Personal training

A personal trainer (PT) is a certified individual who has the knowledge, skills and abilities to design safe and effective exercise programmes. 

They help their clients to achieve health and fitness goals, such as fat loss, muscle gain, improved sports performance and various other aims, by delivering a safe and effective workout programme, and providing guidance, support, and motivation.

Many Personal Trainers choose a career within the fitness industry as they have undertaken their own journey and are passionate about helping others achieve their health and fitness goals. You might look at a PT and think they have always been physically fit, but often they know what it’s like to be new to a gym environment and not knowing where to start.

There are several benefits of personal training. These include:

• Learning the correct form: A Personal Trainer will guide you on how to perform exercises correctly and safely, making sure you target the right muscles while preventing injuries. Even the most experienced gym goers can struggle with form! 
• Knowledge and experience: Personal Trainers have a huge wealth of knowledge on everything from the human anatomy to the best training methods. Working with a PT means you benefit from this information without needing to do the research yourself, or having to trial methods which are not effective. 
• Pushing your limits: Personal Trainers are passionate and supportive, but they'll also challenge and motivate you to push yourself further. It is much easier to break through a plateau or smash personal bests when working with a PT!
• Being held accountable: Sometimes, the toughest battle is getting to the gym. Having a Personal Trainer keeps you accountable on your health and fitness journey, so you can reach your goals quicker.
• Getting a bespoke training programme: There is no one size fits all when it comes to fitness. Personal Trainers will create a tailored training programme to suit your needs, abilities and goals, making sure it is challenging but achievable.

There are thousands of PTs across PureGym to choose from, which means you are sure to find someone suitable for your needs.

You can find information on your PTs at the gym and contact them directly, or you can also find Personal Trainers' profiles on our gym pages. To find this information on our website, go to find your gym, click on the 'Personal Trainer's tab, and click the photo of the PT you'd like to contact. You will be asked to log in to see the personal trainer's profile and contact details.

Hiring a PT is a big investment so it's important to find someone who you get on with that can help you to reach your goals. When looking for a Personal Trainer, some areas you might want to consider include:

• Their experience: Personal Trainers have different interests, and while many PTs help clients achieve a range of goals, you may find some Personal Trainers have more experience helping clients in certain areas. Our PTs state their interests on their profiles, but nothing beats a conversation when understanding which PT is best suited. 
• Credentials and specialties: Some Personal Trainers have additional qualifications and expertise in particular areas, such as weightlifting, pre and post-natal, and rehabilitation. Similar to above, you may want to work with a PT who has more expertise in the area you want to focus on. You can find which qualifications our PTs have on their profiles.
• Personality: Finding a PT that you get on well with can make a huge difference in how your find your sessions. Consider what kind of training style you would benefit from and find a Personal Trainer who fits with this. 
• Gender: Some people are more comfortable with a female Personal Trainer, while others would prefer a male PT. 

Our PTs are always happy to have an initial chat before signing a new client, so use this time to ask questions and make sure they are the right fit.

Most PTs will have a consultation session with their clients prior to their first session so that they can understand their current fitness levels, goals, and lifestyle is, so that the PT can build out a tailored plan. 

There is no set rule for what a first session looks like, but it may include:

• A run through of your new workout programme to make sure you are comfortable with the exercises.
• Asking you to perform certain exercises so the PT can check your form and understand your baseline level of fitness.
• Taking you through the first workout of your new programme.
• You may have your measurements and photo taken.

You will also have the chance to ask any questions, whether that's about nutrition, certain exercises, or tracking your progress.

There is a general misconception that you need an underlying level of fitness to work with a PT, but this is not the case. 

Personal Trainers are able to deliver exercise programmes and training sessions which are suitable for a range of abilities, from those who have never exercised through to those with years of training under their belt. 

Personal Training can be really helpful for those with limited experience or confidence with exercising. A PT can build an effective workout programme to achieve your goals, ensure you have the correct form, and answer any questions you have, helping you to build a strong foundation for years to come.

Personal Trainers prices vary as PTs set their own rates. As a rough benchmark, outside of London, a PT session will typically cost between £30 - £65 for a 45-60 minute session; prices in London are usually higher at around £45 - £65 a session. 

Factors that might influence the cost include their experience and expertise, location, and demographic, as well as the package - for example, if they offer WhatsApp support. 

Some PTs may offer discounted rates for online coaching, or if multiple sessions are paid for in advance. Many offer a range of products and services to suit different budgets, so it's always best to speak to a Personal Trainer directly.

The cost of a Personal Trainer is not included in your PureGym membership, so you will need to pay for your PT sessions on top of your membership. This can be arranged directly with the Personal Trainer you choose.

How long and how often you will need to work with a Personal Trainer can vary depending on your goals, your current fitness level, how knowledgeable you are, and more. 

Most clients will see their Personal Trainer 1 to 2 times a week and work with them for a few months, but this is completely flexible.

For example, if your goal is to learn how to safely use weights, you may only need to see your Personal Trainer once a week for a few weeks. If you have a longer term goal such as weight loss or building muscle, you may want to work with your PT for a few months and see them twice each week.

The average personal training session lasts between 45 and 60 minutes, but some PTs may offer sessions anywhere between 30 and 90 minutes long. This is something that would be agreed on before you start your personal training.

Although the Level 3 Personal Trainer certification covers basic nutrition, it is uncommon for Personal Trainers to offer specific nutrition advice unless they have taken additional nutritionist training. 

Most PTs are happy to help suggest basic lifestyle and diet changes, such as increasing protein or adding in more fruit and vegetables. For more in-depth help with your nutrition, it is best to speak to a nutritionist or dietitian.

Being open with your PT will help you to get the most out of your personal training sessions. Being honest about your goals, your fitness, and what effort you are willing to put in, will help your PT to design a programme that fits with your lifestyle. 

Use your Personal Training as a tool to learn by asking questions that will help you even when you go alone.

We're always on the lookout for new PTs.

Not yet qualified? If you're looking to turn your career into passion and become a personal trainer, please register your interest here. When the next personal trainer courses is available we will be in touch.

Already qualified? See available Personal Trainer vacancies.