Personal training from your own home? Seems like an awesome concept, but is it possible? We reached out on Instagram a few weeks ago for some help around this topic and got some insightful responses. Below is a summary of the answers from those that do run a personal training business from their home. You can find full responses here.
What’s the Best part of training clients from your garage?
@_m._davis: The 3 biggest benefits of working from my garage are time management, personal preference on equipment, and the psychological side of training. If a client no-shows, I am not “stuck at the office”. No longer are the days of wishing a gym had a certain piece of equipment. All the equipment I want/need is in my garage. Last, clients are more open about their training as there is no longer the idea of “eyes watching me”. They share more stories about their lives (building trust) and they are more engaged in their exercises (especially the one’s that many of us might find “goofy looking” or embarrassing).
@therealfirefitness: My favorite part of training clients from a private gym is the environment. No frills, it’s me, my client and their goals. No distractions or excuses, just hard work and results.
@ames2bfit.personaltraining: The best part is the work/life balance working from home provides. I’m home with my daughter before and after school and summers and there is no commute time!
@challenge_personal_training: The best part of training in my garage is tough to say. Honestly, there are so many benefits, but if I had to pick only one: It allows me to be efficient with my time as a father, husband, and personal trainer. It’s tough as a trainer ….we usually work when our clients don’t. Early am or evenings after 5, and don’t forget those weekend appointments. That schedule doesn’t usually add up to spending a lot of time with your own family. Having a space that is literally right outside my door allows me to go from a session to reading books with my son in less than 5 minutes.
What is the toughest part?
@zingler_strength: The toughest part, which really isn’t an issue for me anymore was “He’s the guy that trains people from his basement/garage” my first gym was ran out of a basement and I trained a lot of kids, so yeah you can probably imagine the thoughts some people had. Once I started “owning” where I ran my gym and taking pride in it, this all dissipated, now, on the contrary, a lot of people find the concept very cool.
@_peytongray: Not having enough equipment sometimes to train 5 people or more at one time. Some people may say that it’s tough making the time to do it, but if you love it, it’s not a burden it’s a blessing to change lives in the same place that built you. A garage gym is where I started CrossFit and it’s made me the Crossfitter I am now and will become and that’s so special.
@ames2bfit.personaltraining: Occasionally I miss being in a gym and being inspired by other personal trainers. Fortunately, social media, specifically Instagram, has filled this void.
Do you find it difficult to attract new clients?
@coreypetersoncpt: At first yes, but over time as word spread of me being a decent coach/trainer, people starting calling. So I always have them the option the Pain Cave(garage) or go to the commercial gym, whatever they felt more comfortable. 95% always chose the Garage.
@iron_sight_barbellclub: It’s difficult to attract new clients. I’m a very niche operation anyway, as I focus more on powerlifting. Many people don’t understand that I can be just as effective, if not more so, than having all the machines at their disposal. They often don’t think I’m an actual business, with a business license and insurance just like anywhere else. I have everything the big gyms have, minus the floor space and adding a little soul.
@_peytongray: I am having more trouble finding time to fit it all the clients I have contacting me. I have about 20 people who come at 4 different 1-hour windows so around 5-6 per class and I have never advertised. There is no CrossFit gym within 40 miles of our city so everyone has just heard about the place we call the “mansion” and come worked out
What sort of training do you offer (Group Training, 1:1, Crossfit, etc) and what is your typical client?
@zingler_strength: I started out only training athletes, but it has since morphed into any and everyone 7-70. I would definitely say MS/HS athletes are my largest demo, but I definitely have a lot of gen pop sprinkled in there. I typically run 1:1 personal training sessions in the mornings/early afternoons (when the kids are in school) and then group training sessions for kids from 2-7/8pm.
@m._davis: Combination of all of the above. Mostly a “Crossfit” style though I was never certified for Crossfit, I went to school for my bachelors degree in Exercise Science and picked up my NASM CPT. I had weight loss groups, 1:1 sessions, and various online clients All through Peterson Barbell, (Garage).
