In home training? - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[Marcgio17]

I have heard many stories about starting trainers using their own homes (ie attics, garges, basements, spare rooms) to make small in home personal training studios. Has anyone on the forum here done this to start out? How did it work out with zoning, payments, taxes, insurance, etc?... I have been reading more and more how trainers start out this way and then explode. Any general information would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Dinah]

Hi,

I haven't set up a training studio in my home although I've thought about it. However I just took a "starting your own business" class and there were some people from the city, IRS etc that came into speak to us. From the very little I learned about just zoning, it can be quite an uphill battle. There are a variety of different codes for all sorts of buildings -- even residential properties have their own set of codes. There are some residential codes that are easier to modify than others. But there are residential zoning codes that are much stricter and would not allow you to change the nature of the property. It also depends on how your neighborhood is currently set up -- mix of residential, commercial and retail. The woman speaking to us said that if your business would threaten to change foot and vehicular traffic patterns, you would be denied. Even after you apply for specific zoning, you have to go to a hearing and present in front a board. You could even face neighborhood opposition. She said also to be prepared to engage your city representatives to help you.

I would hope that it wouldn't be this difficult but you never know. Hoping that someone who's done it will chime in, however they could have a very different set up (i.e. zoning code) than ours.

Dinah

[Marcgio17]

Thanks for the input Dinah! Do you know of any websites that I can go on to get some information on zoning and related issues? I have a beautiful gym in my attic and now that I am certified and have some experience in the field I wanted to see if I could bring in some extra income doing this at home. I know of quite a few people in my area that do this but I just wanted to make sure I am doing it the right way not breaking any legal issues. I have also heard of people starting at home businesses by applying for an LLC? Do you have any information regarding this?

Thanks again

[Dinah]

Hi there,

I believe a lot of the information you are looking for could be found on local government and organization Web sites. For zoning-related issues, your city's commerce department or some extension of that outfit should be able to help you. For establishing yourself as an LLC, I believe that you would have to contact a lawyer (make sure that you have ample information so you can determine whether you want to be sole proprietor, LLC, "S" corporation, etc.). Check to see if you have a local business development organization (perhaps an offshoot of your chamber of commerce). I was pointed to the Women's Business Development Center (they also serve men too) as a central resource to help me get started. They were the ones that offered the business course but were also very helpful in providing the connections to local resources.

Dinah

[Rick Harimau]

Don't know where the fuss is all about

I got a low budget gym consiting off 15 by 15 feet rubber mats flooring. A couple of Kettlebells, the TRX suspension traiing device (some strings with handles ) a dumbbels set and a ab wheel
O yeah and exactly two gymballs (a blue for the men and a pink for the ladies
Add to that some knowledge of bodywieght exercises (watching DVD's by Steve Cotter, Pavel, Scott Sonnon etc)
that's basically it

[ptjustinbowers]

My opinion on this: If you want to be taken seriously as a trainer, don't use your own home--especially if you want to brand yourself as an independent trainer. In the business world, consumers just don't take someone seriously if they work out of their home. Is it convenient? Yes, very. But it just seems like a lower tier business. I hope this doesn't come off as insulting, because that's not my intention. I actually started training out of my home for a few months before I learned the hard way that if I wanted to be taken seriously as a trainer, I either had to move to a gym/studio, or come up with another plan. I actually train my clients out of their homes. My entire business model is "Where Fitness Comes To You!", so it works!

Might I suggest tossing that equipment you have into your trunk and traveling to your clients? You can charge a fair travel expense for each session. Not only does it get you out of the house, but if you have advertising on your car, it gets you exposure every single day you're out sitting in traffic on the way to a client! I've been doing in-home training for five years... FULL TIME! I have no overhead except for vehicle maintenance and gas. I will eventually move to a studio sometime in the future, but right now, this is what works for me.

Hope this helped at all!

Justin Bowers

[WillHales]

My opinion on this: If you want to be taken seriously as a trainer, don't use your own home--especially if you want to brand yourself as an independent trainer. In the business world, consumers just don't take someone seriously if they work out of their home. Is it convenient? Yes, very. But it just seems like a lower tier business. I hope this doesn't come off as insulting, because that's not my intention. I actually started training out of my home for a few months before I learned the hard way that if I wanted to be taken seriously as a trainer, I either had to move to a gym/studio, or come up with another plan. I actually train my clients out of their homes. My entire business model is "Where Fitness Comes To You!", so it works!

Might I suggest tossing that equipment you have into your trunk and traveling to your clients? You can charge a fair travel expense for each session. Not only does it get you out of the house, but if you have advertising on your car, it gets you exposure every single day you're out sitting in traffic on the way to a client! I've been doing in-home training for five years... FULL TIME! I have no overhead except for vehicle maintenance and gas. I will eventually move to a studio sometime in the future, but right now, this is what works for me.

Hope this helped at all!

Justin Bowers

How did you market your in-home only personal training I wonder?