Week 9, Part A: What is TikTok All About?

In reference to potentially building an online fitness platform for middle age adults, “My Fitness Revival,” here are some of my thoughts on the potential use of TikTok for my business:

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, TikTok has emerged as a formidable platform for personal trainers aiming to expand their online presence. With its vast user base and unique content delivery, TikTok offers a seemingly solid opportunity to engage with potential clients. However, like any platform, it presents both advantages and challenges for online fitness professionals.​

One of TikTok's most compelling attributes is its massive, fast-growing user base, boasting over 1 billion monthly active users globally (Virtuagym, 2025). This diverse audience spans various age groups across many areas, providing personal trainers with the potential to reach a broad spectrum of clients. However, more importantly for niche trainers, the platform's algorithm is useful in targeting the right content to the right audience, enhancing visibility for fitness-related content. By creating high-quality, engaging videos, trainers can effectively showcase their expertise and attract followers interested in health and wellness.  

TikTok's emphasis on short-form video content aligns with the fitness industry's trend towards quick, digestible workout routines and tips (My Personal Trainer Website, 2025).  Personal trainers can leverage this format to share exercise demonstrations, fitness challenges, and motivational content that resonates with users seeking accessible fitness guidance. Participating in trending challenges and utilizing popular hashtags can further amplify content reach, fostering community engagement and brand awareness. ​

Additionally, TikTok's reach is notably robust, often outperforming other social media platforms in terms of engagement and quick feedback. This means that personal trainers can achieve significant visibility without substantial advertising costs. Advertising can be expensive, but for a fitness professional just starting out, “marketing is essential for growth” (Fit3D, 2025).  The platform's design also encourages content discovery, allowing trainers to connect with users who may not have encountered their services otherwise. ​

However, it's essential to acknowledge potential drawbacks. TikTok's predominantly younger demographic may not align with the target audience of all personal trainers, particularly those focusing on older clients. (This might be especially true for my focus with “My Fitness Revival” and client target on the middle-aged population).  Additionally, the platform's content style leans towards entertainment, which might negate some professional credibility while engaging users. Furthermore, the fast-paced nature of TikTok trends requires consistent content creation to remain relevant, which can be time-intensive.​

Overall, I think TikTok offers a dynamic and influential platform for personal trainers to expand their online business. It has extensive reach, high engagement rates, and social interaction opportunities that are compatible with online fitness content.  However, I also think that online fitness trainers should carefully consider their target demographics and content strategy to effectively leverage TikTok's potential while maintaining their professional brand. In my case, I think I would use it as a light hearted attention grabber and inexpensive advertising, but keep my main content (workout videos, stretching routines, yoga warm-ups, etc), housed on YouTube with my main social media engagement on Facebook and Instagram.

References

“TikTok Fitness Marketing: How to Attract More Clients.” Virtuagym Business, Virtuagym, https://business.virtuagym.com/blog/tiktok-fitness-marketing . Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

“7 TikTok Content Marketing Tips for Personal Trainers.” My Personal Trainer Website, https://www.mypersonaltrainerwebsite.com/blog/7-tiktok-content-marketing-tips-for-personal-trainers . Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

“TikTok for Fitness Digital Marketing.” Fit3D, https://www.fit3d.com/blog/tik-tok-for-fitness-digital-marketing . Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.