Is this a good price - personal trainer?

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Replies

  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    the price itself seems ok but price is not the main consideration with a trainer, most of the trainers at the big box gyms like 24 hour fitness and la fitness are just random kids off the street that went through some "course" that the gym manages rather than true personal fitness training. I just lookd and LA fitness doesn't list ANY certification being required for their trainers, and I know 24 hour fitness just has them go through some sort of session which 24 hour fitness calls a certification but it just means they're certified by 24 hour fitness.

    I have seen the trainers at my 24 hour fitness and its really a crap shoot - there's one "master" trainer that ACTUALLY has a real certification like an ACE or something, and the rest are random people - I've seen a couple who obviously had some knowledge on their own (its not like you can't learn yourself) and others who walk their client over to the elliptical and then have them workout with some little handweights and then do some crunches. You don't need a trainer to do that - total waste of money.

    So I'd say -find out the experience and qualifications of the person you'd be working with. Talk to them and ask what they'd do with you in that session and if they'd give you a program to follow outside of their sessions. If it sounds good, then go for it, the price is in line with what gyms seem to charge.

    A good personal trainer is absolutely an asset to your fitness goals. A worthless one is ....well. Not worth 50/hour.
    I agree. I had training at LA Fitness, and you aren't guaranteed the same trainer each time, you're just buying sessions. So, if you want to work out Tuesdays and Thursdays, but there aren't trainers with slots open at both of those times, you will have two different trainers (for example). Even when I could get a consistent trainer, the one I had didn't remember anything about me; he had far too many clients that he didn't take a personal interest in. Yes, that will be different for each trainer, but I feel like the LA Fitness environment cultivates that kind of trainer.

    LA Fitnesses don't allow outside trainers, but if you're just looking for someone to design a program for you, you could try looking at some predesigned lifting programs (strong lifts, new rules of lifting for women, strong curves, etc) or look into online trainers. If you want someone to physically help you with form, then the LA Fitness might work depending on how good the trainers are (I still go to an LAF, and the trainers that I've seen at my location do not correct bad form at all), but you might be better off finding a good trainer and then switching to the gym they train at or find someone who trains in your home or theirs.
  • thavoice
    thavoice Posts: 1,326 Member
    Hi - I go to LA Fitness and have decided to try out personal training sessions, as I have been working out for about 6 months with no real big results...

    Is $105 a month a good price- it includes 4 half hour work outs and once a month evaluation - I was thinking it was a good price when I thought the sessions were an hour long each - I have to sign for 12 months and a little unsure if I should do it.

    Thanks for your input - Michelle
    Seems expensive but it depends on the market area. The trainers at my gym are $20 per hour session and the evaluation?
    Heck you get the for free whenever you wish.

    Friend was going to work at LA fitness but said it was a total ripoff and moved back to this area to train at a locallly owned gym as he said those big places like that really screw over the trainers.
  • lorigem
    lorigem Posts: 446 Member
    Y'all do know the OP started this thread 2 years ago, right?
  • tameko2
    tameko2 Posts: 31,634 Member
    Word from the wise: Don't ever sign up for their personal training! You will be stuck like I am now. They hired terrible trainers at my location, and now I have all of these credits just sitting in my account. Such a waste of money...

    I like how this person is obviously searching all over the internet for this particular topic, then signing up for sites just so they can drop a "they suck" into the thread.
  • No_Finish_Line
    No_Finish_Line Posts: 3,661 Member
    A Highschool kid with 0 experience and a clip board is what passes for a 'trainer' at some places
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Yes, that's a good price.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Word from the wise: Don't ever sign up for their personal training! You will be stuck like I am now. They hired terrible trainers at my location, and now I have all of these credits just sitting in my account. Such a waste of money...

    I like how this person is obviously searching all over the internet for this particular topic, then signing up for sites just so they can drop a "they suck" into the thread.
    Nice.

