The demand for personal trainers is on the rise! It’s the time of the year when everyone is ready to put their fitness goals into action. Many people think personal trainers are the best way to kick-start their fitness journey and reach their health goals. But personal trainers do come at a cost, so it’s common to wonder if it’s going to be worth it.
There are several reasons people choose to employ the help of a PT. You might be new to the gym, be competing in a fitness competition, have general weight loss goals, or you’ve simply committed to a new fitness journey. Whatever your reason, hiring a personal trainer can be extremely helpful and motivating.
A personal trainer can provide workout routines, help improve technique, give nutritional guidance, and keep you motivated to get the most out of your workouts. If you’re planning to hire a PT, you’ll want to find the right trainer for your goals.
So, is hiring a personal trainer worth it? To decide, you will have to weigh up your personal fitness goals and your own financial situation. Some people prefer the energy of group fitness training over one-on-one personal training, while others really thrive on individual support. It’s also possible to hire a personal trainer short-term or long-term depending on your needs.
To further help you, this article will give you an in-depth overview of what it means to hire a personal trainer.
What Does A Personal Trainer Do?
A personal trainer is a certified fitness coach who has the expertise for creating, managing and delivering exercise programs for people with fitness goals or specific health and fitness needs. A personal trainer has official accreditation that states they can do these activities safely and effectively.
Hiring a personal trainer may be a good option if you want to carry out a customised program or have any special health or fitness needs.
But a personal trainer is not limited to creating personalised exercises and fitness programs and guiding clients to complete the program correctly. They are also dedicated to motivating their clients to reach their health and fitness goals. PT’s help clients set goals and provide meaningful feedback while monitoring and tracking clients’ performance and adjusting programs when needed.
PTs may perform several assessments before actual guidance to ensure that the exercises and health and fitness regimens are safe and effective for clients. These may include health screenings or posture-and-movement reviews. They may also do balance, flexibility, strength, and core function tests.
These assessments are usually done before and after each successfully completed exercise program. This is done to measure each clients’ progress towards attaining their health and fitness goals. An individual fitness program may then include a range of exercises, from circuit training or HIIT to regular cardio, strength training or other workout types.
A personal trainer may also support other aspects of their clients’ wellness by creating lifestyle-change routines, daily schedules, and nutrition guidelines. These support systems help clients reach their full potential.
Is Getting A Personal Trainer Worth It?
Whether or not a personal trainer is needed is a hotly contested debate in fitness circles. Some believe that a personal trainer is the best option; the most effective exercise is the one that is tailored for you. Others argue that a general fitness program is sufficient, and you’ll be wasting money hiring a PT.
So, are personal trainers worth it? The best answer we can give you is – it depends on your goals and your physical condition! But let us give you a guideline to help you make the right decision.
You may not need a personal trainer if you are:
- Generally healthy
- Not suffering from any pre-existing health, physical, or fitness condition
- Starting at the gym with a basic or general exercise program
- Just seeking to improve your overall health and fitness
In these cases, you may find picking up a regular workout routine – such as group fitness classes a few times a week – is a good place to start. Many gyms and fitness training styles, such as Crossfit gyms and martial arts training, provide a lot of guidance and support to members.
You may find this is enough to keep you challenged and motivated – another benefit of group fitness classes is having the supervision and advice from a trainer, without needing to pay for one-on-one PT sessions.
However, can be a good idea to hire a personal trainer if:
- You have a pre-existing physical, health, or medical condition
- You had a fairly recent injury
- Your physician recommends you execute a tailored program or exercise therapy
- You’re training as an athlete or to engage in a specific sport
- You need one-on-one motivation for your workouts
- You want to change your fitness program
- You’re not seeing the results you want after a long time
There are a range of benefits to working with a personal trainer or fitness coach. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of hiring a PT:
Advantages of a Personal Trainer
If you can afford it, having a personal trainer can benefit you. Here are just some of the benefits of hiring a PT:
- Expert health and fitness advice from a qualified, experienced, and certified professional
- A safe and effective program customised for you, according to your health and fitness goals
- Confidence your training program suits your physical condition and any health issues
- Support systems like dietary plans and daily schedules can be included
- Motivates you to push harder and achieve your goals
- Supervision to ensure you’re working out safely and correctly
- Accountability for sticking to your workout routine
- Ability to modify or progress your routine
- Assistance to track and measure progress
- Recommendations on a range of group classes, sports, and activities
- A workout partner if you don’t like working alone
Disadvantages of a Personal Trainer
Not all aspects of hiring a PT are positive. Here are some of the disadvantages of working with a personal trainer:
- Some trainers label themselves as “personal” trainers, although they haven’t reached the skill level or gained certification to be one.
