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Strength Training"Personal Training in Orlando--With Three Options Which One is Right for You?"
Are you looking for a personal trainer and weighing your options? Have you wondered whether a small gym or large health club would work best for you? What about the cost differences? Read this article carefully and get answers to many of your questions.
Personal training surfaced around 1988 in Orlando. At the time there were only a few personal training studios and national health clubs locally that provided this type of service.
At the time, most fitness centers in Orlando didn't emphasize personal training the way it's marketed today. These services were offered only secondary to health club memberships. Today, one-on-one personal training services can be located all over Central Florida.
There are three types of training services in Orlando:
- Independent Personal Training Studios
- Corporate Health Club Personal Training Services
- In-Home Personal Training Services
We'll touch on each, and reveal the benefits and pitfalls.
1. Independent Personal Training Studios in Orlando
How They Operate
Independent Personal Training Studios are owned by individuals who have either trainers that are employed directly by the owner or pay a percentage or flat fee to the club. These typically small training studios can be found all around Orlando.
Xpert Fitness in Longwood
Advantages
- They are more private in that you don't have to share fitness equipment like you would in a larger corporate health club. You'll find you wait less and get a quicker work-out.
- Trainers will usually have one of the national certifications since studio owners are more aware of the importance of hiring qualified individuals that are a reflection of their business.
Disadvantages
- The equipment may not be the state-of-the art.
Examples
- These small friendly neighborhood gyms with personable staff are scattered throughout the Orlando area and are commonly located in shopping centers and strip-malls.
Costs & Pricing
You can expect to pay about $35 to $55 a session. Some clubs will also charge a monthly membership fee between $35 and $100, while others, like Xpert Fitness in Longwood, wave the fee if you are using one of the studio's trainers.
Bottom Line
If you like small clean environments where you'll make supportive friends and see the same faces week to week, this may be the option for you.
2. Corporate Health Club Personal Training Services in Orlando
How They Operate
Large corporate personal training gyms such as Bally Total Fitness offer personal training by trainers who work directly for their corporation. In Orlando the personal trainers working at these chains get a minimal hourly wage and are paid by the number of clients that they are able to acquire through the marketing of their own services. Trainers will usually take home about 30-60 percent of the training or package fees they charge you.
Advantages
- Trainers are offered corporate training seminars to keep their knowledge up-to-date, and the opportunity to get a CPR certification.
Disadvantages
- The corporation also typically "certifies" their own trainers as a method to hire individuals that aren't currently certified. This method is not generally accepted as a good practice since there isn't a national independent organization to make certain that their tests are examining a minimal standard of qualifications.
- The personal trainer's employment status is dependent upon his or her ability to "sell" a personal training package or to "close" the deal. You may find this a distracting and uncomfortable practice since in my experience many of these trainers will approach you for this reason while you're using the gym.
Examples
- World Gym
- Gold's Gym
- Bally Total Fitness
Pricing
You can expect to pay about $20 per session, plus a monthly or yearly club membership. Membership costs are usually in the range of $40 to $50 a month.
Bottom Line
Corporate Health Clubs can be an inexpensive option, but a less friendly environment with less qualified trainers. If you're on a tight budget and have the will-power to motivate yourself to meet your goals, this option may work for you.
3. In-Home Training Services in Orlando
How They Operate
Finally, In-Home Training Services are Personal Training Services in which the trainers work with you in their own homes, at you convenience, all around the Orlando area.
Advantages
- In Orlando most of these types of trainers are self-employed individuals who train you one-on-one without distraction at your home, office, or local club house.
- You have the opportunity to train at a more convenient time schedule.
- In-home personal trainers usually also have the ability to select the most optimal equipment for you
Disadvantages
- The costs are typically a bit more than at the Health Club or Studio due to the driving time involved to get to your place.
- The personal trainer's level of expertise may vary since they are free-lancing and are often found through client referrals.
Pricing
You can expect to pay about $65-$80 per session, and for some services as much as $100.
Bottom Line
While in home training is the most costly, it's also the most convenient of all training services. If you're looking to stay out of the gym, can't leave your home or workplace, or have some equipment at home you want to put to use.
Orlando Personal Training by Tad Campbell offers both In-Home Training and training at a small friendly Personal Training Studio in Longwood. Tad has been offering both services since 1989.
If you are interested in learning more about In-Home Personal Training Tad was featured in the NOVEMBER 2004 issue of the ORLANDO MAGAZINE discussing tips for those interested in In-Home Training.