Personal Trainer?

Mallory0418

The only thing I'm requesting for Christmas this year is a personal trainer. I've never done anything like this before but I think it would really help me at this point in reaching my fitness goals. I was wondering though, for those of you with experience, how often and how long do you meet with your trainer? Is there an estimated price range that I can be prepared for? My husband is not liking this idea at all and has already said "no" several times before, so I need to gather as much information as I can about it to convince him!

birdinho

Are you UK or US??

UK prices are from about £25-£75 an hour.

Mallory0418

Sorry, should've mentioned I'm in the US.

poustotah

I had a personal trainer for 6 months and it was the BEST decision I ever made. I got lucky in that my PT had just started at this gym and needed to establish himself so he worked really hard to make me look good. Other trainers there were only concerned with getting paid.

So I met with him twice a week for an hour each time. The rate was $25 an hour. I had to pay for the time upfront and typically a gym will have a sliding scale so the more sessions you buy, the less the cost per session is. Before you settle on one trainer, try them all out. A trainer worth their salt will examine your food intake and will give you feedback on what to do to improve. They will also spend some time talking to you about your goals. Ask them questions - everything you can think of. You want someone that has a compatible viewpoint as yourself.

sarah44254

How often you meet decides the price, usually. I was quoted at around 100 a month for one meeting (per month!!). It was also offered that I could see the PT 3 times a week for around 75$ each time, making it 100 base for the month, then 225 for each week, at a total of $1,000 for one month of personal training. This did include a personalized diet plan, fitness assessment (body fat calculation, weight, measurements) and 12 sessions with the trainer over the month (3 times a week, 4 weeks). The trainer spends maybe 15 minutes discussing WHY you are doing the workouts. Then around an hour working at a high intensity.

I had one free session and I really enjoyed having someone there to push me, but there was no way I could afford those rates.

UponThisRock

Most trainers aren't any good

KBGirts

I paid $160/month at my gym for personal trainer session, but that only got me once per week. I definitely benefitted from it. She had me do excersizes that I would not have normally known to do. Also, when you have an appointment, you are not going to change your mind about working out that day.... self-accountability!! I found that I worked harder when someone was instructing me on what to do and stood there watching my form. I used her for about a year and stop do to the costs. But now when I go to the gym I am more informed on what I need to do strength training-wise, so I am still reaping the benefits.

Carrie704

You can always buy a few sessions and have them show you a few routines, then you can do them yourself and save a lot of money. After 6 weeks, you can get a few more and repeat.

PANZERIA

I have a personal trainer who I'm meeting with as well. I had to buy a year membership to the gym (but I would assume that you would want that anyways?) but with that, the trainer is only 25 bucks an hour, and my membership is 45 per month. I usually see her once to twice a week. It's not expensive at all, I think.

Your hubby probably thinks that most trainers charge over 100 bucks an hour. Those are the crazy ones who work for celebrities. Most trainers should only be charging 25-50 bucks per hour, and the more expensive ones you should research and see why they are so expensive. Maybe they're what you're looking for, or maybe you just need a 25 dollar one. Research around and see what you want and who you like.

sarah44254

Most trainers aren't any good

I want to mention that every single word the trainer said to me I already knew. I learned everything I need to succeed just by reading amazing info from friends on this site.

Train different muscles groups. Lift heavy weights. Eat a variety of carbs/fats/proteins. Drink water. Don't give up.

The only thing I would ask for a trainer for is the simple fact that he is making up a routine for me. The hardest part for me is to write down a routine!

jhardenbergh

the best decision I have ever made was getting a personal trainer, I work out with him two days a week, it's about 45 bucks an hour. We are actually pretty close now and he opens up his studio for me on sundays for a freebie and we work out together. It's important to make sure you pick the right one. I had two trainers in my life the first was chosen for me based on my situation at the time with the gym I was a member at. She was great as well, and now I go to her husband and they are a team, but she is in nursing school and only does it part time now.

Jeff92se

The only thing I'm requesting for Christmas this year is a personal trainer. I've never done anything like this before but I think it would really help me at this point in reaching my fitness goals. I was wondering though, for those of you with experience, how often and how long do you meet with your trainer? Is there an estimated price range that I can be prepared for? My husband is not liking this idea at all and has already said "no" several times before, so I need to gather as much information as I can about it to convince him!

I bet if the trainer was a hot woman, he'd not only agree but probably would join you. haha

Athena413

One of the best investments I ever made. BUT - I don't work out with my trainer. I go in and see her once a month, she looks over my MFP food/exercise diary, guides me in what workouts I need to do, checks my weight and my measurements, answers any questions I might have, etc...then sends me off on my merry way. I didn't need someone to hold my hand while I worked out and plan all my meals for me - I just needed some guidance and knowledge without having to google it and get umpteen million responses that contradict each other.

