The personal training market is exploding, and if you're reading these pages, you're likely asking yourself:
Is a personal trainer worth the cost? Who can you trust? What's real about the before-and-after pictures and Instagram hype?
We get it. It’s confusing, it’s saturated, and it feels like everyone is a coach now. So, let’s cut through the noise and give you the real answers, no fluff, no sales pitch, just the truth you’ve been looking for.
What Is a Fitness Coach Supposed to Do Exactly?
An actual fitness coach does more than hand you a meal plan and say “hit the gym.” An amazing coach is a strategist, a accountability buddy, and a guide who customizes your fitness program based on your goals, your lifestyle, your injuries, your mindset, and your time.
They should:
- Create customized workouts tailored to your needs
- Offer guidance on nutrition (or partner with someone who does)
- Track your progress and adjust along the way
- Support your mind, not only your body
If all you’re getting is a PDF or an app with generic workouts, you're not paying for coaching, you're paying for a template.
How Expensive Is a Fitness Coach?
The number one question you all have. Most coaches want to avoid talking prices. . But here’s the reality:
Online personal training: $150–$700/month (based on experience and personalization)
Personal training in-person: $50–$200/hour (private vs. local gy
Hybrid coaching (online + occasional in-person): $200–$600/month
Yes, you can find coaches on Instagram offering plans for $20. But how personalized do you think that is?
Red Flags in the Business (How You'll Know You're Going to Get Burned)
Let's call out the BS because there's plenty of it:
- No certification or credentials
- “One-size-fits-all” programs disguised as custom
- Over-promising results (e.g. “Drop 20 lbs in 2 weeks”)
- Coaches who ghost you after you pay
- No client success stories beyond transformations
You deserve better.
Ask tough questions.
Ask for testimonials.
Ask about continuing support, not the glitzy pitch.
What Makes a Great Fitness Coach?
Here’s what separates pros from posers:
Transparency: They disclose their process, pricing, and expectations at the beginning
Education: They’re certified, experienced, and constantly learning
Empathy: They listen, accommodate, and care about you deeply
Accountability: They hold you accountable — not only when you pay, but when you need it
Long-term thinking: They don't promote quick fixes; they cultivate routines
What Makes a Great Fitness Coach?
It's not for everyone. You don’t necessarily need a coach, but if you’re stuck, frustrated, or sick of going around in circles, a phenomenal coach can help you:
Save time
Do not Build sustainable habits Stay motivated Actually get results
Only if they're the right coach for you.
Bottom Line: Don't Be Fooled. Ask Bigger Better Questions
Before you hire a coach, ask:
"What comes next after I join?"
“How is this plan customized to me?”
"How do you monitor my progress?"
"What’s the worst that can happen?"
“Do you work with people like me?”
If they can’t answer those questions clearly, confidently, and without dancing around, keep looking.
You deserve clarity, results, and honesty, not hype. Next time someone slips in your DM's with a 3 week abs promise remember: You’re not just buying a program. You’re investing in your health and that deserves the best..