The five most common myths about personal training — that it is too expensive, that you need to be fit first, that you do not have time, that you will feel judged, and that you will be forced into a restrictive diet — are all misconceptions that prevent people from accessing professional fitness support. In reality, personal training is designed to meet you where you are, work around your schedule, and build sustainable habits rather than impose extreme changes.
Key Takeaways
- Personal training offers better value than unused gym memberships when measured by actual results and adherence
- You do not need to be fit before starting — good trainers assess your level and build a programme from your starting point
- Scheduled PT sessions fit around busy lifestyles and require less decision-making than self-directed gym visits
- Private training studios eliminate the fear of judgement that holds many people back from exercising
- Effective trainers make gradual, sustainable dietary improvements rather than imposing restrictive meal plans
1. ‘Personal training is too expensive’
When people say to me that personal training is too expensive, my first reply is usually ‘compared to what?’ Compared to a gym membership that you buy in January and then only go half a dozen times in the year, costing between £600 and £900 per year? Or compared to paying £20 for an exercise class, with 40 people crammed into a room where there’s no coaching on whether your technique is correct and you have a high chance of picking up long term injuries? Not always, but often it comes down to value and priorities.
2. ‘I’m not fit enough’
This is a belief that I totally understand and have sympathy for, although that doesn’t make it true. A good personal trainer will always take the time to talk through your exercise history and then assess what your current fitness level is. The reality is that there is no better way for someone who is deconditioned, or unfit, to get in shape than working out with a personal trainer
3. ‘I don’t have the time’
For the very busiest people, personal training is a great option as it’s a regular appointment that is scheduled in the diary and you don’t have to think. You just have to turn up and train and then get on with your day. I bet we’ve all seen research showing that people who exercise regularly have more energy. The reason we’ve all seen it is because it’s true, and after you’ve trained you’ll have more energy to attack your busy day.
4. ‘I don’t want to look stupid or feel judged’
This fear can hold people back from using a personal trainer and gaining control of their health. For many people, no matter how successful they are in their careers or personal life, when they are in their gym kit they feel vulnerable. A good personal trainer will be encouraging and supportive. Don’t let this fear hold you back from hitting the training goals you’ve always wanted to!
5. ‘I don’t want to be told I can’t drink wine/beer or eat my favourite foods’
If you feel like you’re depriving yourself with a new nutritional plan, then it simply won’t last. A good personal trainer will recognise this and help you make gradual improvements to your current diet in a sustainable way. This can be achieved through tracking what you eat and how much you eat. This allows your personal trainer to view your daily food intake, creating the all-important accountability that is needed to achieve results.
What the Research Says About Personal Training Effectiveness
Despite common misconceptions, the evidence strongly supports personal training as one of the most effective approaches to improving fitness. A systematic review published in the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine (2014) found that individuals who trained with a personal trainer achieved significantly greater improvements in strength, cardiovascular fitness, and body composition compared to those who exercised independently.
The key reasons for this effectiveness include:
- Programme design: Personal trainers create structured, progressive programmes based on exercise science principles, eliminating guesswork
- Technique correction: Proper form reduces injury risk and ensures exercises are targeting the intended muscles — the ACSM notes that incorrect technique is one of the leading causes of gym-related injuries
- Accountability: Having a scheduled appointment with a trainer significantly improves exercise adherence compared to self-directed training
- Progressive overload: Trainers systematically increase difficulty to ensure continued progress, preventing the plateaus that commonly occur with unsupervised training
The Real Cost of Not Investing in Your Fitness
The “too expensive” myth is perhaps the most persistent, yet research suggests that the real cost is in not addressing fitness. Public Health England data shows that physical inactivity costs the NHS an estimated £1 billion per year in direct treatment costs, with sedentary lifestyles contributing to conditions including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.
On a personal level, unused gym memberships — which average £40–60 per month in London — represent money spent without results. The average gym member in the UK attends only 1.5 times per week according to industry data, with many stopping entirely within the first three months. Personal training, by contrast, creates a commitment structure that dramatically improves attendance and, consequently, results.
Why Starting Fitness Levels Do Not Matter
The belief that you need to “get fit before” starting personal training is perhaps the most counterproductive myth. The WHO (2020) physical activity guidelines are clear that all adults benefit from increasing their activity levels regardless of their starting point. A qualified personal trainer will:
- Conduct a thorough initial assessment of your current fitness, health history, and any injuries or limitations
- Design a programme that is challenging but achievable at your current level
- Progress the intensity gradually as your fitness improves, using evidence-based periodisation principles
- Modify exercises as needed — for example, substituting press-ups on the knees for full press-ups, or reducing range of motion on squats until mobility improves
The purpose of personal training is precisely to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. Waiting until you are already fit defeats the purpose entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is personal training worth the money compared to a gym membership?
For many people, yes. Research shows that individuals who train with a personal trainer achieve greater fitness improvements and are significantly more likely to maintain their exercise habit long-term. The structured accountability and expert programming often deliver better value than a gym membership that goes unused after the first few months.
How often should I train with a personal trainer?
The ACSM recommends 2–3 resistance training sessions per week for general fitness. Many clients train with a personal trainer 2–3 times per week and supplement with independent activity such as walking or running on other days. Your trainer will recommend a frequency based on your goals, schedule, and recovery capacity.
Will a personal trainer put me on a strict diet?
A good personal trainer will not impose a restrictive diet. Instead, they will review your current eating habits and suggest gradual, sustainable improvements. The British Dietetic Association advises against extreme dietary restrictions, as they are difficult to maintain and can lead to a cycle of restriction and overeating.
Can I do personal training if I have an injury or health condition?
Yes. Qualified personal trainers are trained to work around injuries and health conditions. They will ask about your medical history during your initial assessment and modify exercises accordingly. For specific medical conditions, they may also liaise with your GP or physiotherapist to ensure your programme is safe and appropriate.
What is the real cost of an unused gym membership compared to personal training?
The average gym membership in London costs between 40 and 60 pounds per month, yet industry data shows that the average gym member attends only 1.5 times per week, with many stopping entirely within the first three months. Personal training creates a commitment structure that dramatically improves attendance and delivers results, making it better value per session actually used.
Do I need to get fit before starting personal training?
No. The WHO physical activity guidelines are clear that all adults benefit from increasing their activity levels regardless of starting point. A qualified trainer will assess your current fitness, design a programme that is challenging but achievable at your level, and progress the intensity gradually as you improve. The whole purpose of personal training is to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be.
How does personal training fit around a busy schedule?
Personal training sessions are scheduled in advance as regular appointments in your diary, removing the daily decision of whether to exercise. You simply turn up, train, and get on with your day. For the busiest people, this structure is more effective than relying on self-motivation to visit a gym at an unscheduled time.
Sources & References
- Journal of Sports Science & Medicine (2014) — Systematic review on the effectiveness of personal training compared to self-directed exercise
- WHO Physical Activity Guidelines (2020) — Recommendations that all adults benefit from increased physical activity regardless of starting fitness level
- American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) — Guidelines on resistance training frequency and technique-related injury prevention
- Public Health England — Data on the economic cost of physical inactivity to the NHS
- British Dietetic Association — Position on sustainable dietary approaches versus restrictive dieting
