Resume Personal Training or not?

w00519773

I was a regular gym member from 2017 until 2020 and was the client of a personal trainer during this time.  In March 2020 I started working out in my multi gym at home due to covid until September 2021.

I have recently started using the gym again. The personal trainer I used for years no longer works there (he did inform me), however there is another PT I have spoken to.  This PT wants me to commit for three months (contract) just like my old PT did in the early days.  The old PT then recognised my loyalty and I started paying weekly later on.

I am a little concerned about committing for three months due to covid and lockdowns etc.  I asked about this and the new PT said the subscription will be frozen if there is a lockdown.  I have to pay one month in advance.

I would be interested to hear about anyone else who is having PT sessions, particularly if you have just started and are committed over the winter months.  I am tempted to wait until Spring with all the warnings about seasonal flu and covid in winter.  I am vaccinated against flu and covid.

Grumpy_chap

Does your gym only offer monthly contract PT?

At my gym, they also offer "packs", so you buy xx number of PT sessions and sign them off as you go.  It is slightly more expensive but also more flexible than committing to a certain number of sessions per week / month on DD.  It also gives the gym / trainer some certainty / commitment.

I have just taken a pack of 10 sessions to see me through until Christmas.

w00519773

Grumpy_chap said:

Does your gym only offer monthly contract PT?

At my gym, they also offer "packs", so you buy xx number of PT sessions and sign them off as you go.  It is slightly more expensive but also more flexible than committing to a certain number of sessions per week / month on DD.  It also gives the gym / trainer some certainty / commitment.

I have just taken a pack of 10 sessions to see me through until Christmas.

What happens in your case if your gym has to close because of another lockdown? I assume you have paid in advance for the ten sessions and will not be refunded if this scenario occurs? I guess you will just continue when the gym opens again?

Grumpy_chap

w00519773 said:

Grumpy_chap said:

Does your gym only offer monthly contract PT?

At my gym, they also offer "packs", so you buy xx number of PT sessions and sign them off as you go.  It is slightly more expensive but also more flexible than committing to a certain number of sessions per week / month on DD.  It also gives the gym / trainer some certainty / commitment.

I have just taken a pack of 10 sessions to see me through until Christmas.

What happens in your case if your gym has to close because of another lockdown? I assume you have paid in advance for the ten sessions and will not be refunded if this scenario occurs? I guess you will just continue when the gym opens again?

So, I paid for 10 sessions (plus 2 "free") so 12 in total and I sign off the sheet each time a session is used.  The PT signs also.
If the gym closes, then the remaining session are held to be used when they reopen, but not refunded.  Seems reasonable enough.

I prefer the 10 session packs as, even though it is more expensive than DD, you get the sessions guaranteed.  If on DD, then the 4 sessions per month are paid for each month and if you don't use them, the sessions roll over.  It is just that you could easily roll over sessions to a point whereby you can never catch up, say you miss 2 weeks for Christmas, then catch a cold one week late January.  You'd be forever accruing sessions.

My gym were very fair, though, when the lockdowns happened, they suspended direct debit membership (and, I assume PT) charges and gave extra free days at the re-opening before taking new DD payments.  This allowed for the time of "open days" paid ahead of lock down but unavailable to be recovered on re-opening.  Very fair indeed and no hassle whatsoever.

FWIW - I do not anticipate further lockdowns, though there could be localised events closing venues (e.g. if a large number of gym staff had to self-isolate).

w00519773

Grumpy_chap said:

w00519773 said:

Grumpy_chap said:

Does your gym only offer monthly contract PT?

At my gym, they also offer "packs", so you buy xx number of PT sessions and sign them off as you go.  It is slightly more expensive but also more flexible than committing to a certain number of sessions per week / month on DD.  It also gives the gym / trainer some certainty / commitment.

I have just taken a pack of 10 sessions to see me through until Christmas.

What happens in your case if your gym has to close because of another lockdown? I assume you have paid in advance for the ten sessions and will not be refunded if this scenario occurs? I guess you will just continue when the gym opens again?

So, I paid for 10 sessions (plus 2 "free") so 12 in total and I sign off the sheet each time a session is used.  The PT signs also.
If the gym closes, then the remaining session are held to be used when they reopen, but not refunded.  Seems reasonable enough.

I prefer the 10 session packs as, even though it is more expensive than DD, you get the sessions guaranteed.  If on DD, then the 4 sessions per month are paid for each month and if you don't use them, the sessions roll over.  It is just that you could easily roll over sessions to a point whereby you can never catch up, say you miss 2 weeks for Christmas, then catch a cold one week late January.  You'd be forever accruing sessions.

My gym were very fair, though, when the lockdowns happened, they suspended direct debit membership (and, I assume PT) charges and gave extra free days at the re-opening before taking new DD payments.  This allowed for the time of "open days" paid ahead of lock down but unavailable to be recovered on re-opening.  Very fair indeed and no hassle whatsoever.

FWIW - I do not anticipate further lockdowns, though there could be localised events closing venues (e.g. if a large number of gym staff had to self-isolate).

How much do you pay per week if you don't mind me asking? My old PT use to charge £27.50 per week, but he is asking for £35 per week (12 week contract and monthly payment as well).  I guess you get what you pay for? Did you negotiate? I think this would be difficult.

Grumpy_chap

w00519773 said:

How much do you pay per week if you don't mind me asking? My old PT use to charge £27.50 per week, but he is asking for £35 per week (12 week contract and monthly payment as well).  I guess you get what you pay for? Did you negotiate? I think this would be difficult.

Your prices seem competitive.
Obviously, there is gym membership first, at whatever the rate is for your gym.
Then the PT on top. 
The 10-pack I buy is £480, so that would be £48 per session.  Only actually paid that full price once though. 
There is usually an offer.  Latest offer was buy 10, get 3 free, so 13 for £480 = £37 per session. That's the best price I've ever got apart from straight after the first total lockdown when they had a silly offer as they just needed cash in PDQ.
The DD option is slightly cheaper

w00519773

Grumpy_chap said:

w00519773 said:

How much do you pay per week if you don't mind me asking? My old PT use to charge £27.50 per week, but he is asking for £35 per week (12 week contract and monthly payment as well).  I guess you get what you pay for? Did you negotiate? I think this would be difficult.

Your prices seem competitive.
Obviously, there is gym membership first, at whatever the rate is for your gym.
Then the PT on top. 
The 10-pack I buy is £480, so that would be £48 per session.  Only actually paid that full price once though. 
There is usually an offer.  Latest offer was buy 10, get 3 free, so 13 for £480 = £37 per session. That's the best price I've ever got apart from straight after the first total lockdown when they had a silly offer as they just needed cash in PDQ.
The DD option is slightly cheaper

Thanks.  I am based in the Midlands so that could explain the cheaper price? Are you in London?

Grumpy_chap

w00519773 said:

Are you in London?

Yes.