    I have worked with lousy PTs and wonderful PTs. My gm gives you a few free sessions when you sign up and I decided after the first couple to hire mine for a few more sessions to get more comfortable in the gym and get some good workout tips. I've loved every second and if I were made of money, I'd keep her forever.

    Try before you buy, but there are excellent PTs out there.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    I think it sounds like a rip-off. My trainer only charges me $20 for a full hour, and I don't have to enter into any contract. I just pay whenever I want one.
  • Atishi87
    Atishi87 Posts: 51 Member
    30 minutes session are no good (also, at LA fFitness it's actually 25 min). I would suggest that do not make a 1 year commitment. You will regret it.
  • jason_adams
    jason_adams Posts: 187 Member
    Your personal trainer will be a huge benefit for you, or a complete waist of money. Don't gamble on it.
    I'd suggest you take a look at the staff profiles and the success stories from their clients. Find a few that have had success with clients with goals that are similar to yours. Then, interview the trainers. Ask them about whatever you think you need to know about them before you hire them. What type of programs, how often you'll work out together, what type of nutritional plan they envision for you. Also ask for and verify any professional certifications they have.

    You'd interview different contractors before hiring one to renovate your house, wouldn't you? You're about to hire someone to renovate the most important house you have! Do the due diligence!

    I'd also suggest you don't hire the best of the worst. If none of the trainers are up to your standards at your gym - it might be worth switching gyms for.
  • TrailNurse
    TrailNurse Posts: 359 Member
    Is depends on your motivation and if you can learn things on your own. I have never invested in a personal trainer because I feel that I actually do more than what I see them coaching others to do. If I ever hire a coach it will be to compete.

    I would suggest you do your home work and try to come up with your own program first before you hire a trainer. You may not realize how much potential you have and can pull out of yourself.
  • crystalflame
    crystalflame Posts: 1,049 Member
    The price is about what you get at big gyms like that. 24 Hour Fitness is similarly priced, but they don't lock you in for a year. But it sounds to me like you don't need a trainer, you need a program that pushes you instead. There are so many free workout plans online that if you follow and push yourself, you'll get results. People on here can give you great recommendations. If you DO get a trainer, consider these points:

    1. Know why you need one and have specific goals in mind - "I want to get in shape" is not a goal. "I want to reduce my body fat" or "I want to get stronger" are very weak goals that need specifics to back them up. "I want to be able to deadlift my body weight" or "I want to work on my running form so I can improve my 5K time" are strong goals that give your trainer direction and focus.

    2. Make sure the one you choose is competent. They should be properly certified. Watch the trainers in your gym and the clients they work with. Never pick a trainer who's letting a client get away with bad form.

    3. Be educated. Your trainer may not always be correct, and you will not do every single workout with your trainer. Do research about exercises you're asked to do to understand why your trainer thinks they're appropriate for your goals. Independently understand what proper form is so you can safely work out on your own, and so you can make sure your trainer's not asking you to do something dumb or dangerous.

    4. Try to find someone you're comfortable having an open and honest dialogue with. If you don't understand why you're doing something, talk about it. If you don't like something you're doing, try to find a substitute. If you think you should be doing more than you are, discuss it. It can be hard to disagree with the "expert," but sometimes your concerns need to be voiced. And remember, you're paying this person to help you see certain results. If that's not happening, you need to be able to talk about why.

