is that for an hour? It seems to be about the standard going rate. I used to have a personal trainer for 45-60 minutes that was only 30 per session (and no up front commitment) but I was also working out of her garage which meant no gym access outside of personal training.

Actually, since they are making you pay SO much in advance I think its a little high, I'd see if you can talk them down (They might be negotiable). And also find out if you can change personal trainers if you don't like the one that is assigned to you - and if you can cancel and get some of your money back if you can't change. In fact, see if they will let you have a couple single pay sessions up front to see if you like the trainer you'd be working with -- tell them you don't mind the 3 months and you are very interested but you want to make sure you mesh first. If they are serious about being good trainers they will be more than happy to do it. If they refuse, they are just trying to take your money.

(and seriously its a LOT of commitment to make in advance to a small gym that could just pack up and leave at any time and take your money with them. did they not offer any other pricing?)

I really liked my trainer. He taught me a lot of stuff, and was really motivating during workouts. I was able to take that with me when our time was up. So for me it was worth it. *Could* I have done it by myself? Technically yes, but I was satisfied with the service I received for the money I paid. That's all that really matters for me.

I really liked mine too - I think I stuck with her for about 3-6 months. I'd say the best things I got out of it were:

1) getting used to the idea of a workout schedule - now I don't just go "when I can squeeze it in", I go on a super regular 3x a week schedule to the gym and I'm committed to that schedule, I only skip a day for special occasions. Although, in between leaving her and starting my current program I slacked off pretty hard for about a month ...but still, once I got back on track I was totally used to the fact that I had to give up 3 of my evenings to the gym lords.

2) teaching me proper form on some things that I use now - especially squatting and power cleans. I've seen like 4 people in my weight room total who know how to squat, the others are doing either half squats or really dangerous bad form squats (or never set foot near the squat rack). Sure you can THEORETICALLY learn to do this from videos and what not (and I have learned lots of other things since I had my trainer just by reading) but there is a big difference between watching a video then trying to imitate it and having someone put their hands against your knees and say "your knees are going too far forward, they should stop here" or "you lean forward a little too much when you get to the bottom of your squat, hold your back straight". You don't need someone to do this for you FOREVER but its pretty useful in the beginning. (And now I have a workout partner do it for me).

Corollary to 2) -- I feel like I know what I'm doing so I walk into the weight room with confidence. Although again a lot of this is from my own reading.

3) She'd watch me do a lift and say "I think that's getting too light for you, lets move up" right about when I'd be thinking "ahh this is awesome, I am so strong and powerful!" -- Plus we could do some negative motions that you can't do alone.

At this point I don't think I'd go BACK to personal training - I have my own program I'm following and I'm good at judging when I should and shouldn't' add weight, I'm pretty good at being honest about my form (and now I have my workout buddy to keep me honest), and I'm ok at pushing myself. (usually by tricking myself into it but whatever works).

It was valuable and useful. Totally necessary? No. Long term plan? No. But really good for confidence and learning various movements (I mean, most of the guys in my weight room don't even do bicep curls right but they THINK they do).

Also be honest with them about how much work you will do without them and what kind - mine used to include more of a cardio component in her workouts (like some agility work and stuff) but when i told her I was doing C25K on my own and cared more about strength training she shifted her plan for me. You should feel like you are getting a tailored plan for you, not the same plan they'd give anyone.

That is reasonable. I'd try before I buy, though. Three or five sessions to get a good feel before you invest.

Alternately, you could try on your own and get a trainer when our if you plateau. That worked for me when I had a gym membership (thinking of starting again to do weight training once I'm at goal).

Lol...true. We're moving in two months and have a baby on the way, so I know I can't make use of a membership...but I have some barbells calling from the basement!