Are personal trainers cost prohibitive ??

Secret_Agent_007

IMHO if they charged less they could be a lot busier. I have no clue how much the gym pays them but the gym charges a lot more than I make.

Discuss.

zafferFL

Personal trainers typically pay the gym to work there. They are contractors who "rent" space in the gym for some exclusivity.
This is either done by monthly rent paid to the gym or by the gym taking a cut of their fees earned.

They do not make a lot of money unless they run their own gym or consult on the side.

jenbk2

bump

teagin2002

I have a hard time with the trainers @ my gym (LA fitness) they think I should be lifting lighter with a lot more reps because I am a female, they think I am going to hurt myself. So even if they lowered their rates I wouldn't do it.

_SusieQ_

That is why it is better to try and find one who works independent of a big gym. It's difficult, but they are out there.

I used to take a pilates reformer class in a small independent studio. The instructor also did personal training. I hired her for PT once a week for a few months. Very productive for me, but just too much cost. I believe she charged $45 per session. Still rather high, but cheaper than the ones at my gym.

UponThisRock

Finding a good one would be a very good investment. Unfortunately, good ones are hard to find.

AlsDonkBoxSquat

IMHO if they charged less they could be a lot busier. I have no clue how much the gym pays them but the gym charges a lot more than I make.

Discuss.

The trainers at my gym are self employed for their training hours. I'm not sure if they pay the gym to use the facility or not (as contractors), but I do know that random trainers are not allowed to just show up and train people (someone has to carry liability insurance). I guess they are only cost prohibitive to those of us who can't afford them, LOL.

zafferFL

it's a lose-lose situation for the clients and the trainers, the only one making money is the gym.

They don't make a lot but they still have to charge a lot more than the average person makes in the same 1/2 hour.

msliu7911

Finding a good one would be a very good investment. Unfortunately, good ones are hard to find.

This. I recently finished a10 session training package at my gym. While I don't feel it was a complete waste of money since he helped me get up and start moving again and lifting weights, I def don't feel like he did his part to help me work towards my true goals.

If I could find a good PT that I know would help me lose the weight and tone up in a reasonable amount of time (3-4 months), I wouldn't mind the investment.

LessJos

I would love to be rich enough to hire a personal trainer. We have a small (unconventional) gym here and the trainer seems to be really good. $100/hr is understandable considering downtown rent etc. but unfortunately not something I can afford.

Kissybiz

I have had a personal trainer the last 3 months. At first they were full sessions (Christmas bonus money) and then I cut back to half sessions, but sometimes he works me out longer. I need to re-up and I'm stressing out how to pay for it. It's worth it to me right now because I really am seeing results I wouldn't otherwise be making "muscle tone-wise," but it really is a lot and I could be putting that money elsewhere. Right now I'm worth the investment I think, but I may have to cut back to once per week, and eventually not at all. Makes me sad... love my training sessions.

BruteSquad

Disclaimer,

This isn't for everyone.

On my first attempt at getting down to my goal weight, I lost 80 lbs and regained a lot of strength, I used an on line trainer. Now if you need that person physically there talking to you, in your face, and pushing you, this won't work. I just needed the assistance of getting workouts put together and someone to be responsible to. The cost was not all that much.

Why am I not doing that again you might ask. First, my trainer has left the market and is working with her husband in their dojo. Second, I am following all the things she taught me to do in the first place and I am using MFP as a way to be responsible to someone....well many someones.

It is worth a look if $$$ is an issue.

nikki_1979

I've looked for an independent one, but apparently they don't have any around here. They also tend to be reluctant to work with morbidly obese (especially super-obese) people. I would gratefully pay $100 per hour just to give me the incentive for working out and to show me what to do because honestly.... I am clueless what to do for exercise. I think that is one of the major advantages is learning a program for yourself.

emstaley4

I got lucky. A friend introduced me to a trainer who has been wrestling, fighting, training for over 30 years and he opened his own training place. He trains mixed martial arts fighters and decided to do a "class" for women and people who weren't in that great of shape and were uncomfortable going to a gym. I was really intimidated at first and now I LOVE IT. He charges $10 a session which range from 1 to 1 1/2 hours each and I work my *kitten* off let me tell you. It is hard to find a good trainer. I tried the gym one and he was so busy checking out the "cute chicks" that after my free sessions I didn't bother to go back. Good Luck. Maybe ask around and you might find someone or try the online one that someone else suggested or do a DVD if you are self-motivated.

kapspecial

I have had personal trainers in the past. It's about what YOU can afford. Right now I do a bootcamp ran by one of my gym's personal trainers. It's twice a week and at most only 3 ppl show up. So look into group training because it tends to be less than the one on one training. Another alternative is if your gym offers fitness or workout plans. My old gym used to offer this for like $60 bucks but they would update the plan every month for you and record your progress (weight and measurements).I think the $60 covered 3 months.

