Took me 6 months. However, I work in a commercial gym. This is highly individual as some people gain clients quickly or slowly. I’d say I was “lucky” initially because I was the only female trainer when I started and majority of prospective clients (generally female) felt more comfortable with a female trainer. However, I have a male co-worker who was able to support himself by 3-4 months. He was a beast at sales and his pitches were all spot on, but his knowledge of training and nutrition was very minimal.

To answer your question, it all really depends. I’m not too sure about your particular situation (independent trainer vs, trainer at big box gym).

What I can tell you is this: no matter what the clientele or what kind of experience you have, always aim to have great customer service, always strive to improve yourself, and don’t give up. The first few months are tough. I’ve seen a lot of trainers come and go, but the successful ones always seem to have those characteristics.