Become an independent sports coach in 2025: 90-day plan

Introduction

Do you want to become an independent sports coach in 2025 and make a good living from your passion? Here is a clear, actionable and realistic plan to land your first 10 clients in 90 days, lay solid foundations and save time with the right tools.

Throughout the guide, you will find concrete examples, decision grids and easy-to-apply checklists. And if you want to speed up the organization (offers, reservations, payments, progress monitoring, messages), discover the EKKLO platform here: https://info.ekklo.com/

1) Choose a profitable niche and a clear positioning

1.1 The 3 criteria of a niche that sells

• Identifiable demand: Facebook groups, local Google searches, nearby businesses, clubs.
• Sufficient average ticket: aim for €60-120 per individual session or €90-190/month subscription.
• Possible recurrence: 12-week program, monthly follow-up, hybrid coaching (on-site + online).

Quick tip: if you cannot list 100 potential clients and 10 partners in your area, the niche is too narrow.

1.2 Examples of solid niches in 2025

• Weight loss for busy parents (45 min sessions + simple nutrition monitoring).
• Return to sport after minor injury (coordination with physiotherapist, focus mobility/strengthening).
• Performance running 5-10 km (12-week preparation + VMA test + individual plan).
• Functional strength 40+ (pain prevention, stability, secure progression).

For a step-by-step method to identify and validate your niche, read this guide: Finding your niche when you are a sports coach. And to structure your offer and your prospecting today, keep EKKLO on hand: https://info.ekklo.com/

1.3 Formulate your promise in 1 sentence

Structure: “I help [profile] to [measurable objective] in [deadline] thanks to [method]. »

Examples:

• “I help beginners run 10 km in 12 weeks thanks to a simple plan and weekly monitoring. »
• “I help active people aged 40+ to lose 6-8 kg in 90 days, without extreme diet, thanks to 3 sessions/week. »

2) Diplomas, obligations and statuses (France)

2.1 Diplomas and professional card

• Recognized diplomas: BPJEPS (Activities of Form), CQP, License/Master STAPS, VAE depending on course.
• Professional card of sports educator: declaration to the Ministry of Sports (via online service), valid for 5 years, to display and mention on your media.
• First aid: PSC1 recommended. Keep an accident register and check the places of intervention.

Note: if you supervise a specific discipline or a particular public, make sure you have the appropriate mention.

2.2 Current legal statuses

• Micro-enterprise: ideal for starting up (simplicity, few fixed costs). Turnover ceilings to monitor.
• EI/EURL/SASU: useful as soon as turnover and recurring costs increase (protection of assets, taxation to be optimized). Get advice from an accountant.

2.3 Insurance and key documents

• RC Pro essential: covers material and bodily damage caused to a third party.
• Check the “outside the room” extension if you work outdoors/at home.
• Clear contracts: objectives, contraindications, cancellations, delays, hygiene and safety rules.

3) Build an offer that sells (packs and subscriptions)

3.1 The 3 Ps: Promise, Proof, Price

• Promise: measurable objective (e.g. 5 km without stopping in 10 weeks).
• Proof: testimonials, progress photos, metrics (IMC, RPE, VMA), mini customer cases.
• Price: logical and readable, adapted to local purchasing power or perceived online value.

3.2 Recommended offer architecture

• Starter Pack (4-6 weeks): diagnosis + 4-6 sessions + plan + WhatsApp follow-up. Objective: activate confidence.
• Essential Subscription (3 months): 1-2 sessions/week + evolving plan + monthly assessment. Objective: stable results.
• Premium Transformation (12 weeks): 2-3 sessions/week + simple nutrition + biometric monitoring + priority access. Objective: clear change and testimonials.

To detail your packs, take inspiration from this guide: Create attractive offers and packages.

3.3 Reference price scale (to be adapted)

• Individual session 60 min: €60-120 (depending on city/positioning/experience).
• Small group (3-6 people): €20-40/person.
• Hybrid monthly subscription (1 session/week + follow-up): 120-190 €.

Note: sell a result and an experience, not an “hour”. Subscription increases revenue retention and predictability.

4) Find your first 10 customers: 30-60-90 day plan

4.1 Days 1-30: local activation and warm network

• List 100 contacts (friends, colleagues, clubs, local businesses). Send a personalized message: “I’m starting support [promise]. I have 5 places at the introductory price. Interested in a free 20-minute assessment? »
• Quick partnerships: 3 physiotherapists, 3 osteologists, 3 sports shops, 3 company works councils. Offer a free workshop (30 min) with nominative registration.
• Simple schedule: 3 fixed slots/week for small group discovery sessions.

