Avoid These Niches as an Online Trainer If You Want to Succeed
When it comes to growing a successful online fitness business, few decisions are more critical than selecting the right niche. In this post, we dive into why some niches will keep you broke, no matter how hard you work, and how choosing the right niche can mean the difference between earning $100k+ months versus struggling to land a single client.
Why Niche Selection is the Foundation of Online Fitness Success
Choosing the right niche isn't just a marketing tactic—it's the foundation of your business. Here’s why:
Two trainers can use the same strategy: One succeeds massively, the other fails.
The biggest difference? Their niche.
A bad niche = wasted effort.
If you feel like you're doing "all the right things" but seeing no traction, your niche may be the problem.
The Difference Between In-Person and Online Niches
In-Person Trainers
Limited by geography (e.g., a 30-minute radius around your gym)
Minimal competition in your area
No real need to niche down because you have built-in exclusivity due to physical location
Online Trainers
Access to billions of potential clients worldwide
Competing with every online coach on the planet
Niching down is essential to:
Stand out
Reduce competition
Improve your messaging and marketing
What Makes a Good Niche?
A strong niche should:
Be highly specific (not just "busy professionals")
Have an urgent, painful problem you can solve
Be able and willing to pay (affluent market segment)
Already be investing time and money to solve the issue
Use and feel comfortable with online platforms
What Niches Should You Avoid?
Here are some of the worst niches for online fitness coaches:
1. Under Age 21-22
Lack of decision-making power
Usually need parental approval
Limited disposable income
2. Over Age 60-65
Less tech-savvy
Prefer in-person experiences
Resistance to online coaching platforms
3. Vague, Broad Niches (e.g., Busy Professionals, CEOs)
These are not real niches
Lack clarity and emotional connection
Won’t stand out in the saturated online space
How to Choose a Powerful Niche
Ask yourself:
Can they afford my coaching rates?
Do they have a compelling reason to act now?
Are they comfortable using tech?
Are they actively trying to solve this problem already?
Use specific deadlines, life events, or goals to your advantage (e.g., weddings, marathons, photo shoots).
Sub-Niches Are the Real Goldmine
Rather than stopping at a general niche, go one level deeper:
Niche: Busy moms
Sub-niche: Moms over 40 recovering from C-sections who want to lose the last 10 lbs
This level of specificity makes your marketing sharp, targeted, and magnetic.
What to Do If You Need Help
Choosing the right niche is hard. Executing it right is even harder. But you don’t have to do it alone.
At TribeFit, we specialize in helping coaches dial in their niche and scale their fitness businesses fast with proven systems.
Learn More:
Final Thoughts
If you’re grinding away with no results, it’s time to ask if you’re in the wrong niche. Don’t waste months or years doing more of what doesn’t work. Instead, focus your effort where it pays off.
Need help identifying or refining your niche? Reach out to TribeFit and let us show you how to create a thriving, freedom-based fitness business with a niche that actually works.
Your niche can make or break your business. Get it right.
