has more structured deadlines and due dates, an in-person certification course may be best. An in-person course will also have an instructor that can motivate those taking the course. Those taking an in-person course would also benefit from having an instructor that they can ask questions or come to with concerns.
Some gyms offer these courses for those who are willing to work with that gym for a specified amount of time. However, pursuing the route of going through a gym may delay one becoming an online personal trainer if they have to work at the gym first.
Another option for those pursuing the gym-provided class route would be to work as an online personal fitness trainer in their off time or to supplement their at-gym clients until the specified amount of time in the contract is done.
Way 3
Last, but not least, another option for those wanting to become an online personal trainer to achieve his or her certification is to first pursue a degree in exercise science. This can be a two-year or a four-year degree.
The student would have the option of getting his or her personal trainer certification online while actively working towards the exercise science degree or after that degree is attained.
There are some universities/colleges that even offer certification courses on campus. Some of these campuses may even have a gym for students to use that those who get certified as personal trainers can work at!
For example, Indiana State University has the option for students to obtain their personal trainer certification and then work at the student recreation center as in-person personal trainers if they so wish.
Being an online personal trainer could be perfect for those currently attending college because they can work around their class and study schedule while still making an income which is always a plus as a college student.
Do I Need My Own Website to be an Online Fitness Trainer?
In today’s world, there are many ways for businesses to get the word out without having a website through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. However, should an online personal trainer strictly rely on social media platforms without having a website? The answer depends on how much money one is looking to invest back into the business.
Social media is free, or at least at the very least, it is low cost. Owning a website domain requires that money be invested back into that business to keep the website up and to run. This does not include outsourcing the upkeep of said website if you are not able to do it yourself. However, there is always a price being paid, even if it is not money.
With relying solely on social media, the main price that one pays is a lack of control, among other smaller problems.
On a social media platform, you have to adhere to that platform’s guidelines. Violation of those guidelines, even if by accident, could result in you losing everything faster than you can snap your fingers. This means that you cannot always post exactly what you want to so that you can avoid your page being taken down or posts being deleted.
Another potential problem that social media sites can present with is that most platforms have algorithms that determine how seen your content is. If a post does not fall into the algorithm correctly, then that post or even your profile could be shadowbanned and receive very little visibility. Having your own website means that you can show your visitors anything you want without the content being “screened.”
Business profiles on social media that have a legitimate linked website also seem more professional and are more likely to be clicked on than those that don’t. Having a website to easily get more information from rather than having to scroll through social media sites searching. Ease of use and finding information means happier clients, which then means more referrals and more sales. This is just one of many ways to find clients as a personal trainer.
You can find more information about having a website versus solely relying on social media pages here.
How Much is an Online Fitness Trainer?
The amount that you will pay for an online fitness trainer depends on exactly what services you are receiving. For example, you will pay more for a fitness trainer that you meet with over video chat a certain number of times versus one where the workouts are simply laid out for you in an app.
This is because the trainer has put more time and effort into not only designing the workout for you but also because they are making themselves available to meet over the video platform. Some personal trainers also offer meal plans as part of their packages which again would be an added cost.
The ISSA online blog states that “the average cost of hiring a personal trainer varies from $30 to $125 per hour (or more)”.
The price you pay is also determined by where you live. Personal trainers in large cities are going to charge more than those who live in rural areas because those larger cities are higher-income areas where people can afford to pay more for the luxury of hiring a personal trainer.
There are also many online personal trainers that offer a range of packages to fit different budgetary needs. Generally, the lower the cost of the package, the more basic of a plan with little to no extras. As you go up in price, you go up in what is offered as part of that package.
How Much Does an Online Fitness Trainer Make?
The salary that an online personal trainer makes is determined by similar variants as listed above. The location and types of service being offered make up most of the equation of the total salary; however, there is another factor that has not already been listed.
Who an online personal trainer works for is also a huge determinant in the salary of an online personal trainer. If a personal trainer is working for a company or gym, then that company or gym is not only setting the prices, but the gym is also setting the salary of a said personal trainer working for them.
When an online personal trainer is not working for a company, there are also other fees and costs to keep in mind that employers generally pay.
Taxes are one thing that most companies automatically take out of an employee’s paycheck without much thought on the employee’s part. If an online personal trainer is working for themselves, he or she will have to keep taxes in mind and save part of his or her income to pay said taxes.
Insurance and similar benefits are also expenses that an online personal trainer will have to keep in mind in addition to the taxes. Other business expenses include advertising, video equipment, and workout equipment, or a gym membership.
Outro
Overall, those who are considering a career as an online personal trainer will have to look closely at whether the benefits of working online, such as a flexible schedule, outweigh the costs of running his or her own business.
Being an online personal trainer can also be pursued as a side hustle income for those who need the extra income plus the flexibility that working online has to offer. This career and/or side hustle is great for those who love health and fitness and strive to share their passion with others to help them in their own journeys.
