25 Personal Training Marketing Strategies to Get More Clients

New personal trainers often assume that earning a certification will automatically lead to a flood of clients, but this is rarely the case. To succeed, understanding how to get clients as a personal trainer is essential. Without effective personal trainer marketing, even the most qualified professionals may struggle to stand out in a competitive fitness industry. By leveraging proven fitness marketing strategies—such as building a strong online presence, networking locally, and showcasing expertise through valuable content—trainers can learn how to get personal training clients and establish themselves as trusted authorities.

A successful approach to marketing for personal trainers blends online and offline tactics to maximize reach and engagement. Online, a professional website and active personal trainer social media marketing can attract those searching for fitness solutions. Offline, personal training advertising through local partnerships, fitness events, or word-of-mouth referrals builds strong community connections. Offering free resources like workout plans or consultations is a powerful way to address how personal trainers find clients, while client reviews, loyalty programs, and consistent email marketing foster retention. By staying authentic and consistent with these strategies, trainers can master how to gain clients and achieve long-term success.

Overall Top Tip to Grow Your Personal Training Business: Expand Your Credentials

A dual certification in personal training and health coaching is an amazing way to set yourself apart from the competition. It demonstrates credibility, gives you the coaching abilities to help your clients reach their behavior change goals, and allows you to charge more for your services. Board-Certified Health Coaches learn how to hone their skills so they can make a significant impact in the realm of health and wellness. When your clients reach and sustain their goals, referrals and positive word-of-mouth are inevitable.

1) Write for Industry Blogs to Increase Authority

Writing for industry blogs and reputable media outlets is a highly effective personal trainer marketing strategy to establish yourself as an expert in the health and fitness field. Start by researching prominent websites, magazines, and blogs in the fitness industry, then contact their content editors to pitch well-crafted article ideas that align with their audience’s interests. By sharing valuable insights and practical fitness advice, your published articles position you as a trusted authority, enhancing your credibility. When readers discover your content, they’re more likely to view you as a knowledgeable professional, and those who connect with your perspective may become paying clients.

2) Build an Email List

In the marketing world, there’s a saying, “the money is in the list.” As a personal trainer, building your email list can end up being your number one client acquisition asset. Start by creating a simple freebie and give it to people online in exchange for their email address. This can be done by creating a simple “squeeze page” where people will opt-in to your email list to receive your free product. You don’t have to spend too much time creating your freebie. A simple checklist showing the do’s and don’ts of exercise or an eBook about how to create an effective workout plan is more than enough.

3) Send Frequent Emails

Email is the most personal medium that exists and will help you stay top of mind with your prospects. Reports have shown that consumers prefer email over social media for brand communication, and readers are much more inclined to work with you when they see you offering your services over email.

Many personal trainers make the mistake of not maintaining a consistent email schedule. When done correctly, you can send frequent emails that readers will look forward to reading. Consider crafting an email marketing strategy that provides value and establishes a connection instead of sending out promotional emails every time.

4) Engage with Clients on Social Media

Actively engaging with clients on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn is a vital personal trainer social media marketing strategy to build relationships and grow your client base. By initiating and maintaining conversations with those who interact with your posts, you can showcase your expertise in the fitness industry, turning followers into long-term clients. Respond promptly to questions, offer valuable insights, and provide personalized advice to demonstrate your commitment to their fitness goals. Consistently delivering high-value content and fostering genuine connections will strengthen your online presence and attract more clients seeking your services.

5) Ask for Referrals the Right Way 

Your current clients are most likely busy and will forget to recommend your services if there’s no incentive. Instead of simply asking clients to refer you to one of their friends or family, consider making your referral strategy mutually beneficial. A great way to do this is by offering a free session or giving them a valuable article in exchange for a referral. This way, both you and the client will benefit from the referral. For example, you can give clients for free the eBook you normally charge people for as an incentive. Or, consider offering them a workout plan they can follow in exchange for a referral. This way, they can keep working toward their fitness goals even when you’re not around.

6) Utilize Cross-Referrals  

There are tons of other health and fitness professionals that don’t necessarily work with exercise or workout programs. Reach out to other professionals in the space such as chiropractors, nutritionists, physical therapists, or massage therapists and ask them if they have any clients who are looking for personal training services. More often than not, they have at least one client who they’d be more than happy to refer to you.

