Is it worth it to spend money for a personal trainer

I made an appointment with personal trainer at the gym since I also want to reduce body fat and be more fit. However after our first session when they test a physical level and show you to do everything properly and also challenge you to work out harder .However, he told me hat to sign up a training session with them for a year is $10 000(ten thousand)which I think is allot but you pay it by weekly and you have to pay 10% of down payment.I told him I will think about it but I think its too expensive. Is it worth to invest money into this
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Replies

  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    I made an appointment with personal trainer at the gym since I also want to reduce body fat and be more fit. However after our first session when they test a physical level and show you to do everything properly and also challenge you to work out harder .However, he told me hat to sign up a training session with them for a year is $10 000(ten thousand)which I think is allot but you pay it by weekly and you have to pay 10% of down payment.I told him I will think about it but I think its too expensive. Is it worth to invest money into this

    Blimey that's a lot of money....

    There's plenty of free fitness programmes out there for different goals (C25K, Starting Strength, etc).

    Dietary control is what makes you lose weight and that can be achieved for free using this site/app.

    10 Large sounds like a ****tonne of money to me...
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    uh, no. After my trade-in, that's about what I paid for my vehicle. WTF
  • Jlew64
    Jlew64 Posts: 13 Member
    A personal trainer is a good investment and can make a big difference in your workout results. But asking you to make a $10,000 year long commitment seems unreasonable. Are you obligated to stay with it the entire year or can you cancel early if you want to? Even though it breaks down to only about $200/week, which isn't excessive (depending on how many sessions you get each week) asking you to commit to a year in advance is suspicious.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    That's like 3 sessions a week for a year. A dream for a PT.

    Here's my advice. Sign up for 3-5 sessions. Learn as much as you can and make sure that he writes your routine down. If in 3-5 sessions you feel like you're advancing or enjoy it, then you can option to sign up for more.

    A good PT's intent should be to get "rid" of their clients and not have them come back due to providing them with the right info and technique so that they can continue on their own.

    A.C.E. Certified Group Fitness and Personal Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    it's a bad deal.

    i'm not even talking about the $10k for a year. that's not unheard of here in LA (typical 3x per week training will run $600-900 here). but the part about committing to a year up front is a complete no go. what if you hate it? what if you move? what if you like it, but after a couple of months figure out that you and the trainer don't mesh, or that he/she is incompetent? i've seen people pay $5k upfront, love their trainer and the gym, and then the trainer leaves to go independent (or get a real job because training at a big box doesn't pay shet)

    if they wanted you to commit to a month, or two or three, that's not unfair. but a year is crazy time. find a different trainer with a more reasonable policy
  • RunDoozer
    RunDoozer Posts: 1,699 Member
    Hell no would I even consider this. Too many variables for far too much money. And to be honest sounds scammy.
  • xmichaelyx
    xmichaelyx Posts: 883 Member
    Unless they're on-call 24/7 and cooking your meals, that's ridiculous.

    Get a GOOD (like, with verifiable clients who have had great results) trainer for a month, learn proper movements, study up online, and do the rest yourself.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    Do personal trainers make that much? LOL
  • Tanie98
    Tanie98 Posts: 675 Member
    I made an appointment with personal trainer at the gym since I also want to reduce body fat and be more fit. However after our first session when they test a physical level and show you to do everything properly and also challenge you to work out harder .However, he told me hat to sign up a training session with them for a year is $10 000(ten thousand)which I think is allot but you pay it by weekly and you have to pay 10% of down payment.I told him I will think about it but I think its too expensive. Is it worth to invest money into this

    Blimey that's a lot of money....

    There's plenty of free fitness programmes out there for different goals (C25K, Starting Strength, etc).

    Dietary control is what makes you lose weight and that can be achieved for free using this site/app.

