My plan

How to Start a Personal Training Business in Minnesota

Personal training can start small: train clients in a gym, a park, their homes or online. There is no federal license, and certifications come from private organizations, so your reputation, results and safety practices matter most. Most of your income comes from recurring packages.

Reviewed November 5, 2026 · Sources linked inline

Minnesota requirements for this business

  • Minnesota Fact Sheet 124 says personal trainer fees are not taxable when they are optional and separately stated from taxable charges such as membership fees. [source]
  • One-time membership fees and periodic membership dues for exercise facilities are taxable in Minnesota. [source]
  • Aerobic, exercise, yoga and other class fees are not taxable when they are optional and billed separately from taxable charges. [source]

Statewide steps for every Minnesota business — forming an LLC or registering a business name with the Minnesota Secretary of State — are on our state licensing directory.

FirstBizGuide is not a government agency: any license or registration fees are paid directly to the agency named in each source. These are the Minnesota facts we have verified so far, not a complete list. City and county rules vary — check with your local government before opening.

Startup costs

We haven't found a reliable published cost range for this business, so we don't show one. Costs vary widely by market, equipment and whether you buy new or used. Plug your own quotes into the worksheet:

Open the personal training cost worksheet →

SBA 7(a) loans in this industry

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (NAICS 713940): 3,770 loans approved in FY2024–FY2026. Median loan $265,350; middle half $70,000–$526,625.

Loan size is not startup cost — these loans also fund acquisitions, real estate and working capital. Full breakdown and caveats →

How much competition is there?

Census industry: Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (NAICS 713940)

In Minnesota: 748 employer establishments (2023) and 3,057 businesses without employees (2024). Nationwide: 41,556 employer establishments (2023) and 148,543 businesses without employees (2024).

The count of businesses without employees is for the broader Census group “Other Amusement and Recreation Industries” (NAICS 7139), so it includes related businesses, not only this one.

See counts for your county → Counts aren't a measure of saturation — see the caveats on the tool page.

Equipment and supplies

  • Portable equipment: bands, kettlebells, dumbbells, mats
  • First aid kit
  • Client intake and health questionnaire forms
  • Scheduling, payment and program-tracking app
  • Video setup for online sessions

Licenses and registration

  • There is no federal license for personal trainers. Fitness certifications come from private organizations, and gyms and insurers often expect one, plus current CPR/AED training.
  • A few places regulate trainers or fitness facilities — check with your state and city before you open.
  • Training in a gym usually requires the gym's permission and often a rental or independent-contractor agreement; parks may need a permit for commercial use.
  • Opening your own studio may require a city business license, zoning approval and an occupancy permit.
  • Stay within your scope: avoid giving medical diagnoses or detailed meal plans unless you hold the license your state requires for that.
  • If you advertise with client testimonials, the FTC says testimonials claiming specific results will usually be read as typical, and "results not typical" or "individual results may vary" does not change that. Have proof the results are typical or clearly disclose the generally expected results. [source]
  • If you pay or give something of value to an endorser or influencer, that connection generally needs to be disclosed clearly and conspicuously. [source]
  • Get a free Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS if you will hire employees or form an LLC or corporation. Beware of sites that charge for this. [source]
  • To find your state's business registration office, use the SBA's state-by-state registration lookup. [source]

Insurance to consider

  • Professional liability
  • General liability
  • Coverage for online training
  • Commercial property if you open a studio

Get quotes from several carriers or an independent agent; coverage needs depend on your contracts, state and staff.

Financing options

  • SBA 7(a) loans — the SBA's main guaranteed loan program, made through participating lenders. [source]
  • SBA Microloans — smaller loans delivered through nonprofit intermediary lenders. [source]
  • SBA Lender Match — a free tool that connects you with interested SBA lenders. [source]
  • Free counseling from your local SBDC or SCORE chapter can help you build the business plan lenders ask for. [source]

Estimate payments with the loan calculator, then check runway with the cash flow projection.

Ongoing operating expenses

  • Gym rental or studio rent
  • Insurance
  • Continuing education
  • Software subscriptions
  • Equipment replacement
  • Marketing

Use the break-even calculator to see how many jobs or sales cover them.

Common mistakes

  • No signed waiver or health questionnaire
  • Selling single sessions instead of packages
  • Using before-and-after claims you can't back up
  • Training outside your scope
  • Relying on one gym for all your clients

Finding customers

  • Free assessment or intro session
  • Referral rewards for current clients
  • Social media workout content
  • Partnerships with physical therapists and wellness businesses

Startup checklist

Ticks are saved on this device and appear on My plan.

Compare with other businesses

Sources