Personal training · Prices
Personal training at premium clubs: what a session costs, chain by chain
PT is the most expensive thing most members buy after the membership itself, and the least transparently priced. Typical rates at each chain, how trainers are employed and paid, what a block should include, and the questions to ask before handing over £600.
Updated September 2026 · Prices and facilities are illustrative and need verification
Rates by chain
| Chain | Per session (60 min) | Block of 10 | Trainer model | Included with membership | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Lloyd | £45 to £75 | £400 to £650 | Self-employed, rent floor space | Induction; some programmes | Prices set by trainer; negotiate blocks |
| Third Space | £85 to £130 | £800 to £1,200 | Employed, tiered by experience | Consultation | Highest standard and price; specialist coaches |
| Virgin Active | £50 to £80 | £450 to £700 | Mixed | Induction | Varies by club |
| Nuffield Health | £45 to £70 | £400 to £600 | Employed | Health MOT; programme review | Clinical crossover with physio |
| Harbour Club | £80 to £120 | £750 to £1,100 | Employed / resident | Consultation | Boutique quality |
| Bannatyne | £35 to £55 | £300 to £500 | Self-employed | Induction | Regional value |
| Equinox | £100 to £180 | £950 to £1,700 | Employed, tiered | Assessment | Tier 3+ coaches are excellent |
| Independent PT (own studio or your club) | £50 to £120 | £450 to £1,100 | Self-employed | n/a | Often better value than in-club at the same standard |
Typical ranges from club and trainer published rates, September 2026, mainly London and big cities. Verify.
How trainers are paid
At most chains PTs are self-employed and pay the club £600 to £1,200 a month in rent or hours on the floor. That is why they sell hard, why prices differ between trainers in the same club, and why blocks are negotiable. At Third Space, Equinox and Nuffield they are employed, prices are set centrally and the standard is more consistent.
What a block should include
An assessment session, a written programme you can follow alone, and a review at the end. If you are paying £60 an hour to be counted through the same circuit each week, you are paying for company. A good trainer makes you need them less over time.
Questions before you buy
Qualifications (Level 3 minimum; Level 4 or a degree for anything clinical). Insurance and first aid. Who they usually train and what for. Whether they will write a programme for your solo sessions. Cancellation terms. Ask for a paid single session before a block; anyone who refuses is telling you something.
Alternatives
Small-group PT (two to four people, £25 to £45 each) gives most of the coaching at half the price and is growing fast at premium clubs. Online coaching runs £100 to £300 a month for programming and check-ins without the hour. See online coaching and small-group training.
FAQs
Common questions
How much is a personal trainer in the UK?
Typically £45 to £75 an hour at premium chains outside London, £60 to £130 in London and at luxury clubs. Blocks of ten discount 10 to 20 percent.
Are gym PTs employed by the gym?
At most UK chains they are self-employed and pay rent to the club. Third Space, Nuffield Health and Equinox employ theirs.