Being an online trainer is flexible, rewarding, and combines what you’re passionate about with one of the greatest gifts of all—the option to work from home as so many need to during these times.
Because traditional trainers are able to show clients’ in-person what they can do, it can feel easier to construct a solid rate. But as an online trainer, you’re put in a unique position. You’re not showing your clients’ in-person what you can do, you’re not standing next to them and helping them through workouts. You need to create prices that convey your value without scaring away customers.
We’ve created a guide to help you determine how much to should charge for your services. It’s important to remember that everyone is different—so it’s important to take the below into consideration before determining your rates through knowing what you can offer and what your clients value.
Determine Your Worth—Then Prove Your Value
First things first, you need to honestly think about what your time, experience, skills, and professionalism are worth. In other words, before you can even begin thinking about pricing, you need to know your value. Think about your experience. Think about your certifications. Think about the clients who trust and respect you. Think about the goals you’ve been able to help clients reach. Don’t undersell yourself and don’t undervalue your time or your skills.
Research Your Competition
Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t spying. You should know what your competitors are charging, what they’re offering, and why they do the things they do—it’s just good business. We’re not saying that you should rip-off your competitors’ pricing sheet, but get a good idea of what people in your niche are charging for online training and try to build off that. Do you have the same amount of experience? Do you have more? Are you offering longer, more detailed classes? Are you offering more or less? Use this as a guideline to start building your own pricing.
Consider Your In-Person Rates
Using your in-person rates as a starting point for developing your pricing is a good idea, but note, you’re probably not going to charge the same as you would for your in-person sessions. According to NASM, it’s a good idea to charge about 20-25% less for online classes—so, if you’d normally charge $100 for an hour of in-person training, consider charging anywhere from $75-$80 for an hour of online training.
Of course, this is entirely up to you—just make sure you’re never undervaluing your services!
Create Multiple Packages & Pricing Tiers
Don’t try to narrow down your offerings to just one package—it’s a great idea to offer several different pricing tiers to try to capture a broader ranger of clients. Just make sure that all of the options you’re offering—like single sessions, monthly packages, year subscriptions, etc.—are giving your client the value they deserve and are paying you what you deserve, too. It’s all about balance.
Learn From Your Mistakes
The fact of the matter is, it’s unlikely that you’re going to create a flawless pricing system on your first try—especially if you’re brand new to training altogether. But making mistakes or mischarging doesn’t mean that you’re failing, it just means you’re learning. If you truly want to find success, count these errors as lessons and learn from them—it can only help you become a better online trainer.
Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for pricing—often, it depends on what you offer, who your market is, what you consider your value, and what kind of promises you can make your clients. As you figure out your pricing, make sure to protect yourself with personal trainer insurance from Insure Fitness Group, which safeguards your business as you grow. Don’t be afraid to update your prices, make changes, and figure it out as you go—it’s all a part of the process!
Have some pricing tips for your fellow online instructors? Let us know! Leave a comment in our comment section below to help the community out. And don’t forget to keep up with Insure Fitness Group’s regularly updated blog for all kinds of tips, tricks, inspo, and insurance advice!