7) Create a Hyper-Focused Niche

A great way to stand out in the personal training industry is by narrowing down your niche and catering to a laser-targeted audience. For example, if you’re proficient in helping elderly adults build muscle with home workouts, consider making this your core service as a personal trainer. Not only will you become an authority faster, but you’ll have clients reaching out to you because your services are exactly what they need.

Social media allows you to build a community of raving fans who share similar values as you. A successful personal trainer brings their clients together and builds upon each other’s energy. Creating a Facebook Group is a great place to start. Encourage your clients to interact with each other to celebrate successes, and you can even consider hosting meetups every so often to build a closer relationship with your clients.

9) Establish Loyal Clients 

Word of mouth remains one of the most powerful fitness marketing strategies for personal trainers, making it essential to build strong, lasting connections with every client. By being passionate, approachable, and dedicated to helping clients achieve their fitness goals, you can foster trust and create meaningful relationships that transform one-time sessions into loyal, long-term partnerships. Exceeding expectations with personalized support and genuine care encourages clients to recommend your training services to others. Offering incentives, such as referral discounts or loyalty rewards, can further motivate clients to spread the word, amplifying your reach and helping you gain more clients as a personal trainer.

10) Apply to Every Personal Training Directory  

Applying to personal training directories is a straightforward personal training advertising tactic to boost your visibility and attract more clients. A quick Google search will reveal numerous directory listings designed to showcase your services to a wider audience searching for fitness professionals. Not every directory will accept your submission, so persistence is key, as securing placements may require extra effort. Like many fitness marketing strategies, it’s a numbers game—submitting to as many directories as possible increases your chances of acceptance and exposure.

11) Add Testimonials to Your Website 

When people are browsing around for personal training services, they’ll often look at reviews from past clients. Make it a habit to ask for a written or video review from each and every one of your clients to post on your website. Prospects who land on your website and see these testimonials will see that others have had a good experience working with you and will be more inclined to sign up for your services.

12) Give Out Business Cards and Brochures

Distributing business cards and brochures is a classic yet effective personal training advertising tactic to showcase your services and attract new clients. Create professional, eye-catching pamphlets and cards that clearly outline how you help clients achieve their health and fitness goals, including your contact details and unique selling points. Reach out to complementary health and wellness businesses, such as health food stores, chiropractic offices, or yoga studios, and ask if they can display a stack of your business cards or brochures in their locations. Building these local partnerships not only increases your visibility but also positions you as a trusted fitness professional within the community. Additionally, consider handing out materials at fitness events or community gatherings to directly connect with potential clients interested in personal training.

13) Focus on Your Professional Image

Your presentation online and offline should maintain a professional look to show others you are a legitimate personal trainer. The fitness space isn’t a “suit and tie” industry but avoid wearing unprofessional gym gear such as cutoff sleeves and backward hats. Your professional image should also carry into the online space. When you’re taking headshots for your website or during videos, try looking as sharp as possible. Prospects will see you as more authoritative and trustworthy, inspiring them to want to work with you. 

14) Offer Package Pricing  

Offering package pricing, such as “buy 4 sessions, get 1 free,” is a smart personal trainer marketing strategy to encourage long-term commitment from your existing clients. These deals not only provide value but also incentivize clients to continue working with you, fostering loyalty and consistent revenue. It’s far easier to sell additional sessions to clients who already trust your expertise than to convince new prospects who may still be hesitant. This approach also strengthens client relationships, as they feel rewarded for their dedication to their fitness journey with you.

15) Partner With Other Health Businesses

There are tons of different local health businesses you can leverage to help market your services. For example, you can check out your local coffee shop, yoga studio, or nutritional supplement store and pitch them a partnership deal. Consider working on a mutually beneficial relationship where you recommend their product or service while they do the same for you or, consider giving them a percentage for every referral they send over. 

16) Use New Fitness Tech and Encourage Clients to Use It

Leveraging fitness technology is a dynamic marketing strategy to attract and retain clients in 2025, as interest in tech-driven fitness solutions continues to soar. From smartwatches and fitness trackers to advanced workout equipment and virtual reality training apps, clients are increasingly drawn to personal trainers who integrate these tools into customized workout plans. Invite prospects to experience innovative fitness gear during trial sessions to spark their interest and demonstrate your forward-thinking approach. For existing clients, tailor exercise programs to incorporate their preferred technology, such as syncing workouts with smartwatches or using apps to track progress.

