How Much Does It Cost To Become An Online Fitness Coach? (In 2024)
Looking to start an online fitness coach?
But curious about:
- how much it costs to start an online fitness coach?
- what are the typical online fitness coach startup costs?
- or the actual cost of starting online fitness coaches?
Well, we have the data to prove it, supported by real online fitness coaches and how much they actually cost to start.
Let's go over it.
What is the average cost of starting an online fitness coach?
Based on our data reported by actual online fitness coach founders, the average cost of starting an online fitness coach is between $100 and $20,000.
Additionally, our data shows that the the median startup costs for an online fitness coach are around $500.
Remember, though, not all online fitness coaches are the same - and neither are people's budgets. It's important to distinguish between different levels or types of online fitness coaches
Real World Examples: How much does it cost to start an online fitness coach?
We asked real online fitness coach founders and business owners how much it actually cost to get started?
Here is what they said:
Oliver Anwar
Founder of Ro Anwar Fitness ($2K/month)
"I started my business with around $100 USD; this covered the cost of the website theme, email provider and domain hosting."
Oliver Anwar is the founder of Ro Anwar Fitness, an online personal training business that provides bespoke training, nutrition, and lifestyle coaching to busy professionals.
Ryan Milton
Founder of TeamFFLEX ($82K/month)
"Starting with literally 0 dollars and a hell of a lot of drive I successfully built my business into the 6 figures in less than a year."
[Founder Name] is the founder of TeamFFLEX, an online personal training business that coaches athletes, Hollywood actors, professional musicians, and everyday people all around the world.
MR ANDREW P GRIFFITHS
Founder of Expert PT LTD ($9K/month)
"I chose to have a site built on the Squarespace platform as it suited my requirements and I could get to market quickly as build time and costs were low."
Andy Griffiths is the founder of Expert PT, an Online Personal Training business that specializes in fast-tracking body transformations globally.
James de Lacey
Founder of Sweet Science of Fighting ($8K/month)
"ThriveCart was my shopping cart which was a one-time cost of $495. No subscription fees made creating funnels a breeze."
James de Lacey is the founder of Sweet Science of Fighting, a membership-based business focused on strength and conditioning for combat athletes that has grown to making $8,000 per month.
Justin Anyanwu
Founder of Lazy Jar ($250/month)
"The total cost to develop both the prototype and the second version of the app was $20k."
Justin Anyanwu is the founder of Innovative Bit, the company behind Lazy Jar, a fitness app launched in 2017 that penalizes users for not meeting their workout goals.
Kyle Bergman
Founder of Sweat from Home ($25K/month)
"Our startup costs were initially zero. As an adjunct professor at NYU, I was able to use my Zoom account with the school to hold online classes."
Kyle Bergman is the founder of Sweat from Home, an interactive live-streaming group fitness business that started in 2020 and averages $25,000 in monthly recurring revenue.
Serena Jenkins - Hannah
Founder of Serena Hannah Athletics ($14K/month)
"My start-up costs were about $2,500 for products. I was able to use A.C.E. Fitness after hours for free (Thank you A.C.E. Fitness) to record the workouts, & Reneta Johnson (same business partner from the clothing line) helped me hire all of the models & the photographer."
Serena Jenkins-Hannah is the founder of Serena Hannah Athletics, a women's fitness brand that helps shape and tone hourglass figures while providing mental empowerment through fitness products and programs.
Jason Deutchman
Founder of Yoga Strong ($10K/month)
"When every dollar is coming out of your pocket, you have to be as self-sufficient as possible and cannot be irresponsible. I may have played pro basketball, but I was not in the NBA, so there was no extra capital waiting for a rainy day."
Jason Deutchman is the founder of Yoga Strong, a luxury fitness accessories business that makes close to $10,000 per month in sales.
Tobias Young
Founder of Tobias Young Fitness ($50K/month)
"Getting started initially was all funded by my main job at the time (gym management). From there I decided to invest in mentorship and took out an additional loan for my first big coaching course (The Fletcher Method Mastery Program) which is brilliant by the way."
Tobias Young is the founder of Tobias Young Fitness, an online fitness coaching business that started with personal investment and mentorship loans.
Enjoyed reading these real world examples?
Our platform is full of case studies of successful online fitness coaches that you can learn from.
Starting an online fitness coach - what you should know:
Starting an online fitness coaching business comes with various cost considerations that can significantly impact your budget.
