How much to pay for a Personal Trainer?

kimdyj

So I met with my personal trainer yesterday. I think they set me up with him on purpose because he was super hot and he was around my age. We got down to the nitty gritty and it will be $140/month to meet with him once a week for an hour but I have to sign a year's contract. I think that is kind of steep. The trainers at my gym are required to get a degree and he's very professional and motivational. Am I getting a deal or should I pass on a fitness trainer???

omma_to_3

In my area, that's a DEAL! I buy my training packages in a pack of 12 (the least expensive way they do it). It works out to $65 per session that way.

Your package, for a year (52 weeks?) would be only $32.31 per session. Wow...bargain! If you like the guy that is a REALLY good deal. I suspect if you pay monthly though, if you miss a week you're just out that money. Mine, I only pay for the days I am there.

ashmarie138

I paid $128 a month for one half hour session each week and now I pay $224 for two half hour sessions each week, so I'd say that's a pretty good deal!

Brummig

I wouldn't want to tie in for a year. I assume you already pay for the gym membership and the trainer will be on top of this? He may be superhot, but that doesn't necessarily mean he is the best trainer for you, because you have to have a good relationship. Also do you get chose the weekly slot? What happens if you are away/ ill?
I pay on a session by session basis, and have a session about once a fortnight.

bokodasu

Yep, I pay $50/hour, and that's standard around here (packages through the gym are a smidge less, but not much). I would definitely do an intro session or minipackage with him first - even good trainers and good clients don't always match up, and you really don't want to get stuck with someone who isn't good for you.

kimdyj

He told me I will not lose any session if I can't make it, it will carry over. We did sit down and talk and we seem to connect. If I agree to a shorter contract, it will be a little more expensive, it will be $45/week for 3 months. You know how much shoes I can buy??? I'm still debating if I can give up my shoes for a trainer... LOL.

micheleb15

Where someone lives will play a huge part in the answer to this question. I live in DC and PT here is around $75-90/hr. ~$35/hr is a great price if you feel that you will learn from him. Don't feel pressured though. You are only going to get out of it what you put in.

stroutman81

Training rates vary drastically based on geographic location. My area, which is about 40 min outside of Philly, tends to be around 50-60 per session. So in that context, you're getting a deal. However, given the fact that most trainers in this industry are boobs, I'd be very hesitant to lock into one for a year without certainty of them being legit.

You have to trial trainers to figure out if a) they know what they're talking about and b) are you guys compatible. Good looks only go so far, lol.

I wrote a piece that was well-received by a lot of folks about how to assess a trainer. I can send it to you if you'd like.

omma_to_3

I see you're in Ft. Wayne IN. I'm in Ann Arbor MI. Our rates will be higher than yours, but even adjusting for your geographic area, that's still a deal.

I agree, do a shorter session to start and make sure you like the trainer.

JulesAlloggio

So I met with my personal trainer yesterday. I think they set me up with him on purpose because he was super hot and he was around my age. We got down to the nitty gritty and it will be $140/month to meet with him once a week for an hour but I have to sign a year's contract. I think that is kind of steep. The trainers at my gym are required to get a degree and he's very professional and motivational. Am I getting a deal or should I pass on a fitness trainer???

At my husbands gym its 10 Sessions for $200. He is a Cert Personal Trainer


Sounds like you have a great deal going on. Just depends on what your goals are. Going with a Cert. PT is probably your best bet since he/she will show you the correct way on working out.

TeachTheGirl

Look at other offers in the area, tell them that you're looking at other offers in the area. Some personal trainers adjust their rates. What are the services offered to you for this amount? Just meeting once a week?

pwittek10

Thanks for the tip

MargaretSans

I would love to pay 140 a month. I was quoted at 3000 for the year. one session a week. The one trainer i spoke with also said he charges 600 for his nutrition plan and wont train me if i dont do the nutrition part

Barbellerella

I would NEVER sign up for a year. How do you know you guys will work well together? You also might find out he's a bro, then what? Youre stuck?

omma_to_3

I would love to pay 140 a month. I was quoted at 3000 for the year. one session a week. The one trainer i spoke with also said he charges 600 for his nutrition plan and wont train me if i dont do the nutrition part

And...there I'd be OUT. My trainer will give me nutrition advice if I want it, but she knows that I've been successful doing my own thing. I've been taking classes from her on and off for almost 10 years.

TyTy76

$0.00

thetiniestgirl

I thnk that is a great price; but I'd be careful about a year contract.

Sixth months might be ok.

escloflowneCHANGED

Mine was $50/ hour and worth it!

Martucha123

can you do a month paying for every session?
3 month also is a lot if you don't connect. if he is not willing to give you 3-4 sessions without a contract (charged per session) then something is off...

fat2strongbeth

That is a good price. I bought a 12 session package that comes out to $40 for each 30 min session. I also got the first 2 sessions free before I bought the package.

gobonas99

$1680 for 52 hour long sessions is a FANTASTIC price. In my area (upstate NY), PT prices range from $40-80 an hour, depending on the gym you go to and the package you get (the more sessions in a package, the lower the cost per session). My gym does 30 minute sessions normally (although you can go for an hour if you want, it would just count as two sessions), so I usually see my trainer once or twice a week for 30 minutes each. My gym had a black friday special a couple of years ago with a TON of sessions for a crazy low price, which I'll use up by the end of the summer (I took a 9 month break from seeing him, while he was out getting and then recuperating from double knee surgery)....but the package put me at like $15 per half hour session for like 100 sessions (it was almost 2 years ago, so the exact figure is escaping me right now :laugh:), but I had to pay for it all within 6 months.

haroon_awan

So I met with my personal trainer yesterday. I think they set me up with him on purpose because he was super hot and he was around my age. We got down to the nitty gritty and it will be $140/month to meet with him once a week for an hour but I have to sign a year's contract. I think that is kind of steep. The trainers at my gym are required to get a degree and he's very professional and motivational. Am I getting a deal or should I pass on a fitness trainer???

