Though we – at Singapore Fitness Professionals Network – have tried to address this question in the past (please see one of our earlier blog posts: “Singapore Fitness Training Rates: What They Really Tell You About Your Fitness Provider”), we still get inundated with emails, queries and questions on the above topic – time and again.

So, in an attempt to “de-mystify” the mystery behind the rates and cost of hiring a personal trainer here in Singapore – once and for all – we will do our utmost here to provide you – the General Public and Fitness Consumer - with a comprehensive breakdown of what really goes into the pricing of a personal trainer here.

First of all, there are numerous factors that contribute to what and how a personal trainer charges.

These factors include:

• Qualifications
• Experience
• Location Of Training
• Time Of Training
• Achievements (Titles/Awards/Accolades)
• Demand/Availability
• Specializations/Area Of Specialty
• Media Exposure
• Associations

We will look at each of these contributing factors in turn.

1) Personal Trainer Cost As A Function Of Qualification

Obviously, the MORE qualified and certified a trainer is, the HIGHER his/her rates. Hence, trainers with internationally recognized certifications, multiple qualifications and/or with solid educational backgrounds are definitely going to cost you much MORE than a trainer who has just a basic, entry-level fitness background.

2) Personal Trainer Cost As A Function Of Experience

Personal trainers who have clocked-in several years of coaching experience are also going to cost you much MORE than the novice or rookie trainer who is still finding his/her way around. Usually the LONGER that a personal trainer has been involved in the fitness industry, and the more experienced and established he/she is, the HIGHER his/her hourly charges.

3) Personal Trainer Cost As a Function Of Location

Where – as in the exact location that a personal training session takes place - will also play a large part in determining how much a personal trainer charges. A training session that is being held at a TRAINER’s own fitness facility will VARY greatly compared to that conducted at a CLIENT’S residence. It should be no surprise therefore that the cost will be much HIGHER if a trainer has to make private house calls or home visits.  Additionally, some trainers may also estimate the DISTANCE he/she may have to travel to the client’s destination, in combination with other factors like fuel cost, travel time, overall convenience, etc - to determine the FINAL cost which takes into account all the above-mentioned factors. On top of that, whether a training session is conducted INDOORS (think: shelter, comfort, privacy, air-con etc) as opposed to OUTDOORS (think: rain, sun, wind, public scrutiny etc) may also influence how much trainers charge for their services.

4) Personal Trainer Cost As A Function Of Timing

The TIME at which a personal training session takes place also determines the cost of the sessions concerned. Peak Hour slots – such as those in the early mornings and late evenings – are known to be charged at a HIGHER rate by some trainers, compared to “lull” periods in-between the rest of the day. Also, if sessions are to be held at Odd/Extreme Hours - such as late at nights (think: 10pm or later) or super early in the mornings (think: 6am or before), a premium rate will also be usually quoted.

5) Personal Trainer Cost As A Function Of Achievement (Titles/Awards/Accolades)

Personal trainers who have won titles, achievements, awards and accomplishments in the fields of physique/figure contests, sporting competitions and/or other fitness or sports-related areas will usually also cost MORE than one who has not attained any such credential or achievement. So, if one is trained by a former National Champion, or by a Multiple Award Winner, or by a trainer with a whole string of accolades - be prepared to pay a premium price for his/her services.

6) Personal Trainer Cost As A Function Of Demand & Availability

The more popular, in-demand and sought-after a trainer is, the MORE he/she is obviously going to cost. In Singapore, as in many parts of the developed world, it is not uncommon to hear of top-notch personal trainers who have clients on waiting lists for as long as 2-3 MONTHS! Such trainers – who are in HIGH demand, but with LIMITED time slots available - are going to cost much MORE than those trainers who are in low demand, and who have lots of spare time and plenty of free slots on hand!

7) Personal Trainer Cost As A Function Of Advanced Specialization

Personal trainers who have attained advanced specializations in fitness specialty fields like: special population training (eg. pre-post natal fitness, senior/older adults fitness etc), sports nutrition, corrective exercise etc, and/or other niche areas, are also going to cost MORE than the average, general-trained fitness practitioner. These personal trainers – by virtue of their higher learning, advanced training and specialized expertise – will charge significantly HIGHER rates than the average, run-of-the-mill trainer.

8) Personal Trainer Cost As A Function Of Media Exposure

Personal trainers who have been widely profiled and featured in the Mass Media – such as on News, on TV, on Radio, on the Internet, in fitness and heath magazines, and in other mass-circulated publications – will also cost MORE than the less-heard-of and less-seen-of trainer lurking in the background. By virtue of their ‘Celebrity Pop Status’, these trainers will command a HIGHER fee than the lesser known ones.

9) Personal Trainer Cost As A Function Of Association

Personal trainers who choose to work and associate with High Net Worth Individuals – including, but not limited to: TV & Sports Personalities, Celebrities, Dignitaries, Royalties, Socialites and other VVIP people; by virtue of their close association with these group of individuals - are also known to charge much HIGHER rates than the average trainer who works only with the common man-in-the-streets.

Conclusion

As one can see by now, there is a whole list of factors which inter-play and interact together to determine how much a personal trainer is going to price himself/herself, and how much – YOU – as the fitness consumer is expected to pay.

So, the next time if you come across a personal trainer charging $50/hour, and another charging $80/hour, and yet another whose going rate is perhaps $200/hour, don’t be overly surprised, shocked or confused.

Just bear in mind that the whole slew of factors – as mentioned above – are the ones responsible for this wide variance in personal training costs here in Singapore and across the rest of the world.