Is this a good price - personal trainer?

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.

Doh!!!!!!:laugh:

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.

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.

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.

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!