Key Takeaways

• Fitness bootcamps are the most lucrative with the lowest startup – you can earn $150-300+ per hour beginning with virtually no money ($0-500)

• Group training enables you to make 5-20 times more money per hour than training only one individual at a time

• You can start these fitness side hustles while you still have your day job and grow them when you're ready

• Some fitness businesses are free to start, while others need more money to begin

• Pick the one that fits your schedule, personality, and long-term goals

What Is a Fitness Side Hustle?

A fitness side hustle is simply a part-time way of making extra money from your fitness knowledge. It's something you do on top of your full-time job to earn extra money. The majority of fitness side hustles take 5-15 hours a week and can earn you anywhere from 500 to 10,000+ a month, depending on what type you do and how you run it, states MyFitnessBootcamp.com.

Hi There! Ready to Make Money From Your Passion for Fitness?

The fitness industry is exploding in 2025! More individuals than ever are looking to become healthy, making it one of the ideal moments to earn money assisting them.Here's the thing – not all fitness side hustles are made equal. Some take lots of expensive equipment or certifications, while others you can begin tomorrow with literally nothing. And the potential amount of money you can make differs drastically based on which path you choose.

Whether you are an existing fitness trainer looking for more income, or a fitness enthusiast who wants to make a living from something you love, this report will uncover the best options taking the least amount of capital to start but making the most in revenue.

What's Working Best in 2025?

The fitness industry in 2025 is still evolving, and based on industry trends and real-world examples, fitness bootcamps are always one of the most lucrative and simplest-to-launch business models for those passionate about fitness.

High earnings potential and low overhead make fitness bootcamps a very attractive entry for individuals looking to turn their passion for fitness into profits. Many bootcamp owners report that they earn a high income working part-time hours, so it's a great side hustle with some real growth potential.

The 9 Most Profitable Fitness Side Hustles for 2025

1. Fitness Bootcamps

What It Is: Highly versatile group fitness experiences where you put 10 to 40+ clients through effective, scalable workouts. These can thrive in nearly any setting—parks, beaches, community centers, unused space in current gyms, CrossFit boxes, hotel conference rooms, corporate offices, or even online. Bootcamps combine strength, cardio, and functional training in a format that challenges participants of all fitness levels while creating a supportive community environment that drives results and retention.

Startup Costs: $0-500

• Basic equipment: $0-300 (you can begin with bodyweight exercises only)

• Insurance: $200-300 a year (optional to begin)

• Park permit: $0-100 (most places are free to utilize)

• Marketing: $0 (utilize free social media)

Money You Can Make:

• 8-week bootcamp with 3 sessions/week: $15,000-25,000 per bootcamp

• Working only 5-8 hours/week with 80% profit margins

• Hold several bootcamps a year for serious income

Time Needed: 5-8 hours weekly (including planning)

The Good Stuff:

• Makes the most money for the least investment of any fitness business

• Very versatile - can be run in parks, gyms, CrossFit boxes, corporate offices, or even online

• Can be initiated with zero equipment using bodyweight exercises only

• Group training means making far more money than one-on-one coaching

• Creates a tight-knit community that retains clients and generates referrals

• Creates high accountability and better results through group dynamics

• Flexible scheduling - schedule sessions mornings, evenings, or weekends

• Start small with 1-2 sessions weekly and grow when ready

• Very scalable - can grow from 10 to 40+ clients per session

• Works with nearly any demographic - from complete beginners to high-level athletes

• Can be themed or specialized for a desired outcome (weight loss, strength, sports performance)

• Minimal competition compared to competitive personal training markets

The Challenges:

• Weather is a problem if you're outdoors (though you can move inside)

• You have to be okay with being in front of groups of people

• You might need permits for some parks or locations

Why It's #1: Bootcamps win because you can start with virtually no investment yet generate high revenue right away. The time-challenge format (e.g., 8-week bootcamp) is particularly profitable. Successful bootcamp owners usually start by offering a few sessions weekly on top of their full-time jobs. As you build popularity, it's simple to scale up the number of bootcamp cycles you do in a year.

