How Much Does a Personal Trainer Cost? Average Rates and Ways to Save

If you’re thinking of hiring a personal trainer, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re trying to tone up, lose weight, or reset your habits, a personal trainer can be transformative. 

Unfortunately, personal trainers are often prohibitively expensive. 

Just to get an idea, we looked up the average cost of personal training (both online and in-person) at all the major gyms in all 50 states in the US. Throughout the nation, the average rate of an in-person personal trainer is $65 per hour. That means that if you workout with them just once a week you’re easily spending $260/month and barely making a dent in your fitness goals. On the low end, in-person personal training can cost $40–50 per hour (roughly $200/month); the high end ranges from $115–150 per hour (sometimes as high as $5,000/month!) 

Wow. 

It’s safe to say, if you’re doing in-person personal training sessions, you should expect to pay around $65–75 per workout session to work with an individual personal trainer. Not  everyone’s pocket-book can bear that kind of monthly investment.

Fortunately, achieving your wellness goals and maintaining optimal health doesn't — and shouldn't — have to drain your bank account.

Online or remote personal training can give you everything an in-person trainer can (accountability, custom plans, direct feedback, and even nutrition and diet coaching) for a fraction of the cost. 

Take Kickoff for example:  Kickoff costs $95 per month and matches you with a real certified remote personal trainer. Your coach will customize an online training plan for you based on your goals, and use the Kickoff app to assign workouts you can do at home, outside, or at your local gym. You get even more personal attention than you would from an in-person trainer too because you won’t just see your Kickoff coach for half an hour only once a week. You’ll talk to them every single day. They’ll send you daily text messages to keep you on task, provide feedback on your workouts and meal tracking, and help you get over whatever obstacles and challenges are in your way.  

Read on to learn everything you need to know about why the cost of personal training is the way it is, how much it may cost in your area, how to find an in-person or online personal trainer and make the choice that’s right for you, along with ideas that may make either option more cost-effective. Spoiler alert: Online training merges the best of all worlds, simplifying the who, what, where, when, and how to achieve your ideal health goals without sacrificing your schedule or finances.

Online Personal Training: The Flexible, Affordable Option

There’s good news: Pricey in-person personal training sessions are not the only way to find, and stick with, an experienced trainer. Instead, you might want to consider opting for online training, which can be more sustainable, affordable and equally as effective. 

Working with an online personal trainer is beneficial for many reasons. You can easily exercise where and when it fits into your schedule without having to spend time commuting, parking, and driving back from the gym. Plus, individual online training means you and your personal trainer can still schedule sessions when you’re out of town — no more excuses for stalled progress or skipped sessions. 

The best online personal trainers provide customized workouts and workout plans for your specific goals and fitness level, whether you're a beginner or a fitness pro. They also track your progress through regular check-ins, texting, and, in some cases, video chats. You can even schedule video sessions where your online personal trainer can guide you through a workout, give you pointers on exercise form, or provide exercise modifications. 

Depending on the coaching program, you may also get nutrition coaching, meal plans, or advice on supplements. Just be aware that online personal training can mean different things — some programs provide a library of virtual workouts led by a personal trainer that are accessible through an app subscription. Not all online training programs offer one-on-one communication, plan customization, support and accountability from a certified personal trainer.

Kickoff provides access to an app that gives you the structure you need to practice daily healthy habits, log meals, and access workout videos. In addition to a customized workout plan and nutrition coaching, your Kickoff online personal trainer provides accountability, support, and daily motivation.  

Average Monthly Cost of Online Personal Training

Costs are approximate and are subject to change.

In-person Training Costs May Spike With Your Zip Code

There are many factors that go into the monthly cost of an in-person personal trainer. Think: Your trainer’s certifications and education, years of experience in the fitness industry, the length and frequency of your sessions, and more. Aside from those, the biggest factor can frequently be your zip code. 

If you live in a major metro area such as LA, New York, or Chicago, you might see a jump in personal training pricing, similar to the increased cost of real estate. The reason: The highest employment rate of fitness professionals includes California, followed by Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois. And, as there’s more fitness professionals in these areas, it stands to reason that there’s also higher levels of expertise and experience. 

On average, if you work with a personal trainer for one hour twice a week, you can expect to pay between $400 to $1,000 a month. On the flip side, if you live in a smaller town within the nation, you might be able to find an experienced personal trainer for a lower hourly rate. You can potentially cut these costs further by purchasing a package of personal training sessions in advance. 

In-person Personal Training Cost Per Hour

Costs are approximate and subject to change.

Factors that can affect what personal trainers charge include:

• Length of sessions: Some trainers offer 20-minute, 30-minute, 50-minute, and 60-minute sessions, but the client will likely still pay the same hourly rate overall (it’ll just be a percentage less expensive if it’s not a one-hour session).

