Online Personal Training Prices
It can be tough to know what online personal training prices should be. In fact, the cost for these services can range from $30 a session to $150 per session. This is, in part, because different packages will offer different services which leads to an increase or decrease in the cost to a client. Further, a personal trainer’s education and experience can also change what a client will expect to pay. However, one of the biggest reasons why there is such a large range of online personal training prices is because the fitness industry doesn’t have a norm yet. Here, we’ll explore:
- Average cost for an online personal trainer
- Variables in online personal training pricing
- Online coaching pricing structures
- Showing the value of online coaching
- Ways to build more value and charge more in coaching sessions
- Sample pricing structures
As you’ll see, you can value each client up to $650 monthly conservatively. Once you have 15 clients at this tier, you’re making a six-figure income. Learn more on how to start a personal training business.
Since the outcomes of online personal training are the same as fitness coaching and virtual training, we’ll use these words interchangeably. Some may argue a difference, but the fitness profession as a whole is not currently differentiating them. Learn more about what online personal trainers do and how they run their businesses here.
Average Cost For An Online Personal Trainer
The average cost for online training ranges from $30 – $150 per session. As you’ll see later, there are several reasons why there is such a big gap in the pricing structure. However, online coaches charge nearly the same as traditional personal trainers when you look at it from the hourly perspective. In fact, there isn’t a variability greater than 25% for the most part. The three primary reasons online personal training packages can vary include the following:
- Personal training session duration (30, 45, and 60 minutes are the most common)
- Size or type of training session (one one one personal training, small group training, or larger group fitness instruction)
- Education level (including advanced specializations in areas like strength and conditioning, corrective exercise, and weight loss)
These three factors are similar to the variable price of personal training that you see in a traditional fitness club or gym.
Other Variables In Online Personal Training Pricing
A distinctive feature of online personal training is how different the experience can be from one personal trainer to the next. This is different from the experience of training in a gym setting. Most gyms will have structured prices and service offerings. For example, a personal trainer might be able to offer additional nutrition coaching or online lifestyle coaching. In a case like this, it either isn’t part of what the club offers or they have special roles for people to give those services. However, this is just one example of why you’ll see price differences. Here is the longer list and explanation of the over $100 per hour range in online coaching prices:
- Trainer experience. Just like with any other trade, the more personal training experience you have, the more your personal training should cost.
- Trainer confidence. One of the biggest challenges new trainers face is confidence to charge the rate an experienced trainer charges. When working in a structured setting like a gym, the trainer often doesn’t have a choice. However, in a virtual training world, the new trainer will often undercut their worth just to get clients in the door.
- Additional services. An online fitness coach who offers a meal plan, access to fitness challenges, and an off-day workout plan just to name a few, can charge more.
- Client load and trainer capacity. Online coaching is far more scalable than traditional training. However, at some point, an experienced trainer will start running out of room to take on new clients. While you shouldn’t burn yourself out, you can consider how much your time is worth once it hits a certain point. For example, personal training sessions outside of a “traditional schedule” like 5:00 am or Sunday afternoons can cost more.
Online Coaching Pricing Structure
There are three different pricing models an online personal trainer can use when charging clients. Although you can use all of them, you should stick to a standard method of charging clients. If you discover one model might work better than others, roll the new pricing structure out all at once rather than with select clients.
- Pricing Model 1 | Per Session: This is the least common and desirable way to charge clients. In this example, you charge a client a set hourly rate and only charge each time the client completes an online training session. This is problematic because it doesn’t factor in additional services you might offer. Therefore, it’s likely that you’ll end up charging far less than the time you invest working with the client even when outside of the workout.
- Pricing Model 2 | Flat Fee: In the flat fee model, the fitness trainer is charging a flat fee for the overall nutrition and exercise program. For example, a client will pay a flat fee for a 4, 8, or 12-week program. During this program, the client receives the standard services all other clients receive. Most training packages include a fitness assessment, one to two weekly individual sessions, one to two weekly group sessions (like HIIT), and weekly follow-up online coaching sessions. This pricing model is better than the per session model. However, it implies a start and end date. This lowers the commitment level of the client. And, for the online trainer, you have to worry about re-selling or retaining clients.