2. Specialized Group Classes

What It Is: Specialized group fitness classes for special populations (seniors, prenatal, etc.) or specialized forms of training (yoga, mobility, strength) held in community centers or rented spaces.

Startup Costs: $500-2,000

• Specialized certification: $300-1,000

• Liability insurance: $200–300/year

• Equipment: $100–500

• Space rental: $25–75/session

Income Potential: $50–120 per hour

• 8 clients at $15/session = $120/hour

• Space rental often cuts into profits compared to outdoor bootcamps

Time Commitment: 3–8 hours weekly

Pros:

• Specialization allows premium pricing

• Less competition than with general fitness classes

• Group format provides good hourly wage

• You can become an expert in a specific niche

• Attracts more committed, long-term clients

• Indoor facilities eliminate weather concerns

Cons:

• Rental costs eat into profit margin

• Special certifications may be required in some instances

• Limited by space capacity

• Less room for scalability

Why It Ranks #2: Specialized group classes offer all the upside of bootcamps with the added advantage of indoor settings and specialized populations. But the rental costs and potential need for specialized certifications make this option second.

3. Online Fitness Coaching

What It Is: Coaching services offered from a distance using apps, video calls, and personalized programming so you can train clients anywhere in the world.

Startup Costs: $200–1,000

• Coaching platform subscription: $0–100/month

• Website/landing page: $0–500 (start with free options)

• Basic recording equipment: $100–500 (use smartphone to start)

Income Potential: $1,000–5,000+ monthly

• 10 clients at $150/month = $1,500/month

• 20 clients at $200/month = $4,000/month

• Scales with client load and pricing structure

Time Commitment: 5–20 hours weekly

Pros:

• Location independence – work from anywhere

• No geographical limitations on client base

• Low overhead expenses

• Flexible scheduling - coach on your own schedule

• Scalable through group programming options

• Potential for passive income through pre-designed programs

• Weather-proof and pandemic-proof

Cons:

• More challenging to gain clients with no face-to-face connection

• Requires strong digital communication skills

• Harder to demonstrate value remotely

• High competition in the online realm

• Requires systems for checking in on client progress remotely

Why It Ranks #3: Online coaching offers amazing flexibility and scalability but typically requires more marketing effort to attain clients. Lack of face-to-face connection can render client relationship-building more challenging, particularly for those new to the industry.

4. Mobile Personal Training

What It Is: Traveling to clients' homes or locations of their preference to deliver personalized one-on-one training sessions.

Startup Costs: $500-2,000

• Portable equipment: $300-1,500

• Liability insurance: $200-300 annually

• Transportation costs: Varies

• Marketing materials: $0-200

Income Potential: $60-150 per session

• Premium rates for convenience factor

• Typically 20-40% more than gym-based personal training

Time Commitment: 5-15 hours weekly

Pros:

• Saves on facility expenses

• Able to premium rates for convenience

• Clients more likely to be committed since they have more invested

• Minimal competition compared to gym settings

• Can create flexible schedules

• Low startup costs compared to facility-based businesses

Cons:

• Travel time reduces overall hourly earnings

• Limited to one client per hour

• Equipment transportation logistics

• Weather and traffic dependence

• Increased cancellation impact due to travel investment

Why It Ranks #4: Mobile personal training offers good hourly earnings with low startup costs, but the one-on-one model limits income potential compared to group models. Travel time between clients reduces your effective hourly rate significantly.

5. Specialized Personal Training

What It Is: One-on-one training that specializes in special populations (athletes, post-rehabilitation, seniors) or specialized goals (competition preparation, specific sport performance).

