Florida Personal Training

[Jay Scott]

Hey guys, first ill introduce myself. My name is Jay Scott, ive been a personal trainer for the last 10 years. I currently live in KY but am planning on moving to Central FL in september to start my own business. Just wondering if any of the trainers here are located in that area and if Florida in general is a good place for personal training business... Any info is appreciated!

[PowerManDL]

Warm year-round, lots of sun, and lots of vain idiots with more money than sense. Yeah, it's a good market.

South Florida more so than up around Orlando, but even there.

[Jean-Paul]

Welcome to the forums Jay. Sounds like a fun move. Like any state, it just really depends on where you are planning to move. Rural markets are generally not good for this industry. You need higher income people with some density.

What city are you moving to? Have you done any research on the area to see what you are getting into? Are there other trainers in the area? Is is saturated? Tons of trainers may be the perfect place if they're all idiots?

Orlando is pretty central, and I think it's a decent market. Jacksonville would be perfect for me. Really neat city, but not too central. Are you moving for your work or are you following a spouse/S-O?

Thanks for joining us. I think you'll find that this small community of trainers is very tight-knit and willing to help each other.

[Jay Scott]

Originally Posted by Jean-Paul

Welcome to the forums Jay. Sounds like a fun move. Like any state, it just really depends on where you are planning to move. Rural markets are generally not good for this industry. You need higher income people with some density.

What city are you moving to? Have you done any research on the area to see what you are getting into? Are there other trainers in the area? Is is saturated? Tons of trainers may be the perfect place if they're all idiots?

Orlando is pretty central, and I think it's a decent market. Jacksonville would be perfect for me. Really neat city, but not too central. Are you moving for your work or are you following a spouse/S-O?

Thanks for joining us. I think you'll find that this small community of trainers is very tight-knit and willing to help each other.

Thanks JP, I will be here alot. I am trying my best to learn as much as possible to make this work. I am moving with a friend, so we can split rent and expenses. I am actually going to orlando because i can work at Disney world as a lifeguard or some other job while i try to sort out my business. I moved once to Destin, and had to come back home to KY because i didnt have any income while i was trying to start my business. Destin is high income but seemed a little under populated. This time i plan to work while i grow my business. I realize i wont have as much time to put into things but im not going to be impatient.

I have been to orlando several times but overall the reason i am going is to get a temporary job at Disney. I would be open to other areas(like southern Fla) but honestly the choices are overwhelming. I dont really know where to start as far as choosing a location, so i looked at rent prices and decided just to get close to a big city...I'm actually moving to Kissimmee so I'll be about 15-20 miles from orlando. Should be a doable driving distance if i need to commute.

One thing i want to say is i have read alot of the threads here and am so glad i found this site. I respect all of you who have made it independently very much and am here to learn from you all. Thanks for the warm welcome!

[Annepan]

Hi Jay...welcome to FL! I live south of Orlando in a small town about 45 min north of West Palm. I am a brand new trainer, so still getting my feet wet. I work in the wellness center for the local hospital and am learning a ton...pay - not so great...but I am there to learn.

About Orlando: I think you will find the Orlando market to be much better than Destin. There are very affluent areas there - and I think you can have success there. As far as lifeguarding you may want to try Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Seaworld (they have a new aquatic park) or Wet-N-Wild. Beware though - you will find in Orlando the traffic is terrible.

I agree w/ PMDL that So Florida (Fort Lauderdale) probably would be an even better market (for training)than Orlando (I used to live in Ft. Lauderdale).

Just my 2 cents...Best of luck to you!

Anne

[Jay Scott]

Originally Posted by Annepan

Hi Jay...welcome to FL! I live south of Orlando in a small town about 45 min north of West Palm. I am a brand new trainer, so still getting my feet wet. I work in the wellness center for the local hospital and am learning a ton...pay - not so great...but I am there to learn.

About Orlando: I think you will find the Orlando market to be much better than Destin. There are very affluent areas there - and I think you can have success there. As far as lifeguarding you may want to try Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Seaworld (they have a new aquatic park) or Wet-N-Wild. Beware though - you will find in Orlando the traffic is terrible.

I agree w/ PMDL that So Florida (Fort Lauderdale) probably would be an even better market (for training)than Orlando (I used to live in Ft. Lauderdale).

Just my 2 cents...Best of luck to you!

Anne

Thanks Anne! Im hoping its better than destin, i still think it could have worked there but i didnt have the funds to stay long enough at the time. I will check out all of those places, seaworld having a water park is something i didnt know.

Id like to go to ft lauderdale but there is alot more job opportunities in Orlando while i start my business up. I need some funds coming in. Thanks for your info. Good luck to you as well!