How to Start a Freelance Class Business

If you’re looking to start a freelance class instructor business, we have compiled a quick guide on the steps you need to take. This includes the qualifications you need, insurance required, considerations to think about and how to market your class business locally.

Lets jump right in…

Qualifications Needed to Become a Fitness Class Instructor in the UK

To work as a qualified fitness class instructor, you’ll need to meet specific educational and certification requirements. These qualifications ensure you have the skills and knowledge to lead safe, effective, and engaging workouts for a group setting.

To work as a fitness class instructor in the UK, the qualification required is the Certificate in Fitness and Gym Instructing.

This qualification equips you with the essential knowledge to design and deliver safe, effective, and engaging group fitness sessions.

You need to ensure the qualification is both Ofqual regulated and CIMSPA endorsed (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity) otherwise this could hinder your future job applications.

If you wish to specialise in a certain type of class delivery, there are extra qualifications that you will need. For example, if you want to teach pilates, yoga or spin you will need a qualification in each of those disciplines.

Fitness Class Instructor Insurance Requirements:

Once you’re qualified, ensuring you have the right insurance is a crucial step.

Public liability insurance is essential, as it protects you in the event that a participant is injured or property is damaged during your class.

Without this coverage, you could be held personally liable.

Additionally, professional indemnity insurance is highly recommended to safeguard against claims of negligence or incorrect advice, which can happen from time to time.

Personal accident insurance is another important consideration, especially if you’re planning to go self-employed.

This coverage offers financial protection if you’re injured and unable to work. For instructors who own their equipment, such as mats, weights, or sound systems, equipment insurance can help protect against loss or damage.

Gain Experience Delivering Classes

Once you’ve qualified as fitness class instructor, you need to gain some experience as a class instructor before venturing out on your own.

The best place to start is to work where you can get some experience, availability to shadow a more experienced instructor and gain some valuable insights.

Learning the practical skills required first hand is crucial to building your confidence and overall competency to become a successful fitness class instructor.

You can find entry level fitness class instructor opportunities in Wrexham and all across North Wales on industry specific job boards or by applying to your local gym, leisure centre or studio directly.

Whilst you gain experience, you can start to build your connections and network with the regular class attendees in preparation for when you plan to start your freelance business.

Starting your Own Fitness Class Business

When starting your own freelance class business, you can do this initially on a part-time basis, allowing you to still earn from your main role and then slowly build your client base up without the added pressure of not generating an income.

Picking the right location to run your classes from is really key, here are three common routes fitness class instructors:

Community Centres / Sports Hall

Community centres and sports halls often have affordable spaces available for hire, making them a great option for new instructors. These venues typically have enough room for group activities and are accessible to a wide audience. Additionally, you can normally just rent the room for one hour at a time, allowing you to build your client base without having to fork out large sums of money.

Parks and Outdoor Spaces

Outdoor fitness classes are highly appealing, especially in good weather. Check with your local council to obtain any required permits before using public spaces. Parks can offer a scenic, relaxed environment, and they’re cost-effective and accessible since there’s often no rental fee and people can easily access them.

Gyms or Studios

Some gyms and studios rent space to freelance instructors. This option may provide you with additional amenities such as sound systems, equipment, and access to a built-in audience of gym members.

Pick a Niche and Pricing Structure for your Fitness Class Business

The next stage when becoming a freelance fitness instructor is to decide what type of classes you’re going to offer and how you’re going to ascertain clients.

Decide what type of fitness class you want to offer. Are you looking to run HIIT style classes, pilates, bootcamps or a mix of different types of classes.

Whichever you pick, try and choose a path that you’re both passionate about and have previous knowledge on.

You might need to plan for things like buying of portable gym equipment, licensing costs, software such as a bookings platform or crm system.

When it comes to pricing your fitness class business, think about how you want to structure how clients pay you first.

Are they going to be paying as they go, paying for a blocked number of classes or paying a monthly fee to attend as many classes they choose. Once you have established this, you can then price appropriately against competitors in the North Wales area.

Attract Clients to Your Fitness Class

One of the most important things to consider when starting a fitness class business is actually how you’re going to attract class members.

Here are few proven ways you can market your fitness class business:

Social Media

Set up your social pages on all the key platforms like Instagram, Tik Tok and Facebook. You can share things like workout tips, class previews and testimonials, to build interest and establish credibility. Use local hashtags to reach potential clients in your area that are actively looking for classes in your vicinity.

Partner with local niche related businesses

Partner with health and wellness professionals such as nutritionists, massage therapists, or chiropractors to form mutual referrals, where you can recommend their service but in turn they can recommend you. For instance, you could provide special discounts to their clients or team up to host a joint wellness event.

Google My Business Profile

Create a local Google my business profile so that you can display your fitness classes to people searching on Google for the exact thing you’re promoting. It is free to set up for any business, takes less than 10 minutes to do and really is a mandatory step for all local based businesses.

Offer Incentives for Referrals

Create a referral program where current participants earn discounts or free sessions for bringing friends to your class. Word-of-mouth marketing is extremely powerful and often the most effective way to grow your client base and tap into your existing client’s friendship base.

Start Scaling Your Fitness Class Business

Once you’ve successfully launched your first class, look for ways to expand.

Consider offering multiple sessions per week, introducing new class formats, or targeting different audiences, such as seniors, teens, or beginners.

As you gain more class members and subsequent experience, you can increase your rates and explore additional revenue streams like personal training or online programs.

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