To obtain your first results quickly, also follow this plan: Having your first 3 clients when you start.

4.2 Days 31-60: social proof content + events

• 2 posts/week with client metrics (weight, performance, photos with agreement) and mini-case studies.
• 1 workshop/month: “Run 5 km without stopping”, “Zero knee pain in 6 weeks”. Film excerpts.
• Clear call to action: direct booking link, visible slots, online payment.

4.3 Days 61-90: sponsorship and upscaling

• Sponsorship program: -25% for the sponsor the following month / free session for the godson.
• “Graduation” Starter → Essential → Premium customers. Propose an increase in power at the time of the assessment.
• Systematic collection of opinions: note the satisfaction (NPS) at W+2, W+6, W+12.

5) Tools and organization: keep it simple and effective

5.1 Reservations and scheduling without friction

• Suggest slots fixed and visible, avoid endless exchanges by messages.
• Let your customers reserve, cancel and reschedule in a clear interface.
• Centralize attestations, certificates, discharges.

5.2 Secure payments and contracts

• Cash before the session. Subscriptions renewed with automatic invoice.
• Contract signed online: cancellation conditions, late policy, health and safety.
• Avoid manual transfers; automate everything that can be automated.

5.3 Progress monitoring and messages

• Regular and visible measurements: performance, photos, RPE, sleep, well-being.
• Centralized messages: a single channel, response slots, automatic reminders.

To save hours every week, here is a useful guide: Automate your business when you are a coach. And to manage everything in one place (offers, prospecting, planning, payments, messages, tracking), rely on EKKLO: https://info.ekklo.com/

6) Simple marketing that converts (without spending your evenings)

6.1 Your presentation page

• A clear promise, 3 proofs, 3 offers, 1 “Book a 20 min assessment” button.
• Display your professional card, your insurance, your area of intervention.
• Add 3 specific testimonials (objective, duration, result).

6.2 Realistic content calendar

• 2 posts/week: before/after, case study, execution tips (e.g. squat without pain), behind the scenes.
• 1 story/day: reminders of slots, behind the scenes, quick Q&A.
• 1 long post/fortnight: practical guide (warm-up, recovery, simple nutrition).

6.3 Trial offers without selling out

• Free 20 min assessment (not a full session). Objective: qualification + action plan.
• Paid discovery pack (2 sessions + plan) at -20% instead of unlimited free session.
• Bonus value: simple nutrition e-book, private group access, video technical check.

Tip: on Instagram/TikTok, adopt a repeatable format (3 sets of 20 seconds: problem → correction → result). If you need ideas, consult this guide: Create Insta/TikTok content with AI when you are a coach.

7) Measure, optimize, train continuously

7.1 Your 5 KPIs to follow each week

• Leads received / week.
• Balance sheet → sales conversion rate.
• 3-month retention rate.
• Monthly recurring income (subscriptions).
• Customer satisfaction (NPS) and public reviews.

7.2 Training and monitoring budget

• 3-5% of your turnover for training: mobility, applied nutrition, psychology of adherence.
• 1 workshop/quarter, 1 reading/month, 1 peer-mentor for feedback on your programs.

7.3 Ethics, safety, adaptability

• Gradual progression, return of pain = adapt or redirect to a health professional.
• Massify the instructions: simple, demonstrated, filmed if necessary.
• Document each session and weak signals (sleep, stress, pain).

To remember

• A clear niche + a measurable promise = simpler sales without selling out.
• Packs and subscriptions > hourly sales: charge for support, not time.
• 90-day plan: hot network → social proof → sponsorship and upscaling.
• Automate reservations, payments, messages to free up 5-10 hours/week.
• Measure 5 KPIs, ask for opinions, adjust your offers each month.

Conclusion and next steps

Becoming an independent sports coach in 2025 is achievable with a simple plan and regular execution. Choose a profitable niche, structure 3 offers, follow the 30-60-90 day plan and automate as soon as possible. To centralize your offers, reservations, payments, messages and progress monitoring, create your space on EKKLO: https://info.ekklo.com/

Need a boost with your rates? Follow this guide: How to set your rates when you're starting out. And if you're ready to structure your business now, get started with EKKLO: https://info.ekklo.com/