If your husband is against it, try finding a female trainer - I can understand his hesitation if you're looking at male trainers.
If it's the money issue he's concerned about, reassure him that you are the best investment you could make and that you feel a trainer would help you reach your fitness goals. If his issue isn't one of those two things, I don't know what to tell you.

I was very hesitant to start working with a trainer at first, but after I bit the bullet and said goodbye to the money, I never once regretted my decision!

celticmuse

Hiring a personal trainer was the best thing I have done for myself in years. It was not cheap. I saw her for about 6 months, once per week, at a cost of $50/session. She designed a HIIT program for me that I could do at home. With her help, I lost 32 lbs. After improving my fitness, I no longer needed to take my prescription medication, which saves me $100/month, so I figure it will pay for itself in about 10 mos. Once you learn the exercises, you can do them on your own. I have gone back once to take a kettlebell class. I know she is there if I need her. But she gave me the tools to do it myself. I continued to lose weight and exercise after I stopped seeing her. Go for it!!

3dogsrunning

I do think there is a lot of benefit to a good trainer, one who will show you proper form, explain what you are doing and trying to accomplish and will help you with your food. I also feel that the committment thing can be a huge benefit. The only issue is finding a good trainer.

At my old gym, we were given 3 personal training sessions when signing up. I would get a program, do it for a few weeks, then go back for a new one.
Like others have mentioned, there are many trainers that aren't very good. I have had trainers who I knew more than (and I am certainly no wizard in the gym) I would get really frustrated because they would give me the same cookie cutter/beginner routine, where I wasn't new to the gym, or particularly unfit, but I wasn't advanced either.

Now, the trainers at my new gym are a whole different story, they are the real deal, however, they are also far too expensive for me.
I definitely recommend asking around, or trying free sessions first before committing to someone.

Mallory0418

I go to the gym everyday already so I've seen all the trainers with their clients. The one I like the best is a man but I don't think that's hubby's issue. He just has a very hard time seeing why it's worth the money. I stopped asking a long time ago but this is something I really want to do for myself. Maybe the Christmas spirit will lighten him up about it.

madameduffay

A personal trainer can be expensive, but if you get the right one, they are worth every penny. I pay a lot for my trainer, but I don't have many other expenses (like children or a mortgage), and I've made cuts in other areas so that I can invest in one. Also, my gym often has specials that I try to take advantage of if I can. I go twice a week/hour per session and supplement with classes or a workout he has given me to do on my own. I think once (at least at first) is not often enough, and three is not necessary (unless you can afford it) if you are working out on your own on the other days.

I think the price ranges vary. I think you should fnid a price you are comfortable with and then spend the time looking for the right one. I've had four personal trainers in a span of about 10 years. The PT I work with now is the most expensive but is amazing. He has pushed me on a level that others have not. I don't want to say that the others were bad per say, but they definitely weren't the right fit.

I'm sure you can find someone in your price range, but don't settle. Here are a few tips that I've learned along the way:

1) Is he/she prepared? Your PT should have an overall long-term plan but also a plan in place for each session. I once had a trainer that would sometimes decide that we'd just go for a nice long walk for our sessions (garbage!).
2) Is he/she knowledgeable about the functionality of the body? Some trainers will push you (good), but not recognize when your body is actually hurting or take any "compliants" as you wussing out. My PT knows right away if I'm having an issue (ahem, or wussing out) even if I don't say anything (I tend to have issues with my left shoulder and calf). We don't stop training, we just change it up.
3) Does he/she regularly change the routine to an appropriate level for your increasing awesomeness?
4) Do you feel comfortable with him/her?
5) Are you learning? I have learned how strong I am and also different exercises and theories. Whenever I stop seeing him, I'm prepared to do this on my own.
6) Let him/her know how long you think you can afford to or plan to see them. This way, they can help you devise an appropriate plan for the length of time that you are there.

For me, I still have a way to go with my weight loss, but I've never felt stronger. I owe my PT a lot.

Bottom line: shop around and hopefully you will find the right person and price.

good luck

madameduffay

One other thing about price. If you can't find something in your price range, you might try a bootcamp. I live in Vancouver and there are a number of outdoor bootcamp companies here. You usually buy a month for a little over $300. That's five days a week (an hour long). You can also get 2 or 3 days a week which are cheaper.

I've done a couple of those and they are great ways to lose 5 - 10 lbs and tone up.

