I get this question a lot. Someone’s thinking about getting in shape and they’re looking at their options in Kamloops. Anytime Fitness. GoodLife. Maybe Strength Camp or TCSC. And then they come across my name.
And they’re confused. Because I’m not a gym. Not in the way most people think of one.
So here’s the honest breakdown. What you get at a big box gym. What you get at a private training studio. And how to figure out which one is actually going to get you results.
What a Big Box Gym Gives You
A membership at a place like Anytime Fitness or GoodLife gets you access. That’s the product. You pay $40-$80 a month and you can walk in anytime and use the equipment.
That works great for some people. If you already know what you’re doing. If you’ve been training for years and just need a place with barbells and cables. If you’re self-motivated and don’t need anyone checking in on you.
Here’s what it doesn’t give you.
Nobody writes your program. Nobody watches your form. Nobody adjusts your plan when your shoulder starts bugging you or when you stop seeing progress after three months. Nobody notices when you stop showing up.
That’s not a knock on those gyms. That’s just the model. Access for a low monthly fee. Volume over personalization.
What a Private Gym Does Differently
When I built my studio in Brocklehurst, I designed it around one idea. One person at a time.
No other clients in the space. No waiting for equipment. No one watching you try to figure out a machine. Just you and me working on what your body actually needs.
Here’s what that looks like in practice.
Your program is built from scratch.
I don’t pull a template off a shelf. I assess how you move, where you’re tight, where you’re strong, where you’re compensating. Then I build around that. Every program I write is different because every person is different.
I watch every rep.
Not from across the room while I’m on my phone. I’m right there. Adjusting your position. Telling you when to push harder. Telling you when to back off. That’s how you get results without getting hurt.
The plan changes when you do.
Bad sleep? Stressful week at work? Old injury flaring up? We adjust. That’s not something you get in a class or on a generic app.
Nobody else is there.
For a lot of people in Kamloops, this is the thing that matters most. No gym anxiety. No feeling like everyone is watching. Just a quiet, private space near the airport where you can focus on your body.
The Real Cost Comparison
Big box gym membership: $40-$80/month. Private training: more per session, obviously.
But here’s the question nobody asks. What’s the cost of spinning your wheels for a year at a gym and not getting results?
I’ve had clients come to me after spending 2-3 years at a Kamloops gym. Doing the same routine. Dealing with the same pain. Not seeing changes. That’s $1,000+ spent on a membership that didn’t move the needle.
Three months of personal training with someone who actually programs for your body will get you further than a year of guessing on your own. I’ve seen it hundreds of times.
I’m not saying everyone needs a private trainer. But if you’ve been at a gym for 6+ months and you’re not seeing results, the problem isn’t effort. It’s programming.
Who Should Join a Big Box Gym
Be honest with yourself. A regular gym is the right call if:
- You’ve been training consistently for 2+ years and know your way around a program
- You just need a space with equipment and prefer training alone
- You’re on a tight budget and $50/month is the max
- You’re social and enjoy the energy of a busy gym floor
There’s nothing wrong with that. I trained at gyms for years before I opened my own space.
Who Should Look at Private Training
A private studio like mine is the right fit if:
- You’re starting from scratch and don’t know where to begin
- You’ve been at a gym but stopped seeing results
- You’re dealing with pain, an old injury, or recovering from surgery
- You want accountability from someone who actually knows your name
- You don’t like the gym environment — the crowds, the noise, the feeling of being watched
- You want a program that’s actually built for your body, not a cookie-cutter plan
Most of my clients in Kamloops fall into one of those categories. Some are 25 and training for hockey season. Some are 65 and just want to get off the floor without their back locking up. The common thread is they wanted something that a membership card couldn’t give them.
What About the Middle Ground?
Some people ask about hybrid training. That’s where we work together 1-2 times per week in person and I program additional workouts you do on your own. At a gym or at home.
It’s a good option if you want the guidance and programming but don’t need me standing next to you five days a week. You get the custom plan and the check-ins without the full per-session cost.
I’ve got clients who train with me twice a week and hit the gym on their own three more times. They get the programming, form corrections, and accountability from our sessions. Then they execute the rest with confidence because they actually know what they’re doing.
The Kamloops Factor
Kamloops is a small city. About 100,000 people. We don’t have the endless gym options that Vancouver or Kelowna have.
What we do have is a few solid big box options. A handful of group fitness places. And a very small number of private training studios.
The advantage of training in a smaller city is that you’re not a number. I know every one of my clients by name. I know what they’re dealing with. I remember that your left knee has been bothering you since last winter. I ask about your kids. That’s not a sales pitch. That’s just what happens when you work with someone one-on-one in a town this size.
The TRU campus brings a younger crowd into fitness every fall. The outdoor culture here means people are active. Hiking, skiing at Sun Peaks, biking the trails. A lot of my clients train with me specifically so they can keep doing those things without pain slowing them down.
How to Decide
Here’s my honest recommendation.
If you’re self-sufficient in the gym, go get a membership somewhere. Save your money. You don’t need me.
If you’re not getting results, or you’re in pain, or you’ve been putting it off because the whole gym thing feels overwhelming — that’s where I can help.
I’ve been doing this for 10+ years. NSCA certified. FST Level 2 certified. 151 five-star reviews from people in Kamloops who walked into my studio with the same questions you’re asking right now.
The first step is just booking a session and seeing if it’s a good fit.
Ready to see how private training works? Book your first session at JR Training Systems in Kamloops. Private gym. No crowds. No judgment. Just results.
FAQ
How much does a private personal trainer cost in Kamloops?
Private training costs more per session than a gym membership, but the results come faster because every workout is programmed specifically for you. Book a session to discuss pricing based on your goals and frequency.
Can I try a single session before committing?
Yes. Most people book one session first to see how the training feels and whether it’s a good fit. There’s no pressure to commit to a package.
Do I need to be in shape before starting with a personal trainer?
No. I work with people from age 8 to their 90s. Complete beginners, post-surgery rehab, athletes. Your starting point doesn’t matter. What matters is that we build a plan around where you are right now.