Over the last couple of months I've been walking about 4 miles every evening and noticed a tiny little place behind a shopping center called "Your Personal Best" - I really didn't know what the heck it was but one night I caught a glimpse of a treadmill through the window, got curious, and called them.

Turns out it's a group of 4 "personal trainers" that have a small gym. I spoke with one of them on the phone and they said that their prices range from $150/month for one session a week to over $500/month for 4 sessions a week and memberships included a keycard for off-hour entry. (you get 1 hour of personal one-on-one, a nutrition plan, and access to their gym)

One of the things that's making me consider giving them a try is the fact they're literally right next to my apartment - I can see their building from my window and it's probably a 1minute walk from here. I haven't been inside the place yet, but it's a small location - about the size of your average fast-food restaurant.

I searched a bit on here but alot of the opinions on personal trainers I found were "some are excellent... some are crap." Are those fees about average for such a service? Anyone have any specific things I should look for or questions I should ask?

Thanks!
-=Kyle

Well, $150 for we'll say 4 sessions with a trainer is only $37.50.
The fact that it is a small gym, probably also means that there isn't a huge crowd to contend with, and you're getting diet and nutrition counselling too. Sounds like it may just be a small start up business that is trying to establish itself in the community. When the place get's up off of the ground, I'm sure that these prices for the amount of attention you receive won't last. I'd say you just tripped over a great deal, and would drop a months fees just to check it out more closely. If nothing else, you'll gain alot of knowledge in that months time. Nice find! :tu:

Yeah, a trial for a month might be the ticket. That would be enough time to find if you mesh with any of the trainers. Finding a trainer that keeps you motivated, works your hard, and you get a long with is just as important. The price is not bad. I pay $35.00 an hour for one -on-one sessions with my boxing trainer. Sounds like a good deal if you are interested in personal training.

If the trainers know what they're doing and if the equipment is decent then those prices are not bad at all in my opinion.

That's a great price. There is a similar set-up near here and the guy is supposedly great (totally made-over a coworker) but they charge $125 PER SESSION, discounted to $375 a week if you do four sessions weekly. He's almost a "life-coach" who covers nutrition, excersize, etc.

Thanks for the input everyone - I spoke with the place earlier this week and am going to an "orientation" there in about an hour to learn a bit more. I was a bit unclear exactly what they'll be discussing but the owner said several topics would be covered and it would give a good idea of what they do and how they work there. I found it kind of odd they charge $20 for it but she said it'll be 3-8 people and take about an hour and a half. I guess if I learn a thing or two it's worth the $$ and will give me a better idea if it seems like a place for me.

One thing that sounded a bit odd that'll hopefully be cleared up tonite is she said that the keycard and 24/hr access was primarily for people to come in and do cardio and that the weights were generally only used during 1-on-1 sessions with a trainer present. Obviously this wouldn't work out too well on the $150 once a week w/trainer plan. I was mostly hoping to find someone that could help show me how to lift weights withot kiling myself :p then I could join a regular cheaper gym when I've got the proper form and routine in place. The fact it's a 45 second walk from my door is still attractive though so we'll see how it goes.

-=Kyle