Being a personal trainer is an awesome gig… you get to help people get stronger, healthier, and more confident. But let’s be real: the schedule can be unpredictable, clients cancel last minute, and the paycheck isn’t always as consistent as those squats you program. That’s why so many trainers are branching out into side hustles.
The good news? You don’t have to leave fitness behind to boost your income. In fact, many of the best side hustles build directly off the skills you already use every day. Here are 10 ideas to help you diversify your income and create a little more stability in 2025.
Online Group Classes
If you’ve only trained one-on-one, you’re leaving money on the table. Online group classes let you reach more people at once without renting a studio. Zoom, Instagram Live, or even private Facebook groups can become your stage. Whether it’s HIIT, yoga, or strength sessions, the key is energy and consistency. Bonus: you can record and resell the sessions later.
Fitness Content Creation
Chances are, you already give out quick tips between sets. Why not put that knowledge on YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram? Content creation takes effort upfront, but it can snowball into sponsorships, ad revenue, and a loyal following. Think of it as marketing that also pays you back.
Affiliate Marketing
If you’re recommending supplements, gear, or apps to your clients, you might as well earn a commission. Affiliate programs are everywhere—from Amazon to specialized fitness brands. Just be authentic; people can smell a forced sales pitch a mile away. Share products you actually use, and the extra cash won’t feel like work.
Nutrition Coaching
Food is half the equation when it comes to results. If you’re qualified (or willing to get certified), adding nutrition coaching to your offerings can double your value to clients. Even basic guidance on meal planning or habit tracking can be a game changer—and it opens the door to premium packages.
Essay & Academic Support
Here’s one you might not have considered: academic support. A lot of personal trainers are studying kinesiology, exercise science, or business on the side—and let’s face it, not everyone loves writing papers. That’s where services like Writepaperforme come in.
You can use it personally if you’re back in school and overwhelmed with coursework, or simply recommend it to peers who need an extra hand. And if writing is your strength, there’s also demand for trainers who can help others with assignments in health, fitness, or even general subjects. Either way, it’s proof that a side hustle doesn’t always have to happen in the gym.
Corporate Wellness Workshops
Companies are finally realizing that healthy employees are productive employees. That’s where you come in. Pitch a lunchtime seminar, a stress-relief stretching class, or a monthly wellness challenge. Corporate gigs tend to pay well, and they can lead to steady, long-term contracts.
App-Based Coaching
If your schedule is packed (or your clients live all over the map), app-based coaching is your friend. Platforms like Trainerize, TrueCoach, or even custom apps let you design programs, track progress, and stay connected. It’s a scalable way to help more clients without burning yourself out.
Selling Fitness Programs or Ebooks
Ever written down a six-week program for a client? Package that up, polish it, and sell it. Digital products are low-maintenance, high-margin, and you create them once but sell them over and over. From “30-Day Core Crusher” to “The Busy Parent Workout Plan,” there’s an audience for every niche.
Recovery & Mobility Sessions
Mobility is the unsung hero of fitness. Offering dedicated recovery sessions, think foam rolling, assisted stretching, or yoga hybrids, can attract new clients who might be intimidated by heavy lifting. Plus, it helps your existing clients stay injury-free, which means they’ll stick with you longer.
Merch & Branded Gear
It’s cliché but effective. Clients love repping their trainer or gym. Start small with branded water bottles, hoodies, or resistance bands. Not only does it add income, but it also builds community and keeps your brand top of mind outside of sessions.
Wrapping It Up
Personal training is rewarding, but it doesn’t have to be your only revenue stream. Whether you’re teaching online classes, creating content, or exploring something totally unexpected like academic support, side hustles give you more freedom and security.
The best part? You don’t need to juggle all ten ideas at once. Pick one or two that fit your lifestyle and lean into them. Your bank account will thank you, and you’ll have the peace of mind to focus on what you do best: changing lives through fitness.