If you are a self-confessed fitness fanatic that has always dreamed of taking your love of the gym to the next level, there are steps you can take to monetize your hobby. It can seem like a million miles away if you are still in school or currently working in a completely different industry or sector. But by familiarizing yourself with several helpful tips and tricks, such as the NASM study guide, you can turn your passion for fitness into a business and love what you do.
Find your niche
If you commit to turning your passion for fitness into a full-time business, finding your niche should be one of the first, and more important, tasks on your to-do list.
That is especially important considering the fitness industry comprises a wide range of specialties with different levels of training involved depending on which vocation you eventually choose. If you feel as if you would enjoy teaching yoga as opposed to high-intensity training, for example, you must conduct relevant research and focus on this niche going forward.
Or, perhaps you want to form a business around your love of volleyball. When developing your business idea, consider how you will stand out from the crowd and separate yourself from the competition.
Study a relevant program
To turn your passion for fitness into a business, you must study a relevant program and earn any qualifications that are required to enter into your chosen niche. This is especially important if you intend to offer a personalized service or work with experienced athletes.
If you are interested in becoming a personal trainer, for example, it may benefit you to know that Study Active have a range of PT courses to enable you to sharpen your existing skills. Learn everything you need to know to kick-start a career in the highly competitive world of personal training.
Find your customers
In addition to finding your niche and studying a relevant program, you must also find your customers. That can be difficult if you have little to no practical experience of working with others on their fitness goals or have only recently graduated.
It may, therefore, benefit you to know that word-of-mouth marketing, social media, and your local community are great places to start when it comes to getting your name out there and finding customers. If a consumer is on the hunt for a personal trainer or fitness expert, for example, they are more likely to hire a local expert That is, as opposed to an unknown professional.
Connect with a mentor
If you have acquired the relevant qualifications but are struggling to know where to begin when it comes to launching your first fitness business, it may be worth working with a mentor. This individual can show you the ropes and guide you in the right direction.
It is a common tactic to hire someone that works within the same niche or, at the very least, a similar industry or sector that can convey a number of transferrable skills to you whilst you are just starting out. Doing so can also ensure you don’t steal customers from another in the process. It is, however, still up to you to get your name out there and market your brand to the masses.
Concluding words
If you are looking to turn your passion for fitness into a successful full-time or part-time business, there are several steps you must follow to get there. This includes specializing and finding your niche, studying a relevant program, and acquiring the qualifications. Also, find your customers both locally and from further afield, and consider working with a mentor from the same, or a similar, fitness-related niche.
There is a lot of opportunity for creating a fitness business in the US, especially with the online workout trend that became popular during the pandemic. As you grow your biz, look at what’s working and what needs improvement, as well as trends and new offerings from competitors.
Keep on top of what classes are getting the most attention and build on them. From Pilates to HIIT, there is a big variety of what you could be offering at your brick-and-mortar gym, as well as online. Staying relevant is essential to a successful operation, no matter what industry. All the best to you!