Startup Costs: $500-2,000

• Specialized certification: $300-1,000

• Liability insurance: $200-300 per year

• Equipment: $0-500

• Facility fees: Variable (typically percentage-based)

Income Potential: $50-200 per session

• Specialization allows for premium pricing

• Can make $100-200/hour with niche expertise

Time Commitment: 5-15 per week

Pros:

• Premium fees for specialized expertise

• More personal client relationships

• More committed clients with focused goals

• Less price resistance for specialized services

• Less competition in niche markets

• Can lead to referral networks with physicians

Cons:

• Limited by one-on-one time constraints

• Requires continuous education to remain updated

• Higher expectations from clients

• May require additional certifications

• More responsibility for specific outcomes

Why It Ranks #5: While specialty personal training pays more than general training, it is still limited by the one-to-one time exchange. The specialty knowledge required creates a higher barrier to entry but also longer client relationships.

6. Fitness Content Creation

What It Is: Producing fitness content across platforms (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, blogs) that earns money from ads, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and selling your own services.

Startup Costs: $0-2,000

• Equipment: $0-1,500 (you can start with just your phone)

• Editing software: $0 (there are many free options)

• Website: $0 (optional - you can build everything on free social platforms)

• Advanced tools: $0–500 (optional as you grow)

Income Potential:

• Monthly potential: $500–10,000+ (highly variable)

• Hourly equivalent: Very variable (content creation in the early stages may net

• 0/hour,butcanincrease to

• 0/hour,butcanincrease to100–500+/hour for mature creators when passive income is included)

• Increases with audience size and engagement

Time Commitment: 10–20 hours per week (more in the beginning, can reduce as systems are built)

Pros:

• No startup investment necessary - can start with a smartphone

• Location freedom - produce content from anywhere

• Potential for passive income once content library is built

• Establishes authority and personal brand

• Can generate multiple income streams

• Generates and encourages traffic to your other fitness businesses you run

• Unlimited growth potential not limited by your personal time

Cons:

• Delayed income return (typically 6–12 months to gain momentum)

• Requires ongoing content creation

• Very competitive niche with millions of fitness creators

• On-camera personality and presentation skills required for success

• Algorithm dependencies make it volatile

• Requires skills outside of fitness (filming, editing, marketing)

• Audience building requires significant time investment

• High failure rate - most content creators never manage to monetize successfully

Why It Ranks #6: Producing content offers excellent passive and long-term revenue potential but typically has the longest runway to profitability. The zero startup costs required are attractive, but the huge time invested up front with no revenue being created and the need for solid on-camera personality place it lower in the list in terms of short-term income generation.

7. Nutrition Coaching

What It Is: Providing nutrition counseling, meal planning, and accountability to help clients achieve their health and fitness goals through dietary changes.

Startup Costs: $500–2,000

• Nutrition certification: $500–1,500

• Coaching platform: $0–100/month

• Reference materials: $50–200

• Marketing materials: $0–200

Income Potential: $500–5,000+ monthly

• Individual clients: $100-300 per month each

• Group programs: $50-150 per person monthly

• Online courses: $50-500 per client (one-time)

Time Commitment: 5-15 hours weekly

Pros:

• Complements other fitness services perfectly

• Can be delivered entirely online

• Higher perceived value than general fitness advice

• Recurring revenue potential with subscription services

• Less physically demanding than training

• More potential for client transformation

• Can be more sustainable long-term career

Cons:

• Requires specialized knowledge and potentially certification

• More complex client compliance issues

• Potentially higher liability concerns

• Results can be slower and more variable

• Can have scope of practice limitations depending on location

Why It Ranks #7: Nutrition coaching has excellent income potential with minimal physical demands, but typically requires more specialized education and is under more regulatory limitations than general fitness coaching.

8. Corporate Wellness Programs

What It Is: Selling health services, workshops, or challenges to businesses looking to improve employee health and productivity.

