Personal trainer guilt of spending money

newowner456

During lockdown three I became totally demotivated to do any form of exercise. Realising I needed to snap out of it and get my fitness back I decided to hire a personal trainer. This was only ever meant to be a short term thing to get my routine back and learn some new techniques. I was only going to do around 8 sessions in my mind.

I'm now on session 15 , I am loving the benefits. I've never been so fit, it's motivating me to do more exercise and I am noticing changes in my body. I love personal sessions more so than any class I've been to. At this point I should say previously I have hatred exercise apart from yoga.

The thing is PT is expensive. Yes I can afford it, I'm very fortunate in that respect. But I feel so guilty spending £185 every six weeks on myself for six one hour classes. The guilt if spending money is huge. But having a PT session motivates me to do more, on my own without having the accountability I can;t get on with you tube, books etc. 

But I love the accountability of having a PT. We have clicked. Problem is they only PT no group classes. I have met my goal of getting fitter, back into a routine and got some new technique but I would really miss the sessions if they came to an end, but at the same time I feel guilty spending so much on me.

theoretica

What are you unable to do because of this spending?

newowner456

theoretica said:

What are you unable to do because of this spending?

nothing other than reducing my saving by £185 per month to something around a typical saving of £700. I just feel guilty about spending such a large sum 

Grumpy_chap

£185 for 6 sessions (£30ph) is very cheap.

You can't take the money with you, so best to spend it.  Keeping fit and healthy will give you more time to enjoy whatever you do eventually with the other £700 you save each month.

GeordieGeorge

There are some things that it’s worth spending money on, and I’d say that this is definitely one of them.

You enjoy it, it’s working, it’s bringing you health benefits, so stop feeling guilty.

If you want, set yourself an ambitious target and re-evaluate when you get there. It might ease the worry of feeling it’s a commitment to spend this amount forever.

pjcox2005

newowner456 said:

theoretica said:

What are you unable to do because of this spending?

nothing other than reducing my saving by £185 per month to something around a typical saving of £700. I just feel guilty about spending such a large sum 

I struggle with spending larger sums like this, but think about the long term benefits for your health are huge. See it as an investment as staying healthy is going to save you a lot more in the long run (e.g. senior care) I expect.

Slightly different if it was costing you doing other things as then you may need cheaper options which give similar benefits but if that's not the case then go for it. 

Emmia

Would you feel the same "guilt" at spending the same money on 6 meals out, or 6 lots of drinks with friends? Does it seem a bigger sum becase you pay it in lumps of £185? rather than 6x £30 payments at the time of the class. 

I'd say if you enjoy it, find it gives you motivation and you can afford it then keep doing it - and still putting aside £700 a month is a good level of saving anyway.

p00hsticks

GeordieGeorge said:

There are some things that it’s worth spending money on, and I’d say that this is definitely one of them.

You enjoy it, it’s working, it’s bringing you health benefits, so stop feeling guilty.

If you want, set yourself an ambitious target and re-evaluate when you get there. It might ease the worry of feeling it’s a commitment to spend this amount forever.

I'd second this. I 'treat' myself to those medals for walking certain distances. Part of me tells me that it's wasting money (they're about ten pounds each) but I find that counting down the miles until I get the next one really motivates me and helps me to keep going. As a result I'm losing weight and getting fitter, so for me it's money well spent to keep me on track.

You say you can afford it, you're enjoying it and it's good for you, so go for it. £30-ish a lesson is the same or less than what you;d pay to go for a meal out, to the theatre, a football match or to see a live band, so in the grand scheme of things it's not a great amount to pay for something that is obviously giving you pleasure AND is beneficial to your health.

newowner456

Thanks all, really good advice, and I love the spin of it being a long term investment! and you are right if it was £30 for a meal out I probably would not think about it is much. 

Manxman_in_exile

I'll be perfectly honest and say I don't understand why people spend money on personal trainers or join gyms.  I run (on my own), I cycle (on my own), I weight train (on my own - I have a sort of home gym) and I have a rowing machine (well, technically the rowing machine belongs to my wife).  I also play tennis, but can't do that on my own.

BUT...  I understand that most people feel differently from me, and it sounds like you are getting everything you could possibly want from using a personal trainer, and you are achieving your own goals of getting fitter and (hopefully) living longer and more healthily.

So although it isn't something I would do myself, I say keep paying for the sessions so long as you feel you are getting benefit from them.  As others have pointed out, £30 per hour is pretty good value for a one-on-one personal trainer, so stop feeling guilty.

If it makes you feel better, keep paying for it.  If you reach the point where you feel you no longer need it - stop.

Good Luck.  Keep getting fitter!