MissingMinnesota

I'm sure you can find someone in your price range, but don't settle. Here are a few tips that I've learned along the way:

1) Is he/she prepared? Your PT should have an overall long-term plan but also a plan in place for each session. I once had a trainer that would sometimes decide that we'd just go for a nice long walk for our sessions (garbage!).
2) Is he/she knowledgeable about the functionality of the body? Some trainers will push you (good), but not recognize when your body is actually hurting or take any "compliants" as you wussing out. My PT knows right away if I'm having an issue (ahem, or wussing out) even if I don't say anything (I tend to have issues with my left shoulder and calf). We don't stop training, we just change it up.
3) Does he/she regularly change the routine to an appropriate level for your increasing awesomeness?
4) Do you feel comfortable with him/her?
5) Are you learning? I have learned how strong I am and also different exercises and theories. Whenever I stop seeing him, I'm prepared to do this on my own.
6) Let him/her know how long you think you can afford to or plan to see them. This way, they can help you devise an appropriate plan for the length of time that you are there.


good luck

I agree with these tips.

I have been with my trainer for almost 2 years now. Since I work out by myself normally and went into this on my own having a trainer to keep me on track and motivated was crucial.

I was actually matched up with a trainer that was perfect for me. We are friends outside of the gym but once we are working out that is all we do. She mixes things up so I am never bored with a mix of HIIT and lifting heavy. I know I would not be where I am now with out her. As I would have been doing the same thing over and over again and then bored. I tried for 2 months with out her but kept putting off my weight training. I am fine with doing cardio on my own but weight training with out her I was getting bored. She has moved into management but has kept me as a PT client with only 2 other clients.

I paid a year in advance (after already being with her a year) so I got a discount for paying in advance. Check for deals also try to sign up at the end of the month which is when they are more then likely trying to hit quota. My half hour sessions were $25 but I heard that they just raised the rates at its now $37 per half hour. It also depends on how many times a week you will meet. They charge more per session if you meet once a week compared to two times a week and so forth.

worldhurdler

Personally, I think they are beneficial in that 1) they are constantly changing up my routine, so I never get bored, nor do I have to think about anything at 5:30am other than doing whatever they tell me, and 2) they push me harder than I would push myself and it's a built-in spotter. I sure wouldn't be lifting the weights I am without some one telling me to go for it, and helping me get those last few reps in! And the accountability is another huge factor. Everyone is motivated by different things, but I know I work best in a team/small group/coached setting, so I'll pay for guidance and motivation any time!

lil_pulp

I go to the gym everyday already so I've seen all the trainers with their clients. The one I like the best is a man but I don't think that's hubby's issue. He just has a very hard time seeing why it's worth the money. I stopped asking a long time ago but this is something I really want to do for myself. Maybe the Christmas spirit will lighten him up about it.

Let him know that it's worth the money because a trainer can give you the tools to reach your goals, feel better about yourself, and be healthier and stronger.

As someone else mentioned, for me it's been beneficial to just meet with a trainer once every few months so she can give me a new routine to follow. This helps keep me motivated.

dad106

I'm going on my second personal trainer.. and he is worth every penny and then some.

My first personal trainer was a moron.. and was just there for the money. He didn't care what you did, how often, etc etc as long as you were paying to see him.

My second trainer though, wants me to become independent and learn how to do exercises on my own. He recently got me set up on my gyms food/exercise system that comes with pre-set strength training routines that are customized to my specifics. So far I'm loving that.. and it takes all the guess work out of coming up with my own routine. When I workout with him, we never do the same routine twice.. he's always changing it up and working on different aspects depending on what he sees.

As far as the money goes, to see my trainer 3 times a month, I had to put down 300, and then I'm making 5 payments of 120. He's worth every penny that I'm paying.. and I'm hoping to see my body change even more!

Carrie704

Does your gym offer classes like Body Pump? Weight lifting classes can help you get through the workout and they are free. You may have to go a few times till you get the hang of it, but they are lots of fun!

anna_love

I pay $90 every week and i see my personal trainer for just 30 min's 3times a week " my total is $390 a month witch is to much and I'm not doing it Again NOT ANY MORE AT THE SOME GYM GOLD'S GYM!"" IF IT WAS 1HOUR IT WILL BE KINDA GOOD BUT 30MINS THAT'S NOT A LOT FOR ME 1HOUR WOULD MAKE ME HAPPY"!!

RoadkingDavid

I don't have a trainer. My wife does. Here's how she did it. Lol
First month: she just did it without my knowledge.
Second month: I saw the second check for her $600 per month fee.
Third month: After a huge WTF fight, she dropped the trainer for one she could meet with once per month for $60.
She lost 46 lbs. So I guess its all good now. Haha.

PS. Happy wife, happy life. lol