I have been a gym-goer for the last 10 years, but only recently have I gained understanding of how greedy corporate gyms really are. Working as a staff trainer for the past few months has really opened my eyes to the differences of the working conditions of in-house trainers vs. independent trainers.

Let's say you are looking for a trainer. I believe you should look for an independent trainer rather than a staff trainer. Here is why:

In-house trainers get only a fraction of what you pay directly to the gym, usually somewhere around 30%. Don't expect to get a $60 value session when the trainer only gets $18. Think about it, does it seem fair to you to require someone to provide an $80 service while only receiving $20 for it? At some point most personal trainers realize this discrepancy is not worth the effort and eventually they leave or continue to work but put forth a less than acceptable effort.

Most good staff trainers will leave their low-paying training jobs once they have built up a solid client base. If you choose a trainer at a commercial gym you could find yourself having to switch trainers several times as they leave. However, if you you like your trainer you could always follow him or her to their new venue. The downside is that you may have a hard time getting a refund for your remaining training sessions at the gym.

Many personal trainers begin their career in chain gyms, which hire inexperienced trainers looking to get a foot in the door of the fitness industry.  Since almost anyone can get a personal trainer certification(it's so easy to obtain), often times you will be trained by someone who has no experience in the field.

If you are not interested in paying for multiple sessions up front(like most commercial gyms require you to do), it is easier to make such arrangements with an independent trainer than with a commercial gym. Commercial gym trainers have to train many clients throughout the day to make a decent living since they keep a small percentage of the cost of training. Generally, independent trainers will be more available and able to devote more time to the client as they do not often have maintain a full schedule in order to make a decent living. Furthermore with an independent trainer, you may have the option to choose the scenery you prefer i.e. a gym, a beach, a park or even in your own back yard or home while at a commercial gym you only have one option.


No one likes a used car salesman

Commercial gyms care about one thing: Profit. Personal trainers are required to meet monthly sales quotas that are always unrealistic. Personal trainers who do not meet sales quotas are often threatened with termination of their employment. They are pressured to sell personal training at any costs and thus resort to several dubious sales techniques to convince clients to purchase training packages. Commercial gyms abuse the trust that members place in their personal trainers by requiring trainers to sell supplements few trainers are qualified to recommend.

Commercial gyms reward their personal trainers based on how much they sell not how satisfied the customers were or if their results and goals were ever met.  Be aware that trainers labeled as the gym's "top trainer" are often times the top seller and this title has nothing to do with their performance as a trainer. This is not to say that he or she may not a good trainer.


In contrast, most independent trainers rely on reputation and referrals for new clients. Therefore it is imperative that they work hard and are result focused to satisfy clients. And if you're not satisfied you can usually just shake hands and walk away while at most commercial gyms you are bound to any unused sessions you might have with little chance of obtaining a refund.

As with most things in life, you get what you pay for but keep in mind who you are really paying as it is likely to make a difference in the quality of service.