Ramp vs Brex vs Amex Business: Best Business Credit Card for Personal Trainers & Fitness Coaches
As a solo personal trainer, yoga instructor, or Pilates teacher, managing your money is key. A business credit card isn't just for rewards. It helps you build business credit, clearly separates your business expenses (like certification fees or new equipment) from your personal ones for easier tax time, and can offer ways to control spending. Picking the wrong card can link your personal finances to your business debt for a long time. The right one keeps things clean and helps your fitness business grow.
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The Quick Answer
Ramp: Best for independent trainers with a steady client base. It offers great tools to track costs, 1.5% cashback on everything (like new resistance bands or scheduling software), and no annual fee. It often doesn't need a personal guarantee if your business finances are strong.
Brex: Best for fitness professionals who have a good amount of savings or investment in their business bank account from day one. It gives high credit limits without needing your personal guarantee, useful for big purchases like a Pilates reformer or studio build-out.
Amex Business: Best for trainers with excellent personal credit who want top-tier rewards, especially if they spend a lot on advertising to find new clients or travel to fitness conferences. It usually requires you to personally guarantee the debt.
Side-by-Side Breakdown
Ramp: $0 annual fee. You get 1.5% cashback on everything your fitness business buys. This means savings on things like new yoga mats, dumbbells, or your monthly scheduling software (e.g., Mindbody, Acuity Scheduling). For qualifying businesses, you won't need to put your personal credit on the line. Its tools are great for keeping track of every business cost, helping you separate gym rent from your coffee habit. Ideal for independent trainers who want simple rewards and clear expense tracking.
Brex: $0 annual fee. This card offers different rewards, like 7x points on rideshares (if you travel to clients), 3x on restaurants (for client meetings or your own meals on the go), and 2x on software (for your CRM or streaming platforms). No personal guarantee needed. It has excellent controls to manage your spending. Best for fitness professionals who've put a significant amount of their own money into a business bank account upfront, as your credit limit is tied to your business cash. Good for larger initial investments.
Amex Business Gold/Platinum: These cards have annual fees, from $295 (Gold) to $695 (Platinum). The Gold card gives you 4x points in your top two spending categories, which could be advertising for new clients or travel for workshops. The Platinum offers many travel perks (like lounge access), useful if you often fly for big fitness events or high-end client training. You will need to personally guarantee the debt with these cards. Best for established trainers with strong personal credit who spend a lot on things like Facebook ads or flights to certifications.
When to Choose Ramp
Ramp is a simple, straightforward choice for solo fitness businesses that have a steady flow of client payments. No annual fee, and you get 1.5% cashback on all your business buys. This means money back on things like new resistance bands, your monthly online booking system (e.g., Vagaro, WellnessLiving), or even business insurance premiums. Ramp also offers excellent tools to match receipts to transactions and link with accounting software, making tax time easier. To apply, you'll need a business bank account with a minimum balance, often around $25,000. This might be a hurdle for brand-new trainers but is achievable for those with a few months of consistent client income.
When to Choose Brex
Brex is for fitness professionals who've invested a good amount of capital into their business bank account from the start. Perhaps you've saved up to build a small studio, buy a commercial-grade treadmill, or purchase several Pilates reformers. Your credit limit will depend on how much money is in your business bank account, not your personal credit score. This can mean higher limits right away, which is useful for large upfront costs. The rewards are good, especially for spending categories like software or transportation. Keep in mind, Brex has been focusing more on larger, growing businesses, so solo trainers might find it harder to get approved without a substantial initial bank balance.
When to Choose American Express Business
Amex Business cards typically require you to personally guarantee the debt. This means if your fitness business can't pay, you're responsible. However, if you have strong personal credit, Amex offers rewards that are hard to beat for certain types of spending. The Business Gold card gives 4x points in your two biggest spending categories each month. For a fitness coach, this could be advertising (e.g., Facebook ads, Google Ads to find clients) or even large equipment purchases. The Platinum card, with its higher annual fee, is only worth it if you travel a lot for your fitness business—think flying to major fitness expos, certifications, or specialized client training. Choose Amex if your personal credit is excellent and your business consistently spends heavily in areas that earn bonus points.
The Verdict
Ramp: Best for most independent personal trainers, yoga instructors, or Pilates teachers with a steady stream of income who want simple cashback and powerful expense tracking without a high annual fee.
Brex: A good fit if you've made a significant personal investment into your business bank account from the start and need high credit limits for large equipment or studio setup without a personal guarantee.
Amex Business: Ideal if you have excellent personal credit and your fitness business spends a lot on categories like advertising or travel, where Amex rewards truly shine. Be ready for the personal guarantee.
Remember, don't pick a card just for a quick sign-up bonus. The card that helps you manage your day-to-day fitness business expenses efficiently over the long term is the one that truly matters.
How to Get Started
Ramp: Apply at ramp.com. You'll need your Employer Identification Number (EIN), your business bank account details, and to meet their minimum deposit balance requirement.
Brex: Apply at brex.com. Approval is typically easier if your fitness business has a significant amount of capital in its bank account.
Amex: Apply at americanexpress.com/business. You'll need your Social Security Number (SSN) for a personal credit check and an estimate of your fitness business's revenue.
All three applications usually take less than 20 minutes to complete online.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS
Ramp
Best expense management with 1.5% cashback and no annual fee
Brex
Corporate cards with no personal guarantee for funded startups
American Express Business
Premium business cards with strong rewards for qualifying businesses
Some links above are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you sign up — at no extra cost to you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will applying for a business card hurt my personal credit?
Amex and most traditional business cards do a hard pull on your personal credit. Ramp and Brex do not — they evaluate your business bank balance instead.
Do I need a business credit card or can I use a personal card?
Mixing personal and business expenses creates an accounting nightmare and weakens the liability protection your LLC provides. Always use a dedicated business card.
How do I build business credit if I am brand new?
Start with a business bank account and EIN. Apply for a secured business credit card or a card that does not require credit history. Pay in full every month. After 12-24 months, your business credit profile develops.
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