- Some gyms employ personal trainers and claim that they have certified them. However, these so-called certifications may not meet industry standards.
- Even if the trainer is qualified, they may have inadequate health, fitness, and exercise experience. That means there are no real guarantees about a trainer’s true level of knowledge.
- Like any other person, you may not get along well with your PT, and finding the right one for you can be challenging.
- While a personal trainer motivates you and keeps you accountable, you may not like being forced to do things, or you may prefer to manage goals on your own.
- You may find that a PT pushes you harder than you’d prefer, or pressures you to overextend yourself.
- You may have difficulties aligning your schedule, especially if your work hours change frequently.
- Hiring a personal trainer does come at a cost, so it may not suit everyone’s budget.
Are Personal Trainers Expensive?
In Australia, a personal trainer can cost you anywhere from $40 to $70 per hour. Top-quality or specialist trainers can range from $100 to $200 per hour.
Hiring a certified personal trainer will cost you more than a regular gym membership. Many people will hire a personal trainer for their first few sessions and continue the program on their own long-term, which can be more cost-effective. But if you want a PT who is always there to motivate you, make sure you’re doing your program safely and correctly, and be your gym partner, you’ll need to pay accordingly.
It is fair to say that personal trainers vary in cost. Some personal trainers may charge more for their specialty skills; for example, they may be focused on dealing with the elderly or those suffering from chronic illnesses.
Do Online Personal Trainers Work?
Online personal trainers are a fairly recent phenomenon, but may seem like a more convenient option. While they offer valuable input to self-disciplined and experienced gym-goers who need advice on programs, they may not be ideal for newbies.
In an online personal training session, you’ll have online consultations with the trainer of your choosing. This can include general discussion and advice on your exercise routine, putting together a customised program, goal-setting and accountability check-ins. Usually, progress tracking is a 2-way street, as your PT won’t be around to make a fitness assessment and ensure you’re really following your program.
Online personal trainers may be helpful for you if:
- You’re not a beginner
- You have self-discipline
- You’re willing to research the “technical” aspects of health and fitness, such as proper technique
Advantages of an Online Personal Trainer
With all things balanced, hiring an online personal trainer does have some benefits:
- Having an online coach is less expensive than an in-person fitness coach. For example, the trainer doesn’t have to spend money to travel to your location, meaning it’s typically cheaper per hour.
- You enjoy a more flexible schedule since all sessions are done online.
- You can consult with your trainer any time through chat, live or recorded video conference, or email.
- As shown by the surge of online activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, an online trainer allows you to exercise in any circumstances, even during lockdowns.
- Your online trainer can give valuable knowledge and input to improve your workouts.
- You can do your own guided workouts anytime, anywhere through recorded videos.
- Personality clashes are less of a problem since you’re not doing your exercises face-to-face.
Disadvantages of an Online Personal Trainer
There are also disadvantages to online personal training:
- Whatever your customised health and fitness routine is, it wouldn’t work if you didn’t have self-discipline. Unfortunately, we’re prone to procrastination without physical guidance or a sense of accountability.
- The online experience is very different from having actual face-to-face training despite the ease of communication.
- The trainer will find it hard to correct you if you’re doing your exercises improperly. There’s no face-to-face supervision on a regular basis.
- You won’t use specialised fitness equipment unless you own the needed equipment, or work out in the gym solo.
- Online scams do exist in this field – social media influencers may be sharing ‘qualified’ trainers even though they’re not, and it’s easier for people to misrepresent themselves.
- Online training is discouraged if you have existing health, medical, or physical conditions. The same is true if you intend to train for athletic level fitness or competition.
