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Things were a little different back in 2004. Keep in mind that the internet was not as widely used, and apps did not exist yet. Most of us trainers were still writing on paper, and just starting to use computers to put together workout routines. After almost 20 years in the fitness industry there have been a few realizations as far as building a fitness business, and most of them don't have to do with fitness, but with people, communication and a genuine desire to help.
1. Imposter syndrome:
Yes, there is a lot of science behind training the body. But no matter how many certifications you have, it seems many of us still feel like it's not enough. This lack of confidence in yourself can hold you back for a long time. In fact, you may never get to the level of success you deserve if you don't believe in what you have to offer. I realize this, of course, because I, too struggle with Imposter Syndrome at times. Even after 19 years and hundreds of clients.
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Try for FREE2. You don't earn trust by listing your credentials in an advertisement or email:
You earn trust by having conversations with people and by celebrating the accomplishments of your clients. It takes time, patience, and hard work. Yes, you need to have the knowledge to back up your advice, but that is most likely not what will keep a client walking in your door. It's you. Do you make an effort to build a relationship with your clients? I once read a trainer say “Make every client feel like they are your only client”. The average client is not looking to do The Iron Man or be a bodybuilder. That is a definite specialty that you need to be prepared for. The average client needs help staying committed to themself, and a good plan to keep them on track.
3. You’re not the perfect trainer for every client:
It’s ok to pass a client on to another trainer. Not everyone is a good fit for you or you for them. They may be looking to recover from an injury or surgery that you have no experience with or knowledge about. If you’re struggling to figure out how to help them, no one wins. You will not enjoy training them, and they will not get the results they deserve.
4. Be open to learning new ways of doing things:
Many of us have had to change with the times. Fortunately, I picked up on this pretty quickly. It was scary at first, but I now enjoy growing my business. When I started training, we used training logs and did our bookkeeping on paper. I now have a total of about 14 platforms that I use for my business, and about half of them on a daily basis. It can be scary and stressful walking into new territory and feeling lost along the way, but if I didn’t my business would look completely different. I enjoy what I do so much more because I feel I have a lot more to offer than I did years ago. Try different things, and don’t wait so long to do it. Jump in, and if it’s not working, you can always pivot.
5. You have to spend money to make money:
I was too frugal at times, and I have definitely wasted some along the way. But if you don’t explore new options you’ll never know what’s right for you. For instance, I’ve tried a few products to add to my business. Some have worked out great and have been lucrative partnerships, and some I had to ditch. This was the case with FitBudd. I wasn’t excited about the platform I was using, so I tried the free month with FitBudd personal trainer software and knew right away that I made the right choice. If you don’t believe in the product, and the price point doesn’t work for your clientele, then it’s a no-go. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun meeting new people. One thing for sure is that it’s been a great journey and there have been lots of ups and downs along the way.
The best piece of advice I can give to anyone starting their journey as a fitness coach is to make sure you’re doing it for the right reason. You may be happy just working in a gym as an employee without all the extra responsibility. But if you want to be an independent fitness coach building your own business it can be very rewarding. It has helped me to grow as a person as well as a coach. With the addition of the internet and tools like FitBudd, you can reach people all over the world. Everyone is literally a click away from learning about you and what you do. Take advantage of all the tools out there. Take the time to learn and grow, and most of all believe in yourself and walk the walk.
Meet the author
Lisa LaManna
Lisa Lamanna is a seasoned fitness coach and the visionary owner of MaxFitness Coaching, boasting over two decades of expertise in sculpting healthier lifestyles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yangzey Sherpa leads content strategy at FitBudd, overseeing content planning and execution across fitness-focused digital channels. With over five years of experience in SEO and content, she works closely with the fitness industry to ensure content aligns with the needs of coaches, trainers, and gym owners. Her role keeps her deeply connected to fitness business workflows, coaching models, and how professionals use digital platforms to grow.
Apra Pathak has worked closely within the fitness niche for several years, supporting personal trainers and fitness coaches through content and digital marketing initiatives. Her experience centers on understanding how fitness professionals build visibility, communicate value, and engage clients online. Through sustained involvement with fitness-focused platforms and audiences, she has developed a strong understanding of the digital needs and growth challenges faced by modern fitness businesses.
Aishwarya Mehra has been actively involved in fitness-focused digital marketing, working closely with brands and platforms that serve coaches, trainers, and fitness businesses. Her experience spans engagement-driven strategies designed specifically for fitness audiences. Through ongoing exposure to fitness campaigns and communities, she remains closely aligned with how fitness professionals attract, convert, and retain clients in digital environments.
Suchandra Das has contributed content within the fitness niche, working on resources designed for coaches, trainers, and fitness business owners. Her experience involves supporting fitness-related topics with clear, structured, and accessible content. Through consistent involvement with fitness-focused platforms, she has developed familiarity with coaching workflows, client communication, and the informational needs of fitness professionals.
FitBudd is a fitness technology platform built exclusively for coaches, personal trainers, gym owners, and fitness professionals. The platform supports fitness businesses through branded apps, white-labeled solutions, and websites designed around real coaching and training workflows. FitBudd works closely with the global fitness community, maintaining deep, ongoing involvement in the fitness industry.
Ankit Uniyal has worked extensively with fitness-focused content, supporting platforms that cater to personal trainers, gym owners, and fitness professionals. His experience includes optimizing and structuring content around fitness-related search behavior and user intent. Through continued involvement in the fitness niche, he has gained a strong understanding of how trainers and coaches build discoverability and authority online.
Saumya Mittal is the Co-Founder and CEO of FitBudd. Since 2021, she has been actively engaged in the fitness technology sector, collaborating with global fitness companies to foster digital growth and scalable operations. With over a decade of experience leading high-impact projects in engineering and operations, Saumya has a strong background in developing reliable and scalable systems. Through FitBudd, she is dedicated to addressing the evolving needs of fitness professionals worldwide.
Kinshuk Snehi has been closely involved in the fitness space for over four years. Through his work at FitBudd, he has contributed to shaping how fitness professionals build their online presence, attract clients, and scale sustainable coaching businesses. Deeply interested in the intersection of fitness, technology, and growth, Kinshuk brings a hands-on understanding of the challenges faced by modern trainers. His passion lies in building systems and strategies that support long-term consistency, both in fitness journeys and business growth.
Kanika Verma has been closely involved in building solutions for the fitness industry, working with platforms used by coaches and trainers globally. Her experience includes direct exposure to fitness coaching workflows and operational needs. Through sustained involvement in fitness-focused product development, she has developed a strong understanding of how fitness professionals manage clients, programs, and daily operations.
Tanya Sharma has worked on branding initiatives within the fitness niche, supporting fitness platforms and businesses with visual identity design. Her experience includes creating brand systems used by coaches, trainers, and fitness-focused products. Through ongoing involvement in fitness-related design projects, she remains closely connected to how fitness brands communicate trust and professionalism.
Niharika Sonavane has contributed to visual design projects within the fitness industry, supporting platforms and brands serving fitness professionals. Her experience spans creating digital assets used across fitness apps, websites, and marketing materials. Through continued work in the fitness niche, she remains closely aligned with the visual communication needs of coaches and fitness businesses.
Elesh Patel has worked extensively on marketing initiatives within the fitness niche, managing paid campaigns for fitness-focused products and services. His experience includes supporting platforms that target personal trainers, gym owners, and fitness creators. Through long-term involvement in fitness marketing, he remains closely connected to how fitness professionals discover and adopt digital tools.
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