    10 Large sounds like a ****tonne of money to me...


    yea makes sense but I want to loose 20 pounds and I know I can achieve that with this site but I coudld still reach my goal and still have body fat which can be reduced with weight training.however,i am not going to spend that money for that
  • Tanie98
    Tanie98 Posts: 675 Member
    A personal trainer is a good investment and can make a big difference in your workout results. But asking you to make a $10,000 year long commitment seems unreasonable. Are you obligated to stay with it the entire year or can you cancel early if you want to? Even though it breaks down to only about $200/week, which isn't excessive (depending on how many sessions you get each week) asking you to commit to a year in advance is suspicious.

    yes you can cancel anytime
  • Tanie98
    Tanie98 Posts: 675 Member
    uh, no. After my trade-in, that's about what I paid for my vehicle. WTF

    lol:laugh:
  • cindyst1
    cindyst1 Posts: 21 Member
    Sounds like a fabulous deal... For the personal trainer, that is. =)
    Cindy
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Do personal trainers make that much? LOL

    he/she probably gets ~40-50% of that
  • kangaroux92
    kangaroux92 Posts: 188 Member
    don't do that, it is ridiculous. unless you can afford to pay that kind of money. if i was rolling around in dough i would.so if you are more power to you i guess.
  • lamps1303
    lamps1303 Posts: 432 Member
    I know a lot of people who are personal trainers, but I would still never hire one. I managed to transform my body by simply doing a ton of research. If you want to start lifting, most trainers in the gym will help you out on an ad hoc basis, i.e. you could ask them to check your form. I would never pay for a PT session personally but it all depends on your goals and if you're a complete beginner. If it will help with your knowledge and confidence, then perhaps pay for 1 or 2 sessions. But 10k is a ridiculous amount of money!
  • fattymcrunnerpants
    fattymcrunnerpants Posts: 311 Member
    Wow that's way too high. I used a PT for very specific goals of mine and it was worth it. I used her for the three months leading up to an event called Tough Mudder. It was $50/ hour and she kicked my butt for every part of it. But 10k? Uh, no.
  • EmilyJackCO
    EmilyJackCO Posts: 621 Member
    That has got to be a scam. I don't know who you're going through, but that's absolutely insane. I've spent about that much in 5 years with my training, but in a single year?? I get two sessions a week and I started in a really insanely bad and unsafe place, but still... I would check around to see what the market rate is in the area and negotiate a set number of sessions with them at that rate if that's what you really want to do. Most of these places are very negotiable.
  • dbanks80
    dbanks80 Posts: 3,685 Member
    That is an absurd amount of money!!!! See if they have a Boot Camp. I pay $176 per month for 3 sessions a week. It's in a group setting but with a PT. I've noticed great results and it's a tough workout! At my gym a PT costs $99 per hour!! I think that is crazy!!
  • donnat238
    donnat238 Posts: 309 Member
    For that kind of money? No way! I had a personal trainer when I began my weight loss. It was great way to introduce to different exercises and using weights and it kept me accountable, because I knew I would see him 2X a week, so I was motivated to continue exercising the days that I didn't see him. My trainer was $60 for two 30 minute sessions a week. Good luck! :)
  • Stripeness
    Stripeness Posts: 511 Member
    Red flag RIGHT THERE - if you're only looking to lose 20 lbs, unless you have *specific* bodybuilding/powerlifting/other goals, you sure won't need a year to get there. And a good, trustworthy trainer knows that.

    You might very well want to continue working with a trainer. Lots of people's goals evolve a bit as they make progress. Which is great. But it's totally shady for the trainer to make that assumption up front. It suggests that they aren't listening to you and what YOU are trying to accomplish.

    To Niner's point, they shouldn't be trying to suck you into an endless series of transactions. That said, some people (I was one) use a personal trainer as an ongoing long-term thing. Why? Because I do *great* on the lifting itself. Don't need pushing. Having a PT lets me unplug my brain though, and not think about workarounds for busy stations, and the appointments ensure that if I do nothing else in a given week, I get in those sessions. That's a very different role than having someone coach you for specific weight/size goals.

