Passive Income Ideas For Personal Trainers [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a personal trainer in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a personal trainer today. These will help you increase your quality of life by bringing in more income for yourself or your business.
For each income idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, plus some things you might need to know before you start your passive income journey as a personal trainer.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
Starting an online course sales business could be a fantastic way for you to supplement your income as a personal trainer. Imagine creating courses on topics you're already passionate about, like strength training, nutrition planning, or injury prevention. Your expertise is valuable, and there are plenty of people eager to learn from someone with real-world experience.
You could target beginners who want to start their fitness journey or even seasoned gym-goers looking for advanced techniques. All you'd need to get started is to choose your audience, create your course, and pick an online platform to sell it on. With the e-learning market growing rapidly, this could be a lucrative way to turn your knowledge into passive income.
How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
2. Make passive income with a health and wellness app ($108K/month)
As a personal trainer, starting a health and wellness app could be a great way to supplement your income and reach more clients. With your expertise, you could create an app that offers personalized fitness routines, nutrition plans, and progress tracking, providing users with a comprehensive tool to achieve their health goals. This app could serve as a virtual coach, guiding users through yoga practices, meal plans, and even reminding them to stay hydrated.
The development of this app would require collaboration with health experts and effective marketing strategies, but the effort could pay off by tapping into the growing market for digital health solutions. By creating an app, you could positively impact the lives of many while establishing a passive income stream. This could become a sustainable business that complements your current career and extends your reach beyond the gym.
How much you can make: $600 — $300,000/month
How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)
Founder and CEO of SelfDecode, Joe Cohen, explains how his company helps people discover personalized diet, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations based on DNA and lab tests; generating about $2.7 million in revenue over the past year and raising $8 million in a crowdfunding campaign, SelfDecode provides personalized health recommendations prioritized on unique genetic variants, marking the future of healthcare.
3. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
As a personal trainer, starting a YouTube channel could be an excellent way to supplement your income. You could create content that showcases your expertise in fitness and wellness, such as workout tutorials, nutrition advice, and fitness tips. By regularly posting engaging and informative videos, you could attract a following that could lead to revenue from ads, sponsorships, and even selling your own merchandise.
It's important to remember that building a successful YouTube channel takes time and effort. You'd need to consistently produce high-quality content and interact with your audience to keep them engaged. However, with dedication and creativity, this could become a rewarding side hustle that not only brings in extra income but also expands your reach as a personal trainer.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.
4. Make passive income with a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)
As a personal trainer, you could start a subscription box business to offer your clients curated fitness products on a monthly basis. This might include things like workout gear, nutritional supplements, healthy snacks, or exclusive workout plans and tips. Your clients would appreciate the added value and convenience, and you’d be able to create a steady stream of income beyond your regular training sessions.
To make this work, you’d need to understand your clients' needs, source quality products, and ensure your box design is appealing. Building a good relationship with companies that can handle packing and shipping would save you time. With some effective marketing, you could find that many of your clients and even others outside your current client list are eager to subscribe.
How much you can make: $400 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Vowed Box Co. is a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind, offering four different products that have helped the business become profitable most months since its launch in 2018, with a monthly income of roughly $600.
5. Make passive income with a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a great way for you to supplement your income as a personal trainer. You could share workout tips, nutrition advice, and motivational stories that resonate with fitness enthusiasts. By choosing a topic you are passionate about, you can create engaging content that draws in listeners who are interested in getting fit and healthy.
Investing in basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones won’t break the bank. You could publish your episodes on a free or affordable hosting platform and promote them through social media and online communities. As your audience grows, there are opportunities to attract sponsors or advertisers, turning your podcast into a source of passive income.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
6. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
As a personal trainer, you could create a mobile app to supplement your income and reach more clients. Imagine offering an app that provides workout routines, diet plans, and personalized fitness tracking, all based on your expertise. This would not only add value to your existing clients but could also attract new users from anywhere in the world.
Starting a mobile app requires a clear vision and either some coding skills or the resources to hire a developer. You'd need to plan out how the app functions, including designing a user-friendly interface and testing to ensure everything works smoothly. Once developed, effective marketing would be essential to get users to download and use your app.
How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.
