Are you looking to hire a fitness coach or personal trainer, but you’re unsure of which would be the best fit for you? This article goes over all of the information you need to know and considerations you need to make so you can choose what’s best for you.
What Is A Fitness Coach?
There are many definitions for a fitness coach that have never been solidified by a governing body, which can mean that people can call themselves fitness coaches without any qualifications. If you are interested in finding a fitness coach, do some research into each individual’s qualifications. Some people think of fitness coaches as a group class coach. Many online resources identify a “coach” as something more holistic that can put together a training program and offer nutrition coaching to help you track your macros.
However, we define a fitness coach as someone who is typically remote (non local), creating strength training programs, and is coaching you in an asynchronistic way.
What Is A Personal Trainer?
A personal trainer is someone who creates your workout routine and works with you in-person (local), with eyes on you the whole time to monitor your form, and gives you feedback in real time. A personal trainer has specific qualifications and is optimal for helping you with form, performance, and injury reduction.
Fitness Coach vs Personal Trainer
A fitness coach creates your program, communicates with you, checks your form, and gives feedback remotely, typically through an app. You get some accountability, however showing up for your own workouts is up to you. There is scheduling freedom with a fitness coach, as you can train whenever is convenient. What training with a fitness coach looks like is working out on your own time and recording your form so your coach can adjust your program and give you feedback for the next session. Fitness coaches can range from $100 to $800 per month, however coaching typically ranges from $200-$300/month.
Working with a personal trainer is the most accountability you can get: someone is literally meeting you at a gym at a specific time to workout with you. Personal trainers are watching each movement and are available for hands-on adjustments, modifications, and ques for proper form all in real time. Depending on your needs, you might meet with a trainer once or multiple times a week.
The cost for a personal trainer varies. Sessions or per hour range from $50 for a new trainer to $200. Most experienced trainers have an hourly rate in the $100 range or slightly above. Keep in mind that box gyms keep the majority of what you pay for a trainer. A private gym hires trainers as independent contractors who set their own rates then pay rent to the gym, so most of your money goes to your trainer.
When To Choose A Fitness Coach
If you are not new to training, but you find yourself working out aimlessly, changing your routine without a clear reason, or not changing your program at all, consider hiring a coach. If you do well with consistency but would like someone to create a solid program and offer support with frequent form analysis, a fitness coach is a good fit. It’s especially important to have a fitness coach look over your form when you are increasing intensity to make sure you’re maintaining proper form.
Fitness Coaching tends to be more flexible in general. You can work out and connect with your trainer on your own time, and workout anywhere. Some fitness coaches also offer nutrition support, which usually involves weekly check in’s and guidance with calories and macros. If you want support with both nutrition and strength training, a fitness coach is a good option.
Benefits Of Working With A Fitness Coach
The main benefit of working with a fitness coach is that it’s more affordable and you have the flexibility to work out anywhere on your own time. If you work out at home with limited equipment, a fitness coach can tailor your programming accordingly. Because fitness coaches are remote, you have more options to find the perfect fit. You’ll receive asynchronistic accountability and individualized workouts or nutrition guidance, which ultimately places you in charge of how much you want to get out of that particular programming.
When A Personal Trainer Is The Right Fit
Hiring a personal trainer is the most hands-on approach you can get to work out. Trainers provide the accountability of meeting you at the gym to work out. They also provide in the moment feedback for every movement, so you’re always working out with the best alignment and optional weight to avoid injury. Because you’re meeting with your trainer in person multiple times a week/month, you’re going to build rapport and trust with them. If you are financially able to pay for a trainer, it’s the greatest investment you can make to maximize your training.
Benefits of Working with A Personal Trainer
The benefits of hiring a personal trainer are having an individualized plan and workouts created for you and your specific strength and mobility needs, the most accountability and motivation, injury prevention, and confidence that you’re doing movements correctly. On a deeper level, you’ll be able to create and hold a solid direction with goal setting and to map out what a full year of training can look like; breaking down each macro cycle and phase. Alternatively, this means that you’ll gain a wealth of fitness education in the process. Personal trainers are often an encyclopedia of fitness that you get access to along with your workouts. On a personal level, you often gain a friend, confidant, and cheerleader.
Which is Better for Your Fitness Goals?
In order to know which is best for you, you need to consider the following:
- Are you consistent with training and nutrition and just need guidance with programming and form?
- Is nutrition guidance important?
- Do you want to workout on your own time?
- Do you have less local accessibility to quality trainers?
- Are you looking for a more affordable option?
A fitness coach would be a good fit.
- Are you more focused on getting the most out of training, maximizing your workouts, and want someone there to coach you through the movements?
- Are you a beginner?
- Do you need more accountability?
- Do you like having a more hands-on approach?
- Do you like the social aspect of meeting someone in person?
- Is Cost not an issue?
A personal Trainer is right for you!
Want to learn more about which you should hire? Listen to episode 199 of the Stronger Than Your Boyfriend Podcast: Fitness Coach vs Personal Trainer
