How to Find a Good Personal Trainer? What to Consider Before Your First Session

Deciding to start working with a personal trainer is an investment in your health, fitness, and overall well-being. In big cities such as Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Poznań, Łódź, and Gdańsk, the choice of trainers is huge. So how do you find the right specialist who will truly help you achieve your goals?

Personal trainer consulting with a client at the gym

1. Why is it worth training with a personal trainer?

Training on your own can be challenging – lack of a plan, lack of motivation, and sometimes fear of injury. A good personal trainer provides:

an individual plan tailored to your abilities,
greater motivation and consistency,
improved technique and exercise safety,
real results, often achieved faster than with solo training.

2. What to look for when choosing a trainer?

A good personal trainer is someone you’ll spend many hours with each month. That’s why it’s worth checking a few important factors before you commit.

Experience and certifications – make sure the trainer has completed courses that confirm their qualifications. Certificates aren’t everything, but they show that the person invests in professional development.

Initial consultation before the first session – a professional trainer always starts with a discussion about your health, past injuries, lifestyle, and goals. They may ask you to fill out a questionnaire or perform simple fitness tests (e.g., mobility or strength). If someone jumps straight into exercises without asking about your limitations, it’s a red flag – that trainer doesn’t prioritize your safety.

Free trial session – many trainers offer the first session for free or at a reduced rate. This is a great opportunity to see if you like the trainer’s working style, communication, and the overall atmosphere. Remember, trust is the foundation of the trainer–client relationship. If you feel uncomfortable, it’s better to look for someone else.

Specialization – trainers often have their strengths. Some are great for sports performance, others focus on weight loss, muscle building, or medical training (e.g., post-injury). Choose someone experienced in the area most relevant to you.

Reviews from other clients – before deciding, check reviews on Google, Facebook, or Instagram. Recommendations from friends are also very valuable. If a trainer has many positive reviews and clients recommend them willingly, that’s a good sign. Also, check whether the trainer responds to questions and comments online – this shows they are engaged and care about their community.

Communication style and availability – a good trainer explains exercises clearly and listens to their clients. If they’re difficult to contact or ignore questions, cooperation may be frustrating.

3. How much does a personal trainer cost?

The cost of personal training depends on many factors: the city, the trainer’s experience, specialization, and whether the cooperation includes extras (e.g., diet plan, online program, or consultations outside the gym).

Approximate price ranges in major Polish cities:

Warsaw – from 120 to 250 PLN per hour. The capital has the highest rates, especially in prestigious fitness clubs. More experienced trainers or those with additional qualifications (e.g., physiotherapy) may charge even more.
Kraków and Wrocław – average 120–200 PLN. Prices are higher in city-center gyms, while smaller neighborhood gyms may offer sessions from around 100 PLN.
Gdańsk – 100–180 PLN, depending on location and club reputation.
Poznań – usually 110–190 PLN.
Łódź – 90–160 PLN, one of the cheaper big cities, although the best trainers here also charge more.

👉 Keep in mind that many trainers offer package deals – for example, buying 10 sessions may reduce the unit cost by 10–20%. Some also provide a free trial session, which helps you decide if the trainer is right for you. Price matters, but it shouldn’t be the only factor. Sometimes it’s better to pay more for someone who truly understands your goals and helps you achieve them effectively than to pick the cheapest option with no results.

Bar chart showing minimum and maximum hourly rates of personal trainers in major Polish cities in 2025

4. What does the first training session look like?

The first session is not just about exercise. A professional trainer starts with:

a conversation about your goals, lifestyle, and abilities,
questions about health issues, injuries, and contraindications,
simple tests to assess fitness and movement technique,
setting a plan of action together.

It’s also a good moment to ask the trainer about how they track progress and maintain contact between sessions.

5. Where to find a personal trainer?

There are several options:

At the gym – talk to trainers already working there.
Through friends – recommendations are often the simplest way.
Online – type “personal trainer + city” into Google to find many specialists.
In apps – e.g., in Litcoach you can browse trainer profiles, check their availability, and book sessions without calling or sending multiple messages.

Summary

A good personal trainer is an investment in your health and the certainty that your effort will bring results. Before making a decision, check their experience, reviews, how they conduct the first session, and whether they offer a free consultation or trial session.

If you want to save time on scheduling and have access to verified specialists in your city, use platforms like Litcoach. This way, you don’t need to call every trainer individually – you can see available slots and book a session online right away.