Sports and fitness business ideas you run out and about
112 ideas
These 114 sports and fitness ideas suit people who would rather be at a course, pool, hall, beach or paddock than behind a desk. Some are coaching or club models, such as a freelance golf coach at local courses or a social badminton club on hired courts.
Kung fu classes in a hired hall
Teach kung fu to kids and adults in a hired community hall a few evenings a week.
- A$800-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Freelance riding instructor
Teach riding lessons at local agistment properties and arenas, using students' own horses or hired school horses.
- A$1k-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Body shaping classes in a hired hall
Run weekly toning and shaping classes in a community hall or studio you hire by the hour.
- A$800-3.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Outdoor body shaping in the park
Lead toning and shaping sessions in a local park with bands and light kit, with very low overheads.
- A$500-2k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Family and junior ski club with coached weekends
Run a membership club for families and kids with organised snow days, coaching from accredited instructors and social events.
- A$2k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Fencing club in a hired hall
Run weekly fencing classes for kids and adults in a hired community or school hall.
- A$2k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile sports gear hire
Deliver and collect bikes, paddleboards or beach gear for holidaymakers, groups and events.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Private pool and snooker coach
Teach cue skills one-on-one at local clubs and pubs, paid per lesson.
- A$300-2k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Adult running and track training club
Coach a paid membership group for runners and track athletes, with weekly sessions at a local oval or track.
- A$600-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Kids' athletics training club
Run term-based athletics sessions for children after school or on weekends, building running, jumping and throwing skills.
- A$1k-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Outdoor rock climbing instructor
Teach beginners and improvers to climb on real rock, in small groups or one-on-one.
- A$5k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Indoor climbing coach and skills courses
Coach kids and adults in climbing technique at indoor gyms, using hired space.
- A$500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Outdoor climbing and mountain skills courses
Run small-group courses on real rock and alpine terrain, teaching safe climbing, rope and navigation skills.
- A$3k-9k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Climbing skills classes at indoor gyms
Teach rope skills and technique to climbers in indoor gym sessions, and prepare them for the outdoors.
- A$800-3.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Private ski and snowboard lessons
Teach families and visitors one-to-one or in small groups on the snow each winter season.
- A$2k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Cross-country and snowshoe lessons
Run small-group cross-country ski lessons and guided snow days for beginners in quieter alpine areas.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile kayak and paddleboard hire
Tow a trailer of kayaks and paddleboards to beaches, lakes and holiday parks and hire them out by the hour or day.
- A$6k-25k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Outdoor aerobics in the park
Teach low-cost group aerobics sessions in a local park or at the beach, with no venue rent to pay.
- A$500-2.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Small-group guided rafting trips
Run guided river rafting trips for tourists, school groups and friends, with your own rafts and a small crew.
- A$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Baby and toddler swim classes in a hired pool
Run parent-and-baby swim courses by hiring pool time at a local centre, school or hydrotherapy pool.
- A$800-3.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Pop-up archery sessions and coaching
Run beginner archery sessions in hired halls, school grounds or parks, with paid session fees and a small regular membership.
- A$3k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Social beach volleyball league
Run weekly social beach volleyball nights where teams or individuals pay a season fee to play.
- A$500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Beach volleyball coaching club
Offer group clinics and junior or adult coaching programs on the sand, paid per term or per session.
- A$800-4k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile saddle fitter and tack seller
Visit stables and riders with a van of saddles and tack to fit, sell and repair on the spot.
- A$25k-120k
- Part-time
- Out and about
About these ideas
Others take you to the customer, like a mobile saddle fitter and tack seller, or into the water, like guided shore dives and learn-to-dive courses. Before you pick one, think about where you will work, who owns or controls that space, and how weather and seasons will affect your income. Check what qualifications, insurance and first aid training your activity may need, and whether venues or councils require permits or hire agreements. Start by testing demand with a small group of paying clients.