    Bottom line, a PT needs to work for YOU and YOUR goals, whatever they are. This one's already blown it - clearly either not listening or doesn't care. Find one who does. HTH
  • ninav1980
    ninav1980 Posts: 514 Member
    $10k??? Are you an NFL player?? Thats sounds outrageous. I suppose it depends on how often you will be training. I pay $50/session, its a discounted rate since I buy 24 at a time but I think its completely worth it! I have been going twice a week since January. The important thing is to have a connection with your trainer. There are different types of trainers. The hard core boot camp type or the more supportive type who seem to suit me better. Thats what I would be worried about when paying alot of money up front.
  • rosebette
    rosebette Posts: 1,660 Member
    I can't believe that amount of money. I have used a trainer at the YMCA (they have several on staff), and with my membership it was around $150 for three sessions. When my daughter was a lifeguard there, I got 3 sessions for under $100. I also got two sessions at my workplace fitness center as part of weight loss program. If I wanted additional session, I think it was 3 for $175. Most reputable larger gyms have trainers that work for them and are quite reasonable because they are already subsidized by the gym. Also, places like the YMCA or my workplace gym (which is at a university, so they train athletes), make sure that the trainers are certified, etc.

    I tend not to work with trainers for extended periods. The first time I was overweight and recovering from an injury, so I needed to get back into shape safely. The second time was with the workplace gym trainer, and she was part of my overall program which was already paid for. Since the workplace program already did the evaluation (weight, overall fitness, body fat %, etc.), she basically met with me and asked me what my goals were and worked out an exercise program for those areas I wanted to train. Again, she helped me find exercises that fit my own capabilities and physical condition. So usually I do 3 sessions and then maybe if I want to tweak my program, go back in 6 months to a year.

    I like using the trainer so I can have a program that I can do on my own. I also like classes, but some of the instructors vary and can even push the class to do things that are unsafe to "keep up."
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    For that kind of money? No way! I had a personal trainer when I began my weight loss. It was great way to introduce to different exercises and using weights and it kept me accountable, because I knew I would see him 2X a week, so I was motivated to continue exercising the days that I didn't see him. My trainer was $60 for two 30 minute sessions a week. Good luck! :)
    you do realize that you're paying almost the same rate as the OP, right?
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    one thing i always enjoy about these threads is how most people don't seem to get that "expensive" is a relative term.
  • sheddingmyfatsuit
    sheddingmyfatsuit Posts: 28 Member
    There is no way in hell I would commit to a PT for a year.

    I have used PT's. I think good ones are totally worth it. But I have never been asked to make that long of a commitment. It's shady.
  • That is very high and a long commitment. I pay $300 a month for 2X a week. I got a 3 month package, the longer a period you buy the more you should save. I have had some trainers that I didn't click with and I would be so upset if I were locked into a deal that long and not enjoy it.
  • Tanie98
    Tanie98 Posts: 675 Member
    Lol yea it does add up overtime:ohwell:
  • Jim_Barteck
    Jim_Barteck Posts: 274 Member
    I made an appointment with personal trainer at the gym since I also want to reduce body fat and be more fit. However after our first session when they test a physical level and show you to do everything properly and also challenge you to work out harder .However, he told me hat to sign up a training session with them for a year is $10 000(ten thousand)which I think is allot but you pay it by weekly and you have to pay 10% of down payment.I told him I will think about it but I think its too expensive. Is it worth to invest money into this

    Speaking as a former trainer myself, I can tell you that hiring a personal trainer *can* be an excellent investment in yourself. However, the deal he put in front of you is only a good deal for *HIM* unless you really need somene holding your hand every time you decide to exercise.

    Nobody needs *THAT* much personal training. What you need is a few initial sessions (3-5 should be fine as someone else suggested) to get you started with the basics, and then 1-2 sessions per month to make sure that you're staying on track and make whatever adjustments/additions/subtractions may be necessary.
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    Honestly, it's would probably way cheaper to BECOME a personal trainer.

    Seriously.
  • ValGogo
    ValGogo Posts: 2,168 Member
    Yo! 10G's? That's crazy! I could buy that 2013 Honda CB 1100 with $9,500.00.

    images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR2BYNGdVSn1yUN1JZywCMNEVO0cMnSbUAipXl5WThI9S6ydULe

    Ain't that purty!