We’ve recently had separate conversations about personal training for couples, each on opposite ends of the spectrum
The first pair works out together twice a week with the same personal trainer they’ve been using for years. They couldn’t be happier.
The second was frustrated by their gym’s refusal to offer personal training for couples. Going separately was a hassle, and they wanted to spend all their time together. It didn’t take long for them to say goodbye and find another gym down the street that welcomed them, and their money, at the same time.
These couples represent a golden opportunity hiding in plain sight: personal training for couples!
There are all kinds of couples. They could be married, dating, parent and child, best friends who want to exercise together… They all present a powerful, proven path to increasing your way to boost your personal training profits, all while delivering more value and enhancing the client experience.
Working with pairs can be twice the fun, twice the motivation, and if done right, twice the profit. People love to share experiences, and fitness is no exception. Let’s explore how you can tap into this powerful dynamic, offer added value to your clients, and increase your revenue.
Why should you provide personal training for couples?
Simply put, it’s a win-win situation for you and the clients. You get to charge more money for your time, and they get to encourage each other and enjoy the experience alongside each other.
Couples bring a built-in support system. They motivate each other, hold one another accountable, and often stick with a program longer because of their partnership. For gym owners and personal trainers, personal training for couples can offer:
- Higher client retention. They’re less likely to drop out if a partner is involved.
- Increased session energy and engagement
- A fun, social atmosphere that keeps things fresh
- An efficient use of your time and resources, with potential to increase your per-session earnings
Now, let’s dive into some tried-and-true strategies to help you make the most of the opportunities.
1. Offer a 10% Discount for Personal Training for Couples
Yep, it’s still true and probably will be forever. Discounts work. And this one works for you AND for them.
Offering 10% off gives folks an extra boost people to bring a partner into their fitness journey. This small price break makes training more affordable for them and can increase your overall income.
Here’s how:
- Rather than selling a single-person session at, say, $70, you offer a couples session at $125 instead of $140, saving them 10%.
- You’re still earning $125 in that hour, which is a 79% increase over an individual session!
- Plus, the perceived value skyrockets. Clients feel like they’re getting more for their money.
Structure your couples discount as a limited-time offer to create urgency. You can also make it exclusive to off-peak hours, filling slow periods with productive sessions.
As in most cases, keep promoting that you’re providing personal training for couples – not small classes. “Personal training” is the golden ticket, and you can easily provide top-tier coaching to two people at once.
2. Create Couples-Only Personal Training Packages
Specialized package deals specifically for couples are another excellent way to drive sales and commitment. These packages should focus on shared goals like:
- Wedding prep (popular for soon-to-be-married couples)
- Post-baby fitness for new parents
- Strength and conditioning for active couples
- Weight loss and transformation programs that they can tackle together
- For active agers, being the fun grandparents
Here are a few package ideas to get your mind flowing. What else can you imagine?
- “Better Together” 12-Week Transformation Program
Includes 24 shared personal training sessions, nutritional coaching, and progress assessments for each partner. - “Strong Bonds” 8-Week Strength Program
Focus on building strength as a team with two sessions per week, plus home workouts they can do together. - “Fit for Life” Couples Membership Add-On
A discounted monthly personal training membership for couples with bonus perks (free fitness classes or recovery sessions).
Package pricing should offer excellent value, but don’t undercut yourself. Keep your margins healthy while giving them an incentive to make a commitment.
Think of a way to provide personal training for couples remotely – through Zoom, recorded workouts, or an app. They can take you when they travel and not lose any ground.
3. Host Couples’ Fitness Events or Workshops
To promote personal training for couples, create exclusive events that appeal to pairs. These can act as both community builders and sales opportunities for personal training services.
Some fun ideas:
- Valentine’s Day Partner Workout—A fun, themed session with partner exercises, music, and maybe a little friendly competition. End with a sales pitch for a couples package.
- Partner Yoga and Mobility Clinics—Perfect for all fitness levels and a gateway to personal training upsells.
- “Fit Together” Challenges—Host a 4-week challenge where couples compete against other pairs for prizes. Offer personal training at a special rate to help them “win.”
These events are great for bringing new people through your doors, providing a low-risk taste of personal training for couples. Make sure you gather contact info and follow up after every event.
4. Market the Emotional Benefits of Couples Training
Your marketing should go beyond the physical results. Couples want to feel more connected, supported, and energized together. Tap into that with messaging that highlights emotional benefits, such as:
- Strengthening their relationship
- Spending quality time together
- Supporting each other’s health and wellness
- Reducing stress and feeling better together
For example:
“Sweat together, stay together! Our couples training is designed to bring you closer while getting stronger, healthier, and happier.”
Use testimonials and photos of real couples who train at your gym (with their permission). Share their stories on your social media, website, and email newsletters. Nothing inspires action like seeing others succeed.
Psychology Today shared findings about the benefits of exercising with a romantic partner. It is “associated with greater positive mood during exercise —beyond the happiness boost that results from the exercise itself — and it correlated with higher positive mood (but not reduced negative mood) during the day. Lastly, it was related to greater relationship satisfaction.”
The research shows:
- Exercise makes us feel good, so personal training for couples can have powerful effects on the relationship.
- It also demonstrates support and encouragement for your partner.
- Many of us work harder when we’re with someone – and who can get us revved up more than our No. 1 person?
- Research also finds that having shared interests is good for a relationship. It gives you something positive to do together, to talk about together.
- It’s also a way to spend quality time together – whether that’s at the gym or walking the dog, ballroom dancing, or gardening in the back yard.
- And the ways our bodies react to exercise – faster heartrate, shortness of breath, sweaty palms – are similar to the feelings of romantic attraction. So, working up a sweat together can be great for your physical connection.
5. Incentivize Referrals from Happy Couples
Couples who train together are often great referral sources, because they’re passionate about their experience and love sharing it. Encourage them to bring in friends with a referral reward:
- Give a free session when they refer another pair for personal training for couples
- Offer gift cards or branded gear for referrals
- Cross-promote with other businesses in your neighborhood
- Run a “refer a couple, win a date night” promo with dinner or spa packages as prizes
Referrals are powerful because they come with built-in trust. When happy couples tell their friends about your services, you’re getting pre-qualified leads.
6. Offer Flexible Scheduling Options
Busy couples often have complex schedules. Make it easy for them to train together by offering:
- Morning and evening time slots
- Weekend availability
- Online/virtual training sessions if they travel or have tight schedules
The more convenient you make it, the more likely they are to commit and stay consistent. Flexibility helps eliminate excuses.
7. Create a “VIP Couples Club”
For your high-value clients, create an exclusive membership tier, and offer it with personal training for couples.
What kind of perks can you offer? Try:
- Priority booking
- Exclusive workshops
- Recovery sessions or massage discounts
- Private events (wine tastings, wellness seminars, etc.)
- Customized nutrition plans tailored to each person
Charge a premium for this premium service (and all your others, too).
Final Thoughts
It’s not just cute marketing to offer personal training for couples. It’s smart business. When done well, it increases session revenue, boosts retention, and fills your gym with energetic, motivated clients who inspire others – and spread the good word.
By offering discounts, creating tailored packages, hosting events, and marketing the emotional benefits, you’ll tap into a loyal and profitable client base that values their health and their relationship. And when you double the pleasure and double the fun… you double the profits!
Create a “Personal Training for Couples” program or promotion in your gym today and watch your community — and your revenue — grow.It’s a great way to get new clients. For tons more ideas, get our free “51 Ways to Acquire Clients Without Facebook Ads.”