Are Personal Trainers Worth It? Personal Training Pros & Cons

Whether you're just starting your fitness journey or a workout veteran looking for a fresh approach, you might wonder — are personal trainers worth it? While hiring a personal trainer may come at a high expense, they can be the right fit for individuals seeking expert advice, ongoing motivation, and an added element of accountability.

However, finding time to fit in a personal trainer can be challenging, with over 25% of individuals saying their work schedule affects their workout time. We'll break down what a personal trainer does, the benefits and challenges of personal training, and alternatives for those seeking more cost-effective or time-flexible options.

What Does a Personal Trainer Do?

Understanding what a personal trainer does is the first step to determining if hiring one is right for you. Generally speaking, a personal trainer guides individuals looking to advance their health and fitness goals; however, different personal trainers may offer varied services, such as 1-on-1 training or group fitness, as a cost-saving option.

While all personal trainers focus on your overall health and fitness, some may include additional specialties such as nutrition or particular activities. Services that a personal trainer may offer include:

• Exercise form correction to help prevent workout injuries.
• Fitness assessments to gauge your current fitness level.
• Group fitness instruction if you don't want to go solo.
• Nutritional guidance, such as custom diet planning.
• Ongoing motivation and check-ins for accountability.
• Personalized plans to build a workout routine for you.
• Prenatal and postnatal fitness when beneficial.
• Specialized workouts for individuals with disabilities.
• Weight management solutions for those looking to lose weight.

Knowing what you want to achieve before looking for a personal trainer is helpful. Think about how a trainer could help you reach your fitness goals. Once you have a clear idea, you can start searching! Check places like Yelp or Google Maps to find local personal trainers in your area.

The Benefits of Personal Training

For some, personal training can have immense benefits. Investing in a personal trainer is a solid first step toward reaching your ideal health and fitness goals and adds an added layer of accountability. Additional benefits of personal trainers include:

• Personalized workout plans that focus on your particular goals.
• Expert guidance that points out correct forms and techniques.
• Added variety with new workouts and exercises from your trainer.
• Nutritional guidance to complement workouts and goals.
• Efficient workouts that help you achieve ideal results.
• Building confidence through a connection with your trainer.

If any of these benefits sound like they may benefit your journey to better health and fitness, a personal trainer could be an option. But, before you lock into a trainer, take the time to consider some of the disadvantages that could make personal training more challenging than beneficial for some.

The Disadvantages of Personal Training

Hiring a personal trainer can also have disadvantages for some people; it can be an expensive endeavor that quickly drains your wallet. Some personal trainers charge upfront starting costs and ongoing fees for each session. If you are considering hiring a personal trainer, you should be aware of these additional drawbacks:

• Continuous travel if your trainer does not come to your location.
• Dependence on a trainer that could inhibit independence.
• Lack of experts in your area for your desired focus or exercise.
• Poor personal connections with trainers could inhibit motivation.
• Rigid time constraints that can be difficult with a flexible schedule.

Personal trainers can be worth it, but they come with disadvantages that you need to weigh to determine if the choice is right for your approach. Otherwise, you may consider other options that fit your schedule, wallet, and needs better.

Factors to Consider When Hiring a Personal Trainer

If you've decided that hiring a personal trainer is the right choice for advancing your health and fitness, there are a few different factors you should consider. Properly addressing these factors ensures that you get the most value from personal training and find a trainer that best matches your goals:

• Qualifications: Seek out a trainer certified by NASM, ACE, or ACSM (accredited personal training programs) and with experience tackling your ideal goals.
• Personality: Feeling comfortable with your trainer is critical to success. Locate a trainer who communicates well and motivates you to do your best.
• Availability: Personal training takes place in real-time, so you must find a trainer who fits your scheduling and location needs.
• Cost: Personal training costs can vary greatly, so it's essential to establish the pricing of your engagement upfront before beginning.

Considering these factors will help you find a personal trainer that best matches your goals and gets you on the right track. If the costs and rigid scheduling of a trainer don't work well for you, consider a more flexible, at-home workout option.

When You Need a More Flexible Solution, Consider Flex Fitness

Are personal trainers worth it? Maybe for some, but when your fitness needs to be more flexible, turn to Flex Fitness. Available on iPhone and Apple Watch, it's a free, fun, and effective solution for building muscle or losing weight. Try it today, and get started connecting with others looking to improve their health.

FAQ

At Flex Fitness, we focus on creating a physically healthier world and have a team of experts to back our mission. Here are frequently asked questions we receive from people considering if a personal trainer is worth it:

Should you get a personal trainer?

A personal trainer can be a good pairing for some but a poor option for others. If you are asking whether personal trainers are worth it, consider weighing the pros and cons of personal training. Here are a few thoughts to get you started:

Do you really need a personal trainer?

No, not everyone needs a personal trainer. While a personal trainer can benefit some, other options provide lower-cost, more time-flexible workout solutions. For example, Flex Fitness allows you to exercise from anywhere, at any time that fits your schedule, for free — all backed by expert fitness advice and detailed workouts.

Is paying for a personal trainer worth it?

Paying for a personal trainer can be worthwhile for some individuals, but it can also be expensive. If you want to build muscle or lose weight fast, consider an option such as Flex Fitness for iPhone and Apple Watch. Join for free and turn your gym sessions into a personal game!

Can I build muscle without a personal trainer?

Yes, you can build muscle with a personal trainer. Using a free iPhone app such as Flex Fitness can motivate you to workout via game-like features that highlight your progression. Burn some iron with Flex Fitness, and keep your wallet cool.

Can a personal trainer get me in shape?

Yes, a personal trainer is a great way to get back in shape; they can help develop custom exercise routines and nutritional plans to help you meet your health and fitness goals. If you don't want to wait on your journey to a better life, consider an app like Flex Fitness, where you can start achieving your fitness goals at home for free.