Updated 2026

Business FoundationsFor Personal Trainers

Course cover image: Business Foundations for Personal Trainers
Taught by Emily Carter and Daniel Brooks
Price
$199
Buy NowPreview Curriculum

A step-by-step business system built specifically for personal trainers—pricing, systems, time management, tracking, policies, and scaling.

  • Price and package your services with confidence
  • Build simple systems (SOPs, intake, scheduling, policies) that prevent burnout
  • Track the numbers that actually move your income (KPIs, goals, dashboards)
  • Set up your business correctly (structure, accounts, bookkeeping basics)
  • Create a foundation you can scale later (hiring + delegation)
14 Chapters
Structured & clear
Templates + Tools
PDFs, sheets, quizzes
Self-paced
On your schedule
Lifetime access
Ongoing updates included

Course Curriculum

Every chapter includes a core lesson plus tools you can download and apply immediately.

Chapter 1: The Employee Trap — Why Most Trainers Stay Broke
Includes: 3 resources
MindsetFoundation
  • The Employee Trap — Why Most Trainers Stay Broke
    LESSON
  • Technician vs. CEO: Mindset Shift Guide
    PDF
  • Are You the Technician, Manager, or Entrepreneur?
    QUIZ
Chapter 2: Define Your Vision, Goals, and Lifestyle Alignment
Includes: 5 resources
MindsetTimeGoals
  • Vision, Goals, and Lifestyle Alignment
    LESSON
  • Lifestyle & Vision Clarity Workbook
    PDF
  • Values Checklist Worksheet
    PDF
  • Monthly Income Goal & Hours Planner
    SHEET
  • Fitness Self-Reflection Questionnaire
    QUIZ
See the full curriculum
Chapter 3: Business Model Options for Personal Trainers
Includes: 4 resources
SystemsScaling
  • Personal Training Business Models Explained
    LESSON
  • Which Personal Training Business Model Suits You Best?
    QUIZ
  • Potential Interview Questions for Getting Hired at a Gym
    PDF
  • Sample Thank-You Email Template
    TEXT
Chapter 4: Business Planning 101
Includes: 3 resources
SystemsPlanning
  • Business Planning Fundamentals for Trainers
    LESSON
  • Business Plan Template (Guided & Blank Versions)
    PDF
  • SWOT Analysis Worksheet (4-Quadrant)
    PDF
Chapter 5: Naming & Structuring Your Business
Includes: 4 resources
LegalBrand
  • Naming and Structuring Your Fitness Business
    LESSON
  • Business Naming & Branding Decision Tree
    PDF
  • How to Register Your Business Name (U.S.)
    PDF
  • LLC vs. Sole Proprietorship vs. S-Corp
    QUIZ
Chapter 6: Bank Accounts, Bookkeeping & Budgeting Basics
Includes: 6 resources
FinanceSystems
  • Financial Foundations for Fit Pros
    LESSON
  • Financial Control for Fit Pros Checklist
    PDF
  • Start-Up Budget Calculator
    SHEET
  • Monthly Budget Template
    SHEET
  • Training Equipment: What & Where to Buy
    PDF
  • Top Bookkeeping & Accounting Software for Trainers
    TEXT
Chapter 7: Licenses, Insurance, and Liability for Personal Trainers
Includes: 5 resources
LegalPolicies
  • Legal Protection & Risk Management
    LESSON
  • Avoid Getting Sued as a Personal Trainer
    PDF
  • Best Trainer Insurance Options
    TEXT
  • Legal Compliance Checklist for New Personal Trainers
    PDF
  • What Insurance Do You Need to Train Clients?
    QUIZ
Chapter 8: Business Systems and SOPs for Personal Trainers
Includes: 6 resources
SystemsPoliciesScaling
  • Systems That Scale Without Burnout
    LESSON
  • Client Intake Form
    FORM
  • Session Consultation Questions
    PDF
  • Onboarding, Scheduling & Cancellation SOP
    PDF
  • How to Build Systems Without Tech Overwhelm
    TEXT
  • Trainer Readiness Assessment
    QUIZ
Chapter 9: Time, Energy & Focus Management
Includes: 6 resources
TimeSystems
  • Managing Time, Energy, and Attention
    LESSON
  • Trainer Time Block Planner
    PDF
  • Weekly Time Audit Template
    PDF
  • Monthly Review Form
    PDF
  • Accountability Check-In Form
    FORM
  • To-Do & Not-To-Do Checklist
    PDF
Chapter 10: Goal Setting & KPI Tracking for Trainers
Includes: 3 resources
KPIsGoals
  • Goal Setting and KPI Fundamentals
    LESSON
  • What KPIs Should Trainers Track?
    TEXT
  • KPI Dashboard Template
    SHEET
Chapter 11: Burnout-Proof Boundaries & Client Policies
Includes: 9 resources
PoliciesTime
  • Boundaries That Protect Your Energy and Income
    LESSON
  • Client Communication Policy Template
    PDF
  • Client Communication Scenarios
    QUIZ
  • Personal Energy Audit Worksheet
    PDF
  • Draft Your Own Client Communication Policy
    FORM
  • Client Feedback Sheet
    FORM
  • Coaching Agreement
    PDF
  • Payment Arrangement Form
    FORM
  • Office Hours Message Script
    TEXT
Chapter 12: Hiring and Scaling
Includes: 7 resources
ScalingSystems
  • Hiring, Delegation, and Scaling Up
    LESSON
  • Trainer Job Description Template
    PDF
  • Independent Contractor Agreement
    PDF
  • New Trainer Onboarding Checklist
    PDF
  • New Hire Onboarding Knowledge Check
    QUIZ
  • Virtual Assistant Options Cheat Sheet
    PDF
  • Draft a Job Post
    PDF
Chapter 13: Personal Growth as a Business Strategy
Includes: 6 resources
MindsetSystems
  • Personal Growth as a Competitive Advantage
    LESSON
  • 10 Habits of Highly Effective Fit Pros
    PDF
  • 21-Day Business Habit Tracker
    PDF
  • Where Am I Hiding from Growth? — Reflection Worksheet
    PDF
  • Mindset for Longevity in the Fitness Business
    PDF
  • Habits That Make or Break Trainers
    PDF
Chapter 14: Building Your Legacy, Not Just Income
Includes: 5 resources
VisionScaling
  • Building a Legacy Beyond Revenue
    LESSON
  • Vision Beyond Revenue — PDF Reflection Guide
    PDF
  • What Will Your Business Look Like in 10 Years? — Worksheet
    PDF
  • The Legacy Framework — Strategic Guide
    PDF
  • Your 10-Year Business Vision — Fillable Worksheet
    FORM
Pricing

