ElderFIT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you find the answers you need quickly. Please review the questions and answers in the section below.

If you do not find the answer to your question, feel free to reach out to us via email using our contact form or the chat function on the bottom left of the page. We are here to help and will get back to you as soon as possible.

For Our Seniors

General Platform Questions

What is ElderFIT and how does it work?
ElderFIT is an online trainer marketplace that allows seniors, or their family members, to search certified in-home fitness trainers who specialize in senior fitness. You can search by ZIP code, view local senior fitness trainer profiles, and book sessions that fit your schedule.
How do I know the trainers are qualified to work with seniors?
Every trainer on ElderFIT is carefully vetted before joining the platform. We conduct interviews, either by phone or in person, to get to know the trainer and ensure they are a good fit for working with older adults. Only trainers who demonstrate professionalism, experience, and a patient, senior-focused approach are approved. In addition, all trainers are certified, and many have specialties like balance training, fall prevention, arthritis-friendly workouts, or post-surgery rehab.
Do I need to sign up before browsing trainers?
No. You can browse trainers and view profiles without signing up. You only need an account to book a session.
Can I speak to a trainer before signing up?
No. You are welcome to contact an ElderFIT representative by calling (512) 256-0231 or leaving your contact information here. Our representative can answer most questions you have about the trainer you're interested in and how ElderFIT works.
Can a family member or caregiver create an account on behalf of a senior?
Yes. Caregivers and adult children can create and manage an account for a senior, including booking sessions and managing payments.
Is there a fee to join the platform?
No. Creating an account on ElderFIT is free. You only pay when booking a session with a trainer.
Can I cancel anytime? Is there a cancellation fee?
Yes. You are welcome to cancel any visit. However, if you cancel the day of your visit, we require that you notify your trainer via ElderFIT chat.

ElderFIT has a clear cancellation policy to make things fair for both seniors and trainers:
More than 4 hours before the session: No charge.
Less than 4 hours before the session: 100% of the session fee is charged.

Account & Booking Process

Can I browse trainers without creating an account?
Yes. You can search for trainers and read their profiles before signing up.
Why do I need to create a profile to book a session?
A profile helps keep track of your bookings, securely stores your payment information, and allows trainers to know important details about your abilities, health conditions, or goals.
Is my credit card charged immediately when I book?
No. When you book a session, your credit card is not charged immediately. First, the trainer reviews and confirms your booking. Once the trainer confirms, your card is authorized for payment. However, the trainer is not paid until after the session is completed, ensuring a secure and fair process for both seniors and trainers.
What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule a session?
ElderFIT has a clear cancellation policy to make things fair for both seniors and trainers:
More than 4 hours before the session: No charge.
Less than 4 hours before the session: 100% of the session fee is charged.

You can reschedule a session at any time, and we encourage you to communicate with your trainer as early as possible to accommodate changes.
Can I book recurring weekly sessions?
Yes. Seniors can book multiple sessions at once, which ElderFIT recommends for greater success in maintaining a consistent fitness routine.
Can I speak with or message a trainer before committing to a session?
Yes. Seniors must have an ElderFIT account to contact a trainer. Once logged in, they can message or have a brief conversation with a trainer before booking to ask questions or share their goals.

Trainer & Session Details

What qualifications or certifications do the trainers have?
All ElderFIT trainers are certified in fitness and have experience working with seniors. Many have specialized training in areas like mobility, balance, arthritis-friendly exercise, and post-surgery rehabilitation.
Can I filter trainers by specialty, like balance training, post-surgery rehab, or arthritis-friendly workouts?
Not yet. While filtering by specialty isn't currently available, each trainer's profile clearly lists their qualifications, certifications, and areas of expertise, allowing you to easily see whether they match your needs before booking.
Do trainers bring their own equipment, or do I need to provide anything?
Most trainers bring any necessary small equipment, but you should provide space and basic items like a chair or mat.
Are the workouts safe for someone with health conditions like heart disease, joint pain, or limited mobility?
Yes. Trainers design sessions specifically for seniors and can tailor workouts for individual health conditions. Always mention your health concerns when booking.

Safety & Privacy

Are the trainers background-checked?
Yes. All ElderFIT trainers are background-checked to ensure your safety.
Is my personal and payment information secure?
Yes. ElderFIT uses encrypted payment processing and secure data storage to protect your personal information.
Can sessions be done with another person, like a spouse or friend?
Yes. Many trainers can accommodate sessions with two or even three people. Be sure to confirm with the trainer when booking.

Pricing & Payments

How much does a typical session cost?
Session costs vary by trainer. You can see rates on each trainer's profile before booking.
Is there a free trial or first-session discount?
Yes. ElderFIT often offers a free first session for new clients. Check your area for availability.
Can I use insurance, Medicare Advantage, or an HSA/FSA card?
Unfortunately, this is not currently possible. All sessions must be paid using a standard credit or debit card at this time.
Do I pay per session, or can I buy a package?
Pricing is set individually by each trainer. While ElderFIT doesn't offer preset packages, the system allows you to book as many sessions as you'd like at once, making it easy to create your own consistent routine.

