How to Build a Successful PT Business in a Low-Income Area

Not all personal trainers are lucky to live and work in an affluent area. While commuting might be a solution for some trainers to find higher-earning clients, it won't work for all. Plus, if we want to reverse the obesity pandemic, everybody needs to get access to support, including people living on a lower income. So, we need dedicated trainers who work in low-income areas. If that describes you, we wrote this article for you.

Starting your personal training business in a low-income area can have pros and cons. On the one hand, it's essential to show people that they don't have to earn a lot to be able to focus on their fitness and health. However, fewer people will have disposable income to pay for personal training services in an area with a low average income. So what can you do? Here are 10 tips to help you get started.

1. Become the Go-To Person

If you're providing your services at a gym, making yourself known and proving your skills and knowledge can help you to attract more business. You can make yourself the person people think of when seeking advice or support.

Speak to as many members as possible, not necessarily to sell anything, but just to get your face and name recognized. Be sociable, provide some tips if anyone asks you and be ready to give out your contact details. You can even ask for people's email addresses if you have an email newsletter you run.

2. Offer Small Group Sessions

Group sessions can appeal to people who are on a budget. They might not be able to afford one-on-one personal training, but they can split the cost by training with others. While large group sessions can be fun, they don't allow a lot of individual considerations and support.

Consider offering small group sessions so that people can train with friends or book into your fixed small group training slots. They benefit from professional personal training but can save money and still socialize with others on a similar journey. It's a win-win.

3. Launch a Low-Cost Outdoor Community Session

Running an outdoor session can be a good way for you and your clients to keep costs down. It will also allow you to be seen by other locals walking around. If you're in the UK, it's worth checking with your council the terms for providing business services in a public park if that's where you intend to train your clients.

Some councils might just allow it for free, others may ask you to offer some of your time for council projects in exchange, and some places will want you to sign a contract and pay a fee. As long as you can come to an agreement that doesn't cost you anything or very little, you can offer large group sessions at a low cost per individual and build your reputation that way.

You can use word of mouth, social media, and advertising in community spaces to get the word out about your services, and once you have real connections with your locals, you can always mention that you offer 1-2-1 sessions to those that need tailored help.

4. Offer Shorter Sessions at a Lower Cost

Time is money, and you can save your clients money by offering them less of your time. You can do this by teaching your clients how to warm up and cool down on their own to do that before and after the sessions. You can then focus your efforts on guiding them through their main workout so that they can save money while still benefiting from your instruction and coaching.

5. Attend Local Events

Local events offer excellent opportunities to meet local people, introduce yourself, and advertise your services. There are many different local events that you will find helpful in promoting your business.

If it's open to the public, or you can perhaps book a stand or other space, you can attend and get your name and face there. You could attend school fairs, local festivals, health and fitness events, or whatever else seems like an appropriate place to talk to people about their fitness goals.

6. Train Friends and Family

Many new business owners start with having friends and family as their first clients. They're usually willing to help you out, and they can help you hone and demonstrate your skills. If you can encourage some friends or relatives to join you at the gym for a training session, you can show others how you train your clients. Show that you are encouraging and supportive, and share their progress online (with their permission).

7. Launch Your Community Event

You don't have to wait for an event to be available in your local area to promote your services. You can also be proactive, figure out what your locals would enjoy attending then make it happen. There are various things you could do and plenty of ideas to inspire you. 


You could set up a fundraising event for a local charity, run a workshop teaching training skills or hold a seminar to spread foundational fitness and health knowledge. Make yourself known as someone helpful and a valuable part of the community.

8. Offer Online Services

Getting online gives you a massive advantage if you're in a low-income area. It enables you to work with clients wherever they are, so you're not limited to marketing your fitness coaching services to local people.

It can also mean you can offer more affordable packages to local people too. You don't have to travel, and neither do they. They don't have to pay to get into the gym, and they can even train without any equipment.

9. Take on Mobile Training Clients

You don't have to tie yourself down to your local gym. If you are willing to travel, you can go to your clients and expand the area you're able to serve. 

Your clients will appreciate you being able to meet them wherever suits them best, in the comfort of their home, garage gym, or even outdoors. You will be able to target more affluent people willing to pay higher rates which you can justify by traveling to them and taking equipment if needed.

10. Be Patient

One of the most important things to keep in mind as a new trainer is that it pays to be patient. You can't expect clients to start coming in right away when you've barely established your business.

However, once you start to pick up a few clients, word of mouth will help you find more clients to continue to grow your customer base. Still, it might take 6-12 months, even in a higher earning area, for a new trainer to find their ground, so persevere and keep doing what works until you're happy with the outcome.

Conclusion

Starting your personal training business in a low-income area doesn't have to stop you from getting clients. It might just take a little more time and effort. Whether you choose to work with local clients or look further afield, good personal trainer marketing will help you find the right clients. Use the methods above to get started on the right foot.