If you want to stay in the realm of fitness, consider corporate or pop-up classes, or even content.Â
For something exciting and novel, consider freelance modelling.
Personal training is a profession that keeps you active while you work. Finding clients can be slow, so these side hustle options help fill the gaps.
Find Locals Looking for Pop-Up Classes
Group sessions at a local park reach clients who find gyms intimidating. Running them directly means keeping all the revenue and setting your own schedule.
Pop-up classes can also convert into one-on-one clients, who use the group setting as a starting point before committing to more intensive training.
Weather is the main limitation, but during summer months the model works well. A professionally designed pamphlet from Fiverr can cost as little as $30, and posting it on Nextdoor puts it in front of nearby residents quickly.
Find Freelance Modelling Work
Freelance modelling doesn't require a full portfolio or agency representation to get started. Entry-level fitness modelling gigs typically ask for professional photos, which can cost as little as $200 depending on location.
Personal trainer working as a freelance fitness model · May, 2025
Remote opportunities do exist on platforms like Upwork, where brands hire fitness models to produce authentic social media content from home. These gigs can pay a flat $100 or more for a small set of photos.
With a solid application, weekend modelling work is achievable, and it's less physically demanding than a full training day.
Offer Nutrition Coaching
Personal trainers already apply nutritional knowledge in their day-to-day work, which makes nutrition coaching a natural extension. The overlap means existing fitness clients are the most immediate market.
Personal trainer reviewing a nutrition plan with a client · May, 2025
"Nutritionist" is not a protected term in the US, so no formal accreditation is required to get started. An online certification course ranges from $100 to $400 and adds credibility worth having before charging clients.
Once certified, the service can be upsold to existing fitness clients or offered through dedicated platforms like Kickoff. It also tends to attract new personal training enquiries from people who discover the nutrition offering first.
Produce Fitness Content and Earn Through Affiliate Marketing
Fitness is one of the most active content categories across YouTube and TikTok, and personal trainers are well-placed to contribute. Publishing workout tips or training advice builds an audience that can generate income through affiliate marketing.
Affiliate marketing works by promoting products in video descriptions with a trackable link. A commission is earned each time a viewer buys through that link, with no additional effort after the content is live.
Amazon's affiliate program is the easiest entry point, with a broad product catalogue and straightforward sign-up. Promoting only products used personally makes the recommendations more credible and the channel more sustainable long-term.
Group of men in gym · May, 2025Women cutting up fruit in kitchen · May, 2025Man run on bridge · May, 2025
Look for Corporate Wellness Gigs
Corporate wellness is a growing sector where employers pay for group fitness sessions to reduce sick days and improve staff performance. For personal trainers, it's a way to pick up well-paid work outside standard client hours.
Sessions typically run early in the morning and are designed to suit all fitness levels, so the physical demand is lower than standard training work. The pay reflects the corporate context, making it one of the better-compensated side options available.
These roles are not widely advertised, but platforms like Trainerize are a good starting point.Â
The internet's favorite 'too good to be true' app. Play games, try new apps, take surveys, earn cashback. Your first offer unlocks a $10 welcome bonus.