Face-to-face specialised training is always the best idea if you have health or personal reasons to need tailored advice. Online personal training may be cheaper, but it’s not necessarily safer.
What Should I Look For In a Personal Trainer?
When you decide to hire a personal trainer, you trust them to care for your body and its safety. This is a big deal! It is important to make sure your personal trainer has your health and safety in mind at all times. This is why it is essential to choose the right personal trainer. How do you do this?
- A qualified personal trainer should show you their credentials, accreditations, and certifications in their area of expertise. This should include a Certificate IV in Fitness (SIS40215) or a Diploma of Fitness (SIS50215). They should also register for professional membership with AUSactive, Physical Activity Australia, or FITREC.
- Talk to the PT about their training experience. Do they have enough experience to help you achieve your health and fitness goals? Have they worked with clients who share your goals and requirements?
- How does the trainer develop their programs? What are their beliefs on fitness? Will the workouts be done outside, at the gym or at home? Will you be using machines or your body weight? Determine her health and fitness philosophy to see if their programs make sense and fit your goals and preferences.
- The personality of your trainer should complement yours. This is important for a great professional relationship and constant motivation to do your best. Do you like positive reinforcement and being cheered on? Or do you prefer a military-like discipline from a strict and demanding trainer?
- What is your personal trainer’s specialty? This is important if you have a specific goal in mind. For instance, are you training to be a female bodybuilder? Then hire a trainer who specialises in weight training rather than, say, cardiovascular conditioning. If you’re interested in combat sports, you’ll want to choose a trainer who’s familiar with your choice of martial arts style.
- Many people get a better experience choosing a personal trainer of the same gender. Working out in an all-female environment often makes women more comfortable, meaning you’ll get more out of your workouts. Whether period pain is impacting your training, or if you’re pregnant or postpartum, having a trainer you can communicate with is safer and more effective.
- Consider your budget and the trainer’s fee – including whether you’ll need a long-term arrangement or just a few sessions to get you started.
How to Find A Personal Trainer Near You
There are several ways to find a trainer near your location. Here are just some of them.
- Ask local gyms if they provide personal training services. Often, their in-house gym instructors can be contracted as personal trainers. Note that some gyms require that their instructors inform them if they’re taking personal training contracts.
- Join local health and fitness Facebook groups. You will most likely find personal trainers advertising their services there.
- Fitness Australia is your best friend when it comes to online searches. The search engine lists down hundreds of AUSactive registered professionals with specialties.
- Visit websites of health and fitness organisations. Usually, they have databases of personal trainers serving your location.
- Check the Australian Yellow Pages. The directory has a list of personal trainers in your area.
- Scan online job sites. Many personal trainers are looking for work there.
- Ask for referrals. If you currently attend group fitness classes or know someone with an active lifestyle, ask them if they’re presently working with a personal trainer. If so, you can ask them for a referral.
- Visit health and fitness-related events and venues. Personal trainers often gather there to enjoy the events and snag potential clients.
Once you find the right trainer, discuss your preferred schedule, availability, workout style, and more with them. These discussions contribute to a better lifestyle journey and a happy long-term partnership!
Related Questions
Can You Get Fit Without a Personal Trainer?
You can definitely get fit and healthy without a personal trainer! You can get guidance on exercise routines with in-house gym instructors or by attending gym classes. However, hiring a personal trainer is advised if you’re training for competition or if you have an existing health or physical condition that needs accommodating.
Do Personal Trainers Do Diet Plans?
Some personal trainers include diet plans in their programs. It depends on whether they have specific training for nutrition and diet preparation. Even if they do offer nutritional guidance, it also depends on whether nutrition planning is part of your contract with them or not.
Conclusion
Do I really need a personal trainer? One-on-one PT sessions definitely have their benefits, but if it’s not convenient for you, or your budget doesn’t cover it, there are still plenty of ways to get fit.
Consider checking out a range of group fitness classes near you, or find out what support is available at your local gym. The most important thing is not to put off working out until you have the perfect solution – the biggest step is just getting started!
Disclaimer:
This article is published for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and does not take into consideration your individual circumstances, medical conditions or abilities. Always consult a medical professional before beginning any program of exercise. A fitness industry professional can provide personalised advice to suit your needs.
