Starting your fitness journey can feel overwhelming. You want to lose body fat, build lean muscle, or maybe just feel better in your body. Trust me, I've been there myself, and I get it.
… But where do you even start?
The truth is, most people have no idea what to do when they begin. That's exactly why people hire personal trainers.
They're the experts to help guide you step by step so you don't waste time spinning your wheels. If you don't know how to do something, you have to find someone who does.
It's no different than if your car broke down for an unknown reason. If you don't know what it is or how to fix it, you won't make it far. You're going to have to take your car to an expert to get the job done right.
The same is true with fitness. A personal trainer can teach you what you need to know and help you reach your fitness goals.
Let's break down what a personal trainer does and how they can help you reach your goals faster. I'll also cover the benefits and cost of a personal trainer, and whether or not it's worth it.
In This Article:
• What Is a Personal Trainer?
• Benefits of Hiring a Personal Trainer
• How Much Does a Personal Trainer Cost?
• What Affects the Cost of a Personal Trainer?
• What About Online Personal Trainers?
• What If Hiring a Personal Trainer Is Too Expensive?
• Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Trainer Cost and Benefits
• Final Thoughts
What Is a Personal Trainer?
A personal trainer is a certified fitness professional. They help people improve their health through custom workout plans, coaching, and accountability.
Their main job is to design workouts for your specific goals. Whether that's losing weight, gaining strength, or just feeling and moving better.
They also teach you how to perform exercises safely to avoid injury and get the most out of your time in the gym. If you don't know how to do something, they teach you and watch you to ensure you're doing it safely.
They also push you to be better and to do more than you often can on your own. A good personal trainer will hold you accountable and make sure you don't cut yourself short.
They can also help you see better overall results, especially when fat loss is a goal (1).
Some trainers work in person at gyms or studios, while others work with people online. Either way, they are there to help you succeed.
Benefits of Hiring a Personal Trainer
If you're wondering whether the benefits and cost of a personal trainer make it worthwhile, here are some of the biggest benefits:
1. Personalized Workouts for Your Goals
Instead of following a cookie-cutter workout plan, a good personal trainer will create a custom plan based on what you want to achieve. Whether you're a beginner or more advanced, your workouts will be tailored to you.
2. Proper Exercise Technique
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is using poor form. That can lead to injuries if you aren't careful. A trainer teaches you how to lift weights safely and effectively so you don't injure yourself.
3. Accountability
Let's face it, motivation fades over time. This is true even for fitness professionals like me at times. A personal trainer helps keep you on track by showing up, checking in, and making sure you're doing the work.
4. Faster Progress
With expert guidance, you can avoid wasting time and get better results in less time. A trainer helps you train smarter, not just harder. They will likely get you to train harder, too.
5. Motivation and Support
Sometimes, you just need someone in your corner. A personal trainer can push you when you're ready to give up, and celebrate with you when you hit your goals. Having a personal trainer to help in this regard can also change your attitude towards exercise and keep you on track better (2).
These benefits are key factors when weighing the benefits and cost of a personal trainer for your fitness journey!
How Much Does a Personal Trainer Cost?
Understanding personal trainer cost is crucial before making your decision. The cost of a personal trainer can vary depending on several factors like location, session length, experience, and whether you train in a group or one-on-one.
Here's a quick breakdown of personal trainer cost:
| Type of Training | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| One-on-One Session (1 hour) | $60–$125 per session |
| Group Training Session | $20–$40 per class |
| Monthly Cost One-on-One Training (2x/week) | ~$480–$1000/month |
| Online Personal Trainer | $100–$300/month |
| Fitness Apps (like 1st Phorm App) | $12.99/month |
So, are personal trainers expensive? It depends on your goals, budget, and how much hands-on support you want when considering the benefits and cost of a personal trainer.
What Affects the Cost of a Personal Trainer?
Several things can raise or lower the personal trainer cost:
• How long each session is (30 mins vs. 60 mins)
• One-on-one vs. group sessions
• Training location (at a gym vs. in-home)
• Certifications and experience
• Whether you buy single sessions or a package
Some gyms also offer deals when you buy multiple sessions at once. For that reason, it's worth asking about ways to reduce personal trainer cost.
What About Online Personal Trainers?
Online personal training has exploded in popularity for good reason. You can get expert coaching and accountability, and it's generally less expensive when comparing the benefits and cost of a personal trainer.
This, of course, depends on your coach. Some can still be very expensive, but you just have to look around for the right one at a price you can afford.
Benefits of an online personal trainer:
• Work out on your own schedule
• Often more affordable personal trainer cost than in-person training
• Access from anywhere (home, gym, travel)
• Still receive custom plans and feedback
If you're busy or travel a lot, an online trainer can be a great choice when evaluating the benefits and cost of a personal trainer.
What If Hiring a Personal Trainer Is Too Expensive?
While I don't currently train clients like I used to, I did it for years. I understand personal trainer cost can be expensive, and it's not something everyone can afford.
I used to charge $75-100 per hour to train my clients. I mostly trained athletes and wealthy clients because those are the only people who could afford that price point.
Online personal trainers and nutrition coaches can be more affordable, but that's not always the case either. Everyone's budget is different, and what is affordable for some may be too much for someone else.
