How much should a fitness program cost?

So you’re looking for a new gym to join, a new personal trainer or class, but you’re not sure what it should cost?

This article will help you determine whether the asking price is fair, how it compares to the industry as a whole, and where our services fit in at RSG.

In this post we’ll cover:

1. Important questions to ask BEFORE signing up to any fitness program

2. How to determine whether the program will fit your goals

3. How RSG compares to the industry

Important questions to ask before signing up to any fitness program

One big issue you’ll be aware of (or soon will be) with the fitness industry is that everyone appears to be offering the same thing. I.e. a body transformation, six pack in 8 weeks, strength programs, HIIT classes etc. 

So how do you know:

a) whether the service is any good? 

AND

b) whether the price is fair?

Experience and qualifications

Simply look a little deeper into the gym/coach/personal trainer, do your research and ask some questions. For example, what qualifications do they have? You may be shocked to know that many personal trainers can become qualified with just a few weekends of study, no client experience and most PTs have left the industry within 6 months of becoming qualified. So the experience and qualifications they have is a need-to-know fact.

Your inner alarm bells should be ringing if you see the following:

• Cheaper personal training rates <£20 hour

• Unlimited classes for £20-30 per month 

• Online coaching for <£30 per month

There are always exceptions, but if you see the above prices or similar, then check on their experience and qualifications. Usually you’ll find an inexperienced or under-qualified coach or PT. Now this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re bad, but you’ll certainly be buying an unproven service.

In the table below you can see a rough guide to pricing based on experience and qualifications.

So clearly, you may think your new fitness program is a good deal based on PRICE but end up getting a worse service, less experience and less knowledge. 

Specifically, paying less means you are increasing risk of injury, decreasing likelihood of results, getting less customised programming, receiving a poor service thus feel low levels of motivation. Because the trainer charges less they need a lot of clients per session to make a profit. You’re just another number.

Paying the right amount more means the trainer has dealt with your aches/pains hundreds of times, knows how to adjust the program to you, wants you to succeed and keeps you motivated because they’re professional and want their business to be successful and sustainable. Because the trainer charges enough they don’t need to oversell classes to make a profit. You will feel cared for and part of a team.

TIP: Try to max out your budget based on who is training you. Given a similar price it would be BETTER to get 4 great sessions per month with a good trainer than 12 crap sessions a month with an inexperienced trainer.

How RSG compares: We have been running group fitness programs for almost 10 years, all our coaches are degree qualified with experience in professional sport and our group programs are £99-149 per month for 3-5 sessions per week.

Who else have they trained?

It’s sensible to check the validity of any fitness program. Are they claiming they can get you 6-pack abs in 90 days? Ask to see proof. Claiming they can magically help a binge-eater overcome their bad habits? Ask to see proof. 

The fitness industry is notorious for selling people what they want to hear. Magical fat loss pills sound great, but in reality only regular exercise and eating healthier will burn fat. 

If it sounds too good to be true, ask for evidence.

Have they helped a person in your situation?

Following on from above, if you’ve seen proof the service delivers, then have they helped people just like you? For example, a 90 day fat loss program may work wonders for men in their 20s, but do nothing for a busy 45 year old dad. 

So have they helped another person through the program just like you? i.e. your age, fitness level, body size, weekly hours at work, stress levels etc.

TIP: Join a program that fits with your goals. Find a service that actually helps people JUST LIKE YOU. Look at their social media & website. Are there other people your age/shape/fitness level who are getting good results? 

SUMMARY

In short, there are hundreds of choices for your fitness goals. The fitness industry is one of the largest and most competitive industries, yet has very few regulations. Therefore knowing how much to pay for the service you want is very difficult. 

But here are a few good guiding questions:

1. What experience do they have?

2. Are they charging: a) normal prices (see table above)? Or b) alarm-bell-ringing cheapo prices?

3. Do they have proven methods? Pictures, testimonials etc.

4. Are they currently helping people just like you? I.e. does their program fit your goals?

Basically, you are looking for an experienced coach, charging a decent price with a proven program that helps people just like you.

If any of these elements are missing - STEER CLEAR - it’s a waste of time, money and emotional energy.

Email us if you have any questions at all, we’re happy to help guide you in the right direction.

Anthony Shaw

Head Coach & Founder

Raw Strength Gym

Birchwood, Warrington