If you’re thinking about jumping into an exercise routine and hiring a personal trainer to help, you may be surprised at the going rate for just one session.
On average, a personal trainer will charge between $50-100 for a one hour workout, sometimes more if training people located in an affluent, upscale area.
On the surface it may seem like a lot, as this price would rival other consultation services provided by occupations such as accountants and dietitians. But a better understanding of how personal trainers operate will explain why they charge so much money.
Personal trainers defy the most basic rule of building wealth, because they are trading time for money. A trainer can only be in one place at one time, which limits their income. They could conceivably train 2-3 people at once and charge more, but the basic principle of trading time for money remains intact.
Anyone who has amassed a great deal of wealth will tell you that the key is automating your income, sometimes using the phrase “make money while you sleep.” A personal trainer cannot do that since they have to be present with a client to guide them through the workout and make sure they’re using proper form.
This is why successful trainers will look into additional streams of income to make more money.
But the basic task of training an individual cannot be automated; the trainer has to be there at all times. Even if they train someone virtually, they still have to be present and fully engaged.
The $50-100 price tag for a personal training session doesn’t always go directly into the trainer’s pocket. An independent personal trainer will have to pay a fee to rent space from a studio or gym. This is sometimes a flat fee (if they’re smart) or a percentage of each session.
A personal trainer who works for the gym has it even worse. They make a standard hourly wage, and only get paid for the time they are actually training. This is the case for most corporate gyms like Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, and Retro Fitness.
If you hire a personal trainer at one of these corporate gyms, ask them what they make per session and compare it to what you paid. You might be surprised at what a small percentage their wage is as it relates to what the gym charges. Most personal trainers with aspirations of making serious money will only work in a gym temporarily.
A trainer who travels to people’s homes is usually able to keep all the profits, however other variables have to be taken into consideration as it pertains to income.
Traveling from place to place puts a limit on the number of people they can train in one day. Working in a gym allows a personal trainer to train multiple people in a row, the clients come to them rather than the other way around. Traveling to homes requires more meticulous scheduling.
Some people may only be able to train in a specific time slot, which may not be feasible when negotiating car rides and traffic. In a way this limits the pool of potential candidates for clients. Early mornings and right after work will be popular time slots, and traveling will put a cap on how many people you can fit into a schedule.
Each personal training job type has advantages and disadvantages, but each one has a specific aspect which puts a limitation on the total income they can make. There is no perfect situation.
Personal training is a harder job than it may appear. It’s hard to be engaged with each client, especially when training multiple people per day. There are only so many clients you can handle without feeling completely burned out.
Clients also come and go so there is always the pressure of keeping a full schedule to maintain cash flow. Trainers often regret charging too little when they first start, perhaps due to a touch of imposter syndrome. They quickly realize how hard it is to keep clientele and will charge more in the future.
As a result, it’s rare to see a lifelong personal trainer. The grind of training; early morning clients and late evening clients every day, takes a toll. The inconsistencies of income are stressful. Of course some people can turn it into a successful career, or else no one would try in the first place. But the percentages are low.
Is It Worth Spending Money on a Personal Trainer
The only thing that is harder than creating a new habit is correcting a bad one. Having a personal trainer from the beginning of your exercise journey can ensure you are using proper form and thus prevent injury. It’s so hard to correct bad form once it becomes habitual; getting it right from the start avoids this issue in the first place.
People who are dedicated to the gym may find it strange for someone to hire a personal trainer. But they have to understand that not everyone loves working out like they do. For some people it’s a chore. It can also be intimidating for someone who has never worked out and is stepping into a gym for the first time ever.
In a way it’s admirable for someone to do something they don’t want to in the name of good health, even if it requires guidance. A personal trainer provides accountability to the client. The same way someone would work harder at their desk with the boss creeping over their shoulder, a trainer can make sure clients don’t skip out on workouts.
A good personal trainer will make the client comfortable in an intimidating setting, and instill confidence in their client as well. So many beginners who don’t work out with a trainer get frustrated when they don’t see results, feeling as if all the time in the gym up to that point was a waste.
In the end it’s about improving one’s health, no matter what route they take.
If you decide to hire a personal trainer, make sure to do your research. The process of becoming a personal trainer is objectively easy, so there are many underqualified trainers out there. Since you will be with this person multiple times per week for, at the very least, a few months it’s important to get it right.
On the surface it can be hard to tell how good a specific personal trainer actually is. A good trainer not only knows the fundamentals of exercise science, but is also a good communicator and personable. The best way to find a good trainer would be a referral from a friend or family member who has used them.
Sometimes this isn’t possible, and you have to use your best judgment. Nowadays, with the internet and social media, it’s easy to do research. Most trainers will have accounts to promote their services, so you can get an idea of how they operate.
Word spreads easily. If you happen to link up with a bad trainer, odds are someone will pull you aside and tell you about it. But in reality, most trainers have good and noble intentions. They pursued the job because they enjoy helping people, and there are few things more gratifying than seeing a person transform their body and improve their health.
Hearing from clients about how they can now keep up with their young kids or brag about their weight loss makes the job worth it.
Often times a client will spend more time with their trainer than close friends or certain family members. Three weekly sessions of one-on-one time is a lot. Many clients and personal trainers form a special relationship and even become friends in the long run.