» PT STRATEGIES


WHAT DO YOU CHARGE? Y


ou have to be comfortable and confident with your rate, believe that it is right for you, fair for


your clients and competitive in the marketplace. Here’s a sample of what some trainers are charging and their rationale. My rates are


$80 for once a week, $75 for twice a week and $70 for three times a week. Partner training is $50- $60 per person per session. I have increased


my rates sever- al times over the years, and cli- ents are usually understanding since I don't in- crease every year. Sometimes if I feel that a client is


sensitive to an increase, I will grand- father them for six months at the cur- rent rate. I made a very deliberate decision


to not sell packages and instead to in- voice monthly. At the end of a package I don’t want clients to ask themselves, “Am I going to renew for another pack- age?” I’ve found that monthly invoic- ing takes away ongoing re-selling and helps add to the lifespan of a client.


Ted Loo Ted Loo Fitness Vancouver www.tedloofitness.com


I


charge $105 per session for a 5-ses- sion package of in-home training with a $2 per session discount for


each additional 5 sessions purchased (e.g., 10 is $103 and 15 is $101). I specialize in exercise program-


ming for complex, chronic medical conditions and have a master of social work degree. Though my rate is higher than average for Toronto, I feel that, based on my credentials and what I


22 Fitness Business Canada July/August 2014


offer, I should be charging much more, but I need to consider what the market can bear. I have not


increased my rate for seven years because I don’t want to limit my- self to only high-income earners. I see many clients


every other week or even less frequent- ly. This allows them to afford my ser- vices, allows me to reach a broader cli- entele and doesn’t severely impact me financially when clients take a break to travel or for another reason.


Jennifer Salter Lifeline Personal Training Toronto www.lifelinepersonaltraining.com


with about 300 members in a town of just 8,500, and we don't have many clients interested in personal training. Our price structure is based on an abili- ty-to-pay model. We don't have personal training competition or pent up demand. Three trainers in our


M


gym are working with about 15 total clients. We probably won’t increase our rates in the near future since our current rates are now what the market will allow.


David Bosiak owner/operator Boze's Bodyshop Dauphin, Manitoba


A


single session is $100, 5 are $85, 10 are $80 and 15 are $75. I have been training some of my clients


y hourly rate is $45 per hour, and I rarely offer package training. We are a small gym


I


for as long as ten years, and I charge these clients a grandfathered rate. It is a delicate bal- ance finding a rate that allows people to afford my services on a long-term basis but still allows me to make a living. I increase my rates, includ- ing the grand-


fathered rates, about every 18 months. I really believe that training should be as accessible as possible, so I offer a sliding scale when required. I don't ad- vertise this, but if someone really can't afford training, I make allowances.


Kathleen Trotter personal trainer Toronto www.kathleentrotter.com


charge $65.00 per session, $720 for 12 sessions and $1,100 for 20 ses- sions. These rates are comparable to


other higher-end training companies in my town of 1,400. Every December I assess any increases in my business expenses and re- evalu- ate my rates. The last time I increased my rates was January 2014 when I went from $50 to $65. When I


do increase my rates, I give my clients 60 days notice.


Jill Hanson owner Fidelity Fitness & Training Balgonie, Saskatchewan


Barb Gormley is the senior editor of Fitness Business Canada, a freelance writer and editor, and a certified personal trainer. Contact her at www.barbgormley.com.


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