Is a personal trainer the key to helping you reach your fitness goals?
For those of us who aren’t elite athletes or hardcore fitness buffs, hiring a personal trainer may seem unnecessary and excessive. Unlike the pros, you’re probably not looking to shave milliseconds off your race time or beef up for a competition.
But even us regular folks can benefit from personal training, like the kind offered at the YMCA of Greater Toronto. With a private fitness coach in your corner, you’ll find it much easier to stick to your workout plan and reach your exercise goals — whether you’re training for your first charity run or just want to feel less winded when you climb the stairs.
If you haven’t worked with a personal trainer before, you may be curious about whether it’s right for you and want to know what to expect. Here, we share the benefits and answer your questions about hiring a personal fitness instructor.
The benefits of having a private personal trainer
Those new to the gym will find that working with a personal fitness trainer removes the intimidation factor. You’ll have someone to help you plan your workout, show you how to do each exercise, and answer your questions about using the equipment.
If you’ve been a gym-goer for a while, you’ll also benefit from working with a fitness trainer, as they can push you past any plateaus and show you new routines when you need a change.
No matter how experienced you are, there are many benefits of personal training. Your personal trainer can keep you motivated and consistent and help build your confidence in your abilities. You notice a physical transformation and start feeling good inside and out. When you feel good, you naturally shine brightly, with confidence, in all aspects of your life.
What makes a good personal trainer?
Your private trainer should be certified by a reputable organization recognized by the industry, such as CanFit Pro or the YMCA, to ensure the advice they give you is safe. They’ll use their training to tailor a customized fitness program just for you, accounting for your unique needs, abilities, and goals. And they’ll hold you accountable in a way that’s motivating, helping you stick to your fitness program even when you struggle to.
What to expect at your first personal training session
Every Y client starts with a free personal training consultation so we can learn
where you are on your fitness journey and what you’d like to achieve. We’ll discuss how personal training can help you reach your goals and important details like scheduling, timeline, and cost.
At your first paid session, your personal instructor will introduce you to your customized training program and help you start your initial exercises.
How much does a personal trainer cost?
A certified fitness trainer typically costs $90 to $120 per session in downtown Toronto but can be as much as $200 or more. The YMCA of Greater Toronto offers an affordable personal trainer option for as little as $60 per session when you sign up for a monthly subscription of at least one session per week.
Where to find a personal trainer in the GTA
You’ll find certified personal fitness trainers at all YMCA Health and Fitness centres in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), including in Oshawa, Markham, Vaughan, Mississauga, and Brampton. In Toronto, there are six YMCA gyms — one each in Scarborough, North York, the Upper Beaches, Corktown, Central Downtown, and the West End.
Brampton
20 Union Street, Brampton, Ontario L6V 1R2
Near the Brampton Library, close to the areas of Ridgehill, Peel Village, and Madoc.
Markham
101 YMCA Boulevard, Markham, Ontario L6G 0A1
Near Highway 407, close to the areas of Unionville, South Unionville, Hagerman’s Corners, and Downtown Markham.
Mississauga
325 Burnhamthorpe Road West, Mississauga, Ontario L5B 3R2
Near the Square One Shopping Centre, close to the areas of Fairview, Cooksville, Mississauga Valley, and East Credit.
Oshawa
99 Mary Street North, Oshawa, Ontario L1G 8C1
Near the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens, close to the areas of Central Oshawa, Waverly, Mclaughlin, Harmony, and Eastdale.
Toronto
20 Grosvenor Street, Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2V5
Between Yonge and Bay Streets and College and Wellesley Streets, close to the areas of Yorkville and Church-Wellesley.
461 Cherry Street, Toronto, Ontario M5A 0H7
Near Corktown Common, close to the areas of the Distillery District, West Don Lands, the Port Lands, Regent Park, and Riverside.
567 Sheppard Avenue East, North York, Ontario M2K 1B2
Near Bayview Village Shopping Centre, close to the areas of East Willowdale, York Mills, Silver Hills, and the Bridle Path.
230 Town Centre Court, Scarborough, Ontario M1P 4Y7
Near Scarborough Town Centre, close to the areas of Scarborough City Centre, Agincourt South-Malvern West, Woburn North, Bendale, and Dorset Park.
The Steve & Sally Stavro Family YMCA
907 Kingston Road, Toronto, Ontario M4E 1S4
Near Glen Stewart Park, close to the areas of The Beaches, The Upper Beaches, East Danforth, and Woodbine Gardens.
931 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M6H 1A1
At the corner of College Street and Dovercourt Road, close to the areas of Brockton Village, Little Italy, Trinity-Bellwoods, Little Portugal, and Liberty Village.
Vaughan
The YMCA at The David Braley Vaughan Centre
200 Apple Mill Road, Vaughan, Ontario L4K 0J8
Near Highway 7 and Highway 400, close to the areas of Edgeley, Black Creek, Pine Grove, and Woodbridge.
Soon, there will also be a 12th Y location, called The McDonald Family YMCA, in downtown Toronto’s Fashion District, at King and Spadina.
Getting started with a YMCA personal trainer
Visit our website to learn more about personal training at the YMCA of Greater Toronto and discover how it can help you feel good and shine bright. Book a free personal training consultation today.
