I Need Cheap Personal Training | Exercise.com Learn: Your Fitness Business Resource

I Need Cheap Personal Training

Tyler Spraul is the director of UX and the head trainer for Exercise.com. He has his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine and is an NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist. He is a former All-American soccer player and still coaches soccer today. In his free time, he enjoys reading, learning, and living the dad life. He has been featured in Shape, Healthline, HuffPost, Women's...

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UPDATED: Aug 25, 2020

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  • You can find personal trainers that fit nearly every budget.
  • You should always look into a trainer’s qualifications before agreeing to work with them.
  • Price and quality don’t always go hand-in-hand, so it’s important to question a trainer thoroughly before you hire them, to avoid overpaying or being cheated out of money.

Many people dream of getting into shape but don’t think they can afford a personal trainer. Being unable to pay a personal trainer isn’t a good enough reason to not work out. However, since many people are unsure how to go about meeting their fitness goals, it’s understandable that wanting to find an affordable, knowledgeable trainer is holding them back.

If you’re looking for a cheap personal trainer, you can most likely find one that charges less than $100 an hour.

Sometimes, you can find trainers who charge as little as $25, which might still sound like a lot of money if you’re thinking long-term, but the key to striking a balance between price and results is to learn how to make every session count.

For access to certified personal trainers, workout plans tailored to your goals, and more, go PRO today.

Why Do I Need a Personal Trainer?

There are plenty of reasons why you might want to work with a trainer. Whether you’re a new mom trying to drop the last pregnancy pounds or a college kid who wants to get buff, a trainer can offer a personalized fitness plan that will help you achieve your goals.

It’s important to note, however, that a personal trainer isn’t a solution or a requirement. You can get in shape without one if you can’t afford it. But a trainer can also offer additional benefits such as building your confidence and keeping you accountable.

To find the right personal trainer, though, you have to assess your current situation and define your fitness objectives. Doing so will help you determine what type of personal trainer you need and how long you’ll need to work with them.

How Much Does a Personal Trainer Cost?

Whether you find a trainer online or work with one at your local gym, most trainers charge by the hour. You’re going to find more affordable rates from independent trainers or regular gyms. The more high-end your gym is, the more you’re going to pay for a trainer. Compare Life Time Fitness and Equinox. A Life Time Fitness personal training session can range between $60 to $100 an hour, whereas Equinox’s hourly sessions can be as high as $160.

How Can I Save Money With a Personal Trainer?

You’re not going to find any discounts with a personal trainer you hire off the internet, but you may find that some gyms include personal training sessions in their membership fees. This option will vary among gyms, so you’ll have to talk to the staff at your fitness club to determine how much a trainer would cost.

You may save money by using an online or in-home trainer. These trainers may have flexible rates depending on what your fitness objectives are and how long you intend to work with them.

Gym vs. At-Home Personal Trainer

There are a few differences between working with a gym-employed personal trainer and an independent trainer. The former is an employee of a fitness club, so in most cases, you’ll be paying them an additional fee on top of what they’re already paid by the gym. Of course, there are added benefits to working with a gym’s fitness trainer, such as security and guarantee.

Gym personal trainers have to go through background checks and a careful screening process before they’re hired, so you won’t have to do any investigating yourself.

When you work with a trainer you find online, more legwork is involved. You have to be direct and unafraid to ask questions, such as where they got their certification, how long have they been working, whether or not they have any references, and what their areas of expertise are.

For those who are new to the world of fitness, signing up for a gym membership and working with a trainer from the start is a great way to discover their exercise style. Some people like fast, intense workout sessions like CrossFit, while others are more relaxed and prefer to do 30 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio and follow a diet plan at home.

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Getting Your Money’s Worth Out of a Session

To truly reap the rewards of paying for a personal trainer, you need to do some research beforehand. If you want to lose weight, determine how much exactly you need to lose and how a personal trainer could help. Luckily, the internet is abundant with plenty of diet and weight-loss websites to get you on the right track.

Important note: if you’re clinically obese, then a personal trainer can offer you some suggestions on how to begin implementing exercise into your daily routine.

However, no personal trainer should treat medical conditions like obesity. Unless they are a licensed nutritionist or dietician, personal trainers can only offer advice and should not be preferred over a medical professional.

To benefit the most from a personal training session, you should be focused on learning as much as possible in your hour together. Instead of just going through the motions, pay attention to every exercise your trainer recommends.

Ask them which ones are best for certain muscle groups and, if you don’t like a particular exercise, ask if there are any effective alternatives. Take notes and write down how many reps your trainer makes you do and perform the same routine solo the next time you hit the gym. While you may truly enjoy working with a trainer, if you are on a budget, you can work out just as hard on your own and meet up with them every other week to save money.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I find a personal trainer?

You can either search directly online, ask your local gym, or use our PRO membership to access online personal trainers.

Can personal trainers come to your house?

Yes! Some personal trainers do train clients in their own homes.

What if I don’t like my personal trainer?

That’s completely okay! Finding a personal trainer that you connect with is important. If you do not like your personal trainer, make sure that you cancel any upcoming appointments to avoid being charged and either ask your gym for a new trainer or ask friends or family if they have any recommendations.

Where can I find a cheap personal trainer?

After you set a budget, define your fitness goals, and weigh the pros and cons of a gym trainer vs. an independent one, it’s time to start your search. Head online and look up personal trainers in your area.

Avoid sites like Craigslist and stick to sites that feature reputable trainers, like Exercise.com. Our trainers are all professionals who live the same healthy life they seek to instill in their clients. Go PRO today for access to our trainers, workout plans, and more.

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