Find a Personal Trainer near you
The average rating for Bark Personal Trainers is 4.92, based on 641,316 reviews
5/5
based on 641,316 reviews
How much does a personal training cost? Set your training budget and find brilliant local PTs with our handy price guide for 2025.
Last updated: 19 August 2025
When hiring a fitness coach, it's important to understand that costs vary significantly by location, the type of trainer you pick, your instructor's experience, and the session type (group vs private).
According to the latest Bark data, the average cost of hiring a personal trainer (PT) in the USA is $60 per hour. However, costs can range from $35 to more than $125 per hour.
For example, an online trainer is likely to be significantly cheaper than an in-person trainer in a private gym.
Like any professional service, the cost of a PT is based on a variety of factors. Understanding what goes into their pricing can help you find the right coach for you and your budget.
The cost of a personal trainer will be impacted by your area code. For example, trainers in major metropolitan areas, such as Chicago and New York City, are likely to charge more due to higher costs of living, higher gym costs and demand. There are ways to make your personal training sessions more affordable and other factors which influence cost so don’t worry too much if you live in an expensive area.
Popular personal training location prices:
| City | Range | Average cost |
| Los Angeles, CA | $55-$75 | $65 |
| San Diego, CA | $75-$85 | $80 |
| New York City, NY | $75-$125 | $100 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $70-$95 | $80 |
| Palm Beach, FL | $90-$100 | $95 |
Your personal training sessions are tailored to fit your specific fitness ambitions and schedule. While sessions are commonly available in 30 or 60 minute increments, the ideal length depends on what you want to achieve. You can book sessions one at a time or create a recurring schedule that works for you. Ultimately, the cost is reflective of the session's length, which is designed to cover all aspects of your fitness plan. As to be expected, shorter sessions are generally cheaper than longer ones.
To encourage consistency, trainers often offer discounted rates for sessions purchased in packages of five, 10, or 20. This can make things cheaper if you’re willing to commit to a training program.
Additionally, signing up to a regular schedule may accelerate your progress, meaning you might see greater benefits in a shorter timeframe.
If you're on a budget, online personal training might be for you. Online coaching is often a more cost-effective option primarily because trainers have fewer business expenses. They avoid costs associated with gym fees and travel, and these savings are often passed on to you. Additionally, the efficiency of the virtual format - which is usually done over a platform like Zoom - allows trainers to work with more clients, enabling them to offer more competitive pricing compared to traditional in-person sessions.
Find out more about virtual coaches in our guide to online personal training.
One-on-one private training offers a fully personalized experience, allowing for the trainer's undivided attention on your specific goals, injuries, or nutritional needs. In contrast, group sessions provide a cost-effective alternative. While trainers can sometimes organize these groups, similar to a fitness class, it is more common for a group of friends or coworkers to approach a personal trainer for group sessions. By training as a group, you will lower the cost per person and add a social element to the workout.
The price of personal training often depends on where you would like your session. For the convenience and privacy of having a trainer come to your home or meet you at a private studio, costs are typically higher. A more budget-friendly option is to work with a trainer at your local gym, fitness center or park.
When selecting a personal trainer in the US, their certification should be a primary consideration. The fitness industry has many individuals marketing themselves as trainers without holding the necessary qualifications for safe and effective programming.
Look for trainers certified by an organization accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). This is the gold standard for credibility. Top-tier, NCCA-accredited certifications include:
NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine)
ACE (American Council on Exercise)
NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association)
ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine)
Reputable professionals will prominently display these credentials within their business name or within their Bark profile description. While a properly certified trainer may charge a higher rate, it is a worthwhile investment in your safety, health, and results.
Don't let cost be a barrier to achieving your fitness goals. At Bark we can help you find the best trainer for you and your budget. Here’s is how you can make hiring a PT work for your budget:
Commit and save: Ask about package deals. Buying sessions in bulk is not only cheaper in the long run but also motivates you to stay consistent.
Train with a team: Grab a few friends and split the cost of a session. You'll get a similar level of expert attention for a fraction of the price.
Make every session count: Use a personal trainer for a weekly check-in to perfect your technique and get a solid plan. Then, apply what you've learned in your own workouts at the gym or in fitness classes.
Working with a trainer is, by its nature, a very personal experience. You’ll need to share lots of information about yourself, your goals and your current weaknesses in order to get the most out of your sessions. So with all this in mind, it’s important their teaching style, areas of expertise and personality suit you. Use the following tips to find, choose and hire the best personal trainer for you.
First, tell Bark what you’re looking for and what you want to achieve. Providing as much information as possible will help find the right coaches for you.
Once you’ve submitted your information, we’ll send you a list of PTs ready for review. From there, you can choose the right trainer for you.
Now that you have your list of personal trainers, it's time to narrow it down and pick a trainer who's right for you. To do that, take these steps:
Deals and discounts. Most trainers offer a free or discounted initial consultation to discuss your goals, expectations, and any concerns you might have. Use this meeting to your advantage to get a feel for their personality and coaching style.
Injuries and medical history. Be sure to inform the trainer about any injuries or special health considerations. A great personal trainer will have experience modifying workouts for these issues and can create a plan for you to exercise safely.
Ask questions. Ask any questions you have about what to expect, and pay close attention to what they ask you. You can usually tell right away if the trainer is a good fit. If they are mostly silent and just nod along with everything you say, you might want to find someone who is more engaged.
Check out their reviews. On a trainer’s Bark profile you’ll see past client reviews. Use these to understand whether other people have used a specific personal trainer to achieve the same goals as you.
Average price per hour refers to the median price per hour to allow for outliers in data.
Information by state has only been provided where there is a large enough sample size.
The average rating for Bark Personal Trainers is 4.92, based on 641,316 reviews
5/5
based on 641,316 reviews
