Myth #1: Personal Training is only for the Rich and Famous.
Perhaps many years ago when Personal Training was making its debut in the world this was true, but not anymore. Personal Training is seeing continued annual growth and shows no signs of slowing down. Anyone can benefit regardless of the goal – fat loss, muscle gain, increased energy, sport specific training, improve flexibility or to reduce health risks.
Myth #2: A Personal Trainer will judge me because I am not in shape.
Many people fear that a Personal Trainer may judge them because they are not in their best shape or as healthy as they strive to be. This is simply not the case. Personal Trainers have chosen this career because they want to help people. Being able to support and guide someone to achieving their fitness goals is what drives trainers. They’ll be there beside you for your bad days and the good – your own personal cheerleader to see you through to the very end!
Myth #3: Personal Trainers are just program designers.
A common misconception about trainers is that once they give you a program to follow, their work is done. The depth of a Personal Trainer’s skill goes far beyond the first program they build for you. Trainers need to be able to properly assess your needs, your physical condition and any special considerations you may have. They need to periodize your program which means they manipulate many different training variables in your program periodically for one year or beyond so that you continue to achieve progress towards your fitness objective (and avoid the dreaded plateau!). Furthermore, they keep you accountable to showing up, training at the right intensity, monitoring your progress, and helping you stay on track nutritionally. The more often & frequent you see your trainer the better results you will have.
Myth #4: “I cannot afford Personal Training.”
Committing to Personal Training may take some financial planning on your part, but it is an affordable option for nearly everyone. Personal Training payment plans exists to help ease the burden on your budget. In addition many possibilities exist for the amount of training you can commit to including: different time commitments, small group training and partner training as options. It is also important to remember that investing in Personal Training is investing in your future health, physical and mental well being. You are totally worth it!
Myth #5: Personal Trainers want to punish people and are masochists.
The intense “bootcamp” style of Personal Training with the stereotypical hulky, red faced screaming commander yelling at his clients is just that – a stereotype. In reality, Personal Trainers are well educated and take pride in properly evaluating your needs, physical capabilities and training you at an appropriate level that is both safe and effective. Expect your Personal Trainer to be a friendly face that is welcoming and ready to help you push yourself to succeed.
I have had a personal trainer for almost 2 years. I have seen many changes in my body. My trainer is very supportive, knowledgeable, as well as flexible. I would recommend a personal trainer especially if you are just starting out or have hit a plateau. My trainer caters to my personal needs and changes my program as needed. It is well worth the money spent and I have learned alot from her. My only comments and/or suggestions would be to have more incentives to purchase a trainer especially in our economic times such as buy 1 get one free or half off, no HST etc. Thanks
Is there more than one method of paying for a personal trainer. Can you have a pernal trainer for just a few mounths at the fraction the cost of one year
Hi Wayne,
There are many different options for personal training programs and a wide variety of ways to pay for personal training depending on which option you choose, from one-on-one personal training to Team Training through our TRX program.
To get started with our Personal Training sessions, a personal trainer will provide you with a one-on-one consultation and they will prescribe the program that they believe is the best fit for helping you achieve your health and fitness goals.
After working with you to determine what program works best for you, the PT can help devise a payment plan for the sessions.
If you would to discuss this further, we are happy to provide more information. Please send us your email at social@goodlifefitness.com and your home club location and the Fitness Manager from that club or the Personal Training Regional can connect with you right away.
I think you mean sadists, not masochists
Thanks for your thoughts! Sadists may be an appropriate word to use in this sense
I can’t afford my personal trainer but want to stay at the gym, Is there a way that I can workout and exercise without a personal trainer or do I need one. I joined on Thursday July 21, 2011. Please let me know as soon as possible. I can’t afford 190.44 every 2 weeks.
Hi Susan,
You are welcome to work out without a personal trainer. That being said, you should refer to your contract to see if you are able to cancel at this point. You can either speak to the manager at your club or contact our Member Experience department at 1-800-387-2524.
Sheesh Susan! I understand where you’re coming from. I just tried out one of Goodlife’s 3 personal training specials. I have 1 session left & spoke with him today about the cost of continuing. I wanted to work with a personal trainer ONCE a week. He advised me that, according to his manager, clients must take TWO sessions per week at a cost of $56 per session! I can’t afford 2 sessions a week! That’s almost $450 per mth + taxes + my monthly membership on top of that! I’m really disappointed about it as I thought they would be more flexible in an attempt to make personal training accessible for everyone.
I agree with these comments about the expense. I was a member of Nubody’s in Nova Scotia when they were bought by Goodlife. Nubody’s offered the option to buy 1 session or 3 sessions, etc. While still not cheap, the options were much more flexible and realistic. The training “options” offered by Goodlife are very disappointing and not encouraging to people who are already living on a budget. Perhaps Myth #1 is not a myth afterall: “Personal Training is only for the rich and famous”??