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Many personal trainers work for sports teams, community centers, gyms, resorts and spas, cruise companies, and so on. Some fitness trainers choose to work for themselves. The good news is that it is not difficult to start a personal trainer business in Montreal, but there are some things to consider, including licenses and permits, financing, business plan, location.

Permits and Certifications

To work as a fitness or personal trainer, you may need recognized certification as well as personal training insurance. You will obtain the National Council on Strength and Fitness Certification to work as a certified fitness trainer.

Location and Equipment

A good location for your personal trainer business is obviously a busy downtown area with high foot traffic. Or you may choose a location close to office buildings or residential areas. Alternatively, you can work in private homes, schools and universities, hotels and resorts, health clubs, and gyms. When it comes to equipment, you will need things like cones, jump ropes, foam rollers, agility ladder, stability straps, resistance bands.

Sources of Financing

You can choose from a number of different sources of financing for your personal trainer business, including peer to peer networks, credit unions and banks, the Canada Small Business Financing Program. Banks and credit unions offer different financial products, including business and start-up loans, secured loans, standard and specialty business credit cards, and more. The Canada Small Business Financing Program is one option to look into when looking for a low-cost loan. Keep in mind that there are eligible and non eligible expenditures under the program. Examples of noneligible expenditures include things like barters and exchanges, vendor take back financing, shares, pre-existing term loans, borrower's labor, click here. Such ineligible expenses are personal vehicles, training costs, survey costs, professional fees, and printed materials. The same goes for prepaid expenses, permits and licenses, feasibility studies, and building permits. Loans under the program are offered with fixed and floating interest rates. Applicants are asked to pay administration and registration fees. Another option is to apply with a local bank or a credit union. All big Canadian banks offer secured and unsecured business loans, including CIBC, RBC, Bank of Montreal. Big banks offer commercial mortgages, business loans, small business homeowner lines of credit, U.S. dollar and operating credit lines, and other financial solutions. Peer to peer networks also offer financing to business owners, and often the rates are competitive. Other options to finance your start-up are installment loans, fixed-rate term loans, business cards with high credit limits, and of course, self-financing: check here

Business Plan and Sections

The main sections of a business plan include products and services, owner’s background, executive summary, marketing strategy and market research, and others. In your market research section, you want to focus on things like your competition, potential and target customers, etc. It is also a good idea to highlight your strengths, for example, a high-quality exercise program, convenient and customized scheduling, modern equipment, and others. List basic techniques that will benefit your customers, for example, shoulder press, push jerk, push press, pull-ups, sit-ups, clean, and squat. Other sections to include in your plan are the funding required, financial plan, management, strategy and implementation, location and facilities, SWOT analysis, and trends.