Reddit for Personal Trainers: The Complete Organic Growth Guide

14 million people visit fitness subreddits every month.
Here's how to show up, build trust, and attract clients already looking for you.

Why Reddit for Fitness Professionals?

An untapped channel for real client and industry insight

The Ultimate Focus Group

Join communities like r/personaltraining and r/gymowners to see what clients are struggling with in real timeand which tools and workflows other professionals trust to stay competitive.

Establish Your Authority

Share your coaching methodology and tech setup to show you operate with structure and intent. You’re not just giving adviceyou’re positioning yourself as a serious business owner.

Organic Growth, Not Promotion

Answer real questions from people actively seeking guidance. Build trust through helpful responses and attract clients who align with your approachwithout ads or cold outreach.

Build Reputation Through Contribution

Become a Trusted Voice

Consistently sharing practical insights from your day-to-day coaching builds recognition and credibility within communities your future clients already trust.

Help Others Move Faster

Your systems, workflows, and lessons learned can save other trainers months of trial and error, while reinforcing your own expertise.

Connect With Like-Minded Pros

Engage with trainers and gym owners facing challenges you’ve already solved, opening the door to referrals, partnerships, and peer respect.

Reddit Rules You Can’t Break

(Or You’ll Lose Everything)

What Gets You Banned

Posting “I’m a trainer, connect with me” in help threads

Sending unsolicited DMs after someone asks a public question

Creating fake accounts to recommend your own services

Posting the same response across multiple subreddits

Sharing booking links or websites without being asked

What’s Allowed

Answering “looking for a trainer” posts with your background

Mentioning you’re a trainer when it adds context to your reply

Linking to your Instagram or website only when requested

Offering free value when it’s genuinely helpful

Explaining your approach without pitching your services

The Gray Area

Mentioning a branded app or custom platform as part of your workflow

Saying “I use Fitbudd to build my clients’ apps” when discussing tools

Referring to your app by name when someone asks how you deliver coaching

Explaining why your setup works without recommending the product

Saying “You should use Fitbudd” when no one asked

Reddit Post & Comment Examples for Fitness Professionals

Learn from real scenarios showing what works, what gets you banned, and why.

Scenario 1: Someone asks for program advice

Original post in r/Fitness:

I've been lifting for 6 months but my bench is completely stalled at 135. I'm 5'10, 170lbs, eating around 2500 calories.
What am I doing wrong?

❌ BAD RESPONSE

"Hey! I'm a certified personal trainer and I help people break through plateaus all the time. Sounds like you need a proper periodized program. I'd love to help you out—check out my website [link] or DM me for a free consultation!"

Why this fails:

Leads with credentials instead of actually helping

Doesn't answer the question

Drops a link unprompted

Feels like a sales pitch dressed as advice

✅ GOOD RESPONSE

"Few things to check:

Frequency - How often are you benching? Once a week usually isn't enough to drive progress at your level. Try 2x/week with one heavier day (3-5 reps) and one volume day (8-12 reps).

Progressive overload - Are you adding weight, reps, or sets week over week? If you're just doing 3x10 at 135 every session, there's no reason for your body to adapt.

Weak points - Where does the lift fail? Off the chest = more paused work or dumbbell pressing. Lockout = tricep work (close-grip bench, dips).

At 170lbs eating 2500 calories, you're probably close to maintenance. If you've been stuck for more than 3-4 weeks, a small surplus (200-300 cal) might help.What does your current bench day look like?"

Why this works:

Directly answers the question with actionable advice

Shows expertise without announcing credentials

Asks a follow-up question (invites conversation, not a sale)

No links, no pitch, no self-promotion

Scenario 2: "Looking for an online trainer" post

Original post in r/OnlinePersonalTrainer:

"Looking for an online coach who specializes in powerlifting. I want to compete in my first meet next year. Budget is around $200/month. Any recommendations?"

❌ BAD RESPONSE

"I'm an online coach and I'd be perfect for this! I've helped tons of clients hit PRs and compete. DM me and let's chat about your goals 💪"

Why this fails:

"Tons of clients" is vague and unverifiable

No specifics about powerlifting experience

Pushy tone

Emoji feels out of place on Reddit

✅ GOOD RESPONSE

"I coach online and powerlifting prep is my main focus—I've been competing for 8 years and coached about 15 people through their first meets.

A few things to consider as you look for a coach:

Ask how they handle peaking and attempt selection. First-meet nerves are real, and a good coach will be conservative with your openers.

Check if they have experience with your federation's rules (equipment, weigh-in timing, etc.)

Make sure they're responsive meet week. You'll have questions.

Happy to answer questions if you want to DM me, but either way—good luck with the meet. First one is a blast."

Why this works:

Specific experience (8 years competing, ~15 first-meet clients)

Adds value even if they don't choose you

Offers to chat but doesn't push

Genuine sign-off that doesn't feel salesy

Scenario 3: Discussion about coaching tools/software

Original post in r/personaltraining:

"What apps or software do you use to deliver online programming? I'm using Google Sheets right now and it's a nightmare to manage with 20+ clients."

❌ BAD RESPONSE

"You should check out FitBudd! It's amazing and lets you build your own branded app. Way better than spreadsheets. Can't recommend it enough. Total game-changer for scaling. Here's a link: [fitbudd.com]"

Why this fails:

Sounds like an ad, reads like a testimonial, not a real comment

No personal experience shared, No specifics about what it actually does or why it worked

Unsolicited link

"Game-changer" and "scaling" are buzzwords

✅ GOOD RESPONSE

"I switched from Sheets to TrueCoach about a year ago and it solved most of the headaches, clients can log weights, I can see compliance at a glance, and the app notification means they actually check their programming.

Downsides: the video library upload is clunky, and there's no built-in nutrition tracking (I still use a separate app for that).

I've also heard good things about TrainHeroic if your clients are more athletic/performance-focused. FitBudd is another option if you want your own branded app, though I haven't used it personally.

At 20+ clients, anything purpose-built will feel like a massive upgrade from Sheets. The $$ is worth it for the time you save."

Why this works:

Shares genuine experience with pros AND cons

Mentions multiple options (not just shilling one)

Honest about what they haven't tried

Helpful framing ("anything will be an upgrade")