Personal trainer Edinburgh: what you pay, and what you get
A personal trainer in Edinburgh costs £30 to £45 a session on the gym floor, £45 to £65 for an experienced independent trainer, and £60 to £90 or more in a private studio. Most of the difference is what comes with the hour: a programme, nutrition guidance and support between sessions. Zama Fitness gives you those for your own gym, online, from £29 a month.
By Simon, head coach at Zama Fitness. Updated 24 October 2026.
Three kinds of Edinburgh personal trainer
| Trainer | Per session | What usually comes with it |
|---|---|---|
| Gym-floor trainer | £30 to £45 | The session. Often newer trainers working in a commercial gym. |
| Independent trainer | £45 to £65 | Experienced coach; a programme and nutrition guidance, often an app |
| Private studio | £60 to £90+ | A quieter space; the price often reflects the venue as much as the coaching |
From an Edinburgh trainer's price guide updated October 2026, checked 24 October 2026.
As a real example, one independent Edinburgh trainer charges £55 a session for one session a week (£220 a month) or £52.50 a session for two a week (£420 a month), with programming, nutrition guidance and an app included.
Paying for the hour, or for the plan?
The expensive part of a good trainer is not standing beside you while you lift. It is the thinking around it: a programme that progresses, food targets that fit your life, and someone checking your numbers and changing the plan. Online coaching gives you that part on its own.
| Option | A month |
|---|---|
| Gym plus an independent trainer once a week | About £245 |
| Gym plus an independent trainer twice a week | About £445 |
| Gym plus Zama Fitness Core | About £54 |
| Gym plus Zama Fitness Coached | About £84 |
Using a £25 gym membership: PureGym's Edinburgh branches list from about £17 to £38 a month by branch and tier. Trainer figures are the £220 and £420 example above.
Edinburgh gyms that work with an online plan
- Budget gyms such as PureGym, with branches from Waterfront and Ocean Terminal to Fort Kinnaird and Quartermile.
- Edinburgh Leisure's council-run gyms and pools across the city.
- University gyms, if you study or work at one.
- Your living room: every programme has a home version for a pair of adjustable dumbbells.
Your programme is set to the kit you have, so moving between gyms, or training at home in a tenement flat, does not break the plan. See how a home dumbbell workout plan works.
Edinburgh is a training ground already
Few cities have this much hill, park and coast inside the boundary. All of it counts towards your steps and your fitness.
- Arthur's Seat in Holyrood Park: a steep walk up from the city centre and one of the best free workouts in Scotland.
- Calton Hill for a shorter climb with a view.
- The Water of Leith Walkway and the Union Canal towpath for flat, traffic-free walks and runs.
- The Meadows and Bruntsfield Links for laps before or after work.
- Portobello promenade by the sea, and the Pentland Hills for a weekend hike.
In August, when the Festival fills the centre, a home session or an outer park can be easier than fighting the crowds to your gym.
Food from Edinburgh supermarkets
Your meal guides are built from food you can buy at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, the Co-op and Scotmid, in UK pack sizes. For high protein snacks and lunches, see high protein supermarket food.
What you get with us
- A programme for your gym or your home, with a video for every exercise.
- Calorie and protein targets, and a week of meals with a shopping list.
- Weigh-In Day every four weeks: your coach reads your trend and changes your training and food.
- On Coached, a weekly check-in, a written review every month and a monthly form check.
Personal training in Edinburgh: your questions.
How much is a personal trainer in Edinburgh?
About £30 to £45 a session with a gym-floor trainer, £45 to £65 with an experienced independent trainer, and £60 to £90 or more in a private studio. One independent Edinburgh trainer charges £220 a month for one session a week.
What is the difference between a gym-floor and an independent trainer?
Gym-floor trainers are often newer and usually sell sessions only. Independent trainers tend to be more experienced and often include a programme and nutrition guidance between sessions, which is what you pay the extra for.
Is online coaching a good alternative in Edinburgh?
If you can train on your own, yes. You get the programme and nutrition guidance an independent trainer includes, plus a monthly review, without paying for the hour in the gym.
Are you based in Edinburgh?
No. We coach online only, anywhere in the UK, including Scotland. If you want someone with you in the gym, a local Edinburgh trainer is the right choice.
Can I use an Edinburgh Leisure gym or a university gym?
Yes. Your programme is built around the kit in whatever gym you use, and there is a home version for weeks you cannot get there.
Can I ask for a female coach?
Yes. Lydia is our women's coach: ask for her when you join.
Places open in January.
Join the waitlist for first access and founding member pricing. We open places in order of sign-up.