How to become a freelance sports coach Instructions for use

The fitness and sports coaching sectors are changing fast. In the age of the web, the internet of things, online and home coaching, working out no longer resembles the rhythm we adopted a few years ago. The desire to be in harmony with one's body continues to preoccupy men and women of all ages, and connected objects are helping to create sporting communities.

Against this backdrop, the range of online and group fitness classes has grown considerably. By extension, the profession of sports coach has taken on unprecedented importance, bringing added value toindividualclasses. In 2020, small sports coaching structures are gaining ground on the large, equipment-rich gyms. Against this backdrop, many sports coaches have decided to take the plunge and work on a freelance basis.

Want to find out more? Follow the guide.

What qualifications and training do I need to become a freelance sports coach?

In France, no specific diploma is required to become a sports coach. However, you do need a professional card to supervise a paid sports activity. To obtain this, we recommend that you follow one of the following recognized training courses:

• BPJEPS (Brevet professionnel de la jeunesse, de l'éducation populaire et du sport), a state diploma for sports and socio-cultural educators
• The STAPS degree (Science technique des activités physiques et sportives)
• Master of Science in Sports Coaching
• A DEUST in fitness
• The Brevet Professionnel AGFF (Activities Gymniques de la Forme et de la Force) is a short program created by the French Ministry of Sports.

Some sports coaches specialize in "Education and motor skills" or "Adapted physical activity", dedicated to coaching people with reduced mobility. The "Sports training and motor performance" degree is more geared towards coaching top-level athletes.

These courses are open to all ages, whatever your previous career path.

What qualities are needed to become a freelance sports coach?

Being a sports coach requires alove of human contact. Your customers need to enjoy working out with you, so you need to be able to pass on your own passion.

Be pedagogical, attentive, motivated, smile and try to keep their attention. Be rigorous, methodical but tolerant, especially with your most novice customers.

Finally, listen carefully to your clients, adapting each training program to their specific needs. The sports coach must show that he's doing everything possible to help his customers achieve their goals.

How do you choose your legal status?

There are several legal forms you can use to become a freelance sports coach:

• EIRL (Entreprise individuelle à responsabilité limitée). As the name suggests, the entrepreneur is only liable for the amount of capital he or she has contributed to the company. His or her personal assets are protected in the event of bad business, and cannot be used to recover any debts.
• EURL (Entreprise universelle à responsabilité limitée). It offers the same advantages as the EIRL, but its manager is considered a self-employed worker. They benefit from a specific social protection scheme, which is less effective than that of salaried employees.
• The SASU (Société par actions simplifiée unipersonnelle) is particularly flexible. Its day-to-day operation is set out in the articles of association. The Chairman of the SASU is covered by the general social security system.
• Micro-entrepreneur status is particularly easy to set up, manage and wind up. Your social security contributions are calculated on the basis of your gross sales. This is capped at €176,200 for sales and purchases, and €72,500 for services.

The choice of legal status best suited to your needs will depend on your personal situation and your preferences in terms of taxation or social protection, for example.

Take the time to examine each alternative carefully before making your choice, and don't hesitate to seek professional advice.

How can you acquire customers and improve your visibility?

A freelance sports coach uses his skills and any previous professional experience as a first argument to convince potential prospects. First of all, he needs to make himself known, by creating a website, blog or business cards to match.

So it's important to create a professional presentation summarizing all your sports services, your target audience and your pricing.

Distribute your contact details as widely as possible on the Internet (online directories, Google My Business, Yellow Pages, etc.) and in businesses near your home. Many sports coaches decide to create a Youtube channel to broadcast free tutorials and easily increase their visibility.

Finally, there's one detail that's all too often overlooked when it comes to winning the trust of prospective customers: displaying a prestigious head office address. And there's no better way to do this than with a domiciliation company! French law allows companies to separate their registered office from their actual place of business.

You'll benefit from a prestigious address, located in the best arrondissements of Paris or major French cities. In this way, you'll give your business card a shine and more easily win the trust of all your stakeholders.

Using a domiciliation company can alsoconsiderably lighten your day-to-day workload: telephone secretarial services, daily mail management, administrative, tax and legal formalities, meeting room hire, etc.

With SeDomicilier, you can obtain your certificate of domiciliation in less than 5 minutes, in a 100% online process. What's more, all your services are then available in a personalized, secure virtual office!