Are you concerned about making big mistakes when trying to start your solo training business? I get it—it’s completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed when you’re venturing into independent personal training.
But imagine this: being able to sidestep common pitfalls and fast-track your success. That’s what I want to help you achieve. When I first launched my solo training business, I made plenty of mistakes. Some were small, but others set me back for months. However, by learning from them, I’ve discovered how to avoid the same traps—and now, I want to share those lessons with you.
Here are the five biggest mistakes I made when I first started out and how you can steer clear of them, so you can hit the ground running with your solo training business.
Mistake #1: Not Charging Enough for Traveling
When you’re just starting out, it’s easy to overlook the real cost of traveling to clients. At first, I didn’t even think about how much time and money I was spending just getting from one place to another. But here’s the thing: traveling is a major convenience for clients, and it’s a significant sacrifice of your own time.
Over the weeks, I began to realize how much time I was losing, not to mention the wear and tear on my car, fuel costs, and the endless hours spent in traffic. All those things really add up. The worst part? By not charging for travel, I was devaluing my own time. Clients loved the convenience of having me come to them, but I wasn’t getting compensated fairly for the extra work.
What you can do instead is adjust your rates to reflect travel time or better yet, consider offering remote sessions. Virtual training is a game-changer in today’s world and allows you to reach more clients without the hassle of commuting.
Key Takeaway: Make sure you’re being fairly compensated for traveling to clients. Adjust your rates or shift to remote sessions to save time and maximize your income.
Mistake #2: Not Sticking to Your Desired Business Hours
When I first started, I was so eager to please my clients that I ended up working early mornings, late nights, and even weekends. I thought saying “yes” to every request would help me build a strong client base. But in reality, it left me feeling burned out, frustrated, and without the work-life harmony I’d envisioned when I went independent.
The truth is, if you don’t set clear boundaries, your clients won’t know where the lines are either. One of the benefits of being an independent personal trainer is having control over your schedule, so it’s essential to establish and enforce business hours that work for you.
You can create your dream schedule, but it only works if you stick to it. By setting boundaries and sticking to them, you teach clients to respect your time. Trust me, they will.
Key Takeaway: Set specific business hours that allow for a healthy work-life harmony. Clients will respect your boundaries, but only if you enforce them.
Mistake #3: Focusing on the Wrong Priorities
It’s easy to get caught up in activities that don’t directly impact your business growth. I spent way too much time trying to perfect my social media presence, working on flashy branding materials, and making sure my website looked flawless—all while neglecting the activities that actually mattered, like building relationships with clients.
Now don’t get me wrong, having a professional brand and social media presence is important, but when you’re starting out, it’s more important to focus on what brings in clients. Networking, offering free workshops, attending local events, and focusing on client acquisition are the things that drive your business forward. Basically, putting yourself out there so people get to know who you are. I learned that it’s better to have an active client list with average-looking branding than to have a perfect logo but no clients.
Key Takeaway: Focus on the activities that directly grow your business, like networking and client acquisition. Branding can evolve over time, but your priority should always be revenue-generating tasks.
Mistake #4: Compromising Your Offerings
In the beginning, I found myself saying “yes” to every client and every request, even if it wasn’t aligned with my skills or the type of service I wanted to provide. I offered extra services for free and worked with clients who didn’t really fit my style, all in the name of building my solo training business.
What I learned is that trying to be everything to everyone dilutes your brand, leads to stress, and often results in less income. It’s better to focus on your niche—whether that’s weight loss, strength training, or working with seniors—and to attract clients who fit that niche. Don’t be afraid to charge for all your services and say no to clients who don’t align with your values or goals. Having a smaller, more dedicated client base will ultimately lead to more satisfaction and better business results than spreading yourself too thin.
Key Takeaway: Stick to your niche, charge for all your services, and don’t be afraid to turn away clients who aren’t a good fit. You’ll build a stronger, more focused brand this way.
Mistake #5: Not Raising Rates Regularly
One of the biggest mistakes I made was not raising my rates as I gained more experience and expertise. I was afraid that if I charged more, clients would leave. But what I’ve learned is that clients expect to pay more as you grow in your career—and they’re often willing to do so if you continue to deliver great results.
Not raising your rates regularly can leave you feeling stuck and undervalued. As you improve your skills and expand your knowledge, it’s only fair that your prices reflect that. Don’t be afraid to adjust your pricing. If a client leaves because of it, that’s okay; it’s often a sign that they’re not valuing your services properly.
Key Takeaway: Regularly increase your rates to reflect your growing expertise and experience. Your skills are valuable, and your rates should reflect that.
Conclusion
Starting an independent personal training business is no small feat, but avoiding these five costly mistakes can help set you on the path to success. Whether it’s charging appropriately for travel, sticking to your desired schedule, prioritizing the right tasks, focusing on your niche, or raising your rates regularly, these lessons will help you build a sustainable, thriving business.
Avoiding costly mistakes is also just the beginning! To truly succeed as a solo personal trainer, it’s essential to understand the key foundations of a thriving business. Be sure to check out our article and video 👉 5 Essential Truths About Becoming an Independent Personal Trainer—these insights will help you stay ahead of the game and create lasting success.