I am considering a 1099 training position with a local gym, what are the pros/cons & what are typical hourly rates you’ve seen?
I was offered a 1099 training opportunity at a local gym, but the LOW hourly rate suprised me (I know W2 trainers who make a higher hourly rate.) – also that there was an hourly rate for an indep contractor. There is the potential of earning 5% of sales, but as a 1099 there are no benefits and I have to add the gym as an additional insured on my policy. It seems that while I am taking on all the responsibility, the gym is making all the money – or am I missing something? Shouldn’t it be more of a split? What kinds of hourly rates should be expected these days for contract trainers?
I’m a new recruit to a local gym as an independent contractor. The gym itself is relatively new, just over a year old. The owner and manager are currently in the process of figuring out what to charge. To get the ball rolling, the sessions are going to be CHEAP. I think they were talking about 10-20 dollars per hour? My gut tells me 10 dollars per 45 minute session, but that’s off the top of my head. There is another independent contractor there who has just a little bit more experience than I do, and he has been charging 5 dollars per session and 1 dollar per exercise. He’s been there since last August and has picked up 9 clients in that time. Does that tell you about the shape we’re in if he’s charging that cheaply and he only has 9 clients, even though 9 is a lot? Interest has picked up recently, so they’ve hired some new trainers.
Now that they’re bringing me on, they have to change that to make it fair to everyone. (and they want to charge more, which they SHOULD, this is a valuable service!) In the end, I think it boils down to experience. People like me and the other independent contractor are going to charge a lot less than the other two trainers in the gym who have been doing the job for years and training contestants for competitive body building competitions.
In this economy, I would value quantity in clients. I wouldn’t expect to pay more than 25 dollars per/hour with a personal trainer with the way things have been going. I think 100 dollars per month (4 weekly sessions) is about the limit to what the average American is willing or able to put toward personal training. Hopefully things will pick up, but until that happens, we too, have to roll with the punches.
Houly rates can vary. It has been my observation they swing from $12 to $60 in a gym. It is based on your certifications, your educational background, your experience, and, of course location. The upside is exposure to potential clients, establishing relationships, and steady income. The downside has always been for me, monthly meetings, and the company taking a large chunk of the earnings.
However, it seems to me, if you are new to training, exposure, exposure exposure, is what brings you clients. The additional insured COI is not an additional fee with Philadelphia Insurance Company so check with your provider.
Danielle
If its a chain gym I wouldn’t expect much. If its a training studio I offer 1099’s 50% for the first month (no less than $15/session) and raise that to around 60% within their 1st year depending on their experience and performance. I do expect them to add the additional insured as well though. I will only take on NCCA accredited certified professionals as personal trainers or those with related college credentials and a proven work history so I believe they deserve decent pay for their time.
IDEA’s Fitness Industry Trends Compensation Survey contains a question that gathers this ratio. If you’re a member, you can access findings with this link:
https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/2010-idea-fitness-industry-compen…
The typical fee split reported by the 354 respondents that completed the survey was 60/40.
Melissa Rodriguez, MBA, CSCS
www.myexercisecoach.net
[email protected]