2023 State of the Personal Training Industry

Rick Mayo (Alloy Founder and CEO) reviews the state of the personal training industry and provides insight into notable personal training trends.

The past few years have seen ebbs and flows as far as fitness trends go. One thing that’s remained consistent, though, is the popularity of personal training. According to IBIS World, the market size of the Personal Training industry is currently $12.3 billion and experts project it will continue to grow in the coming years.

In this blog, we’ll take an end-of-the-year look at a few of the most notable trends in the personal training industry and consider what experts are calling for in the coming years.

Personal Training Industry Growth

Has the personal training industry been growing? Yes! In the past five years (from 2017-2022), the industry has grown an average of 1.9% yearly.

Over the coming five years, experts predict rising disposable income and more widespread participation in sports and recreational activities will continue to drive the industry forward.

While low-cost alternatives to personal trainers exist (such as fitness apps and online workout videos), there’s no substitute for the personalized attention of a trainer, and consumers know it! Trainers continue to provide fitness guidance to each client based on their unique goals and fitness level.

The Future of the Personal Training Industry

The future state of the personal training industry looks bright for those of us in the personal training industry! According to The United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in personal training and fitness instruction increased by 24% between 2010 and 2020. This represents much faster growth than the average 14% expansion for all occupations.

From 2021 to 2031, we project personal trainer employment to grow 19% – much faster than the average for all occupations.

So, what’s behind this growth? Let’s look at the primary factors.

Reasons for Personal Training Growth

1. Visibility

Over the past ten years, personal training has moved from a niche profession to a well-regarded and well-respected one.

Today, major colleges like Cornell University, Ohio State University, and Florida State University all offer personal training programs and degrees that concentrate on health and human performance – at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

2. Technology

In the past few years, wearable technology and fitness apps have become an integral part of daily life. From smartwatches to heart rate monitors, there’s no denying that wearable technology has helped to improve our daily lives and our fitness aspirations.

In the personal training industry, wearable technology is also a great form of tracking, accountability, and motivation.

Today, clients have more ways than ever to monitor and take part in their fitness, health, and activity levels and to laser-focus on getting the results they want. Fitness apps are an excellent way to assist trainers with client activity, motivation and progress. At Alloy, we also have a fitness app that helps to provide each client’s personalized fitness program developed by their coach. The app provides helps to motivate clients inside and outside the studio with ways to stay active and track goal progress.

Trainers, meanwhile, have more ways to assess the effectiveness of workouts and track each client’s unique biometric data. At Alloy, for example, we’ve embraced that trend by using InBody composition analysis to assess a member’s fitness progress during our Starting Point Sessions and measure fitness over time.

InBody does the following to help the Alloy coaches with accurate client progress:

Measures body composition of muscle mass and fat, which is a more accurate method of gauging client progress than just body weight. Because muscle weighs more than fat while taking up less volume than fat, if you gain muscle and lose fat you might weigh more, but actually lose inches. More specifically, it accurately measures dry lean mass (which is the weight of the body’s mineral and protein content) and lean body mass (which represents the weight of all the body’s content except for its fat)
Provides a noninvasive screening method that’s an excellent way for our trainers and clients to understand and establish fitness goals. No more pinching skin for measurements.
Allows both clients and trainers to track results accurately over time.

3. Hybrid Training Models

While online training was rising in popularity before the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s downright commonplace now.

According to The Business Research Company’s research report on the online/virtual fitness market, we expect the industry to grow from $11.39 billion in 2021 to $16.15 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 41.84%.

Those are unheard-of numbers, and they represent a genuine opportunity for personal trainers. Besides providing a convenient fitness alternative for clients, hybrid training allows trainers to get creative in how they deliver content.

Hybrid Personal Training Trends

Trainers are offering a mix of in-person and remote workouts, which is great for busy clients.
Trainers are offering hybrid training as a more cost-effective alternative to 100% in-person training. This is a great client retention option for clients who may experience temporary financial hardship.
Trainers are using hybrid training to increase revenue by freeing up trainer time slots so they can book new clients for one-on-ones.
Many clients who come in for personal training want early morning training slots, or post-work time slots later in the evening. With hybrid training, trainers can provide effective workouts with apps and personalized fitness programs for guidance inside and outside the studio, which provides more flexibility for both clients and trainers.
Trainers can keep individual clients for longer, resulting in better outcomes and more client success.

4. More Career Stability

As we mentioned earlier, personal training has migrated from the domain of gym-obsessed body builders into a valid and widely respected career. Today, the popularity of personal training studios, niche fitness boutiques, and high-end gyms have all created positions for full-time professional trainers.

As a result, the career itself has provided more stability and longevity. Today, it’s possible for skilled personal trainers to work as part of a team or become solo operators or facility owners. There’s also more room than ever for personal trainers to develop their own styles and strengths and cater to clients interested in the trainer’s unique approach to fitness.

The Verdict: The Personal Training Industry is Strong

Whether you work as a personal trainer or own a franchise operation that employs personal trainers, rest assured that the future of personal training is bright.

Today, there are more opportunities (and demand) for personal trainers than ever, and the career itself has become much more visible, sustainable, and profitable.

In a world where fitness options abound, personal trainers are providing an essential service – making fitness accessible to a broader base of people and providing convenient fitness options that help clients reach their goals, no matter what their daily lives look like. Visit Alloy and see how the state of the personal training industry is driving our unique growth with small group personal training.

Article by: Rick Mayo

Also,check out how Alloy’s success resulted in being named one of the Top Disruptive Franchises.