For those individuals, I recommend looking into lifestyle fitness apps. While there are several out there, ones with real personal trainers to coach you inside those apps are few and far between.
One that really separates itself from the pack is the 1st Phorm App. Yes, it has real personal trainers, dietitians, and nutrition coaches inside the app to help you.
Not to mention it's the cheapest option you'll likely find to get so many quality benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Trainers
Q: How Much Does a Personal Trainer Cost?
A: Personal trainer cost typically ranges from $60–$125/hour for in-person sessions and about $480‑1,000/month for twice‑weekly training. Online coaching often ranges from $100–300/month.
Q: Is Hiring a Personal Trainer Worth It?
A: When weighing the benefits and cost of a personal trainer .... if you struggle with accountability, motivation, or knowing what to do, a personal trainer can be a game changer. They can help you stay consistent and teach you how to exercise safely. Not to mention, they can help you speed up your progress faster than many do on their own.
Q: How Do I Find a Personal Trainer?
A: You can ask at your local gym, search online, or use fitness apps with built-in coaching. Look for trainers with great reviews and certifications from organizations like ISSA, NASM, NSCA, or ACSM. Always consider the benefits and cost of a personal trainer when making your choice.
Q: Can a Beginner Benefit from a Personal Trainer?
A: Absolutely! Beginners often benefit the most from a personal trainer investment. A trainer helps you build good habits from the start, and can teach you how to exercise correctly. That can save you time reaching your goals, and help you prevent unnecessary injuries.
Q: Are Fitness Apps As Good As Personal Trainers?
A: It depends on the app, but top-tier apps like the 1st Phorm App certainly can be as good in several ways. With actual personal trainers, dietitians, and nutrition coaches to advise you, you can get many of the same benefits for a fraction of the cost.
If you don't know how to exercise safely, it could benefit you to get an in-person personal trainer at first. After you grasp how to exercise safely, you can get everything you need from certain fitness apps.
Q: Are the Benefits of a Personal Trainer Worth the Cost?
A: The benefits and cost of a personal trainer can be worth it if you value expert guidance, accountability, safety, and faster results. Many people find that the investment pays off. Consider your budget, goals, and current fitness knowledge when evaluating the benefits and cost of a personal trainer.
Q: How Can I Reduce Personal Trainer Costs While Keeping the Benefits?
A: To lower personal trainer cost while maintaining benefits, consider: group training sessions, online coaching, fitness apps with trainer support, buying session packages for discounts, or alternating between trainer sessions and solo workouts. The key is finding the right balance of benefits and cost of a personal trainer for your situation.
Final Thoughts
When you're just getting into fitness for the first time, a personal trainer can make a world of difference. They can show you the ropes and teach you how to do exercises safely.
No matter what your fitness goal is, it's important that you exercise. If you want to avoid injuries, learning how to exercise safely is very important.
If you already know the basics of how to work out correctly, you can still benefit from a personal trainer. Even fitness professionals like bodybuilders have their own personal trainers.
But if you're not ready to commit to the full personal trainer cost, the 1st Phorm App gives you many of the same benefits without the high price tag.
The 1st Phorm App simplifies the process of earning results so you can focus on what matters most: putting in the work to reach your goals! Inside the app, you'll get access to every tool and resource you need to be successful...
• Nutrition tracking - Log your food & water to stay on track. The 1st Phorm App is connected to a massive food database to make it easy.
• A full library of workout programs catered to help you reach your goals. Choose between at-home programs, weightlifting, cross-training, and so much more!
• Daily activity and step tracking to set goals and encourage a healthier lifestyle.
• Educational live streams 5x a week that cover a wide variety of topics from nutrition to training and supplementation. Equip yourself with the knowledge to earn and maintain your results long-term!
• Progress & body metric tools to help you measure your progress over time.
...and so much more!
With the premium version of the 1st Phorm App, you'll even get your own advisor! This is a Certified Personal Trainer & Nutrition Coach you can message 24/7. They'll help you make adjustments, answer your questions, and even hold you accountable when you need it most!
Hundreds of thousands of people have already transformed their lives with the 1st Phorm App. You can too! No matter where you're starting from or how crazy your schedule and lifestyle are ... the 1st Phorm App can help you achieve the results you've always wanted.
Download the 1st Phorm App today, and see what the hype is about. I promise if you meet us halfway, we'll do everything we can to help you earn amazing results!
If you have any questions about the benefits and cost of a personal trainer in the meantime, don't hesitate to reach out. We have a full team of NASM Certified Personal Trainers and Nutrition Coaches right here in St. Louis, Missouri.
Just give us a call at 1-800-409-9732 or send us an email at CustomerService@1stPhorm.com. We're available Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 8 PM Central and Saturday & Sunday from 9 AM to 7 PM Central.
We'll be more than happy to help in any way we can!
References:
(1) Lu Y, et al. Comparing the impact of personal trainer guidance to exercising with others: Determining the optimal approach. Heliyon. 2024;10(2):e24625.
(2) McClaran SR. The effectiveness of personal training on changing attitudes towards physical activity. J Sports Sci Med. 2003;2(1):10-14.
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