$199

Full curriculum access, downloadable tools, self-paced learning, plus lifetime access with ongoing updates as the course evolves.

  • Full curriculum access
  • Downloadable tools/templates
  • Self-paced
  • Lifetime access + ongoing updates
Price
$199
Buy Now

Trainers are great at training. Most fail at business.

Certifications may mention business, but they don’t give you a complete operating system. This course fills the gap—so your skill as a trainer becomes a stable, scalable career.

What makes it different

Built specifically for personal trainers
No generic business fluff—everything is framed around a trainer’s real constraints and workflow.
  • Pricing calculators
  • SOP templates
Tools you can actually use
Templates, calculators, dashboards, and policies you can copy, edit, and deploy.
  • KPI dashboards
  • Client intake + policies
  • Budget templates
Systemized, not overwhelming
Clear steps that stack—so you build operations without creating chaos.
  • Pricing calculators
  • SOP templates
  • KPI dashboards

Instructors

Daniel Brooks, Trainer Stack business foundations lead

Daniel Brooks

Business Foundations Lead
  • Brings 15+ years of experience building real-world training businesses from the ground up
  • Has helped hundreds of trainers implement pricing, policies, and operations that protect time and income
  • Focuses on simple systems trainers can apply immediately — no fluff, no overcomplication
Emily Carter, Trainer Stack online systems and scaling lead

Emily Carter

Online Systems & Scaling Lead
  • Has helped trainers transition from inconsistent income to structured, predictable revenue
  • Specializes in client systems that improve retention, communication, and long-term results
  • Known for turning scattered workflows into sustainable weekly business structures

Who it’s for

New trainers starting in gyms
Set up pricing, systems, and tracking early—before you get stuck in low-rate routines.
Independent trainers (self-employed/contractors)
Build SOPs, policies, and financial basics so your week runs clean and predictable.
Experienced trainers tightening operations
Standardize intake, packages, KPIs, and boundaries so your business scales smoothly.
Trainers transitioning into online/hybrid
Create structure and workflows that hold up across in-person and remote delivery.

If you want generic motivation instead of systems, this isn’t that.

FAQ

Is this for brand-new trainers?

Yes. It’s designed to help you set up pricing, systems, and tracking early—before bad habits form.

Does it cover pricing and packages?

Yes. You’ll learn how to structure and price services confidently and consistently.

Does it include templates/spreadsheets?

Yes. Chapters include downloadable tools like SOP templates, dashboards, and checklists.

How long does it take to complete?

Most people finish in a couple weeks at most if they’re reasonably focused. It’s self-paced.

Do I get lifetime access?

Yes—lifetime access is included, plus ongoing updates as we improve and expand the content.

Is it useful if I’m already training clients?

Yes. It’s built to tighten operations and upgrade pricing, tracking, and policies—without rebuilding everything.

Does it cover legal/insurance basics?

It includes practical basics (policies, structure, and operational protection). It’s not legal advice.

Is there content for online/hybrid training?

This course focuses on foundations that apply to all formats, including online and hybrid.

Can I access the curriculum immediately after purchase?

That’s the intent—instant access after checkout.

Do I need special software?

No. Most tools work with standard docs/spreadsheets. You can adapt to your preferred platforms.

Business Foundations for Personal Trainers
Build a real operating system—pricing, systems, tracking, and policies—so your training skill becomes stable income.
$199
Buy Now