If you’ve been thinking about getting a personal trainer, you’ve probably found that almost nobody puts their prices online. That’s frustrating when you’re just trying to work out whether this is something you can actually afford. So let me be straightforward about it.
The short answer
In Cape Town, personal training typically runs anywhere from around 250 rand to over 600 rand a session, depending on who you train with, how long the session is, and whether they come to you. My own packages start from 275 rand a session for thirty-minute sessions at Virgin Active Table View, and I have an option that works out considerably cheaper per week if you don’t need to see me every session.
What actually drives the price
Session length is the biggest factor. A thirty-minute session is the most affordable way in, and it’s genuinely enough time to do focused, hard work if the programme is well built. Forty-five and sixty-minute sessions cost more, roughly scaling with the time.
Frequency matters too. My packages start at eight sessions a month, which is about twice a week, and go up to twelve a month, or three times a week. Buying a monthly package works out better than paying session by session.
Then there’s location. Training at Virgin Active Table View is the cheapest option because I’m already there. Home visits cost more, because I’m driving to you, and that travel time is time I can’t coach anyone else in. If you value not leaving your house, it’s worth it. If you don’t mind the gym, save the money.
The option most people overlook
Not everyone needs a trainer standing next to them four times a week. My One Plus plan is one coached session a week, either in person or over a video call, plus a full training programme for the rest of your week and regular check-ins so you’re not left guessing. It starts from 1,500 rand a month.
For a lot of people this is the sweet spot. You get eyes on your technique, someone building the programme properly, and accountability, without paying for supervision on every single set.
What you should actually be asking
Price matters, but it’s the wrong first question. The better ones are: is this person qualified, will the programme be built around me, and will I still be doing this in six months? A cheap trainer you stop seeing after three weeks costs more than a good one you stick with.
Where to start
If you’re in Table View, Blouberg, Sunningdale, Flamingo Vlei, Milnerton or West Beach, message me on WhatsApp and I’ll talk you through which option fits. No hard sell. If I’m not the right fit, I’ll tell you.