If you run a personal training business, you certainly have various business expenses, right? Even if you know that your purchases related to preparing and running training sessions can reduce your tax, you may not know how many of these write offs for personal trainers there are.
Today we will deal with a large list of possibilities for common and less common tax deductions. We hope you will be inspired and take advantage of them.
Key Takeaways
- A tax deduction in a personal training business allows personal trainers to reduce their taxable income by subtracting eligible business expenses - such as equipment, travel, certifications, and marketing costs - from their earnings.
- A self employed personal trainer or fitness instructor tax deductions, as a rule, are to be connected with the products and services they buy for an aim to run their fitness business smoothly.
- Tax write-offs: marketing expenses, equipment, personal training software, travel, uniforms, and professional development may be tax deductible if used for business purposes.
- You also shouldn't forget about health insurance, home office deduction, or mortgage interest if you own the house and car expenses if you go to your clients’ homes (the general rule is to deduct expenses related to your professional performance).
How to reduce personal trainer taxes?
We are mainly talking about self-employed personal trainer taxes here, so any cost that is justified when running an own business can be a tax deduction. From gym equipment, office supplies and advertising expenses to travel expenses, gym management software subscriptions, and continued education. Do you have a good accountant? Are you collecting invoices? Great! Tax deductions success guaranteed!
Personal Training Business Expenses (Tax Deductible)
When you think about a cost that you need to perform your professional services, we are talking about a “necessary business expense” quite probably. If so, these business expenses can be counted as tax deductions.
Is It Really That Simple or Should I Hire a Tax Professional?
This really becomes clear if you only understand that all purchases that are not your personal expenses can be generally tax deductible. For example: car expenses will not be a write off if you don’t use your car for business purposes, as a trainer who doesn’t offer mobile services.
However, of course it is worth hiring a tax professional, especially for the tax season, if you do not feel confident in this area of activity and you will sleep better then.
Look at the list below. Personal trainer taxes may be lower thanks to so many cost groups! As long as they are really business related expenses, of course.
✅ 1. Tax Deductible Business Insurance
- General liability insurance
- Gym Insurance (if you own the place)
- Professional liability insurance (malpractice)
- Cyber liability insurance (if the fitness business is conducted online – read more about how to start an online fitness business)
✅ 2. Tax Write Offs for Fitness Equipment & Tools
- Free weights, resistance bands, kettlebells (both advanced and common gym equipment may be tax deductible)
- Yoga mats, foam rollers, TRX systems
- Stopwatches, cones, timers, agility ladders
- Mobile equipment storage or racks
✅ 3. Tax Deductions: Technology & Software
- Laptop, tablet, or phone (used for work)
- Video editing tools (for online programs)
- Fitness apps – read more about custom fitness app
- Zoom/Teams subscriptions for virtual sessions
- Cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox for files/videos)
- Data analytics tools like WodGuru gym reporting software
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✅ 4. Tax Write Offs for Client Experience & Communication
- Online booking platforms like WodGuru fitness scheduling software
- Feedback forms or survey tools
- Email marketing tools
- SMS/text automation tools like WodGuru gym automation system
✅ 5. Content Creation & Branding Tax Deductions
- Camera, tripod, lighting for filming workouts
- Stock photos/videos or editing software
- Custom workout guides or eBooks
- Logo design, fitness branding packages
✅ 6. Tax Deductible Travel* & Mobile Training
- Transportation costs: gas and mileage for in-home clients (read more about mobile gym business)
- Car expenses: mobile training van upkeep (if applicable)
- Business meals (e. g. while traveling to training events) 50% deductible in the U.S.
* if business related travel
✅ 7. Health & Wellness Tax Write Offs**
- Massage therapy (if part of recovery training research)
- Fitness tracker or smartwatch used in training clients
- Nutrition plans or testing (used as client tools or R&D)
** if business expenses related to work
✅ 8. Work Attire & Personal Presentation Tax Write Offs
- Branded athletic wear (logoed shirts, etc.)
- Laundry expenses (if attire used only for work)
- Haircuts or grooming (only if for filming/marketing purposes – check local tax rules)
✅ 9. Professional Development Write Offs for Personal Trainers
- Coaching or mentorship programs
- Masterminds or business bootcamps
- Audio learning (audible subscriptions, podcasts used for education – read about best fitness podcasts)
✅ 10. Workspace & Environment Write Offs for Personal Trainer
- Gym lease or rental fees
- Portion of rent/utilities if working from home
- Soundproofing, mirrors (read more about gym mirror ideas), or flooring (home studio upgrades)
- Office supplies
- Decor or plants (client-facing spaces)
✅ 11. Legal & Administrative Personal Trainer Tax Deductions
- Business registration or license fees connected with personal training
- Copyrights or trademarks (branding content)
- Legal templates for contracts and agreements to train clients
✅ 12. Banking & Finance Deductible Expenses
- Business bank account fees
- Payment processor fees (Stripe, PayPal, Square)
- Credit card processing fees
✅ 13. Home Office Tax Deduction
Did you know that such a thing as a home office tax deduction exists? It especially applies for self-employed individuals or freelancers – including personal trainers who work from home: have their online personal training business like creating programs or hosting virtual personal training sessions.
You can deduct a portion of expenses like:
- Rent or mortgage interest
- Utilities (electricity, water, internet)
- Property taxes
- Home insurance
- Repairs and maintenance (for the office area)
- Depreciation (if you own the home)
✅ 14. BONUS: Self Employment Taxes
Tax deductions for self employed trainers may include:
- Business expenses (equipment, fitness gear, liability insurance)
- Marketing costs (ads, website, social media)
- Home office deduction (if you train or manage business from home)
- Travel and mileage (to client sessions or fitness events)
- Education and certifications (CPR, fitness courses)
- Software and apps (scheduling, workout programs)
- Phone and internet (portion used for business)
All must be used for business purposes to qualify.
FAQ
As a fitness instructor, you can claim expenses related to business use – like equipment, travel, certifications, and marketing – to reduce your taxable income, as allowed by tax laws for personal training professionals.
Yes, many personal trainers are self-employed, which means they handle their own financial aspects. As small business owners, personal trainers may (on their own or with help of a tax specialist) claim costs related to their business – like equipment or marketing – as fully tax deductible.
One of the most overlooked tax breaks for a self-employed personal trainer is the home office deduction. If you use part of your home exclusively for business – such as scheduling clients, planning workouts, or managing finances – you may qualify for this deduction under current tax laws. It can significantly reduce your self-employment taxes by allowing you to deduct a portion of rent, utilities, personal training software and internet used for business. Consulting a tax professional can help you claim it correctly and maximize your savings.
On average, personal trainers who are self-employed pay around 15.3% in self-employment taxes, plus federal and possibly state income tax. The total tax rate often ranges from 20% to 30% of income after deductions. A tax professional can help optimize your tax return.
