Why personal trainers get paid late
- Pay-as-you-go clients who say they will "settle up later".
How to get paid: advice for personal trainers
- Sell packs, paid in advance. Do not run tabs.
- Consumer clients are not covered by statutory interest, so prevention matters more than chasing.
- A short text the day after a missed payment is normal and expected.
A chasing timeline that works
- 3 days before due: a friendly heads-up.
- 1 day overdue: a polite reminder — a text often works well with private clients (write one).
- 7–14 days overdue: a firm reminder and a phone call.
- 30 days overdue: a final notice with a deadline.
- Still unpaid: a letter before action, then a small claim if needed.
Your legal options
Most of your clients are private individuals, so statutory late payment interest doesn't apply. You can only charge interest or late fees if your terms said so before they agreed, and the charges are fair. That makes deposits, upfront payment and short terms your best protection. If you do go to court, you can claim court interest and must follow the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims (30 days' notice).