@iron_sight_barbellclub :I offer 1:1 powerlifting coaching and I’m starting to do group classes and online training. My typical client is someone who is interested in building strength and possibly competing.
What would you say is the essential equipment?
@zingler_strength: HIGH QUALITY — Sorinex, Rogue, Elitefts, etc. I am not saying you can’t make it happen with the craigslist special, but if you’re running a garage gym business with garage-esqe equipment, don’t expect your client to pay you a premium for equipment they could go by themselves for $500. Depending on the number of clients you have/how you run your program (1:1. group, etc.) 1. High-Quality Power Rack(s) 2) High-Quality Barbell(s) 3) Adjustable Bench 4) Dumbbell Set 5) GHR 6) Reverse Hyper 7) Cable Crossover/Lat Pull. You can obviously get away with a little less than this depending on your target demo, but when an athlete or a competitive trainee walks into a garage and sees a Texas Barbell, GHR, and a Reverse Hyper, that definitely catches their attention. I have a guy travel over an hour one way 2-3x a week because I have a Reverse Hyper Machine. Seriously.
@therealfirefitness: If you can get a rack with a bench, bar, and plates, a range of dumbbells and a couple elastic bands you can have a fantastic workout.
@challenge_personal_training: The only “essential” piece of equipment is a good trainer with a solid knowledge base. You really only need that and a clean appealing space. I encourage starting small and starting with quality over quantity.
Do you have additional insurance?
@_m._davis: I have insurance. I have been an independent contractor for years now, so I have always had insurance, as I was never actually employed by a gym. Additionally, I made certain that the laws of my township permitted the use of my home as a business. I followed the protocols of space and “foot traffic”. Haven’t had any issues with the township or neighbors complaining.
@coreypetersoncpt: Yes. Always keep your ass covered. You never know.
@ames2bfit.personaltraining: Yes, in addition to insurance I am required to carry through NASM, I have extra insurance through my Homeowners Policy.
Anything else you’d like to add?
@zingler_strength: At the end of the day, whether you are in a 20,000sqft. country club style facility or a garage gym, take pride in what you do, keep the place clean, and work your ass off. Educate yourself every single day, provide the highest quality training for your clients, and actually care. That is why a lot of people fail in this business. Many people get into personal training because they like working out so they think naturally training people for a living will be cool. However, they view their clients as $ signs and don’t really give a shit about them. Go to clients games, activities, give shit away for free. Prove you actually care. Once people find that you truly care about them and you create a culture of care about your gym, they’ll always be back.
@coreypetersoncpt: One day my Garage gym Is going to grow into something amazing. Just like fitness, my business will continue to grow. Eventually, it’ll grow out of the garage and into my own box! Of course, I’ll always keep some essentials at home because well, everyone needs a garage gym.
@_m._davis: Know your climate and prepare for it. How will you heat the place in the winter? How do you keep it cool in the summer? Do you have a place for clients to change or use the restroom? Talk to your neighbors and make sure they are okay with people parking out front all day. BUT most importantly: Give yourself a break! When I first started in my garage, I would schedule anyone, anytime, no matter what. I quickly saw my evenings with my wife disappear, my summers being lost, and my attitude slipping. Now that I schedule an appropriate amount and set a standard for myself (no training on Sundays), I have found I truly enjoy being a Garage Gym Coach.
@iron_sight_barbellclub: So many great companies have started in a garage. It’s a wonderful choice if you don’t want to be locked into the churn and burn mentality of a Globo-gym. You can buy most equipment fairly cheap and your overhead is kept low. Scale up. You’re going to meet great people and have a ton of fun. It’s going to be stressful and wonderful and terrifying and totally worth it.
@_peytongray: Since opening the gym we’ve had 3 different people lose 20+ pounds with one losing 45lbs. 5 more have added 40+ lbs on their back squat, others lowered overall blood pressure and lower bad cholesterol. Some days it hard, but every day it’s MORE than worth it!
@ames2bfit.personaltraining: Having a garage gym and being my own boss is amazing. Being able to train folks who wouldn’t otherwise be in a big box gym is humbling and motivating.