7. Print on demand business ($411K/month)
Starting a print-on-demand business could be a flexible and profitable way for personal trainers to earn extra income. By creating custom fitness-themed apparel, branded merchandise, or motivational gear, you could leverage your expertise and unique style to design products that your clients and other fitness enthusiasts would love.
With no upfront inventory costs, you could easily get started without significant financial risk. Utilizing online platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy, you could reach a global audience and run your new venture from the comfort of your home, fitting it around your training sessions. This model allows you to focus on creating trendy and unique designs, building a scalable business at your own pace.
How much you can make: $200 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.
8. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
As a personal trainer, you could create a niche website focused on fitness tips, nutrition advice, or workout routines catered to specific groups like busy professionals or new mothers. By sharing your expertise and insights, you could attract a dedicated audience interested in your personalized fitness content. This allows you to not only build your brand but also potentially earn passive income by monetizing through affiliate marketing, ad placements, or even selling digital products like e-books or workout plans.
Starting this website would involve dedicating time to creating high-quality content and optimizing it for search engines to drive organic traffic. Over time, as your site grows and attracts a loyal following, it could become a consistent revenue stream, supplementing your income from personal training sessions.
How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.
9. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As a personal trainer, starting an affiliate marketing business could be a great way to supplement your income and make extra money. You could promote fitness-related products and services that you already use and trust, such as workout gear, supplements, or online training programs. By sharing these products with your clients and followers, you could earn commissions on each sale made through your referral links.
To get started, you would want to find the right products and brands to partner with. For example, if you're enthusiastic about a particular eCommerce store's fitness equipment or a manufacturer's cutting-edge supplements, you could become an affiliate for them. This way, you could recommend these products confidently, knowing they align with your professional expertise and personal experience.
How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
10. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
Starting a niche blog would make a lot of sense as a personal trainer because it allows you to share your specialized knowledge and tips on fitness and well-being with a wider online audience. By focusing on a specific area like weight loss, muscle building, or even workouts for busy professionals, you could attract readers who are interested in your expertise. This can supplement your income as more people visit your blog and follow your advice.
You could monetize your blog through affiliate links to fitness products you recommend, collaborate with brands for sponsored content, or even offer online training programs and e-books. By creating engaging articles, how-to guides, and workout videos, you'll not only help others achieve their fitness goals but also build a loyal online community. Over time, this can grow into a steady stream of passive income.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.
11. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
As a personal trainer, you could tap into the stock photography market by capturing high-quality fitness-related photos. Many businesses, website owners, and bloggers are constantly in need of fresh and engaging images for their marketing and advertising efforts. Your unique access to gyms, workout routines, and fitness environments can provide you with a rich source of subjects that appeal to these buyers.
You could invest in some good photography gear and learn the basics of taking compelling stock photos. By building an impressive portfolio and uploading your photos to stock photography websites, you could earn passive income while continuing your primary job. This side hustle allows you to leverage your expertise in the fitness industry and opens up another avenue for supplementing your income.
How much you can make: $1,200 — $45,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Pro Photo Studio founder Tsour Lee Adato shares how she turned a $5k investment into a business that services over 500 clients annually and makes approximately $350k per year with plans to expand and become a 7-figure business while offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs to always be innovating, learning and growing, and not to undervalue themselves.
12. Make passive income with a stock investing business ($30.3K/month)
As a personal trainer, supplementing your income through a stock investing business could be a great way to diversify your financial portfolio. By learning to buy and sell stocks, you might take advantage of market trends to generate additional income without needing to drastically change your daily routine. This means you could continue helping clients achieve their fitness goals while also growing your financial investments on the side.
Navigating the financial markets would require dedication and a willingness to continually learn and analyze trends. There are numerous educational resources and trading platforms available that could help you get started. Keep in mind that success will rely on careful strategy, market analysis, and effective risk management.
By positioning yourself in this arena, you might discover the potential for significant financial returns over time. While it’s not a get-rich-quick endeavor, being strategic and patient about your investments could offer a fulfilling and profitable extension to your entrepreneurial efforts in the fitness world.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $160,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Ticker Nerd is a monthly subscription service for investors that surfaces and analyzes trending stocks before the hype train arrives, and now has $4.5k in monthly recurring revenue from its newsletter without spending a single dollar on advertising, having validated the business via subreddits and organic Product Hunt launch strategy.
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.
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.