Technical Help

I'm not very tech-savvy. Is the booking process easy?
Yes. ElderFIT is designed to be simple and user-friendly, and caregivers can also book on behalf of seniors if needed. If you prefer personal assistance, you can call our support team at (512) 256-0231 or schedule a time by using our contact form at www.elderfit.app/contact/. We're happy to walk you through the process.
Can I book over the phone instead of online?
Currently, all bookings are made online through the platform. Caregivers can assist seniors if they are not comfortable booking themselves. See also the previous question for our support options.
What if I forget my password or get logged out during booking?
You can reset your password through the “Forgot Password” link on the login page. If you encounter any issues, ElderFIT's support team is available to help by phone at (512) 256-0231 or via our contact form at www.elderfit.app/contact/.

For Our Trainers

How do I sign up to become a trainer for ElderFIT?
If you are ready to make some of the best money in the fitness industry while helping seniors with their health and fitness goals, you've come to the right place! To join the ElderFIT team of personal trainers, just click on the For Trainer button on the top right corner and then Get Started. The app will step you through the registration process.
How much do I get paid to train seniors?
How much you get paid for each training depends on how much you enter into your compensation screen on the trainer sign-up in the ElderFIT app. ElderFIT recommends a rate that is consistent with the years of experience each trainer has and estimated average trainer payment rates with a given geographic market. If you choose a rate higher than ElderFIT's recommended rate, you may see fewer customers picking you relative to the rates of other trainers.
When and how do I get paid?
You get paid once you complete a training session with a customer and you enter it as completed in the ElderFIT app. The payment process is automated, which is why you are required to add your bank account information to Stripe, which ElderFIT uses to pay its independent contractor trainers. When you are paid, you will see the agreed-upon per training session amount, plus any applicable driver/mileage fee, posted to your bank account. The timing of the payment could take up to 1-2 business days with your first few training sessions, but after that it could be posted as soon as the training session is entered as completed within the app.
How do ElderFIT customers find me?
As customers come to ElderFIT, they will find trainers who are considered to be in close proximity to them (for example, 0-10 miles). The senior will decide on which trainer they want based on their experience, their professional bio, and the rate the trainer charges. Many seniors are on a fixed income, so it's important for trainers to put down a competitive session training rate in order to secure more ElderFIT customers. All trainers and their profiles and rates will be shown to customers, with no preference given to any trainer.
Do I need to share my schedule of availability with ElderFIT?
Yes, you will need to let customers know your schedule of availability by filling out the ElderFIT trainer profile, which includes indicating your availability for all 7 days of the week, and enter the times you are free to accept a new customer. It's important that you keep your schedule updated weekly so that ElderFIT customers have your latest availability and you don't miss out on new training opportunities.
How do customers schedule training sessions with me?
An ElderFIT customer will use the app's calendar scheduling feature and if you have an opening, the customer will request a session with you. You will be notified immediately and are encouraged to accept or decline within 2 hours. If you want to schedule the customer at a different time, then use the app's chat feature to let the customer know what time works better and settle on an acceptable day/time.
Do I need a current personal trainer certificate?
Yes, you need to be a certified personal trainer and your certification has to be from a recognized education / certification program. The certification must be current and kept current the entire time you work with ElderFIT customers. You will be asked to fill in your certification information during the sign-up process.
Do I need reliable transportation to meet with and train seniors?
You need a valid driver's license and reliable transportation to be able to travel to where ElderFIT customers live or prefer to train. The transportation can be your own personal vehicle, public transportation, or other means at your disposal.
Will I be reimbursed for transportation costs to and from customers?
If you are driving your own vehicle to a customer, then you are eligible to receive a mileage reimbursement that is determined by the distance you have to drive from your home to the customer's requested place of training, which may be a personal residence, a 3rd party gym, or a room in a community center.
Why do I need my own personal trainer insurance?
As an independent contractor providing personal training to a customer, you are required to have professional liability insurance. ElderFIT requires that trainers have insurance that covers a minimum of $1 million per incident. You will be asked to provide proof of insurance and the plan coverage upon signing up to become a personal trainer with ElderFIT, with proof of maintaining said coverage when the policy is due for its annual renewal.
What happens if I train more than one customer during a single training session?
You will receive a percentage of the incremental charge for the additional customer. ElderFIT offers a discount for plus-1 training sessions so that some savings is passed to the customer. That said, ElderFIT knows it takes more effort to help more customers, especially when planning the session, so we will ensure your per session fee reflects the incremental work.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule a training session with a customer?
That's not a problem. You can use the ElderFIT app to cancel and communicate with the customer about rescheduling to a different time.
What happens if a customer cancels on me?
The customer can cancel a session for free up to 24 hours in advance of the scheduled training session. But if it happens later than that, the customer will be charged 50% of the agreed upon amount, which you will receive as an inconvenience fee. If the cancellation happens within an hour of the scheduled training, or you show up and the customer does not, then the customer will be charged 100% of the session and you will be paid 100% of the agreed-upon fee.
Will I be an employee or a subcontractor for ElderFIT?
All ElderFIT trainers will be treated as independent contractors, or subcontractors, for purposes of taxation and other administrative obligations. As a subcontractor, you are in charge of your schedule, and you will work directly with ElderFIT customers. ElderFIT will act as a logistics intermediary to help you find seniors who need fitness training, as well as help with communication, scheduling, and payment. ElderFIT trainers are responsible to track their own income earned through ElderFIT and pay the appropriate Federal and State taxes based on their location.