Mobile Personal Trainer

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NathanMorgan
NathanMorgan Posts: 172 Forumite
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in Employment, jobseeking & training
im considering a career in becoming a personal trainer but I'd be a mobile personal trainer where I'll travel to the clients homes and train them there as I've come across a few people who are either too shy to join a gym or don't have the time commitments in travelling to and from the gym.

I have researched my local area and there is no one currently doing this sort of service to their clients. The benefit I can see from this type of service is not being tied down in paying expensive gym rent and the downside is travelling expenses and the inevitable cancellations.

I have all the equipment needed for the job it's just doing my level 3 qualification now.

Do any of you fellow PT's offer the same service, if so, what have you found to be the pro's and con's of it?
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  • NathanMorgan
    NathanMorgan Posts: 172 Forumite
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    BUMP for some feedback.
  • andygb
    andygb Posts: 14,631 Forumite
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    NathanMorgan wrote: »
    BUMP for some feedback.

    I am doing level 2 at the moment Nathan, and I think that you should go for it, because there is obviously a market for people who would like fitness training at home.
    If you are interested in this, then contact your local Chamber of Commerce and they will be able to give you advice regarding your business idea, creating a business plan and networking with other local businesses, as well as sound advice regarding marketing.
    Good luck!
  • lincroft1710
    lincroft1710 Posts: 17,663 Forumite
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    A friend has been doing this for over 20 years
    If you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales
  • NathanMorgan
    NathanMorgan Posts: 172 Forumite
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    andygb wrote: »
    I am doing level 2 at the moment Nathan, and I think that you should go for it, because there is obviously a market for people who would like fitness training at home.
    If you are interested in this, then contact your local Chamber of Commerce and they will be able to give you advice regarding your business idea, creating a business plan and networking with other local businesses, as well as sound advice regarding marketing.
    Good luck!

    I forgot to mention that I've got my level 2 certificate in gym instructing and I've been debating for a while in doing my level 3 but from researching the current market I've found not alot of PT's in my area are training their clients in their homes so I'm going to give it a shot.
  • NathanMorgan
    NathanMorgan Posts: 172 Forumite
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    lincroft1710 wrote: »
    A friend has been doing this for over 20 years

    how is he finding it?
  • lincroft1710
    lincroft1710 Posts: 17,663 Forumite
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    Based in London (one of the better parts) Has a regular clientele but also takes classes in gyms and does diversify. Often works 6 day week. The clientele has been built up over a long time. Don't know how lucrative it is though
    If you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales
  • lovehackney
    lovehackney Posts: 162 Forumite
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    I'm not a personal trainer BUT I do have a personal trainer who come to my house each week. From what I can tell, and what he says, the main pros and cons are:

    Pros:
    - flexibility over training times - you don't need to wait for a gym to open, you can train whenever is convenient for you and your client
    - you get 100% of the money, no overhead to pay to the gym
    - more 'comfortable' environment (I find), for both client and trainer; client doesn't need to worry about being embarrassed, trainer will have client's full attention and can have a cup of coffee if they wish!
    - clients might be less likely to cancel - it's easier to not turn up to the gym, than not answer the door to someone at your house!!
    - as a client, i love training at home as it's easier for me, so is definitely something i look for in a trainer - I wouldn't switch to a gym based trainer

    Cons:
    - driving time between appointments - depends how far apart your clients are, but this 'non-earning' time so when setting your hourly rate, take this into account
    - you will probably need a car to lug all your equipment around, depending on what kind of training you do
    - client's house may be unsuitable for some exercises you have planned, e.g., i live in a flat so can't really jump up and down too much early in the morning.. once you have seen the room / garden though a good trainer should be able to adjust
    - traffic more likely to make you late
    - not sure about insurance requirements?

    For full info, I pay £40/hour (in London). Some people pay £60, £70 per hour.
  • lovehackney
    lovehackney Posts: 162 Forumite
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    I should add, similar to what Lincroft said, my trainer does also teach some classes at a couple of studios, and also works 6 (sometimes 7) days a week, as well as unsociable hours!
  • NathanMorgan
    NathanMorgan Posts: 172 Forumite
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    I will be looking at setting up a website for my clients to book timeslots that suits them and myself as this sort of business is going to require alot of flexibility as I know some of my clients will be working during the day.

    I have all the equipment needed to go into clients homes such as adjustable dumbbells, squat stands, weight plates but the only piece of equipment that might be a problem is an olympic barbell which is 7ft long as I might not be able to get it in and out of houses as it's such an awkward piece and a barbell is fundamental for most beginner type training programs but I'd have to work around that issue by using an EZ bar instead or a shorter barbell.

    Also I know that marketing and advertising is going to play a huge role for this to be a success.
  • Caroline_a
    Caroline_a Posts: 4,071 Forumite
    edited 27 February 2016 at 10:50PM
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    I'd be really careful about doing olympic lifting in people's houses - unless you are going to invest in specialist mobile flooring!! I wouldn't want to be dropping the weights on my laminate!

    Also totally disagree that you need to use a barbell for beginner training sessions - it all depends on the client, age, etc etc. You can cover many of the olympic lifting moves using kettlebells or med balls.
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