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How to start a personal training business in Bay of Plenty

Everything you need: what it costs, what you can make, what Bay of Plenty asks for, and every step from your first idea to your tenth customer.

Start this business with PressUp

Checked October 2026 In New Zealand dollars 12-minute read

The prices and costs in this guide are estimates for New Zealand: researched US figures converted to New Zealand dollars by price levels. Registration fees and taxes are New Zealand's own.

To startNZ$1.3k–6.1kLean to full setup

Per monthNZ$5.5k–14kOnce established

Profit margin85–92%After travel, card fees and software

First customer2–6 weeksFrom today

DifficultyA certification in a few months

From homeYesOr you go to them

01Is it right for you?

A good fit if you love fitness and helping people reach their goals

Independent trainers help people get stronger, lose weight and stay healthy, and keep the whole fee instead of a gym's share. You can train clients at home, outdoors, in a gym that rents space to trainers, or online. Most places have no government license for trainers, but clients, gyms and insurers expect a respected certification.

You'll like it if

Exercise is already part of your life
You like motivating people
You're comfortable selling packages
You're happy with early mornings and evenings

Think twice if

You want a nine-to-five schedule
You don't like talking about money
You'd rather not keep studying and renewing certificates
Being on your feet all day is hard for you

02What it costs

From NZ$1,250 to start

Start lean with the essentials and upgrade as customers come, or set up fully from day one.

Total to startNZ$1,250

What	Cost
Trainer certificationAn accredited exam alone, or a full study program	NZ$820
CPR and AED courseWith a hands-on skills session	NZ$100
Portable equipmentBands, kettlebells and a mat, up to dumbbells, a bench and a suspension trainer	NZ$180
Registering your businessFree as a sole trader; more to form a company	NZ$0
Liability insuranceFirst year	NZ$150
Training appFirst three months: free plans exist	NZ$0
Space for sessionsClients' homes and parks, or hourly studio rental	NZ$0
Total	NZ$1,250

Once you're running: about NZ$80 a month, plus about 8% of what you earn. Insurance and a training app every month, plus travel and card fees for each session.

03What you can make

Work out your own numbers

Move the sliders to match your plans. The chart shows a first year that builds up as word gets around.

Average price per session NZ$80 NZ$30NZ$320

Sessions a week 20 140

Monthly costs NZ$80 NZ$0NZ$320

Typical in Bay of Plenty: NZ$55–NZ$160 per session, 5–30 sessions a week once established.

Revenue a month—

Profit a month—

Pays back in—

Your first yearTotal: —

Money inCosts

Side hustleNZ$1.4k–3.2k

5–10 sessions a week

Full-time, on your ownNZ$5.5k–9.6k

20–30 sessions a week

GrowingNZ$9.6k–14k

Small-group training and online coaching

04Step by step

13 steps to your first customers

Each step says what it costs and how long it takes. Most owners get through them in a few weeks.

1
Get certified
2–6 months NZ$820–1.9k

Choose a respected certification. In the US, look for one with an accredited exam, such as NASM, ACE, NSCA or ISSA. Gyms and insurers will ask for it.
- Pick an accredited program
- Study and pass the exam
- Note when it needs renewing
2
Get CPR and AED certified
1 day NZ$100–130

Most trainers need current CPR, first aid and AED training. Choose a course with a hands-on skills session.
- CPR and AED
- First aid
- Renewal date
3
Choose your name
1 day Free

Many trainers use their own name; others pick a brand. Make sure no one in Bay of Plenty has it.
- 3–5 name ideas
- Check no one else uses it
- Check the domain
Get name ideas for your businessFind a name
4
Register your business in Bay of Plenty
1 day to 2 weeks NZ$0–NZ$148

Most owners start as a sole trader; registering a company with the Companies Office keeps business debts separate.
- Start as a sole trader: free
- Register a company: NZ$148.05
5
Get your IRD number
1–5 days Free

Your business's tax number from Inland Revenue, for taxes and banking.
- Register with Inland Revenue
- Open a business bank account
6
Sort out GST
1–3 days Free

You must register for GST once your sales pass NZ$60,000 a year. The rate is 15%.
- Know when to register for GST
- Keep records of income and costs
- Set money aside for income tax
7
Get insured
1–2 days Quotes are free

Insurance protects you if something goes wrong on a job. Get quotes from two or three insurers.
- Professional liability
- General liability
8
Choose where you'll train
1 week Up to NZ$1k

Train in clients' homes, in parks, in a gym or studio that rents to trainers, or online. Many parks need a permit to train paying clients.
- Clients' homes
- Parks, with a permit if needed
- Hourly studio space
9
Buy portable equipment
1 week NZ$180–2.3k

Start light: bands, a couple of kettlebells and a mat go everywhere. Add dumbbells, a suspension trainer and a bench as you grow.
- Bands and kettlebells
- Mat and foam roller
- Adjustable dumbbells
10
Set your prices and packages
1 day Free