• Frequency: If you’ve been training with a personal trainer for a long time, they’ll often give you a better rate for sticking with them. Same if you train three times a week versus once.

• Package: As mentioned above, trainers may knock off some of the total cost if you purchase a package. Same goes for some trainers who specialize in specific sports, bodybuilding, or performance; they might give you a special rate for a weeks- or months-long training plan that gets you ready for a competition or event.

• Trainer certifications, specialties, and years of experience: We cover this in depth below.

• Location of session: Is the training online? Does the trainer have to drive to your house, a gym, or other location? If you want your trainer to meet you at your gym but that trainer isn’t employed by the gym, you’ll likely get charged an additional trainer fee.

• Gear: If the trainer is coming to you, do they have to lug the training equipment with them? Kettlebells, battle ropes, and dumbbells are heavy and not fun to transport. The trainer might add a surplus to the session cost if this is the case. 

• Cancellation policy: Ask the trainer if they have one and remember they’re not charging you for a missed session to punish you. If you miss a session outside of their cancellation window, that means they can’t schedule time with another client and their time is as valuable as yours. Also ask the trainer if they do make-up sessions, and if those cost the same.

Of course, a good personal trainer will keep you motivated, but the cost of in-person personal training might not fit your budget. That’s where a key benefit of working with an online personal trainer comes into play — you’ll pay a flat (and often more affordable) monthly fee, no matter where you live.  

Average Hourly In-Person Personal Training Cost by State

Costs are approximate.

The Gym Route 

Many people connect with a trainer through a gym because it requires the least amount of research, especially if you already have a membership. You can simply waltz up to the front desk and ask for the personal training prices and who’s available. The first session is often free as well.

While many gyms will have experienced trainers, it’s worth noting that training rates are often related to the cost of your gym. If you belong to an upscale boutique gym, expect to pay upscale prices. If you belong to a more budget-friendly fitness center, you’ll likely pay less, though the trainers may have less experience too. For example, at the YMCA, you might pay one of their trainers as little as $50 per hour, while at Equinox you can expect to shell out $100–150 per hour (on top of their $200–382 monthly membership fee). 

This option makes sense if you’re already a member of the gym. If you’re not already a member, then you need to factor monthly gym membership into the cost.  

For more cost-effective options, you could explore group personal training. That’s where you grab a few friends and split the cost of expert-led sweat sessions. The personal trainer can meet you at a gym (if the gym allows it), at the park, or at someone’s house for training. 

Cost of Personal Training at U.S. Gyms

Costs are approximate and depend upon location, gym membership type, and do not include special sign-up offers or initiation fees.

Sources: Gym websites, Gympricelist.com

Is a Personal Trainer Worth the Cost?

We think so! Losing weight and getting in shape can be a tough journey, but a personal trainer can make things easier for you. If you have a difficult time maintaining consistency, or you simply need someone to guide you along the way, a personal trainer is a smart investment in your health. A personal trainer will create a custom plan based on your fitness goals, lend you their expertise, motivate and be there to guide you, and hold you accountable. 

Rather than try another diet that you won’t stick to, or a new exercise fad that will likely make you so sore that you can barely move two days later, why not seek the experience of a fitness expert this time? The best personal trainers will take the time to listen to what you’ve tried, why you want to achieve the health goals you say you want, and steer you on a path to realizing success in healthy, sustainable ways. 

“One of the main things I’ve learned that people need is accountability. Clients want to know that I’m making sure that they’re putting in full effort and sometimes just that one little text of motivation is what they need to remind them,” says Texas-based personal trainer and nutrition coach Breana Loudermilk. “When it comes to the workouts, it's very important to me that clients enjoy their workouts.”

According to the pro, finding out what works and motivates each client differs for every person. 

“Some clients want different workouts every week; some prefer to go a couple weeks with the same ones so they can see their progress. Food logging is definitely a major factor and has been proven to be very effective. The client can go back and reflect on their day and see where they can do better,” explains Loudermilk. 

Perhaps the most important factor in finding the “why” you should invest in personal training is relationship-building. 

“Finding the right trainer can take some time,” notes Loudermilk. “It’s so important that you vibe well with your trainer. I really try to create that relationship with my clients so they know that they are not just another person to me.”

Building trust is the key to making the client-personal training relationship work. The trainer has to earn the client’s trust so they’ll have faith in the trainer’s recommendations and actually put in the work needed to see the results they want.  