More ideas
- Social volleyball club and mini league
- Junior volleyball training club
- Weekend hang gliding lessons at a local site
- Independent dive instructor and trip organiser
- Guided shore dives and learn-to-dive courses
- Dive boat day trips and courses
- Community basketball club
- Basketball skills coaching group
- Mobile and outdoor personal trainer
- Freelance scuba instructor
- Small independent dive school
- Mobile horse starting and schooling trainer
- Hip hop dance classes in a hired hall
- Hip hop dance for schools and after-school care
- Community baseball club
- Outdoor boot camp in your local park
- Adult swim coaching and training squad
- Guided kayak tours on a local waterway
- Weekend kayak tours with hired gear
- Seasonal weekend rafting trips
- Community tai chi classes
- Outdoor and private tai chi sessions
- Taekwondo classes in a hired hall
- Freelance ice skating coach
- Learn-to-skate group classes
- Freelance golf coach at local courses
- Community ice hockey club
- Mat pilates classes in hired spaces
- Hired-hall kids' gymnastics classes
- Local community hockey club
- Part-time jiu-jitsu classes in a hired hall
- Gymnastics classes in hired community halls
- Beach surf lessons for beginners
- Mobile surf coach for schools and groups
- Guided horse rides at a holiday park or farm stay
- Freestyle wrestling club in a hired hall
- Yoga classes in a hired hall or studio
- Outdoor group fitness classes
- Self-defence workshops for groups
- Pickleball coach: weekend lessons and clinics
- Full-time pickleball coach with club programs
- Freelance sailing instructor for local clubs
- Small sailing school with your own dinghies
- Mobile kayak hire from a trailer
- Mobile pony rides for parties and events
- Freelance tennis coach
- Tennis coach for clubs and schools
- Mobile skate sharpening at rinks and events
- Salsa workshops for events and workplaces
- Casual water ski instructor at a club or school
- Independent water ski lessons with your own boat
- Karate club in a hired hall
- Private volleyball coach
- Volleyball training program or clinics
- Private boat handling coach
- Sailing and dinghy instructor
- Swim teacher hiring lanes at a local pool
- Fencing classes in a hired hall
- Fencing programs for schools
- Community junior football club
- Social football club for adults
- Capoeira classes in hired halls
- Ski hire delivered to the lodge
- Weekend water ski club (session fees)
- Water ski club with your own tow boat
- Snowboard hire delivered to your lodge
- Social badminton club on hired courts
- Badminton coaching club for juniors and beginners
- Martial arts classes in a hired hall
- Community judo club in a hired hall
- Wrestling classes in a hired hall
- Small-group swim school in hired pool lanes
- Mobile swim teacher for backyard pools
- Muay Thai classes in a hired hall
- Portable batting cage pop-up
- Mobile laser tag for parties and events
- Freelance indoor cycling instructor
- Kids' sports coaching at local parks
- Sports coaching for schools and after-school care
- Start a local community sports club
- Kickboxing classes in a hired hall
- Guided walks and day hikes
- Guided kayak and paddle tours
- Freelance skating coach for private lessons
- Water ski lessons from your own boat
- Freelance water ski coach
- Boxing fitness classes in a hired hall
- Wing Chun classes in a hired hall
Questions
Do I need qualifications to coach or run sports activities in Australia?
It depends on the activity. Many sports have national or state bodies that accredit coaches, and some activities, such as diving or water-based tours, may have stricter requirements. Check with the relevant sporting body and your state regulator before charging customers.
What insurance should I look at for an outdoor fitness or sports business?
Check public liability and professional indemnity cover, and ask whether your policy covers your specific activity, location and equipment. Venues, councils or sporting bodies may also ask for a certificate of currency before you can hire space or run sessions.
Can I run sessions in public parks, beaches or hired venues?
Often you need permission. Councils and land managers may require a permit, fee or booking for commercial use of parks and beaches, and hired venues will have their own terms. Check local rules early, as conditions can vary between councils and states.