Are Personal Trainers Worth The Money?

I look at it this way, it won't hurt to give a trainer a shot. I never used one myself, but I know a few girls at work that used one and they loved them. It's completely up to you, but as Sabine said, she preferred a woman. I say that because one of the girls said her first trainer was a guy and all he did was try and hit on her. She was paying good money and said if she wanted a guy to hit on her, she'd go to a bar instead. LOL! Good luck.

What I did is I used my "trial session" and made a point to remember everything he showed me. If I need to reaccess in a while, I'll hire him for one session. I'm cheap!

I have a trainer (male, I'm female). I go once a week to him and it's awesome. I go mid week (as I start to lose motivation) and he pushes me hard and I find myself motivated for the rest of the week. The fact that he's good looking makes me work harder!

to me its like hiring a travel agent. for the most part its just not need these days. there is plenty of info online. so if you are self motivated id give it a go without one at first.

If you have the money, I would say purchase some sessions. I really enjoy working with my trainer, he shows me the proper form to use on the different machines and has given quite a few ideas on how to do different exercises. And don't forget about the motivation part as well, there's been a few times when I wasn't that motivated to go to the gym but after sessions with him, I've always been glad to exercise - even if I get sore afterwards.

Having a trainer has been worth it to me. Although I no longer need help with my form I have continued to work with a trainer because:
1. Accountability - I will go to the gym because I know that someone is waiting for me. I will also go on on the other days because I know she will ask about my progress.
2. Variety - I am easily bored and my trainer is much more creative when it comes to making a workout routine.
3. Push - I work harder when someone is standing next to me watching and counting my reps. My trainer tends to pick heavier weight than I would on my own.

Ditto. Though I gotta say, there is nothing so frightening as an 'enthusiastic' trainer. I had a great weight loss week, and I will never forget the gleam in my trainer's eyes. After that session, things ached that I didn't even know I had! BUT, what a difference. I leg pressed 160 pounds today and I could barely squat 10 weeks ago. I also bench pressed 50 pounds yesterday. Baby weight, I know. But never imagined I could do that.

I highly recommend a trainer. Mine's a guy and I'm a girl and he's wonderful. When I'm depressed about my progress, he always cheers me one. Can't sing his praises enough.

I had one for about 6 months. In that time I lost only 12 lbs, didn't see any losses in inches , didn't see any muscle gains, wasted 2400$ and puked a dozen times. The guy was horrible and I think he could have cared less what my issues were - I have problems with my joints that prevented me from doing some motions but he isn't seem to care a whole lot about it. He would show me something quickly then walk away and come back after I was part way thru. He didn't even bother half the time to correct my postures or whatever.

Just make sure you get a good one who isn't just in it for the money.. It's going to be a long while before I trust another one.

Speaking on behalf of personal trainers. Being someone who lost 60+ lbs on his own and then went on to become a personal trainer I can speak truthfully that although I didn't have an actual trainer at the gym that I worked out at; the trainers and owners of the gym were there to cheer me on and provided me with valuable tips. If I had it to do all over again (I don't plan on doing it over again) and I could have afforded it. I would've definitely made the investment. Ironically enough I am now a trainer and nutritionist at that very gym. As a trainer, I don't believe that everyone needs a trainer, particularly if they are motivated enough to do it on their own, but a personal trainer is really more of a fitness guide, coach and motivator. Some people need that. Hey just ask the Biggest Loser contestants if they think having a personal trainer is worth it.

Totally depends on the trainer and your approach with whatever program you're put on. Find a trainer with good client results. Also make sure you pick one that you can communicate with. Some are in it just for the money. Some are in it with a real passion to help people.


A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I agree 100% with this, I have friends at the Gym that have Trainers that really don't care about their clients. I feel so bad for them knowing they are just getting trained for an hour and then "see you at your next session". I have been with my Trainer for 6 mos now & it has been the best investment ever. I am one of the lucky ones to have such a great Trainer, it is so important that you are able to connect with them. He once told me that he is not only there for my physical fitness but for my mental fitness as well, he cares about his clients, male or female. He gives me the tools to live a healthier lifestyle & stay fit for me. Good luck to you with your journey 8)

they can be. i've belonged to several gyms in my life and honestly i've only come across 5 PT i thought were worth it.

before you hire one, try watching them in action at the gym. one thing i look for is the type of exercises they give to their clients. if a PT is giving the same routine to a 20- something women overweight woman and a rail thin 40-something man then i wouldnt hire them. if i see them having clients do all kinds of crazy stuff on bosu balls i wouldnt hire them. if i see them putting their clients on cardio machines for most of their time i wouldnt hire them. if i overhear them spewing any kind of bro science i wouldnt hire them.

from there you have to find out if you'd work well together. all of the trainers i've worked with have been former athletes in fields that i used to compete in (soccer, rugby or weightlifting) or similar fields (football). when i've tried other trainers without an athletic background, they've never been strenuous enough for me and they waste time issuing warnings about overdoing it and sticking to the fat burning zone or whatever :laugh: i definitely think there's a HUGE difference in training styles from PTs who approach their routines in terms of weight loss vs those who approach it in terms of getting fitter and pushing yourself. i work better with the latter.

A trainer is totally worth the price, if for nothing else than to show your proper form and technique. As a personal trainer myself, although not working in the industry right now, when I am at the gym I see so many people performing exercises incorrectly. They need someone who is going to help them do things properly and safely. And don't forget the accountability factor as well. A trainer will follow you every week and track your progress. Be honest with them on how things are going. They're there to help you succeed not push you away from your goals. But, if going to the gym isn't for you, find a group and tell them your goals. Keep yourself accountable too in achieving those goals and helping others do the same.