$140*12 = $1680. You are about to throw away $1680. Any personal trainer who only meets with a client for an hour a week and charges $35/hour is a money hungry fraud and/or working for a gym whose owner is a money hungry fraud. I am doing my course in fitness instructing and personal training and I can put my hand on my heart and say that this is not a good deal. Training a client once a week is going to yield such slow results you might as well not hire any trainer whatsoever. This is the worst deal I've seen all week and I am genuinely baffled at how people are saying this is a good deal.

The smartest person in the room is the one who can get people to pay him/her for information that is freely available. This is what you are doing if you only see him once a week and you have to sign up for an entire year without so much as getting to know him for a while before you agree to the contract. The fundamentals of nutrition can be found is one or more of the below links

You can set your calories and macros on here so that part of his job is redundant.
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/how-to-estimate-maintenance-caloric-intake.html
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAvW6xBZjSk (this is part 1 of many)
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-energy-balance-equation.html
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/is-a-calorie-a-calorie.html
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/setting-the-deficit-small-moderate-or-large.html
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1017045-a-very-interesting-and-informational-read-on-deficits

If you do want to waste $1680, you'd be better off seeing him twice a week for 6 months, than once a week for a year. Matter of fact you'd be much better off tearing up that contract and laughing at them.

ndj1979

just make sure he teaches you compound lifts and the correct form for them..

if he keeps you away from squats, deads, etc...don't use him..

MargaretSans

i didnt end up doing it. He wanted 50% upfront as well. They wouldnt let me pick a specific trainign bc "based on my questionnaire" results i was a match for this one guy

bellaa_x0

i live on Long Island, NY and i see my PT once a week for half an hour and pay $800 for 20 sessions, which ends up being $40 a session.. not terrible.

fishgutzy

My only issue is the binding 1 year contract. What if you get injured? What about vacations? You still have to pay even if you miss the time.
At my Y it is $40/hr. Save $5 if you pay for 4 sessions at a time. No contracts. Meeting times are very flexible. No lock in. I like it that way.

jaycbadass

Wow i really can not grab the aspect of a personal trainer! Id rather take all that money and invest in good supplements and great nutrition, like its said " Abs are made in the kitchen , not the gym". Youtube has AMAZING workouts,specific to your goals. Lookup a female bodybuilder or fitness model and follow that routine.
Read, research, and employ your findings..best of luck to you

ItsCasey

I would not hire a trainer to work out with me. Once you've learned proper form, the only reason to have a trainer with you while you're working out is for motivation, and I don't have a need for that.

But if you have certain goals, you may find that you've reached a point where your ability exceeds your knowledge. Sure, you could put in the time and do the research ... or you could pay someone to fill in the gaps for you. That's what I did. He wrote a program for me, based on my goals, and he reviews videos of each of my lifting sessions (3x per week) to make sure my form isn't breaking down. He also gave me some macro targets and keeps an eye on my food log here, and we chat on Skype every 2 weeks or so to talk about my progress and decide if any changes to my program or diet are necessary. The fee structure for that is going to be a little different than for someone who works out with you however many times per week.

My advice is first to know exactly what you're looking for (i.e. what level of involvement and what kind of training) and then do some research online (in your area, if you want someone local) and call around and ask questions.

stroutman81

Wow i really can not grab the aspect of a personal trainer! Id rather take all that money and invest in good supplements and great nutrition, like its said " Abs are made in the kitchen , not the gym". Youtube has AMAZING workouts,specific to your goals. Lookup a female bodybuilder or fitness model and follow that routine.
Read, research, and employ your findings..best of luck to you

I've been a strength coach and trainer for over a decade now. Not everyone is like you. Not everyone has the time, inclination, and/or ability to filter out the nonsense and whittle it down to something that fits their needs. Also, some of my clients have get paid to perform and need to peak without injury at the right times. They don't want to leave anything to chance.

Point is, everyone's coming from different places and I would 100% agree... for some people it wouldn't be worth it. For others though, it's the best money they ever spent, assuming they get hooked up with a qualified professional.

jaycbadass

Wow i really can not grab the aspect of a personal trainer! Id rather take all that money and invest in good supplements and great nutrition, like its said " Abs are made in the kitchen , not the gym". Youtube has AMAZING workouts,specific to your goals. Lookup a female bodybuilder or fitness model and follow that routine.
Read, research, and employ your findings..best of luck to you

I've been a strength coach and trainer for over a decade now. Not everyone is like you. Not everyone has the time, inclination, and/or ability to filter out the nonsense and whittle it down to something that fits their needs. Also, some of my clients have get paid to perform and need to peak without injury at the right times. They don't want to leave anything to chance.

Point is, everyone's coming from different places and I would 100% agree... for some people it wouldn't be worth it. For others though, it's the best money they ever spent, assuming they get hooked up with a qualified professional.

You sir make a valid point.

kimdyj

I feel like I need a personal trainer to help me with my goals...to lose weight safely and tone my body and not be a floppy mess. He gave me some great insight and we seem to be compatible within the 30 mins. He sat down with me and asked me a whole lot of questions to get to know me better and from there he can assess what I need to work on. Thanks everyone...i still have to decide to either use that money on a personal trainer or shoes. ^_^ LOL