4 Things to Consider When Searching for "Personal Training Near Me" or "Gym Near Me"

You’ve heard of personal training.

Maybe you’ve seen fit people achieving their fitness goals on Instagram. Maybe one of your co-workers goes to a personal trainer after work every day. Maybe you even have friends who won’t stop talking about it.

But before you go down the Google rabbit hole, consider these four things when searching for "personal training near me" or "gym near me."

Number 1: Consider more than just price and location in your decision.

When choosing a personal trainer, price and location are often the deciding factors. In my opinion, a great personal training studio with an awesome community is worth the extra 10 or 15 minutes on the road.

Personal training is a social activity, and every studio has a different culture. You may work 1 on 1 with a coach or in a group training session with other people around. You should find a studio whose trainers and clients you connect well with. I tell everyone that moves to our area to try all the personal training studios before deciding which one is the best for them.

Yes, personal training can be expensive. Guess what? It can also be cheap.

But you get what you pay for. So you need to ask yourself what you’re looking for. Do you just want access to equipment and not much in the way of service or coaching? If that’s the case, then maybe the lower-priced option is good for you. If you are new to personal training, however, I don’t recommend this route. The exercises can be complex, and you’ll need quality coaching.

At BFP, we pride ourselves on client service. We provide our clients with one-on-one personal training services, which has a higher price point. If you want a higher-value service that provides faster results than group classes, you should consider a personal training studio that provides one-on-one personal training. Yes we also provide awesome group training as well. But if you want the fastest results, working 1 on 1 with a trainer is it.

Number 2: Ask, “Does the personal trainer near me understand my goals?”

The most successful personal training studios should understand the wants, needs, and desires of their clients.

The best studios in the business understand that we are in the results business. The worst studios in the business think we are in the “get-bodies-in-the-door” business.

The path to results begins with a 1 on 1 meeting when you first walk in. We call ours an Initial Coaching Session. (Fill out a form here to schedule yours today!) Good studios will ask you what your goals are. Do you want to lose weight? Gain strength? Get toned? Feel better in your skin?

Now, here’s the secret—the great studios will ask you WHY.

Understanding the “why” is very powerful in setting any goal. Is it about more than just losing weight? Does your family have a history of chronic disease? Do you want to get stronger so you can play with your grandkids? Do you want to be able to use your fitness outside of the studio in activities like golf, swimming, kayaking, or hiking?

If no one sits down with you and talks to you about your goals and your “why,” then they don’t truly understand you. And like Dale Carnegie said, “the deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.”

You deserve to find a studio that appreciates you!

Number 3: Ask, “Does the personal trainer or gym near me offer nutrition coaching?”

Yes! You read that correctly! The best personal training studios in your area should offer nutrition coaching. Find out more here.

Despite the fact that what we read on the internet is usually correct (hint—that was a joke!), personal training is not just about exercise. It’s about improving your overall health and fitness.

In any health and fitness routine, nutrition is responsible for 80% of the results. We see it in our clients all the time. Those who do nutrition coaching see 3.5 times the results of those who just exercise. If you are not eating real whole foods, you are not doing personal training … period.

People quit studios when they don’t see results. If you want the fastest route to results, you need good nutrition and exercise. So why not find a studio where you can get both?

Number 4: Ask yourself whether you’re searching for a “gym near me” or a “personal trainer near me.”

If you’re new to personal training, I highly advise that you start in a one-on-one personal training environment. Fitness can be intimidating. You will feel like you don’t know what you’re doing. Don’t get lost in a sea of terminology and equipment you don’t understand.

A facility in your area that offers personal training is the best place to start. You may even find that you enjoy the one-on-one environment more than group training.

Personal training is a methodology. Group training and personal training are the means with which it is delivered. At BFP, we offer both. We find personal training is best for the following:

• Clients dealing with a pre-existing injury.

• Clients new to personal training.

• Older clients that might get neglected if put in a group class with 20- and 30-somethings.

• Clients who want to make sure they’re performing the exercises correctly.

• Clients who don’t like a group setting.

So don’t just toss out some search terms and sign up with the first studio you find on Google Maps. Your health is worth your due diligence. Setup your Initial Coaching Session today here.