How Should You Pick a Personal Trainer? The Lowdown on Certifications

Before you get overwhelmed by all the acronyms, here’s a rundown on what to look for in personal training certifications. The top certifying bodies include:

• NASM: National Academy of Sports Medicine 

• NSCA: National Strength and Conditioning Association 

• ACE: American Council on Exercise

• ISSA: International Sports Sciences Association

• ACSM: American College of Sports Medicine

• NCSF: National Council on Strength and Fitness

• NESTA: National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association

• NFPT: National Federation of Personal Trainers

For those looking to gain strength and muscle, it can be especially helpful to find a pro that also has the NSCA-CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) certification, a program that dives a bit deeper into exercise science as it relates to sports and athletics.

“Personal trainers will have a certification in personal training as well as annual continuing education credits. Many personal trainers will have additional certifications and may specialize in special populations,” explains Oklahoma-based personal trainer Ahsha Morin, CPT, CHES. “With Kickoff, the price is the same no matter how many certifications the trainer has.”

The more experienced personal trainers tend to have multiple certifications and specializations. Let’s use the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) as an example. To earn the NASM certification in personal training, individuals must complete the online course, pass the exam, and have the option of getting experience in either online personal training or in-person training. The NASM certification lasts for two years, after which, the trainer needs recertification. In addition to the personal training certificate, NASM offers nutrition and sports nutrition certifications, and 13 specializations — from behavior change to corrective exercise. 

“As a trainer, my fitness programs generally help a client build strength and muscle mass, work towards weight loss, prepare for a physique or bodybuilding competition, or train for a sport,” says Craig Cole, ACSM-CPT, Rock Steady Boxing coach-certified, TRX coach-certified, and trainer with Kickoff. 

“I also build programming and engage with individuals with Parkinson's disease or Multiple Sclerosis,” he continues. “I work to teach my clients to use the workouts and guidance I provide as something they can be responsible for versus feeling like they have to rely upon someone to do the workout for them.”

Extra certificates and degrees will likely increase a personal trainer’s hourly rate. But, it’s worth noting that — once properly vetted — these accolades can be worth it. Keep in mind, the quality of certifications matter more than the quantity. 

“Clients should do their research on trainers' education backgrounds before agreeing to train with them,” says Cole. “The client should also really consider why they want a trainer to begin with based on their goals.”

While in-person training will cost about $65 per hour, on average, online personal training through a program like Kickoff gives you unlimited access to a dedicated trainer whose qualifications have already been vetted — for just $3 per day.

In-Person vs. Online Personal Training, According to Experts

“In-person training is hands-on and requires physical attendance, usually on a specific schedule in the presence of an instructor. Online training allows clients to complete workouts online at their own pace with or without the trainer present,” says Morin. “The benefits of training online include convenience and having more accountability, as trainers will check in with clients more often than the in-person trainer who meets with clients in-person once a week.”

According to Cole, remote personal training gives clients the opportunity to participate in becoming accountable to themselves. The personal trainer sets the accountability tone in the beginning, but, over time, the client should grow more accustomed to self-motivating. 

“With online training, a client doesn't have to rely upon some inconvenient time to meet with a trainer at the gym, get in a rushed workout because the trainer is on the clock, or not get the trainer's full attention because they’re focused on something else during that session,” explains Cole. “Online training allows a client to learn to own their training plans, own their commitment, be accountable for their choices, and most importantly, have a sense of pride and satisfaction that they took resources provided and helped change their own life.”

Remote training allows coaches and clients to have immediate dialogue so that adjustments can be made faster to a client’s programming, questions, and concerns. This can happen same-day in many cases, rather than waiting until the next in-person session. Clients are given the opportunity to be empowered and accountable for their own actions.

For example, Cole requires his clients to report in post-workout not only to share how they did, but also because he wants them to reflect and share their experiences. 

“A benefit of using Kickoff as a fitness platform is that it allows trainers the ability to engage with clients,” says Cole. “Then, it gives clients invested opportunities to engage with the coach to have the best outcome to obtain a specific goal.”

What’s more, it’s generally cheaper to get online personal training.“This is because the logistics of training have changed for the trainer, reducing costs for time of travel, insurance through a particular gym, or having to share profits with a gym,” explains Cole. “The cost of a personal trainer should generally revolve around what that trainer can give a client who’s looking to achieve a specific goal.”

You can find great online personal trainers from these top sources:

• Kickoff (of course)

• Thumbtack

• Bark

• National Federation of Personal Trainers

The Takeaway

Finally, and best of all, working with an online trainer through a platform like Kickoff, where you get unlimited access to an expert, dedicated fitness trainer for $3 a day, can be the most cost-effective way to achieve your fitness goals. 

No matter when you want to work out, where you have to travel, or what questions you have about your diet, your online personal trainer will be there with you every step of the way.