How to Be Successful as a Personal Trainer: This Quiz Shows You

There's a simple way to earn more money as a personal trainer in 2026

4 Key Takeaways

To be successful as a personal trainer you need to start developing a good online presence.
Having the best qualifications doesn’t guarantee you’ll succeed as a personal trainer.
When someone searches online for "personal trainer near me" and you don’t show up in the results. It means you’re losing clients each week.
Optimizing your Google Business Profile properly helps you get found on Google.

Look let's be honest here.

Why should you try the quiz below. Or believe what I'm about to tell you?

Well, I’ve looked at, watched and read...

Over 100 articles, videos, Reddit posts and AI answers on how to be successful as a personal trainer.

(You can read and watch some of the articles and videos here. And you can read the Reddit posts here.)

And as I read them, I realised.

Most of the articles, videos and answers miss a VITAL piece needed for personal trainers to be successful.

Because for a personal trainer to succeed long-term in this new AI driven age…

They shouldn't just rely on the old school tactics. Unfortunately, the advice in most of the articles, videos and answers tell them to use those old tactics.

To Be a Successful Personal Trainer It's Vital You Do This

To succeed as a personal trainer, one of the things you need to do is develop a good online presence.

Here's what I mean.

Are local searchers finding you online?

What happens when someone types the phrase "personal trainer near me" into Google?

They see a list, don’t they.

Open a new tab in your browser now. Type that same phrase into Google.

You see those 3 names that show up at the top under any sponsored results?

Those 3 personal trainers are laughing and earning more because...

They're getting clicked on, contacted, and BOOKED.

And what's happening to everyone else?

They might as well not exist. Because the majority of clicks go to the top 3 results.

And you know what the sad part is?

Most talented personal trainers have no idea this is even happening. Let alone what to do about it.

And that’s why you sometimes see not very good personal trainers doing better than experienced old school trainers.

This Isn't Rocket Science. Any Personal Trainer Can Do It

Getting into the top 3 in local search isn’t some dark secret.

You don't have to be as smart as Einstein to get in the top 3 of local search.

It’s not reserved for geniuses or people with marketing degrees. It comes down to knowing exactly what Google wants to see. And then giving it to them.

And one of the best ways to do that is to create a Google Business Profile.

But most personal trainers have not set up a Google Business Profile. And the few who have. Often do not have it properly optimized.

And missing that simple step is costing them clients every single week. Without them even realising it.

Perhaps more importantly though.

If your most valuable PT clients suddenly left you. How long would it take you to replace them?

Yet if you have a properly optimized Google Business Profile. It helps:

You get new clients.
You earn more money.
You work less hours.

What's more, it's free to create a Profile. And it's becoming more important to do so because...

Online Searches for Local Services and Using AI Is Increasing

Now I don't want to burst anyone's bubble.

But look at this AI Overview answer and trends on Google.

Source: Google.com

What does all of that mean for your personal training business?

Well there’s something that separates successful personal trainers. (You know, the ones who are fully booked and turning clients away.)

From the ones who are just about getting by. And who constantly check their inbox hoping a new client contacts them.

And it has nothing to do with:

The personal training qualifications you have.
The niche you choose.
The tech you use.
How good you are at training people.
The type of training you offer e.g. in person, online or hybrid.

In fact, you can be the most talented personal trainer in your local area. Yet there's still a good chance you could slowly go broke as a personal trainer.

Why?

Because the best personal trainer. And the most visible personal trainer are often two very different people.

And right now.

The most visible personal trainers (even if they're beginners) are winning.

They're the ones getting the new clients.
They're the ones earning the big bucks.
They're the ones who can work less hours.

And as you can see from the above AI Overview and trends.

Having the right qualifications, the right tech, the right niche etc is great. But if local people looking for a personal trainer can't find you. And don't know you even exist.

You're in trouble.

What Else Can You Do to Succeed as a Personal Trainer?

So before you go out to train your next client today. Stop for a moment and ask yourself this:

Am I showing up when local people search for a personal trainer?
Do I have a good online presence?
Why would someone pick me over the other local PT’s they see online?

And if you’re not sure of the answers.

That is exactly why I created the quick, 10 easy questions quiz below.

It shows you exactly where you stand now. You can do it in about 90 seconds. And you'll see what to fix if anything.

And if after doing the quiz you want to do some of the stuff successful personal trainers are doing this year (like getting a properly optimized Google Business Profile).

Grab the New Amazing Google Business Profile Checklist Template for PT's. It shows you...

How to optimize your Google Business Profile.
How to get more new clients.
Tips to help you succeed.

And much more.

So go on. Try the quiz below and see how you score for success.

FAQ’s

Is it worth getting more personal trainer qualifications?

Having the right qualifications for your client base is what is important. Yes having more qualifications means you can offer more services to clients. But if you’re not going to enjoy doing those services. Do you really want to get that qualification?

Should I get a website for my personal trainer business?

Having a website that you update and put articles on is a superb thing to do. But if you’re not going to keep it updated. You won’t get much benefit from it. And in fact it can make things worse, as it shows new clients you’re not keeping up to date.

Can I get a Google Business Profile as a personal trainer?

Yes, but there are a few things you have to be aware of. For instance, setting it up is different if you work in a gym or from your home. Either way it's simple to do. Or you can get our New Amazing Google Business Profile Checklist Template for PT's. It makes it very easy to set up your Profile properly so you get it optimized.

Conclusion

Being successful as a personal trainer will become easier for some trainers.

However, trainers who just rely on old tactics to grow their personal trainer business. They'll struggle.

While personal trainers who move with the times and build a good online profile. They'll find it easier to get more clients, charge more and grow their personal trainer business.

And the reason is simple.

More people are searching online to find local services and AI will have more of an effect. If you have a properly optimized Google Business Profile you have a better chance of being found online.

And the more people who know about you. The better are your chances of success.