- Pricing Model 3 | Recurring: The recurring pricing model is a monthly rate for set services. This is ideal because it sets the client’s standard that having fitness and nutrition coaching is an ongoing expense, just like anything else. Some trainers will shy away from this model, again, because of a lack of confidence or value they think they can offer. However, as you’ll see, there are different subscription pricing packages you can put together for clients. With this type of pricing and fitness programming, your services are always the same. Then, the client chooses a training package that includes or excludes certain offerings. You can think of it as a subscription for good, better, and best online training.
Demonstrating Value As An Online Trainer
To be able to charge what you want as an online personal trainer, you have to first demonstrate value to prospects. Although this should be a part of your personal training marketing strategy, there are some key things you can do to show the benefit of your programs. Especially in an online environment, you have to get prospects to know, like, and trust you. Here is a list of ways you can get potential clients to know, like, and trust you. Keep in mind, these should all be free. Don’t worry about giving too much away, accountability and engagement are your biggest benefits.
- Client testimonials. On your website and social medial platforms, include before and after pictures of clients. Include different types of clients from weight loss to hypertrophy and strength training, showcase results. Ask clients to provide testimonials and give you ratings and reviews.
- Free live workouts. Although everyone’s fitness level will vary, a general group workout is a great way to showcase your skills. This is great because you can have it open for referrals to attend. Therefore, you’re able to reach many people at one time.
- Free workout downloads. Although live workouts are better, you can write up sample fitness programs and give them away for free. This gives prospects an idea of the detail you go into. Of course, this will be a general workout plan, it’s still a great lead magnet.
- Free educational webinars. Just like the live workouts, webinars are great. In a live webinar, you can show your personality and expertise. You can talk about exercise techniques, nutrition trends, and other trending topics.
These are all valuable ways you can give others a taste of what your services will offer.
Building More Online Coaching Value
As an online personal trainer, you want to offer tremendous value. Especially if you’re using the recurring pricing model. With a subscription program, you need to offer as much value as a traditional gym membership. This will free up extra cash the client has to give to you. In a sense, you want to be their online gym membership. So, consider what a fitness club offers. Things like social interaction, group fitness, nutrition coaching, motivation, and ongoing accessibility are all part of the experience.
Consider these offerings to your online training business.
- Guarantee. Everyone loves feeling safe when buying, especially online. Offer a satisfaction guarantee or even a goal or results guarantee. This will hold both you and the client more accountable for a great fitness relationship.
- Training app. There are so many personal training apps available. You can even white-label your workout app. The clients then get their custom workouts directly to their devices.
- Private Facebook groups. You can set up groups specific to goals. For example, you might have one for functional fitness, weight loss, or running. By specifying the personas of the group, you’ll see the clients engage with each other more. You’ll also be able to post custom messaging based on goals.
- Fitness challenges. By always having a fitness challenge running or coming up, there’s always a reason to keep an online fitness coach. Get creative and offer challenges like body composition changes, nutrition compliance, training session minutes, and more. Learn how to host a fitness challenge and get even more fitness challenge ideas.
- Text messaging service. When clients aren’t seeing you daily, how can you stay at the forefront of their minds? Think automated text messaging. You can send fitness tips, motivational quotes, and more as part of the online trainer experience.
These are just a few options to add value to the subscription pricing model you have. You can exclude certain features to match the pricing a client will pay. Keep in mind that although they’re scalable, they also will take up some of your time. So, do your research and account for the time and what that looks like as a cost to your personal training clients.
The EMAC Online Coach Certification teaches you how to be an online personal trainer and what you need to do to get paying clients in as little as one month. And, if you’re new to fitness in general, check out our EMAC Personal Training Certification to get the exercise science down and know what the fitness professionals know.