Thinking of Hiring a Personal Trainer? Here's What You Should Know

Want to take your fitness routine to the next level? Working out with a personal trainer can actually boost the success rate of achieving your fitness goals by more than 30 percent, according to a study by the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine. So whether you want to get in shape for the summer, beat the competition in a marathon, or just feel better...go for it! Hitting your goals can come a lot easier if you’ve got a coach on your side.

But before you can hit the ground running, make sure that you know what you’re signing up for. Hiring a personal trainer can be pricy—the cost ranges from $15 to $100 per hour, according to the National Strength and Conditioning Association. And that may be in addition to a gym membership fee. “This is an investment in your quality of life,” says Gunnar Peterson, the Head of Strength and Endurance Training for the Los Angeles Lakers and a celebrity fitness trainer based in Beverly Hills. “Your gym experience improves everything you do outside of the workout itself.” If you’ve decided to try working out with a trainer, not only will you work out smarter, hit your goals faster, but you may actually make a new friend, too.