5 Reasons to Offer 1:1 Personal Training at Your Fitness Studio

Boutique fitness has always been about personalisation. Rather than go to a big box gym where no one knows them, customers choose boutique studios where they can attend exciting classes while feeling personal support from instructors and a sense of community. 

Today, more and more brands and studios are taking this one step further with 1-on-1 personal training sessions. People are asking for variety and even more personal attention—this move meets the market where they are. It’s the perfect pairing of personal experiences with boutique fitness classes.

Not offering 1:1 personal training yet at your studio? Here are 5 reasons to consider adding the offering in 2026.

Why Should Studios Offer 1:1 Personal Training?

1) Demand for strength training

Strength training is rising in the ranks of fitness priorities across Australia. According to Mariana Tek’s Australia Boutique Fitness Trends Report, Strength/Circuit Training is already the second most offered modality across Australian boutique studios, with 29.4% of studios offering it. That’s a meaningful share in a market dominated by Pilates, and it signals real, growing demand.

There’s a clear need in the market for 1:1 coaching to help people reach their strength goals. And with personal training, instructors can provide immediate corrections and guidance that simply aren’t possible in a group class.

2) Personalised experiences

Personalisation is a hallmark of boutique fitness. Your clients could go anywhere for their fitness activities, but they chose your studio. There’s an expectation in boutique fitness that clients are getting something extra — experiences they couldn’t get at any random gym. With 1-on-1 sessions, your instructors can personalise their approach even further than a group class allows.

It’s a strong way to build community too. A 1:1 session with a loyal client gives staff the chance to check in, discuss goals, and keep them motivated in a way that carries back into the group class environment.

3) A more complete wellness offering

Australian data shows that clients are looking for variety and balance in their fitness routines. Over half of Australian studios (52.9%) already offer multiple modalities, and Wellness sits as the third most common offering at 23.5% of studios. Studios are diversifying because clients are asking for it.

For some of your clients, just taking a class no longer cuts it. Personal training gives them something different without having to go anywhere else.

4) Increased revenue potential

The average class cost across Australian studios sits at AU$26.90, according to Mariana Tek’s AU data. Personal training commands significantly more, which can meaningfully increase your revenue per client. It also creates a better earning opportunity for your instructors.

Tip: Consider offering packages of personal training sessions. Just like a class pack, this encourages clients to make a longer-term commitment rather than booking one-offs.

5) Competitive Differentiation

The competition is fierce in the fitness world. In 2024, the number of fitness facilities expanded nAustralian boutique fitness is competitive. Pilates alone accounts for 76.5% of studios, which means differentiation within a crowded modality matters. Personal training isn’t offered at every studio, so it can set you apart — both in terms of what’s on your offer menu and the depth of client relationships you’re able to build.

Maybe you want to offer 1:1 personal training but have been held back by one or more of these blockers:

Most systems used by boutique fitness studios were originally built to service multiple industries. This leaves you with features you don’t need and gaps where you actually need support for running 1:1s and private sessions.

At Mariana Tek, we’ve always made class booking seamless. Now we’re bringing that same experience to your one-on-one sessions. Appointments is designed to give your team effortless control over scheduling, payments, and insights — all in one place. Learn more here.