Week 10 Part A: Researching Email Marketing

 

I am again writing a blog in reference to my aspirations to one day run an online personal trainer platform, My Fitness Revival.  Below are some of my thoughts on the importance of newsletters as part of a fitness trainer’s toolkit as they aim to create meaningful connections with clients.

In the personal trainer world, and especially for those markets focused on online platforms, staying connected with a particular audience is more important than ever. For online personal trainers and wellness coaches, newsletters are a powerful, low-cost way to build trust, provide value, and grow their business over time. Whether they send them weekly, monthly, quarterly, or just a couple of times a year, newsletters keep an audience engaged and informed, while reminding clients that their trainers are really there to support their goals.

One of the biggest benefits of pushing out newsletters is that they help establish credibility and expertise. Subscribers are already interested in fitness and wellness, and when their trainer shows up in their inbox with helpful tips, encouragement, or educational content, it only reinforces their commitment as a trainer-trainee team along the prescribed health journey. This consistent presence can help to build long-term loyalty and keep the trainer on top-of-mind when clients are ready to further invest in coaching or recommend services to others.

Newsletters also speak directly to an audience in a personalized and authentic way. Unlike social media, where messages are often competing with an endless stream of content, emails can be much more intimate…between just the trainer and the client.  This could mean higher engagement and more opportunities to create a real connection. In newsletters, personal trainers can share behind-the-scenes updates, celebrate client wins, or simply offer a motivational note to help people stay on track.

So how often should a personal trainer send a newsletter? I would argue that the sweet spot for most fitness professionals is probably about once a month. This frequency gives trainers enough time to create meaningful content without overwhelming their clients. However, if trainers have the time and content to provide real value, a bi-weekly or weekly newsletter might also work, but it would have to be something that the customers actually read or use, otherwise the trainers are wasting their valuable time.  On the flip side, for those just getting started, maybe just a quarterly newsletter is enough to get going and help keep the brand relevant.

Some content ideas that personal trainers/wellness coaches could put in their newsletters might include:

• Monthly workout challenges – Offering fun, doable challenges to keep clients motivated and give them a reason to come back for more.
• Client success stories – Highlighting progress and testimonials builds social proof and inspires others.
• Wellness tips & recipes – Sharing favorite healthy meals, recovery advice, or stress-relief techniques.
• Trainer insights – Offering personal perspective on current fitness trends or mindset shifts that could help clients.
• Exclusive offers or early access – Giving subscribers special discounts, early access to new programs, or free resources as a thank-you for being part of their community.
• Form checks & technique videos – Sharing quick tips for improving exercise form as a preview of new content added to the fitness library.
• Q&A sessions – Using common questions trainers get from clients.

In summary, fitness newsletters can be more than just marketing, they are a way to serve a fitness community, build relationships, and create long-term value between the trainer and client. Whether sharing tips, celebrating fitness success stories, or maybe offering a little “Monday Motivation”, every email newsletter could be chance to strengthen a trainer’s brand and help their clients live healthier lives.