The Retirement Newsletter: Exercise in retirement — hobby or side-hustle?
Issue Number: -89 — Is it possible to make money through exercise?
Welcome
Welcome to issue number -89. This week, I am back looking at how you might be able to boost your pension income with a side-hustle.
Boosting your retirement income in the first few years of your retirement, particularly before your state pension kicks in — see Issue -93: When I’m 67! — Can I get a better overall retirement? — can be key to having a happy start to your retirement. Plus, there are the advantages of having a side-hustle or hobby in your retirement — see Issue Number: -95 — The advantages of hobbies and side-hustles.
So far, I have looked at how you might turn your hobby of reading into a money-making side-hustle. This week, I am looking at exercise.
Exercise — hobby or side-hustle?
Nobody doubts the importance of exercise in retirement. We need to exercise — use it or lose it. You need to look after your body — physically and mentally — and exercise is an excellent way. But is there a way to turn the exercise you need into a money-making side-hustle?
Ten ways to make money through exercising
Here are ten ways to make money on the side with exercise:
1. Fitness trainer
OK, let's start with an obvious one — a fitness trainer. If you are into exercise, then why not become a fitness trainer? You would need some training and certification, but it is an option. It would allow you to combine your love of exercise with earning some money.
2. Setting up a fitness programme
You could set up a fitness programme. The programme could be virtual (online) or local (real life). The idea would be to set up a training regime or course that helps people progress in fitness or sport. Again, you may need some insurance or certification, but it is something that you could explore doing.
3. Writing about exercise and healthy living
You could use your expertise in fitness and exercise to set up a blog or newsletter in which you promote exercise and healthy living. In this side-hustle, you are not using exercising as the "money-maker” but your knowledge and expertise. As part of your blog, you could have affiliate links to equipment and materials on Amazon. You could launch a paid newsletter on a site such as Substack. Or, you could write for Medium and get paid. (Other sites are available)
4. Making fitness videos/online course
You could make training or fitness videos for YouTube or set up an online course on fitness. Setting up either would need some technical skills and knowledge in video production, but those can be learned. If you get enough followers on YouTube, you can earn some money, or if you set up a course, you can charge.
5. Dog walker
How about dog walking? I know of several people who have side-hustles in which they walk other people’s dogs. I see these people out with three or four dogs at a time, sometimes several times a day. It could be a nice little earner, and it would mean that you and the dogs are getting some exercise.
6. Exercise Apps
This may be an odd one and something you've not thought about or know about. But, there are apps out there for your phone that will pay you to exercise. I have no idea how these work or how much you could earn, but there are such apps. Have a look on Google.
7. Walking Guide — hosted tours
This is an interesting one, and I know of at least two people that take people out on walks around the local countryside and get paid for it. Again, I am unsure how it works or what insurance cover you might need if someone gets injured on your guided walk. The two people I know that take groups out seem to organise things via Meetup (other sites are available). It could be worth a look if you are into walking.
8. Coaching
Like being a fitness trainer above, you may need some training for coaching. You could get involved with a local club that pays its coaches or set yourself up as a coach to help people improve their sport.
9. Create downloadable material
For this potential exercise-related side-hustle, you wouldn't use exercising as the side-hustle, but your knowledge of the exercise. You could prepare training schedules, sheets, etc., that you then sell via Amazon or Gumroad (other sites are available).
10. Sell/promote fitness equipment and materials
Finally, you could promote fitness equipment, nutrition supplements etc., on your blog, newsletter, or through videos. Again, you’re using your expertise and knowledge of exercise, this time to promote and sell fitness equipment and materials.
So, those are ten ways that you might be able to use your love of exercise as a side-hustle to boost your income during your retirement. If you have any additional ideas about using exercise as a side-hustle, please leave them in the comment section below.
Useful links
UK Government Website:
Next week
Next week in Issue -88, I will be looking at other ways to boost your income during retirement. In particular, I will be looking at how you can bridge the gap between taking early retirement and the start of your State Pension.
Thanks
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Until next time,
Nick
PS, If you have something you would like to contribute to the newsletter — a story, advice, anything — please get in touch.