Sell monthly packages rather than single sessions: clients stick with it and your income is steadier. See the prices below.
- Monthly packages
- A small-group option
- Online coaching
11
Put your business online
1 day Included

Let people see your approach, your prices and your reviews, and book a first session without waiting for a reply.
- Website with your packages
- Online booking
- Google Business Profile
PressUp websites can take free online bookingsBuild your website
12
Get your first 10 clients
2–6 weeks Free

Start with people you know, offer a free first session, and ask physical therapists and dietitians for referrals.
- Free first session
- Local referral partners
- Ask every client for a review
Ask your customers for reviews by email with PressUpSee how
13
Keep track as you grow
Ongoing Included

Know who your clients are, what they've paid for and when their package runs out.
- Client list and goals
- Packages and payments
- Renewal reminders
Keep your customers and invoices in one place with PressUpSee how

05Licenses in BOP

What Bay of Plenty asks for

Registering, taxes, and what this business needs. Check the details with each authority: rules change.

Start as a sole trader

There's nothing to register: you tell Inland Revenue you're working for yourself.

Inland RevenueFree

Register a company

Reserving the company name and incorporating, including GST. A company also files a yearly annual return, for a fee.

Companies OfficeNZ$148.05once

IRD number

Your business's tax number, for banking and taxes.

Inland RevenueFree

CPR, first aid and AED

Most trainers need current CPR, first aid and AED training, and gyms and insurers usually ask for it.

A recognized first aid providerNZ$100–NZ$130

Permits for parks

Many cities and councils require a permit, insurance or both to train paying clients in public parks.

Your city or local councilVaries

REPs registration

REPs NZ is the national register for exercise professionals and facilities.

REPs NZVaries

06Equipment

What to buy first

Buy the "must haves" to start. Add the rest when customers pay for them.

Resistance bandsLoops in several strengths

NZ$7–NZ$16Must have

KettlebellsOne or two to start, or a set

NZ$25–NZ$490Must have

Exercise matFor floor work anywhere

NZ$25–NZ$100Must have

Foam rollerFor warm-ups and recovery

NZ$25–NZ$100Later

Adjustable dumbbellsA whole rack in one pair

NZ$550–NZ$660Later

Suspension trainerHangs from a door or a tree

NZ$300–NZ$400Later

BenchFlat or adjustable

NZ$210–NZ$820Later

Heart-rate monitorChest strap

NZ$140Later

07Pricing

3 packages that sell

Simple choices make it easy to say yes. Most customers pick the middle one.

Once a week

NZ$440 per month · Four sessions a month

One-hour sessions
At home, outdoors or online
A simple plan for days between

Twice a week

NZ$820 per month · Eight sessions a month

One-hour sessions
Progress check every month
Nutrition basics

Online coaching

NZ$410 per month · Ongoing

A custom program in an app
Weekly check-ins
Form reviews by video

One-hour session prices in Bay of PlentyTypical: NZ$55–NZ$160

Average NZ$75

NZ$0NZ$55NZ$110NZ$160NZ$210

08First customers

How to get your first customers

You don't need an ad budget. These work for new owners almost everywhere.

Google Business Profile

People search "personal trainer near me". A free profile with photos and reviews puts you on the map.

Free

Free first session

A free consult or first workout turns curious people into clients.

Free

Referral partners

Physical therapists, chiropractors, dietitians and running clubs refer clients.

Partnership

Online booking

Let clients book and pay for sessions on your site without texting back and forth.

With PressUp bookings

Reviews and results

With permission, share client stories and ask every client for a review.

With PressUp Reviews

Monthly packages

Sell sessions by the month: steadier income and clients who stick with it.

Repeat income

What a personal trainer website needs, and how PressUp builds it

09Your first 30 days

A month from now, you could be open

Week 1

Get ready

Book your certification exam
Take a CPR and AED course
Get insurance quotes

Week 2

Set up

Choose your name
Register your business
Pick where you'll train

Week 3

Go live

Website with online booking
Google Business Profile
Set your packages

Week 4

First clients

Offer free first sessions
Meet two referral partners
Ask for reviews

10Questions

Common questions

Do I need a license to be a personal trainer in Bay of Plenty?

Usually there's no government license, but clients, gyms and insurers expect a respected certification and current CPR, first aid and AED training. Some parks need a permit to train paying clients.

Which certification should I get?

In the US, choose one with an accredited exam, such as NASM, ACE, NSCA or ISSA. In other countries, look for qualifications your national fitness register recognizes.

Where can I train clients?

In their homes, in parks, in a gym or studio that rents space to trainers, or online. Check whether your park or gym needs a permit, a fee or proof of insurance.

Can I start part-time?

Yes. Part-time and early-morning or evening schedules are common in fitness. Many trainers keep a day job until their client list is full.

Should I sell single sessions or packages?

Packages. Monthly packages keep clients coming, which is how they get results, and make your income easier to plan.

Costs and earnings are estimates from the sources below, checked October 2026. Fees and rules change: confirm with the authorities named in this guide. This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.

Sources