Is the Personal Training Industry Dead?

Fifteen years ago, when I first stepped into the world of personal training, it felt exclusive. Not in a pretentious way but in a professional, respected, and standards-driven way.

You trained “wealthy” people. You were part of a small circle of passionate, skilled coaches who lived and breathed the job. You had to earn your stripes. Clients trusted you, and you earned that trust by showing up, learning, evolving, and delivering results.

Fast forward to today… and honestly, it feels like the industry has lost its way.

A Flooded Market with No Gatekeepers

The truth? Anyone can become a personal trainer now. There’s no real governing body. No one holding new trainers to account. The barrier to entry is so low, it's almost laughable at times and with that comes a sharp drop in standards.

Worse still, many trainers today charge less than what I charged 15 years ago. That’s not progression. That’s devaluation.

The Clients Are the Ones Suffering

And here’s what really stings, the people who lose out are the ones who trust us the most: the clients.

They’re handing over their hard-earned money, hoping for life-changing results… but what are they getting? Cookie-cutter programs, lack of guidance, no accountability, and in many cases no results.

This industry was supposed to be about transformation; physically, mentally, and emotionally. Somewhere along the line, that got lost.

Where Are the Coaches?

Too many so-called “coaches” aren’t actually investing in becoming better at coaching. They’re spending all their energy on building funnels, running ads, learning sales tactics, and growing their following.

Yes, marketing and sales are imperative. But here’s the thing: you can’t fake knowledge when someone’s stood in front of you looking for help. You either know how to get them in shape or you don’t.

The Rise of the Influencer Coach

Social media has poured petrol on this fire.

Now, we’ve got a generation of “fitness influencers” who have built platforms on popularity, not performance. They aren’t educating. They aren’t showcasing results. They’re just visible and in today’s world, visibility is often mistaken for credibility.

This shift has led to the rise of online coaching; cheaper, easier to access, and for a generation that’s growing less comfortable with human interaction, it ticks the box. But coaching isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about human connection. It's about being seen, heard, and guided.

I Still Believe

Despite all of this I still believe in personal training.

I believe in its power to change lives. To build confidence, strength, and lasting friendships. To help someone become a better version of themselves.

That’s what we stand for at Fitness Fraternity.

We don’t just sell gym memberships. We guide. We coach. We care. We’ll design your program and teach you how to follow it. You’ll have structure, encouragement, and the experience of coaches who’ve been doing this the right way for a long time.

Whether you’re completely new and need that first nudge… or you’re ready to graduate from your commercial gym and take your physique to the next level — we got you.

Ready to find out what a proper gym feels like?

Join today and get 21 days free: Membr, Innovative fitness platform

Listen & read just a few words from our members: Success Stories