What do you charge?

[Luke Denley]

For all the independent trainers out there what kind of rates do you charge on an hourly basis? Do you require the customer to pay up front? Do you provide volume discounts if they buy say 15 or 20 sessions up front?

[tonymcclellan]

The customer should always pay up front. Do you tell them how many sessions they are going to "probably" need? Meaning, "With your goals, I would recommend that we work together 2 times per week for at least 2 months." Now you have just sold 16 sessions.

[Jean-Paul]

I charge $85 an hour for my personal time, whether they buy 1, 10, or 70 sessions. My time does not lose value just because they want to pay in bulk.

My trainers charge $50 per session, and they generally get to keep about half of that (rest goes into "the pot" for expenses).

If you ever show doubt in your eyes when announcing your price and demanding the money up front, you're not worth it yet.

[Luke Denley]

Originally Posted by Jean-Paul

If you ever show doubt in your eyes when announcing your price and demanding the money up front, you're not worth it yet.

that makes ALOT of sense. Thanks for the responses guys.

[RobLL]

JP - So if someone wanted to take a copy of their NROL, EDT whatever exercises and have you do a general evaluation of form, check a few mobility issues, see what's missing and do this every couple months you would do it?

[Jean-Paul]

Absolutely. Actually, I have recently purchased a Motion DNA system and I do 3d Motion Capture Analysis for $150. From that I can objectively see where the powerleaks or imbalances are and design a program that targets the specific weaknesses. My main group that I test is golfers, but I can work with virtually any kind of athlete.

One of the problems with tweaking someone's form is that proper form isn't generally guided by conscious technique, rather by efficient movement. If someone has bad technique it doesn't necessarily need to be "tweaked"... Some foundation exercises need to be done to give the individual the strength to complete certain movements smoothly in the first place. If you are not a good squatter, you are more than likely just not an efficient squatter. You don't need to "elevate your heels" or "turn your knees out" or whatever... You need to develop the strength to perform a proper squat, which usually entails unilateral work that is not necessarily symmetrical.

Sorry, hijacking this thread. Point is, although I love those programs, no program should be followed too closely, as cookie cutters don't generally address the individual issues. So yes, I would analyze your form and at my full price would be a bargain!

[Leigh P.]

Originally Posted by Jean-Paul

If you ever show doubt in your eyes when announcing your price and demanding the money up front, you're not worth it yet.

Just really wanted to 2nd that.

[Deserve]

That pretty much goes for any consutant type work. That is true for my business as well. No doubt, hesitation or pause. If you don't think you are delivering that kind of value don't ask for that much money.