Should I buy sessions of personal training?

[ohyouknow]

I recently started working at a new location and there is a gym across the street that I joined. They had a special for 4 sessions of personal training for $100, which I purchased. I just did the first session today, which was her showing me around, doing some stretches, weights, form advice, intake/goals/etc. I liked her. My next session is next Monday. They have a sale ending Friday (so before my next session) that is 1 30 min session a week for 13 weeks for $549. So that is about $40 per half hour.
About me: I'm mostly just a runner. I've ran one full marathon and several half marathons, usually 2-3 a year. But typically I just run about 3 miles, 3x/week.  I don't do weights or machines, in part because I don't know how and in part because I'm vain and mostly concerned about weight control and weights don't burn as many calories per hour as running. (Look, I'm just being honest, not saying it's wise.) 
In your opinions, is it worth the money for me to continue working out with her once a week for 3 months? Or save my money?

[gt7301b]

I think it depends on what your goals are and why you want to incorporate strength training in your overall fitness routine. I personally think strength training helps me improves my running and overall fitness. If you are just looking at it from a calories burned point of view than maybe it isn't for you. I'd personally ask them if they could let you try another session (or two) before you commit. Is that a good deal for a personal trainer at your gym, I feel like I see better deals advertised at my gym (HCOL) all the time.

[ohyouknow]

I don't really have a great reason to incorporate strength training. I'm in the military, but I can reach my goals on our annual PT test without strength training all year (it's just situp and pushups, besides the run.)
I don't know if it's a good deal. I know I work in a very HCOL area (Arlington, VA.) The gym told me the usual rates for personal training was $90-125/hr, but for all I know, they are just telling me that to make this seem like a deal. Which it isn't that much cheaper than that rate, come to think of it.....
I think maybe I'll just do the three remaining sessions I've paid for and odds are another "deal" will come up if I decided to keep going.

[emjacobs]

Jan 27, 2014 16:20:39 GMT -5 ohyouknow said:

I don't really have a great reason to incorporate strength training. I'm in the military, but I can reach my goals on our annual PT test without strength training all year (it's just situp and pushups, besides the run.)
I don't know if it's a good deal. I know I work in a very HCOL area (Arlington, VA.) The gym told me the usual rates for personal training was $90-125/hr, but for all I know, they are just telling me that to make this seem like a deal. Which it isn't that much cheaper than that rate, come to think of it.....
I think maybe I'll just do the three remaining sessions I've paid for and odds are another "deal" will come up if I decided to keep going.

I live in Warrenton, so south of you.  We are also a VHCOL area, and I go to the "high end" club, our trainers are $55/hour.  This is an hour of actual training.  What you described as your first session is fitness coaching and is $25/session.  

[kellsbelles]

I think personal training is a great way to get you acclimated to the weight machines, spice up your workouts and learn new things. That being said I will probably not have one again. I dropped 700$ on a package last year and it was not what I thought it would be. At the end of the day she was only with me for one hour a few times a week and she couldn't control what I ate. I also just didn't click with her and she didn't listen to my goals.

For me the money is better spent on group fitness classes which I find motivating and look forward to. I also get great results from them.

[sadlebred]

$549 is a lot to spend if you don't know if you will like it. I'm sure the special will be run again.