If you’re passionate about fitness and enjoy helping others reach their goals, then becoming a personal trainer could be a perfect fit. Whether you dream of running bootcamps in the park, launching your own home studio, or building a loyal online following, personal training offers plenty of exciting opportunities for entrepreneurs.
But before you jump into business mode, there are a few things you’ll need to know. From qualifications and licensing to market trends and growth potential, here’s a complete guide to launching your own personal training business.
What Does a Personal Trainer Do?
Personal trainers offer one-to-one fitness coaching tailored to individual goals. Some specialise in areas like bodybuilding, circuit training, or bootcamps, while others focus on niche audiences such as weight loss for women, senior fitness, or even post-natal training.
You might choose to work from a private studio, visit clients in their homes, host sessions in gyms or local parks or run live and on-demand sessions online. The flexibility is a major plus for entrepreneurial trainers looking to build a brand that suits their lifestyle.
Getting Qualified: What You Need
To work as a professional personal training business in the UK, you’ll need an industry-recognised qualification especially if you plan to register with CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity) or the NRPT (National Register of Personal Trainers). These memberships help boost your credibility and show clients that you meet high professional standards.
Here are a few popular training options:
- Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training (City & Guilds, Active IQ): Covers nutrition, anatomy, health screening and more.
Example provider: The Fitness Group - YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training and Instruction: Focuses on programme design, motivation techniques and nutrition.
Find out more at YMCA Awards - Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Gym Instructing and Personal Training: A blended learning course that covers anatomy, safety and programme delivery.
Delivered by Study Active
Investing in the right qualification not only opens doors, it also shows your commitment to your business.
Memberships and Professional Support
Once you’re qualified, joining a professional body can offer several perks; networking, development opportunities, insurance, and most importantly, credibility.
Here are two top choices:
- CIMSPA – £36/year for practitioner membership. Shows you’re committed to ongoing professional development.
Visit: www.cimspa.co.uk - NRPT – £135/year. Gives clients confidence that you meet national standards and follow a strict code of ethics.
Visit: nrpt.co.uk
Do I Need a Licence?
If you’re planning to hold fitness sessions in public spaces, especially in London, you may need a licence.
- In the Royal Parks (e.g. Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, Greenwich Park): A licence from the Royal Parks Agency is a must.
Info: Royal Parks Licence - Elsewhere in the UK: Local authority rules vary, so check directly with your council if you plan to train clients in parks or other public spaces.
Key Trends and What’s Shaping the Market
The personal training industry is thriving and the future looks promising. Here’s a snapshot of what’s going on:
Industry Growth: Forecasts suggest the UK personal training market will grow by over 10% by 2029. Online coaching, wearable tech, and tailored fitness plans are fuelling demand. (www.futurefit.co.uk/blog/future-of-personal-training).
Cost of Living Pressure: Many gym-goers (especially 18–34s) cancelled memberships in 2022. There’s a growing demand for more affordable, flexible fitness options—like outdoor or online training. (https://hrnews.co.uk/more-than-third-of-brits-give-up-fitness-memberships-due-to-cost-of-living-concerns).
Rising Demand: Enquiries for personal trainers have nearly doubled since 2019. And notably, about 26% of these come from people who don’t belong to a gym—proof that your services can go beyond traditional settings. (www.yourpersonaltraininguk.co.uk/news/unlocking-the-fitness-industrys-potential-insights-from-evolve-2023).
Franchise Opportunities: Programmes like At Home Fitness and Sweaty Mama offer franchise models for trainers who want to hit the ground running with support, branding, and built-in audiences.
Ready to Launch?
Starting your own personal training business is a brilliant opportunity to turn your passion into a profession. Whether you’re building a brand from scratch or joining an existing network, there’s room for fresh ideas and motivated entrepreneurs.
At Duport, we help thousands of startups form their companies every year. If you’re ready to take the next step, get in touch and we’ll help you register your business and build the foundations for success.
Purchase almost any of the business registration packages on our site and you will receive a full comprehensive business insight report on your chosen field. The full report gives vital information on Continuing professional development, Fitness studios and equipment, Managing health and safety, insurance and other vital resources.
If you’re not ready to start but would like to secure your name for the future use check out our reserve company name product, this will also include the industry report.
