How Much Do CrossFit Trainers Make?

How much CrossFit trainers make depends on what Level of the CrossFit certificate they have. They are usually paid anywhere between $15 - $45 per class, depending on whether they are group trainers or personal trainers. CrossFit coaches can make more money by bringing in new customers to their respective gyms.

The salary of CrossFit trainers also depends on their location. The biggest salaries are earned by the coaches in the Midwest, average in the Southeast, and lowest in the Southwest. 

CrossFit certifications make the biggest difference in salaries. 

 

Level 1 certificate will set you back for about $1,000, including the price of the test. If you fail the test you have to pay another $150 to retake it. In order to maintain your level 1 status, you will have to come back every 5 years and retake the test which will cost you $500. 

Being a level 1 coach is a part-time job and earns you on average $17.90 per hour, which is almost the same as other fitness coaches that are just starting out. 

Level 2 certificate also costs $1,000, but those who choose to maintain it have to pay $1,000 every five years. These coaches get a slight pay raise, earning around $20 - $25 per hour. 

To obtain a Level 3 trainer certification you will have to pay $150 for the application and $500 for the exam fee. This certification allows you to earn the best salary, enabling you to earn up to $45 dollars per hour on average. 

If you love CrossFit and want to make it more than just a hobby, you can consider becoming a CrossFit trainer. Being a CrossFit trainer gives you an opportunity to start your own CrossFit programs and workouts, and allows you to help other people reach their fitness goals. 

Being a CrossFit trainer does not come without a cost because you will need a CrossFit qualification. The qualification consists of a two-day course from 9 to 5, and if you pass you will receive the certificate. This initial investment in becoming a CrossFit trainer will cost you $1,000 and it includes the course and one-time attempt to pass the test. 

When you’ve decided to become a CrossFit trainer you have to meet the minimum required credential to apply for affiliation. That is Level 1 Certified Course, which is an introductory course that provides a comprehensive review of the core concepts and methodology of CrossFit. You are also introduced to CrossFit culture and community. You have to be at least 18 years old and have basic medical knowledge, such a First Aid. 

Once you’ve obtained the CrossFit Level 1 Trainer Certificate, it is valid for five years from the date of issue. 

The next step to becoming a CrossFit trainer is to choose how you will teach CrossFit. There are a few teaching options that you can choose from. 

If you choose to be a private CrossFit trainer you will be offering one-on-one specialized CrossFit training to your clients. 

Those who decide to go into semi-private training offer their clients a more personalized and focused CrossFit training session but at a lower price. 

Coaching a big group means offering less specialized workout, which means your CrossFit training will have to be maximized for all abilities. 

As a CrossFit trainer, you have to decide if you want to be self-employed, start your own CrossFit gym, or work for another company. At the beginning of your career, it is easier to collaborate with another company, but it is important to keep in mind that gym chains are choosing to create their own classes, build up their own brand and turn their love for CrossFit into their success. 

You can begin by networking with owners and coaches at your local CrossFit box. Some will maybe offer you a chance to shadow under another coach for a while. Keep attracting your clients, building up your skills, and perfecting your CrossFit teaching skills. 

If you are ambitious, you can open up your own CrossFit box and contribute to a community of over 7,000 affiliate gyms. That doesn’t come without risk and a need for dedication.

To become a CrossFit affiliate you have to pay $3,000 for a license fee. It could end up costing you around $30,000, which includes salaries, rent, equipment costs, and certificates. The rent can cost you anywhere between $3,000 and $6,000, depending on your location. You will have to give around $5,000 for the up-front equipment and continue to pay roughly $1,000 a month for maintenance. 

Most of the affiliate gyms, if they are managed well, turn a profit within the first year. 

There are around 15,000 CrossFit gyms, and you need to make sure to stand out from the crowd. In order to stand out, a Level 1 certificate is not enough. You will have to come up with your own program. You have to show your clients that you have something new, creative, and good to offer them that they won’t find in most CrossFit gyms. 

To make sure your program attracts customers, keep it varied. This prevents your clients from getting bored, and it makes it easier to adjust your classes to their specific needs.

 A good way to do this is to make a mix of strength, gymnastics, and endurance workouts. This allows your clients to learn and improve a new skill every time. Don’t forget what CrossFit is all about and that is intensity. Your clients will come to your gym because they expect your workouts to be high-intensity. 

Even though CrossFit is inclusive, it is not a one size fits all. You have to determine your customer’s skill levels, goals, and abilities. Every one of your customers wants a personalized approach to their fitness journey and it greatly improves their happiness. 

To create a good workout, it has to consist of 4 sections. 

Start by jogging, doing lunges, push-ups, and jumping jacks. These exercises will help your group be prepared for the intensity of the class. 

Depending on whether you are working on strength or skill, you have to choose appropriate exercises. If it’s strength day, your clients will perform squats or deadlifts, and if it’s the day you work on their skill, they will perform complex skills like muscle-ups.

Workout of the day means a challenge for the day and it is performed as the third section of a CrossFit workout. 

Lastly, make sure your clients cool down after the workout by stretching, so they don’t end up too sore the next day. 

Marketing is an important part of owning any business. CrossFit has become very dominant in social media. You can promote your services and elevate your brand by posting your client’s achievements and engaging with your audience. 

Define who you want to focus on helping, what age group you want to work with, and what intensity workouts you want to perform. That will help you with adjusting your programs to best fit your clients’ needs. 

You can offer free classes as a way to attract new clients’ who want to try out CrossFit before committing. 

Keep your clients interested by going the extra mile and offering your clients a meal plan or friendly competition.