Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Lessons.
How much does a personal trainer cost near me?
A personal trainer costs$40 to $70 per hour on average or $250 to $400 per month for two sessions per week. Prices depend on the session length, location, trainer's experience, and if you buy a monthly package or book individual sessions.
Personal training rates at popular gyms are $50 to $110 per session, with most sessions lasting one hour. Many gyms offer a free initial fitness assessment with a certified personal trainer.
Is hiring a personal trainer worth it?
Hiring a personal trainer can be worth it if you need accountability, are having difficulty achieving your fitness goals on your own, or are returning to a fitness routine after an injury. A personal trainer can help you set realistic expectations, design a custom fitness plan, measure your progress, and boost your motivation.
A personal trainer can suggest activities that work best for your body and your schedule to maximize your results with the time and equipment available to you. Trainers also provide critical guidance for proper exercise form and movement, reducing your risk of injury.
Can you pay for a personal trainer with insurance or an HSA?
Health insurance typically does not cover the cost of a personal trainer, and you can only pay for a personal trainer with your Health Savings Account (HSA) if your physician or nurse practitioner prescribes an exercise regimen.
Your doctor must write a letter of medical necessity (LMN) confirming the personal training sessions are intended to treat or prevent a medical condition, and you must provide a copy to the IRS when filing your taxes.
How often should you see a personal trainer?
You should meet with your personal trainer 1 to 3 times per week, depending on your current fitness level and experience, short-term and long-term goals, and how often you're able to train solo during the week. Most trainers recommend beginning with 2 to 3 sessions per week for at least six weeks to establish a routine.
If you're on a budget and can only meet with your personal trainer once per week, you'll need to train on your own at least one to three times per week to make progress toward your fitness goals.
Consider seeing your personal trainer up to 4 times per week to work on short-term goals, like dropping a dress size before a wedding or training for a sports competition.
What does a personal trainer do?
A personal trainer starts by evaluating your current fitness level, strengths and weaknesses, and skills, then develops a customized exercise plan to help you meet your goals. The trainer works one-on-one with you to monitor your progress and provide guidance and encouragement.
A trainer will ensure you're working each muscle group correctly and at the right frequency, and that you're using proper form for each exercise to avoid injury.
How do I find the best personal trainer near me?
For the best results, aim to build a long-term relationship with your personal trainer to help you get in shape, stay in shape, and achieve your fitness goals. Follow these tips to find the best personal trainer for you:
Look for an NCSA Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) or Certified Performance and Sports Scientist (CPSS).
If you have specific goals, such as bodybuilding or running a marathon, select a trainer with experience in that area.
Read their reviews on Lessons and Google.
Meet with the trainer to discuss your goals, workout preferences, and any health conditions.
Ask them how the exercises will change and progress over time. Be wary of trainers who offer only vague answers, as this may indicate a lack of experience.
Confirm the personal trainer has liability insurance and training in CPR and first aid.
What questions should I ask personal trainers before hiring?
Ask these questions to ensure you choose a personal trainer with the right experience and skills:
How long have you been a personal trainer?
Which certifications do you have?
What is your fitness specialty?
What is your teaching style?
How do you assess a new client?
What experience do you have working with clients at my fitness level?
Do you have any client photos or video testimonials?
What does your program include?
What results should I expect to see?
How long will it take to reach my fitness goals?
How do you track fitness goals and progress?
How will the exercises change over time?
Do you have liability insurance?
Are you trained in CPR and first aid?
Reviews for Gaithersburg personal trainers
Recent success stories from people in the Gaithersburg area.
Brian L S.
Monye is Flexible with days and times. He is all very reliable and knowledgeable on coaching basketball.
Creative Bodies Fitness
K. M.
I’m a disabled Veteran and I loved working with Zahra. She understood my goals and developed a great diet and work out plan within my limited ability. I am very happy with my continued results. She’s very patient and makes sure your form is perfect. She’s helped me improve my balance, health and gain more confidence.
3D Xplosive Performance LLC
Jim M.
Laurie Gordon is Montgomery County’s best kept secret when it comes to fitness and musculoskeletal health. I met her playing on a mixed doubles tennis team 12 years ago. I hired her as my Personal Trainer nearly 3 years ago. I waited this long because I thought it was ridiculous to have an instructor by my side to go through such obvious exercises. I “should” be able to do them by myself, I thought. But it turns out, there are lots of ways to do exercises wrong, and technique really matters. Further, I am not so unusual that I need a little regular encouragement to stay in shape. Using Laurie’s guidance is a way of being kind to myself. And the body, I’ve learned in my work with her, is a quite complicated thing to understand and manage. Ignorance is not bliss.
When we first started, I couldn’t play two sets of tennis before my inner thigh muscles would freeze up quite painfully, and I would walk off the court, bent over from the pain. I also have a partially torn right PCL, in my knee, which is irreparable and my knee would ache badly. On top of the knee and inner thigh muscles, I periodically got tennis elbow. Since I was totally dependent on tennis for exercise, the downtime would cause me to get painfully out of shape.
I quickly found out that Laurie doesn’t just throw a bunch of exercises at you. She actually gets to know you and thinks about your specific needs — constantly and continuously. You will leave with a home routine, but can come back for more. I use a mixture thereof. And my routine keeps being further refined as I get stronger.
It wasn’t long before I was back on the court with no symptoms. I was amazed how quickly and easily the groin muscle problem was eliminated with “sliders”, one of her magical exercises. Now I play injury-free to my heart’s content and know exactly what I have to do to stay in shape and prevent injury. And, recently, my shoulder started hurting a bit from serving. No more. At her instruction, I carry a little hand weight in my bag and do circle eights with my shoulder and arm circles before each match. End of problem. Positively magical. I’m blasting serves harder than ever before, at age 72.
At first, when she would get that “come on, you can do more” look on her face, I thought of her as “Our Lady of Pain!” Now, I realize that she is actually very careful not to go too far and knows exactly what that means for each person. I feel very comfortable pushing my limits under her watchful eye. If you want a calm, patient, caring, and thoroughly enjoyable personal trainer in your back pocket, to help with whatever you’re involved in, be it post-rehab, just staying in shape, or competitive sports, Laurie is so special and valuable, I have no words.
Fitness and Medical Exercise (FAME)
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Nearby personal trainers in and around Gaithersburg
