How to Get Clients as a Personal Trainer in 2025

You can be the best trainer in your city — but without clients, you don’t have a business.

Every personal trainer faces the same challenge: how to consistently get new clients, fill their calendar, and build a stable income. The truth is, it’s not just about being great at training — it’s about visibility, trust, and convenience.

In 2025, clients expect more than word-of-mouth or text messages to book sessions. They expect a smooth online experience, easy payment options, and clear class schedules. That’s where Time2book comes in — the modern all-in-one platform for trainers to showcase services, set working hours, offer class packages, and let clients book and pay instantly.

In this guide, we’ll walk through step-by-step how to get clients as a personal trainer — both online and offline — and show how tools like Time2book can help you scale your business faster.

Step 1. Define Your Niche and Ideal Client

The first mistake many personal trainers make? Trying to train everyone.

When you say “I help people get fit,” you blend in with thousands of others. But when you say “I help new moms rebuild strength safely after pregnancy” or “I help busy professionals lose weight in 12 weeks,” suddenly people know you’re the right person for them.

Choosing a niche helps you:

• Target the right audience on social media and ads.

• Create content that resonates.

• Build stronger word-of-mouth referrals.

Some great niche examples:

• Postpartum fitness

• Strength training for women 40+

• Online coaching for remote workers

• Functional training for seniors

• Athletic performance programs

On Time2book, you can highlight your niche and specializations directly on your public profile. This makes it clear who you help and how — before a client even clicks “Book now.”

Step 2. Build a Strong Online Presence

You don’t need millions of followers — you need visibility and credibility.

Clients look you up before booking. That means your profile, photos, and booking experience all matter.

Create a Personal Trainer Profile That Converts

Your profile should instantly show what you do, why you’re different, and how to book you. Think of it as your digital storefront.

Here’s what a strong profile includes:

• A clear headline (e.g., “Strength and Conditioning Coach for Busy Professionals”)

• A short, engaging bio describing your method and experience

• Before & after photos or testimonials

• A visible pricing list and class options

• An easy Book Now button

With Time2book, you get a ready-made public page that does all of this for you — no website required. You can display your classes, sessions, and packages in one place, show your availability, and accept online payments in seconds.

Be Active on the Right Channels

Where your ideal clients hang out depends on your niche.

• Instagram & TikTok: great for transformation photos, workout clips, and quick tips.

• YouTube: perfect for tutorials and educational videos.

• Google Business Profile: essential for appearing in local searches like “personal trainer near me.”

Don’t try to do it all — pick 1-2 platforms and be consistent. Post genuine, educational content, not just sales pitches. Always link your Time2book profile in your bio, posts, or story highlights so viewers can book instantly after discovering you.

Step 3. Offer Different Ways to Work With You

Flexibility attracts more clients. Not everyone wants 1:1 personal training — and not everyone can afford it. Offering a mix of options helps you reach more people and stabilize income.

Here are a few ideas:

• 1:1 appointments: Perfect for high-touch coaching.

• Small group classes: Great for affordability and social motivation.

• Online sessions: Expand your reach beyond local clients.

• Drop-in sessions: Ideal for flexibility.

• Packages or memberships: Build recurring income.

With Time2book, you can set up all of these formats under one account. You can:

• Define services (private or group)

• Set your working hours

• Choose session durations

• Add pricing, discounts, and packages

• Accept payments online

This means your clients can choose how they want to work with you — without back-and-forth messaging or manual tracking.

Step 4. Use Referrals and Social Proof

Word of mouth is still one of the strongest ways to grow — but now it’s amplified online.

Every happy client is a walking testimonial. Encourage them to share their experience and tag you on social media. Offer small rewards for referrals — for example:

• Bring-a-friend discounts

• One free session after 3 successful referrals

• Branded merch or early access to new programs

Use Time2book’s client management tools to see who’s most active and reward loyalty easily. You can even track which clients have bought packages or booked multiple sessions, helping you identify top promoters.

Step 5. Automate Bookings and Payments

The more friction in your booking process, the more potential clients you lose.

Many trainers still rely on DMs, spreadsheets, or bank transfers. That’s fine when you have a handful of clients, but it doesn’t scale. People want to book instantly — like ordering food or booking a taxi.

That’s exactly what Time2book gives you:

• Clients can book 24/7 directly from your public profile.

• You can set up Apple Pay, Google Pay, and card payments.

• Confirmation emails and receipts are sent automatically.

• You see everything in one dashboard: clients, sessions, revenue, and schedule.

Here’s how it compares:

Step 6. Leverage Local Partnerships

You don’t have to do it all online — collaboration can boost visibility fast.

Reach out to:

• Gyms and fitness studios: Offer to run guest classes or small events.

• Wellness centers: Team up with nutritionists, therapists, or physiotherapists.

• Healthy cafés: Cross-promote with flyers or QR codes linking to your Time2book profile.

A simple “Scan to Book Your First Session” poster can turn local visibility into real bookings.

Step 7. Build an Online Coaching Stream

If you want to scale beyond your local area, consider adding online coaching.

You can offer:

• Virtual personal training sessions (Zoom or similar)

• Personalized workout plans

• Accountability check-ins

• Nutrition or mindset coaching

With Time2book, you can easily list both in-person and online services. Clients can choose their preferred option and pay securely. You can even set recurring memberships for online coaching packages.

This not only expands your reach but also adds income stability — even when clients travel or move away.

Step 8. Keep Clients Engaged and Coming Back

Getting clients is one thing — keeping them is what grows your business.

Client retention often matters more than new leads because recurring clients bring steady income and referrals.

To keep clients engaged:

• Track their progress and celebrate milestones.

• Offer seasonal challenges or transformation programs.

• Send personalized follow-ups or reminders.

• Make it easy for them to renew packages.

With Time2book, you can manage memberships, see which plans are expiring, and follow up automatically — helping you maintain relationships without manual effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Getting clients as a personal trainer in 2025 is about building visibility, credibility, and convenience. You don’t need complex marketing funnels — just a clear offer, a professional online presence, and a frictionless booking experience.

That’s exactly what Time2book provides. You can:

• Create your personal trainer profile

• Set up classes, appointments, and packages

• Accept payments online

• Track clients and growth — all in one dashboard

The result? More clients, less admin, and more time to focus on what you love — helping people transform their health.

Ready to grow your client base?
Create your free Time2book account today and start getting more personal training clients — online and in person.