Startup Costs: $500-2,000

• Presentation materials: $100-500

• Liability insurance: $200-300 annually

• Program development: Time investment

• Marketing materials: $200-1,000 (more professional materials necessary)

Income Potential:

• Per session: $80-200 (typically less for long-term contracts)

• Monthly potential: $1,600-3,200 (assuming 5-8 corporate sessions)

• Contract value: $2,000-5,000 per company implementation

Time Commitment: 5-15 hours weekly

Pros:

• More stable, predictable income through contracts

• Single contract can provide multiple hours of work

• Less ongoing marketing needed once contracts secured

• Professional business environment

• Opportunity for multiple services to same client

• Can lead to executive private training opportunities

• Often scheduled during standard business hours

Cons:

• Longer sales cycles (typically 1-6 months)

• More complex proposals and negotiations

• Large businesses often negotiate high volume discounts

• Often requires business hours availability

• May require professional qualifications

• Higher expectations and accountability

• More administrative tasks and reporting

Why It Ranks #8: Corporate fitness offers steady income and perhaps good scheduling but often a longer sales cycle, greater professional requirements, and lower prices per session than the promotional prices would otherwise suggest. It's a viable option for one with business experience or connections but challenging as a first fitness business.

9. Fitness Workshops and Retreats

What It Is: Time-consuming, short-term experiences ranging from 2-hour specialty workshops to weekend or week-long retreat experiences focused on a specific fitness goal or methodology.

Startup Costs: $1,000–5,000

• Venue rental: $200–3,000 (duration/location-dependent)

• Equipment: $200–1,000

• Marketing materials: $200–500

• Liability insurance: $200–300

• Retreat-specific expenses: Variable

Income Potential: 200–1,000+ per hour or 2,000–20,000+ per event

• Local workshop (10 people at $50 each): $500 for 2 hours

• Weekend retreat (15 people at $500 each): $7,500 for a weekend

• Destination retreat: $10,000–20,000+ per event

Time Commitment: Variable (intensive around events)

Pros:

• Highest potential hourly rate of any fitness service

• Concentrated income in short time periods

• Perfect complement to other ongoing fitness services

• Creates premium positioning and authority

• Opportunity for unique locations and experiences

• Can lead to loyal community and repeat participants

• Breaks routine of regular fitness services

Cons:

• Higher upfront investment and financial risk

• Significant planning and logistical complexity

• More marketing required for one-time events

• Weather or external conditions can impact outdoor events

• Requires excellent presentation and group management abilities

• Unstable income if sole source of revenue

Why It Ranks #9: Workshops and retreats offer excellent income potential but with more complexity and risk than the other options. They're best utilized as a supplement to standard services rather than a full-time side business.

Why Bootcamps Beat Everything Else

When looking at all of the different fitness side hustles, there are four factors that really set them apart: how much money do you have to start, how much money can you earn, how quickly do you make money, and how big can you grow.

The Winner Is Clear: Bootcamps Win!

You can see that fitness bootcamps destroy everything else:

• Start with no money - begin tomorrow literally doing bodyweight exercises in a local park

• Make the most money per session - $150-300+ for a single class beats everything else (and much more as you grow - I now make $700+ per session with 46 students!)

• Highest monthly income for a standard 10-hour side hustle

• Best true hourly rate when you include all your time (including prep)

• Make money immediately - many bootcamp owners make money from their very first session

• Scale as big as you'd like - add more clients per session, more sessions, more locations, or even bring on trainers to scale even bigger

No other fitness side hustle even compares to bootcamps in all of these important areas. Some might be good at one, but fall behind in others.

Bootcamps vs. Personal Training: No Contest!

MyFitnessBootcamp.com states bootcamps excel over traditional personal training in every way:

• Money: Bootcamps make $150-300+ per hour versus $50-100 for personal training (and it can go up to $700+ per session when you grow!)

• Clients: Bootcamps get to train 10-20 people at a time (or even 40+ when you're more established) versus just 1 for personal training

• Startup Costs: Bootcamps can be launched with $0 versus $500-2,000 for professional personal training

• Location Options: Bootcamps can be done in parks, beaches, community centers versus needing to have access to a gym

• Cancellations: When one person cancels, it barely affects a bootcamp as opposed to losing all your revenue for that hour

• Scalability: Bootcamps can be scaled by adding more trainers and running multiple sessions simultaneously

This is the reason why most personal trainers who make the switch to bootcamps see their revenue skyrocket while they decrease their working hours!