Thulpa

Most trainers in my experience are just stepping stones to learning how to use gym equipment and the friend you cannot find to work out with.

All trainers are not equal, ask them what they specialize in. My gyms has both a bodybuilder that I see and a bodyweight trainer, as well as many others. Ask what fitness achievements they have, if they have none, move on to someone else. Finally ask yourself what do you want to do with your fitness? If you want to be fit but have no path you are running in a circle. If you want to run, find a marathoner, if you want to cycle, find a centurion, if you want to get on stage, find a bodybuilder. Etc.

When you do find a high end trainer, they can help you through plateaus, and fine tune what you are doing to reach your fitness goals. These are rare sometimes only 1 or 2 to a gym. Most trainers there have to deal with the ever prevalent I want to lose weight, so they are trained to basically get people moving.

Erinslove

My wife is a personal trainer (www.cranfordfitness.com) and she doesn't work at a gym. She specializes in training people at their homes (or our home if they prefer). Her rates are on her website and I think she is rather affordable plus you don't have to pay for a gym membership. Also, in this tough economy she has been giving clients STEEP discounts so people are getting packages for far less than her posted rates. One of her clients has lost about 70lbs in about 8 months. Too bad I refuse to let her train me! Can you say huge fight? Haha

Erinslove

I've looked for an independent one, but apparently they don't have any around here. They also tend to be reluctant to work with morbidly obese (especially super-obese) people. I would gratefully pay $100 per hour just to give me the incentive for working out and to show me what to do because honestly.... I am clueless what to do for exercise. I think that is one of the major advantages is learning a program for yourself.

I hate to read this! My wife is a PT and charges much less than that and has no problem working with morbidly obese people. It's part of her job!

Loves418

My gym the personal trainer costs more then my membership for a year. It is double the membership. I really believe it is a novelty for the rich. I asked if I wanted to buy training for one month only how much would I pay. I said I want to train in April 2x a week a total of 8 sessions how much can I pay no contract no obligation she tried to sell me a 796.00 package..told her sorry ..

sbcass

I've looked for an independent one, but apparently they don't have any around here. They also tend to be reluctant to work with morbidly obese (especially super-obese) people. I would gratefully pay $100 per hour just to give me the incentive for working out and to show me what to do because honestly.... I am clueless what to do for exercise. I think that is one of the major advantages is learning a program for yourself.

I have had a trainer for over a year now and have lost almost 100 pounds. I am 5'2" and was 344.6 when I started. My trainer does work at a private gym so the price isn't as expensive. I do pay monthly and the average cost for year's worth of sessions (3x a week) is about $22.00. My sessions are an average of 45-55 mins.

We just renewed our contract for another year. If you can find a good trainer and have the funds to hire one, go for it!

neverstray

This is a difficult situation. To us, they are charging us the shirts off our backs, to them, they are barely getting by. It's one of those BS situations. And, no. I had a business in the service industry, a lower price does not = more business. All it does is have you working more for less. It's not better but worse. Sure, you might pick up a few extra clients, but with those few extra, you might still be making less than you were at the market rate. it's a tough gig for everyone.

ShannonMpls

It's expensive; I think a lot depends on your gym. At mine, I buy a bundle of sessions and use them when I want. I have a session every other week and repeat that week's program (or pull out past programs) until our next session, increasing weight progressively. I've found it very helpful and motivating. I'm far from rich, but having only 2-3 sessions a month makes it affordable for me. My trainer also does a lot more than show me how to use the machines...the only machine I've ever been on with him is the cable cross if that even counts.

MMarvelous

Disclaimer,

This isn't for everyone.