17) Brand Your Personal Training Approach 

Branding your specific exercise strategy is a great way to separate yourself from the hundreds of other personal trainers competing for clients. Instead of providing a simple “weight loss workout,” consider putting a twist on it, making a name for it, and promoting it as your own specialized exercise program. ather than offering generic “weight loss workouts,” develop a signature program with a memorable name that reflects your specialized approach, such as “CorePulse Fitness” or “VitaFit Transformation.” Promote this branded program across your website, social media, and marketing materials to highlight its exclusivity and appeal.

18) Offer a Free Class  

Offering a free class or trial session is a highly effective personal trainer marketing strategy. Providing a no-cost opportunity allows potential clients to experience your training style and expertise firsthand, sparking interest and building trust. This approach can jumpstart word-of-mouth referrals as satisfied participants share their positive experiences with others. Additionally, free classes generate valuable testimonials from attendees. Hosting these sessions in local gyms, parks, or community centers can further expand your reach.

19) Teach in a Group Setting  

Training group classes can create a great community atmosphere and gives you the opportunity to market yourself to a larger audience instead of relying on one-to-one interactions. Reach out to gyms in your area and ask them if they have any openings to host a group session. Then, you can market your services to the entire class at the end of the session. 

20) Start a Facebook Group 

A Facebook group is a great tactic to share educational posts with your community and/or clients and prove your expertise. Creating your own valuable content and interacting with your fans is a great way to increase exposure to your services. Develop a content calendar and consistently provide entertaining, inspiring, and informational posts to your group members. This will help you stay top-of-mind, so when prospects are ready to start working with a personal trainer, you’ll be the first person they think of.

21) Create Your Own Personal Trainer App 

Many platforms allow you to customize an app with your branding, enabling clients to message you directly, access a library of tailored workouts, and use it as a central hub for all your personal training offerings. This user-friendly approach makes it enjoyable and convenient for clients to stay connected with you, fostering stronger relationships and encouraging long-term commitment. Additionally, an app helps you stay organized by centralizing client communication, workout plans, and progress tracking in one place.

22) Develop a Consistent Content Marketing Strategy

By regularly publishing high-quality articles, videos, or guides on topics like workout tips, nutrition advice, or fitness trends, you can showcase your expertise and build trust with your audience. Promote this content through personal trainer social media marketing channels, email newsletters, or targeted paid advertising to drive traffic and increase visibility among potential clients. A steady stream of valuable content not only positions you as a credible authority in the fitness industry but also improves your website’s search engine rankings, making it easier for prospects to find you.

23) Go to Local Meetups and Events

With the rise in social media, it’s important to not forget about personal connections! Search for meetups in your area that are in the health and fitness space and make it a regular habit to attend these events to develop relationships with future clients. Or, you can hold an event to speak on a topic related to your personal training services and, at the end, offer to book people for a session.

24) Create Facebook Ads for Client Acquisition

Facebook ads are all the rave these days and for good reason. If you have some spending money for advertising, you can target the exact demographic you’re looking to work with and promote your personal training services to them. This is a great way to start increasing your brand awareness and getting your offer in front of the right prospects.

25) Be Yourself and Show Your True Personality

Last but not least, being yourself is perhaps one of the best ways to magnetize prospects to your services. People resonate with others who open up to their audience and make genuine connections. Not only will you attract your dream clients, but it’s also much easier to maintain a consistent posting schedule on social media when you aren’t trying to sugarcoat everything.

Getting Clients as a Personal Trainer Requires a Proper Marketing Strategy

For personal trainers, whether you’re a newcomer aiming to secure your first client or an experienced professional seeking to grow your business, a clear marketing strategy is essential to stand out in a competitive fitness industry. The demand for personal trainers continues to rise steadily in 2025, driven by increasing health and wellness awareness, but so does the competition for clients. Without a deliberate personal trainer marketing plan, even the most skilled trainers can struggle to gain visibility and attract clients. By consistently implementing a variety of fitness marketing strategies, such as those outlined in this article, you can effectively showcase your expertise, build credibility, and connect with your target audience to grow your client base.

To succeed in getting clients as a personal trainer, dedicating time each day to actionable marketing efforts is critical, from leveraging social media to forming local partnerships. The strategies in this article, ranging from personal training advertising to content creation, offer practical ways to elevate your brand and differentiate yourself in a crowded market. Investing in your business skills, by earning a leading personal trainer certification, then completing AFPA’s business course for personal trainers, can further enhance your ability to market effectively and manage client relationships.