Pricing · 2026
What should I charge as a PT in London?
Benchmark
London PT rates — 2026
What coaches at each level are quoting right now (1-hour 1:1, zones in brackets).
Newly qualified · £35–£45
First 6–12 months, building case studies. Zones 4–6 commercial gyms. Often a 4-week intro block at £30 to fill the diary.
Established · £50–£70
2–4 years in, returning clients, results photos, testimonials. Zones 2–3. Some coaches at this level move to small-group to lift effective hourly.
Senior / specialist · £75–£120
5+ years, niche (pre/postnatal, rehab, strength sport, exec). Zones 1–2 boutique studios or private. Often capped at 15–20 sessions/week.
Online / hybrid · £150–£400/mo
Monthly retainer with programme, check-ins and messaging. Effective hourly is much higher than 1:1 once you’ve built the systems.
The maths
Why your real hourly is higher than your sticker price
What looks like £50 an hour is rarely £50 an hour by the time it lands in your account.
Gym rent / commission
Commercial floor rent in London is £100–£300/week. Boutique rev-share is typically 60/40 in your favour. That comes off the top before you see a penny.
No-shows & gaps
A realistic week is 18–22 booked hours, not 40. Empty slots, holiday weeks and last-minute cancels are part of the job — price for them.
Tax & NICs
Set aside 25–28% of profit for Income Tax + Class 4 NICs. The number on your invoice is not the number you keep.
Unpaid admin
Programme writing, client messages, social media, invoicing, CPD. Industry average is 1 unpaid hour for every 2 paid — bake that into your hourly.
FAQ
Quick answers
What's the average PT rate in London in 2026?
1:1 sessions in central London now typically sit between £55 and £85 per hour. Outer-zone gyms (zones 4–6) are usually £35–£55. Mobile and outdoor coaches charge £40–£70 depending on travel time. Online coaching packages are usually billed monthly at £150–£400.
Why does the calculator give a higher rate than my gym charges?
Your gym charges a list price; you keep a fraction after rent, no-shows, gaps and unpaid admin. The calculator works backwards from take-home — what you actually need to earn per booked hour to hit your monthly target.
Should I undercut other PTs to get clients?
No. Cheap PTs attract price-shoppers who churn fast. Match the local market or sit slightly above it and compete on results, communication and reliability. Discounts should be time-bound (intro block, 6-week kickstart) — never your headline rate.
Do I charge VAT on my sessions?
Only if your turnover crosses the £90,000 VAT threshold (2026). Below that, you don't add VAT to invoices. Once you cross it, you must register and add 20% — many PTs deliberately stay below or split into a separate online business.
How do I handle late cancellations?
Bake it into your contract. Standard policy: full charge if cancelled inside 24 hours, half charge inside 48 hours. Send the policy at sign-up and again at the first late-cancel — most clients self-correct after one polite reminder.