The dream of earning while you sleep – is it possible for personal trainers or fitness studio owners? And have you heard of the passive income concept?
Today we are going to tell you what passive income actually is and how it can match with gym ownership or any other fitness business. We’ll explore fitness-related ideas that may generate passive income for you, like online services or valuable content that you create and sell (for example personalized workout plans).
How much do gym owners make? You surely know that from experience… Now you can start earning more.
Key Takeaways
- Gym ownership isn’t truly passive, but it can be leveraged into a platform for passive income.
- Gym owners shall introduce smart automation and digital products to create passive income streams.
- Take the first step by choosing one idea and testing it with your existing gym’s or fitness studio’s audience.
- Start small with one passive idea, test and grow - passive income is a journey, not a switch.
What Is Passive Income in the Fitness Industry?
Passive income is the money earned with minimal day-to-day involvement. Be careful and distinguish it from active income, which is trading time for money.
Common myths about passive income are that as a n owner of a fitness business you may leave and forget all the subjects connected with your gym or fitness studio. It still often requires upfront work or smart systems, like fitness apps for personal trainers (read more about the best personal trainer app).
Does Owning a Gym Count as Passive Income?
Owning a gym may not start off passive, but it can evolve into a hub for multiple passive income streams.
- No by default: running a gym is usually hands-on: staffing, maintenance, sales.
- Yes with the right systems:
- If fully staffed and automated (for example by fitness apps).
- If run as part of a franchise or investment portfolio.
- If the owner has delegated all operations and focuses only on strategic decisions.
- If fully staffed and automated (for example by fitness apps).
What makes gym income semi-passive or scalable?
Gym income can be semi-passive because, once set up, it can generate revenue through memberships, classes, and personal training with minimal daily involvement by the owner.
It becomes scalable when systems like automated billing, online sign-ups, franchising, or adding multiple locations allow the business to grow and increase profits without a directly proportional increase in workload.
Passive Income Ideas for Fitness Professionals
Below there is a large list of ideas on how to generate passive income in the health and fitness industry. Maybe you also invented some creative options of your own?
1. Sell eBooks
Create and sell digital guides on fitness topics like fat loss, strength training, or nutrition. Once written, they can generate sales indefinitely as an online fitness business.
2. Sell Workout Plans
Offer structured training programs (e.g., 4-week muscle-building plans) as downloadable PDFs. Great for beginners and niche audiences when you highlight your files are personalized workout plans.
3. Sell Pre-Recorded Workout Videos
Great option for personal trainers. Create and sell videos using your experience, knowledge and personality. Record once, sell forever. Host the films on your own site, social media accounts or platforms like Vimeo OTT, Kajabi, or Teachable.
4. Create an Online Course
Design a full course around a specific goal (e.g., “12 Weeks to Master Bodyweight Training”). Add educational content alongside workouts.
5. Create a Coaching Program
Offer semi-passive hybrid models like group coaching with pre-set resources, or limited live calls supplemented by automation.
6. Create a White-Label or Custom Fitness App
Launch your own custom fitness app with subscriptions for workouts, progress tracking, or meal plans – using platforms like WodGuru.
7. Create a Gym Franchise or Licensing Model
Turn your gym concept into a replicable business. Franchise or license your brand, systems, and methods for royalties and fees.
Gym franchise owner salary may be really tempting, use this information to encourage future franchisees to your brand.
8. Sell Fitness Related Merchandise
Earn money by selling gym-branded clothing and accessories or any other fitness related merchandise. Use print-on-demand services (e.g., Printful or Teespring) to avoid inventory.
9. Launch a Supplement Line
A successful fitness business idea: white-label, high-quality supplements to be sold under your brand. A great upsell for loyal gym members.
10. Build a Fitness YouTube Channel or Podcast
Share valuable content, grow an audience, and monetize through ads, sponsorships, and fitness affiliate programs links.
11. Leverage an Affiliate Program in the Fitness Industry
Promote different fitness products like fitness equipment, nutrition solutions, fitness trackers or software. Earn money on a commission on sales – using your blog, social media, or fitness newsletter to your email list.
12. License Your Workout Method or Program
Package your unique training style (e.g., HIIT, mobility, strength method) and make money through licensing it to other gyms or trainers worldwide.
First, make yourself known by publishing your workout videos and be active on social media, for example: organizing fitness challenges (if you need inspiration, read more about fitness challenge ideas).
13. Offer Paid Access to a Member-Only Community
Create a private Facebook group, Discord server, or forum with exclusive content, live Q&As, and peer support – charged monthly.
It can be part of your business idea of running corporate wellness programs – a group of employees may become your closed community.
How to start?
- Publish pre made workout programs on social media,
- Provide online nutrition coaching or example meal plans, if you are a specialist here,
- Make your online fitness products popular by showcasing your fitness classes, personality and knowledge,
- Leave the customer wanting more.
14. Develop a Fitness Challenge Series
Design 30-day or 8-week challenges thanks to a gym automation system: automated emails, videos, and tracking sheets. Charge a one-time or subscription fee and make money from online fitness.
15. Try Fitness Modeling
Wow! Sounds too crazy? But how do you know you don’t have a talent for it if you’ve never tried before? Your income streams don’t have to be fitness classes only eternally 😉
Fitness photography specialists, if you find the right one, will help you take your first steps in fitness modeling.
And once you have a larger photo album, you can start selling them and earn passive income from the work and time you’ve already put in.
16. Generate Advertising Revenue
Advertising revenue is a passive income stream for gym or online fitness studio owners who have built an audience through websites, social media, your fitness blog (read more about fitness blogs) or fitness apps.
By partnering with brands, running ads on content (like YouTube videos or blogs), or promoting affiliate products, owners can earn ongoing income without direct effort once content is published and traffic is consistent.
Gym Software for Fitness Business Passive Income
Ask other fitness professionals if they have already introduced a gym management software and why. We bet most of them will tell you that it streamlines all the operations:
- bookings,
- financial flow,
- membership control,
- and effective communication
- … to support the clients’ fitness journey and the image of fitness trainers and fitness brands.
Thanks to automated emails or gym membership app messages you’ll promote your passive income streams.
Ideas to promote via newsletter:
- Announce new eBooks or workout plans.
- Share discount codes for products from an affiliate program.
- Encourage members to join your online course.
- Promote a gym referral program with small rewards.
- Pre-sell an upcoming challenge or program.
Which of the software solutions may be the most helpful here? Check WodGuru:
Manage your gym
like a pro
Get more online bookings and increase your gym profit
FAQ
Owning a gym isn’t fully passive, but it can become semi-passive income when set up with efficient systems. Hiring reliable fitness trainers, automating memberships, and offering scheduled fitness classes allow the business to run with less day-to-day involvement from the owner.
A great example of passive income in the fitness business is selling downloadable workout plans, fitness programs, meal plans, or fitness products through fitness apps or websites. Once created and marketed, these digital offerings can continue generating income with minimal upkeep.
To increase revenue, consider offering add-on services like personal trainers, launching specialized fitness programs, or selling branded fitness products. You can also expand digitally by offering online workout plans made by fitness trainers, or developing fitness apps to reach a target audience beyond your physical location.
