PT BUSINESS
Train Smarter, Earn More: A PT’s Guide To Financial Fitness
As a personal trainer, you know the importance of a structured training plan. After all, you wouldn’t let your clients wing it in the gym, skip warm-ups, ignore progress tracking or expect results without consistency, would you?
So, why do so many PTs take that exact approach with their finances?
Just like in fitness, financial health isn’t about quick fixes or extreme measures. It’s about building sustainable habits. And just like supplements can help fuel performance (think protein powder after a solid session), the right financial tools can support your business growth.
So, let’s step into the financial gym and go through a structured money workout plan that will help you build a stronger, leaner and more resilient business.
01 Warm-Up
Know Your Baseline (Track Your Numbers)
Every good workout starts with a warm-up – something to get the blood flowing and set you up for success!
When it comes to money, your warm-up is knowing your numbers; because, if you don’t track your lifts, how will you know if you’re getting stronger? The same applies to your business finances.
quick exercise
- Check your monthly income vs. expenses. Are you consistently making more than you’re spending?
- Identify slow and busy periods in your schedule. What’s your off-season and how can you prepare?
- Use an online tool to automate cashflow tracking (so you don’t have to stare at spreadsheets).
Just like you track PBs in the gym, tracking your finances lets you see progress and adjust your approach before problems arise.
02 Strength Training
Maximise Your Earnings (More Than One-on-One Sessions!)
You wouldn’t rely on just one exercise to build muscle. Likewise, relying on just one revenue stream (like one-on-one sessions) is risky.
Many PTs only do one-on-one training, but this means your income is capped by your availability. If you get sick or take time off, your income stops. Instead of thinking about how many sessions you can do in a day, start thinking about how much revenue you want to generate, and how you can structure your business in order to reach that goal.
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- Work backwards from your income goal. If you want to earn $100,000 a year, how many clients or sessions do you need per week?
- Use the online Fitness Professionals Goal and Revenue Calculator to see if your pricing and schedule match your goals.
- Introduce recurring revenue options like memberships or subscriptions.
- Offer semi-private or small group training to increase income per hour.
- Create digital products like training plans or on-demand workout videos for passive income.
Think of this like progressive overload – small, steady increases in revenue sources build long-term business strength.
03 Core Stability
Master Your Cash Flow (Automate Payments & Get Paid on Time!)
Cashflow is the core of your business. If it’s weak, everything else collapses.
Many PTs make great money but struggle because they don’t control when and how they get paid. It’s like eating clean all week but bingeing on the weekend; if your expenses don’t align with your income, you’ll always feel like you’re playing catch-up.
Waiting for clients to transfer money or chasing late payments is a major energy drain. This is why automated payments can really change the game.
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- Set up automatic payments so you’re never chasing invoices.
- Use a direct debit tool for automatic, secure transactions.
- Track cashflow in real-time to avoid surprise expenses.
- Allocate income using the 50/30/20 rule (50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings).
A financially stable PT never wonders if they’ll make rent this month. They already know because they are dialled in to their cashflow activities.
04 Recovery & Adaptation
Plan for Slow Seasons
Every athlete knows that recovery is part of training and that overload without rest leads to injury.
In business, this means preparing for seasonal slow-downs so you don’t financially burn out.
Many PTs face income dips in December/January when clients go on holiday, or mid-year slumps when client motivation fades. The trick is to adapt and plan ahead.
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- Build a financial buffer—set aside 10-20% of your income for slower months.
- Offer short-term challenges or bootcamps during quiet periods.
- Stay connected with inactive clients through check-ins to reignite motivation.
Your business should be as resilient as your body, because your ability to adapt is what keeps you in the game long-term.
05 Supplements for Success
Your Business Needs the Right Fuel
Protein powder won’t make you strong overnight, but it supports muscle recovery and growth.
The same goes for your financial software. It won’t magically make you rich, but the right one will eliminate your admin headaches, help you track progress, and give you the structure to succeed.
Would you recommend a client try to build muscle without tracking their diet, rest, or reps? Of course not. So, why run your business without tracking your money, automating your payments, and planning your cashflow?
The best PTs use the best tools – whether it’s for training, coaching, or managing their money.
Final Set
Take Action Today
A strong body needs a strong plan, and so does a strong business.
Start tracking your finances like you track client progress.
Strengthen your cashflow with recurring revenue and automated payments.
Prepare for financial ‘off-seasons’ with smart planning.
Use software that will take the stress out of managing your money.
Just like in training, small consistent actions lead to big results. The key to long-term business success isn’t working harder, it’s working smarter. Now, get out there and start training your finances like you train your body!
Johann Oberholzer
Johann is the CEO and Founder of Sole, an accounting and business management software company dedicated to simplifying accounting and business management for sole traders and small businesses. His entrepreneurial spirit and strategic vision have been instrumental in establishing Sole as a leader in its field, focusing on affordability, accessibility, and empowering small business owners across diverse sectors.
