What did YOU start out charging? - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[NDame616]

I just got my NASM cert. a week ago and now I'm starting. I know personal trainers make a lot of money/hour, but I was wondering what you charged. I'm trying to set up a small office where I can train people out of that,s $500/month. I was thinking $15 an hour for one person, like $25 for 2, small groups of circuit training based classes wold go like 4 for 35, 5 for 40, etc.

What do you guys think?

[muscletrainerdh-NSCA CPT]

Hi Ndame616,

First a couple of things. You just got certified, but do you also have your degree in Exercise Science or a fitness related field? If so, I would not start at $15 an hour but closer to $60.

Second, determine your perfect schedule. Training people is hard work, "non-client" time the time you spend creating routines, formulating group exercise classes/circuit classes, doing client follow ups and research should also be taken into account. Training 40 people a week for an hour may seem do able, but you'll burn out in like 3 seconds.
I'm sure your certification went over this. (At least it should have).
Determine what salary will allow you to live comfortably in Grand Rapids, MI. (Assuming 616 is your area code and you live in Grand Rapids).

$salary = Clients per week X Your Fee X 52 (Weeks in the year).

$50,000 = 16 clients X $60 X 52 weeks.

If you don't think your market has buyers in it that will pay $60 an hour for your service. Get ready to take on more clients or lower your salary expectations.

While group training may seem like a good solution. Do not discount your services by the quantity of participants, like you propose above.

Have a minimum number of participants and a maximum number, let's say 4 min and 6 max.

Then divide what you charge an hour by the lower number. Again, you are charging $60 a session, 4 people for group/circuit training charge $15 a person, a session. That way you are still making $60 an hour, although you are "training" 4 people. And if you are training 6 people, you are now making $90 an hour!

Does that make sense to you?

Good Luck!

[NDame616]

Yes, it does make sense to me. However, right now I am still working a side job at a newspaper at night (plus my current full-time job) so training is now a side job, with it taking over full-time by the end of June (when I will also be working part time at a gym).

I figured 5 clients X $15 X 3 times a week = almost $12000, which is fine considering I dont need full-time money quite yet.

I don't have an exercise science degree.

[Pat Rigsby]

NDame616,

I would strongly suggest charging a higher rate. Perception is reality. I personally don't think you'd want to be perceived as the "cheapest option." I do like your idea of training small groups so you can take advantage of the power of leverage. Perhaps you could offer something like the following:

One-on-one training: $50 per session
Semi-private (2-4): $25 per session
Classes (5 or more): $15 per class

Clients wouldn't even have to create their own groups. You could offer times for semi-private training and clients would schedule accordingly. If each of them have an individual program you've designed they can take advantage of the less expensive semi-private supervision while you make more $$ per session.

Hope that helps,

Pat Rigsby
www.fitnessprofitsecrets.com

[NDame616]

I'm just afraid that, as a new trainer, finding people to pay me $50/session would be hard? I've read a lot of the books and newsletters on marketing and I'm going to do all that. I don't know, maybe I'll start off at $25/session in my place and $30 if I have to travel?

[nuphysiques]

You will have problems raising your prices when you start off that low. When you decide to take on training on a full-time basis, your current clients may be unable to afford the $50 an hour you may need to charge.
Sometimes we forget the business side of personal training.

[Sandy]

$50 an hour may be low and may be high to others, but you also have to consider the price of gas. It is already over $3 a gallon and you have to incorporate that into your price.

Sandy