    5. If it's just not working, don't be afraid to say so and find someone else. It's a waste of your money and everyone's time if you're not getting anything out of your sessions.
  • dicoveringwhoIam
    dicoveringwhoIam Posts: 480 Member
    $20 per half hour for my trainer. He is a world class athlete. He won the "Mighty Mitts" last year and placed 2nd this year. Depends on the quality of the trainer. I would pay more to work.with him if I had to.
  • dicoveringwhoIam
    dicoveringwhoIam Posts: 480 Member
    Doh!!!!!!:laugh:
  • Jules53180
    Jules53180 Posts: 1
    First, just to clarify, LA FITNESS DOES have certified trainers, mine also has a degree in kinesiology. I think it's a great price considering I lost 40lbs in a year and built muscle. You can interview as many trainers as you want without question, in fact they recommend it. I don't need to workout for an hour because I know how to stretch and do cardio. I'm more interested in being challenged and learning different exercises. For what they pay in education and certification, it's a no brainer, one time investment in yourself.
    Look at it this way, surgery doctor visits and medications sound more expensive! Right? Kudos to you for getting one, just don't be afraid to ask QUESTIONS. the gym is easy to use, once you have the knowledge. If you go to school, or have a career would you nor expect to get paid your worth? I feel great and look great! As long as you stay committed you'll be fine. Price is on point in my opinion. Hope this helps!
  • monie5903
    monie5903 Posts: 48 Member
    So I go to gold's gym and I pay $30 for a 30 min session. I see my trainer twice a week. However, to me, it's been worth it. She is super understanding and pushes me past what I think I'm able to do. I can text her whenever. She helps me construct my workout schedule for the week and we tweak it based off anything I'm adding. If you have the drive, and determination, it is worth it, esp if the trainer is knowlegable and you click. I've lost 93 pounds in the past year working out with her. We not only focus on my workouts, but my eating as well. She is sure that I work my entire body thoughout the week.
  • MPD6944
    MPD6944 Posts: 75 Member
    I pay $140 every 4 half-hour sessions, so $280 a month because I go twice a week, been doing this for six months now and love my trainer but now that I have learned what to do/what not to do I plan on going down to 1x a week so that price will be cut in half, it is very addicting and keeps me accountable.
  • funfang
    funfang Posts: 200 Member
    It really depends on where you are, which gym and how good is the trainer. I am in NY, at Planet Fitness, the boy ( they are usually pretty young) charge $20 an hour and they train you with the machine. At NYC, a decent gym like Crunch charges from $75/hour to $120/hour. They are usually more experienced. I heard from a friend who went to equinox and their trainer charge more....

    I have tried personal trainers and I have to say if you can get a good one, it's really effective. However, most work outs they make you do, you can do on your own. If you can afford it, why not.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    where i live $100 an hour is about average
  • Shalaurise
    Shalaurise Posts: 707 Member
    Holy heck.... Never ever ever getting one of those... again. Paying someone that much to tell you your fat and your always going to be? Pass.

    I had one as part of my signing up for the gym deal many many years back... Session one - work me out so hard that I couldn't breath for over a half an hour after I left the gym. Session two never happened. Crazy ***** had NO idea what I could and couldn't do without being nearly hospitalized. Never again.
  • momiji166
    momiji166 Posts: 32
    Only you know if you need a trainer or not, I pay £150 for 10 45 min sessions and have been doing so for 5 months, I have had a respectable amount of weight and inch loss and feel like a completely different person and I intend to use her for the whole of my weight loss journey. a 30 min workout is short but if you complete your own warm up and cool down you can still smash it in a 30 min workout. I am at the point now where I will do cardio for around 30 minsor a class before my session. The fact that you have to commit for me is the issue, no one knows what they are going to be doing in 12 months.

    Good look on your journey.
  • 1948sixty
    1948sixty Posts: 24 Member
    In February I signed up for a personal trainer also at LA Fitness...I'm paying $40 for each 30 minute session. I'm seeing him once a week for one year. It was the best decision I ever made for myself. #1 he changes up the exercises all the time which is perfect for me since I tend to get in a rut and do the same thing over and over. #2 he pushes me further than I ever would myself...he has made me realize I am stronger than I think and that I can keep pushing for "more". #3 seeing him weekly is a great motivator, provides some accountability. Take full advantage of this opportunity!
  • gymm44035
    gymm44035 Posts: 1 Member
    I go to fitness 19 and pay 23.00 for each 30 minute session. I've been with him for 7 months, have lost 20 pounds of body fat that I didn't know I had and am starting to build muscle now. His sessions ae challenging and always changing. Definitely well worth it.

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