The Community Advantage: Why Bootcamps Generate Loyalty

One of the strongest but most overlooked advantages of the bootcamp model is the close-knit community that it naturally develops. This sense of community is one of the largest determinants of both client results and business prosperity.

Why Community Matters:

• Higher Retention Rates: When clients form friendships and become part of a community, they remain longer. They're not just paying for workouts—they're attending to socialize with their friends.

• Built-In Accountability: Clients train harder and show up more frequently when they know others are relying on them.

• Natural Marketing: Strong communities create raving fans who bring their friends along, reducing your marketing costs significantly.

• Better Results: Studies show that people who train in supportive group environments achieve better results than those who train independently.

• Emotional Investment: When clients feel they belong, they'll defend your business, forgive minor issues, and become long-term evangelists.

I've seen members in my own bootcamps plan social events together outside of classes, celebrate each other's victories, and support one another through personal challenges. This type of connection simply doesn't happen in traditional gym environments or one-on-one training.

The beauty of the bootcamp model is that this community arises organically from shared experience and challenge. It creates a powerful "stickiness" to your business that's extremely difficult for competitors to replicate.

The Time Multiplier: The Secret Sauce

The real magic of bootcamps is the time multiplier effect:

• Bootcamps: Work with 10-20 people in an hour to start (scaling to 40+ as you grow!) (10-40x your time value)

• Group Classes: Can train 5-15 people in an hour (5-15x your time value)

• Personal Training: Restricted to training 1 person an hour (1x your time value)

• Online Coaching: Partially scalable but with individual check-ins still

• Content Creation: Scalable down the line but months of effort in advance

This time multiplier explodes your hourly earnings. As the personal trainer makes $60 to train one client, the bootcamp owner with 12 clients paying $15 each makes $180 in that same hour – 3× more money with no additional work! And with 40+ attendees, you'd be making $600+ an hour! Plus, the group format creates powerful community benefits that simply aren't possible with one-on-one training. And this community element not only drives better client results and satisfaction but also dramatically drives retention levels and referrals, further fueling your business growth potential.

How to Choose the Best Fitness Side Hustle for You

Your ideal fitness side hustle depends on a few personal factors:

1. Available Startup Capital

If you have minimal or no startup capital, the clear option is bootcamps as you can begin with body weight training in a public park. More startup capital brings with it possibilities like specialized training or corporate wellness.

2. Time Slots Available

Consider when you can consistently commit hours on top of your main job:

• Early Mornings (5–8am): Bootcamps, personal training

• Lunch Hours (12–2pm): Corporate wellness, express group classes

• Evenings (5–8pm): Bootcamps, group classes, personal training

• Weekends: Workshops, bootcamps, retreats

• Flexible/Asynchronous: Online coaching, content creation, nutrition coaching

3. Teaching Style and Personality

Different business models fit different personality types:

• Extroverted, high energy: Workshops, group classes, bootcamps

• Patient, detail-oriented: Personal training, nutrition coaching

• Analytical, systems-oriented: Program design, online coaching

• Creative, expressive: Specialized workshops, content creation

• Professional, polished: Corporate wellness, high-end personal training

4. Long-Term Career Goals

Your side hustle needs to fit into where you want to be in 3–5 years:

• Desire eventual full-time fitness career: Choose models with definable scaling pathways

• Prefer consistent supplementary income: Choose stable, low-maintenance models

• Building toward online authority: Prefer brand-building models

• Developing work-life balance: Select models with periodic intensity rather than constant demand

From Side Hustle to Full-Time: The Bootcamp Experience

Most people start bootcamps as a side hustle but find they make so much money that they eventually leave their full-time career. Here's how that typically goes:

Phase 1: Getting Started (1–3 months)

• Run your first 8-week bootcamp cycle

• Start with 5–10 people per session

• Make $3,000–5,000 from your first bootcamp

• Only work 5–8 hours per week

Phase 2: Growing (3–6 months)

• Run your second bootcamp with more people

• Have 10–15 people per session

• Make $8,000–12,000 from your second bootcamp

• Work 5–8 hours per week with better systems

Phase 3: Replacing Your Day Job (6–12 months)

• Run 4–5 bootcamps per year

• Have 15–25 people per bootcamp

• Make $60,000–100,000+ per year

• Work 10-15 hours per week during bootcamp seasons

Phase 4: Building a Real Business (12+ months)

• Open multiple locations or specialty bootcamps

• Hire other trainers to conduct more sessions

• Increase to 40+ clients per session

• Make $100,000–250,000+ per year

• Systems reduce your personal time while your business grows

The greatest thing about this journey is you can stay at any level that you are comfortable with. There are people happy at Stage 1, running just one or two bootcamps a year while they keep their daytime career. Others want to grow up to Stage 4 and build a business that makes six figures a year.

The Bottom Line: Bootcamps Reign Supreme in 2025

If you're wondering "what fitness side hustle makes the most money with the least investment?" – fitness bootcamps are always one of the top choices. From the potential for profit, cost to start, and time commitment, bootcamps win out over other fitness business models for those starting a side hustle.

With costs to start as low as $0, the ability to make $150-300+ an hour, and the potential to earn

money in your first week, there are not many other fitness business models that provide the same level of advantages for someone beginning a side hustle.

Ready to Start Launch Own Fitness Bootcamp?

Want to start a fitness bootcamp as your side hustle? The MyFitnessBootcamp.com course guides you step-by-step through creating a successful bootcamp business, even if you have a full-time job. From developing your workouts and getting your first clients to growing and creating systems, you'll get the whole blueprint based on real-world success.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MYFITNESSBOOTCAMP.COM →

Common Questions About Fitness Side Hustles

Is it really possible to begin a fitness side business with no funds?

Yes! You can start a fitness bootcamp with $0 by doing bodyweight exercises in a public park. While the eventual acquisition of some minimal equipment like resistance bands ($20-100) can be helpful, the majority of successful bootcamp owners start with no equipment at all and use their early profits to acquire equipment incrementally along the way. Bootcamps inherently have a lower financial risk than other fitness business models that require high startup investment.

Do I need certifications to start a fitness side hustle?

While certifications are recommended for safety and credibility, the requirements vary by business type. A minimum of a personal training or group fitness certification and CPR/First Aid is nice to have for working with clients directly. Online content creation has fewer formal requirements but still benefits from demonstrated competence. Starting with at least one nationally recognized certification helps to build credibility and ensure client safety.

Which of the fitness side hustles pays the most?

Fitness bootcamps have the highest earnings ($150-300+ an hour) with the lowest startup costs, making them the most profitable fitness side hustle in 2025. Specialized workshops have the potential to pay more per session, but because they are less frequent and have a higher startup cost, bootcamps win for creating consistent, scalable income. Those in the fitness industry have reported that bootcamp owners consistently earn more than personal trainers while working less.

How many hours per week will I need to commit?

Most lucrative fitness side hustles take between 5-15 hours per week, both client face time and back-office time (session design, marketing, etc.). Bootcamps offer some of the best money-to-time ratios, with many coaches generating good monthly incomes on just 8-10 hours per week. The average bootcamp side hustle breaks even within the first few sessions.

Can I start a fitness side hustle if I have a full-time job?

Yes! Most of these are designed to work around full-time work, with bootcamps being particularly easy to schedule for early morning, evening, or weekend times. The majority of fitness entrepreneurs with profitable side hustles keep their full-time job until their side hustle income is close to or equals their salary. A majority of profitable bootcamp owners start their businesses while working full-time in entirely unrelated fields.