Initial Setup Costs
The immediate costs for setting up your online fitness coaching business can range from $1,500 to $5,000. This includes creating a professional website, which can cost between $500 to $2,000 depending on complexity and functionality. Additionally, investing in quality lighting and cameras for recording workout videos can set you back around $400 to $1,200. Don’t forget about software subscriptions like Zoom for live sessions, which might cost around $15/month, and a scheduling tool like Calendly, at about $10/month.
Marketing and Branding
Marketing is crucial for attracting clients and can substantially influence your expenses. Social media advertising might set you back $200 to $500 per month initially. If you decide to hire a digital marketing agency, expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 monthly. Design costs for professional logos and branding materials might cost an additional $300 to $700. Building an engaged community through content marketing, such as blogs or YouTube videos, can also add to the initial costs, depending on whether you create the content yourself or hire freelancers.
Certification and Insurance
Professional certification is essential for credibility and can cost between $500 to $1,200, depending on the certifying organization. You’ll also need liability insurance, which could cost around $150 to $500 annually, to protect yourself from potential legal issues.
Ongoing Expenses
Monthly operational costs can add up quickly. Email marketing services (like Mailchimp) might cost $50 to $100 per month as your subscriber list grows. Also, software for managing client databases, such as Trainerize or My PT Hub, can range from $20 to $100 per month. If you opt to use a professional accountant, this could add another $100 to $300 per month to your overhead.
By thoroughly understanding these cost factors, you can better prepare yourself to manage expenses efficiently while growing your online fitness coaching business.
Potential Costs of Starting an Online Fitness Coach
Starting an online fitness coaching business involves various costs that can add up quickly. Here is a detailed breakdown of possible expenses along with their estimated costs:
| Category | Description | Estimated Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website and Hosting | |||
| Domain Name | Annual fee for website domain registration | $10 - $20 per year | Essential for establishing an online presence |
| Web Hosting | Monthly hosting fee for your website | $5 - $30 per month | Costs vary based on the hosting provider and plan |
| Website Design | One-time fee to design your website | $500 - $5,000 | Depending on complexity; can be DIY or outsourced |
| Website Maintenance | Monthly or annual fee for website maintenance | $50 - $100 per month | Includes updates, backups, and security measures |
| Software and Tools | | Coaching Platform | Subscription fee for online coaching software | $50 - $300 per month | Software like Trainerize, My PT Hub, etc. | | Video Conferencing | Monthly fee for video conferencing tools | $15 - $50 per month | Platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, etc. | | Workout Plan Software | Subscription for workout plan design tools | $20 - $60 per month | Tools like PT Distinction, FitSW, etc. | | Payment Processing | Fees for processing client payments | 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction| Services like PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc. | | Marketing Tools | Cost of email marketing, CRM tools | $10 - $50+ per month | Tools like Mailchimp, HubSpot, etc. |
| Marketing and Advertising | | Social Media Ads | Budget for running ads on social media platforms | $100 - $1,000+ per month | Varies greatly based on target audience and reach | | SEO Optimization | Cost of SEO services to improve search rankings | $300 - $1,500+ (one-time/header) | Can be done DIY or outsourced to an SEO agency | | Content Creation | Cost for creating blogs, videos, etc. | $500 - $1,500 per month | May include hiring freelancers or purchasing equipment |
| Professional Services | | Legal Fees | Cost for business registration, contracts, etc. | $500 - $1,500+ | Varies based on location and specific legal needs | | Accounting Services | Monthly or annual fee for accounting services | $50 - $300 per month | Essential for managing finances and taxes | | Insurance | Professional liability insurance | $200 - $500 per year | Protects against potential client claims |
| Equipment and Miscellaneous | | Computer/Laptop | Purchase of a reliable device | $500 - $2,000 | Necessary for running online coaching sessions | | High-Speed Internet | Monthly cost for high-speed internet | $50 - $100 per month | Ensures smooth communication with clients | | Office Supplies | Miscellaneous supplies for home office setup | $100 - $500 | Includes desk, chair, lighting, etc. | | Certifications and Training | Cost for obtaining necessary certifications | $500 - $2,000+ | Various fitness coaching certificates and ongoing education |
Remember that these costs are estimates and can vary based on a range of factors including location, scale of operations, and personal preferences. Planning and budgeting carefully can help you manage these expenses effectively as you start your online fitness coaching business.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