On my first attempt at getting down to my goal weight, I lost 80 lbs and regained a lot of strength, I used an on line trainer. Now if you need that person physically there talking to you, in your face, and pushing you, this won't work. I just needed the assistance of getting workouts put together and someone to be responsible to. The cost was not all that much.

Why am I not doing that again you might ask. First, my trainer has left the market and is working with her husband in their dojo. Second, I am following all the things she taught me to do in the first place and I am using MFP as a way to be responsible to someone....well many someones.

It is worth a look if $$$ is an issue.

I agree online trainers are NOT for everyone. I had a decent online one who was NOT CLEAR in how his program worked. Definitely get specifics. I have hired a personal trainer and to get the cost down, I NEGOTIATED with him. So a friend and I trained with him at the same time. This cut the cost down for both of us. I know it was around $20-$25 per session for 4-6 weeks and we met twice a week. This was in Pittsburgh, PA which is not an expensive city. No one trainer trains the same way so you need to find one that works for you and your lifestyle.

Grlnxtdr0721

My opinion: you get what you pay for. I think that at a lot of the trainers at major workout chains know a thing or two, are certified only to the minimum requirement, and honestly, do it as a "cool job and a hangout". I would rather pay a little more, and have someone who is honestly invested in me and my progress. I friend of mine stopped working at a major chain, is going above and beyond in her training, and getting her exercise science/nutrition degree so that she can help more. I love working out with her and feel she knows a lot more than most people that I have trained with.

LovesGG

I am a pt... but I'm new to the industry. Even before I was a pt, I often tried to get help from one but they were always so expensive... even if there was a massive sale or discount or something. But yeah, I do agree that the cost of a pt is usually out of reach for the majority of the population. However, a lot of them are not as well off as you'd think.

dwhalley529

Very interesting. My return to health inspired me to work on my certification. Realizing I did not have the schedule to attend classroom courses, I am working on my cert online and working with a trainer 2x per week for the next 8 mo. I figure the one on one time will teach me a ton and I should be in pretty kick *kitten* shape by the time I'm finished. I got an amazing deal for the long term and worth the investment in this situation. I can tell you the gym I was using went through a major turnover when it went from Bally's to LA Fitness. They got rid just about all of the trainers and really only have a couple of good ones now (thank goodness I got one of them). It definitely has made me rethink my choice to "get into the biz."

AmyLRed

i attend classes at a rented space with a personal trainer/fitness instructor. (bootcamp, buns and guns, circuit training, cardio kickboxing, etc) She charges $35 an hour for actual personal training 1:1. I havent had sessions, because i am not sure what that would offer me, exactly.

StartingAnewDay

I had one, but then she went back to school for her masters in Kinesiology, However she was training me and a bunch of others including her "close friends" at the same time in a group setting, I didn't mind that much bieng an outsider as she priced me WAAYYYYY under the normal rate but I think it got to be too much, her structure dropped off, she started cancelling last minute, getting a lil flaky and now I can't even get a return text telling me if the gym she works at offers a Body pump class. however, i still get texts telling me of events the gym is having. Least i'm still in her contact list i guess. sn:// she was and IS an AWESOME trainer! Her dedication when you had it was the best. Perhaps I will be blessed to come across another trainer of her caliber that works for me on this journey.

O yeah.. There's no way in H-E double hockey sticks I can afford 60 bucks an hour 3-4 times a week. Thing I liked about her also was, no matter how long it took you, 1,2,3 hours, you weren't done until you had worked every muscle and done every exercise she had for you. No oops, your hour is up, we'll do triceps and the other butt cheek next session!!

kstone70

I found a personal trainer that works out of her home. It is super afforadable ($95 for 8 sessions- 1 hour each). She has 2 people come at a time and kicks my butt! First time EVER I have done weights. Worth every penny. the weight is coming off really slow (.5-1 pound per week), but my body shape is changing. I still have 10-12 pounds to go.

cuteness81104

I just finished my 12 pt sessions that were included with my bac membership and I a trying to workout a way to purchase more hopefully with some ot $ it'll be possible the gym charges $24 per 30min or $38 per 60min session and I love my trainer I always get discourage when I don't lose weight but getting my measurements and doing strength training has really toned my body and I am so grateful I had my trainer to kick my butt