Hong Kong has so many personal trainers. It can be overwhelming when you scroll through instagram and find multiple ads for personal training, or if you get approached on the streets or at your own local gym. This article will help you navigate through understanding the standard price of a PT, the purpose of a PT and how to find a good PT.
PT scams
There is news about predatory practices of personal trainers popping up from time to time. Here are some pitfalls to lookout for when a personal trainer is selling his or her services:
- Personal trainer has no certifications or other credentials
- Personal trainer is selling over years worth of lessons
- Personal trainer says he or she has to “fulfil” his quota and has no money
- Personal trainer manipulates or exerts pressure on you to sign the contract
- Personal trainer does not let you read the full contract
- Personal trainer corners you and takes your credit card
Here are ways to protect yourself from such predatory practices:
- Record the meeting if they get too pushy
- Claim your credit card does not have enough credit
- Bring a friend to the signing or meeting
- Make sure the contract ensures a 7-day cool down period so you can cancel if you feel manipulated
- Never sign anything you did not read
Good news about justice prevailing! PTs do get sued and punished after malpractice!
Average price point for a personal trainer:
The standard hourly charge would range from $650-1000 HKD.
The reason why you may not find PTs that charge less than $600 is because PTs typically have to pay the gym a fee for conducting their sessions. I do not recommend cheaping out on getting a personal trainer unless you can make sure the PT is qualified and would not give you an injury.
What should I look for in a personal trainer?
Personally, I would check the PT’s credentials. Here are some good indication that the PT is qualified and will help you reach your fitness goals
- Certifications: NASM Certified Personal Trainer Certification and ACMS are the two leading PT certs
- Education: Did he or she study sports science?
- Experience: Any competition experience?
- Good reviews: Was he or she recommended to you? I would look online and make sure the PT was not caught in scandals.
What does a personal trainer do?
- Teach you how to use machines
- Teach you how to do free-weight movements
- Help you reach fitness goals (lose/gain weight, get stronger)
- Help you find interest in fitness
In commercial gyms, PTs typically do a warm-up, teaching you proper ways to use a machine or do a movement with free-weights and maybe help you stretch. Depending on the PT, some may also make you do cardio. PTs in gym franchises have access to the in-body scan which may reveal your body composition and set goals for you.
Independent coaching gyms also have PTs that conduct similar sessions as those working for commercial gyms. Independent gym PTs usually charge a lower rate but the risk can be higher as bigger commercial gyms screen PTs through their hiring process. But there are amazing PTs out there who don’t want to be tied down by a franchise and start their own gym. I suggest booking a trial session with your PT before committing to a long contract.
Success stories
I’ve heard of friends stories of getting a PT at PURE and had a transformative experience as they learnt how to do squat, bench and deadlift. The PT made sure sessions were dynamic and never just the same exercises over and over again. My friends lost fat and gained muscles, but the biggest reward was actually making fitness their hobby, which made the results sustainable!
Personally, I have a powerlifting coach and you can learn more about my experience here!
Less-successful stories
When I was starting out with my fitness journey, I joined Fitness First who gave me 2 free PT sessions. The PT was telling me I was too fat and scared me by telling me if I don’t lose all the weight by the time I reach 20, I would remain fat for the rest of my life. I was 15 years old and 58 kg while being 160 cm tall. I was not fat at all as I jogged and did volleyball training which gave me a muscular physique. He told me I had to eat less than 1300 Kcal a day and work out at least 2 hours a day. Thinking back it was utterly ridiculous that a PT should prey on my teenage body insecurities!
As an adult, I’ve had friends turn to me as their PT asked them to consume around 1000 Kcal a day and do workouts 3 times a week. Their sessions were mundane as the PT did not teach new exercises after 2 sessions. As a result, my friend gained fat, lost muscle and stayed the same weight.