Summit Systems vs. Personal Training

Summit Systems: Higher Order Coaching

Todays “fitness” options are so broad and varied, that it can be overwhelming when trying to decide what we should be doing. Social media adds to this chaos, with thousands of Instagram “influencers” trying to sell their template programs that guarantee results with little to no support after you check-out. At Summit Systems, we have taken a huge background of fitness education and experience and simplified the process so that we can provide a higher order coaching service. Our model of fitness is the evolution of personal training, with some of the elements that makes group training attractive. We wanted to take the opportunity to discuss how our program varies from personal training and why we believe this can be a great choice for a wide range of individuals.

SS vs. PT: The Intake

We believe that one of the most important things that we can do is to truly get to know and understand each individual. When we start with a new client, we want to sit down and have a discussion to learn about background, exercise history, lifestyle, goals, nourishment, sleep, stress, and more. Without knowing these things, a program that is fit for each individual to improve is a bit of a shot in the dark. In the traditional personal training format, most trainers may ask some of these things in the first 10-15 minutes of the initial session, but that is it.

In addition, following our thorough consultation, we create a 2-5 session assessment that will allow us to find truth: truth in where the client is at physically and what he/she are capable of. Most personal training “assessments” only involve standing on scale and taking some body measurements. Our assessment gives us an idea of your work capacity, movement, and strength so that we know what fitness capacities need the most improvement and how these areas can relate to the clients goals.

SS vs. PT: The Training

In addition, we believe that our training and in-session format is unique and provides a better experience than personal training. In the traditional model, the trainer walks an individual through a workout, setting up each piece of equipment for them and counting each rep, giving the client little autonomy or understanding of how to train. Over time, these clients become dependent on the trainer to exercise. At Summit Systems, we deliver our programs through a mobile platform called TrueCoach. This program is super intuitive and allows for the coach and client to have a medium for communication. With this, we can attach videos, notes, and any valuable information the client might need to perform their session, and clients can look ahead to see what they will be doing each day in the gym. What this allows is for the client to work towards being able to come in to the gym and perform their session on their own, rather than being babysat through each step. While clients are exercising, a floor coach is present to give cueing, ensure safe movement, and provide any assistance the clients might need. In this format, clients get a sense of small group training, where a community can be formed. Exercising is much more enjoyable when you have other people to talk to. This is one of the biggest draws to group training, however in group training you lose the individualization. Summit Systems is the best of these two worlds!

SS vs. PT: The Lifestyle

As mentioned, we like to also get a picture of each clients lifestyle: food, sleep, and stress. With the use of TrueCoach, we have a medium to continue providing things for clients to work on OUTSIDE of the gym. These practices, called Basic Lifestyle Guidelines, which are simple practices that we can use to optimize our health and recovery. Comparatively, in the personal training model, most clients only have contact with their trainer for their one to three 30 to 60 minute sessions per week. Therefore, the trainer has very little opportunity to be of any influence on the clients health beyond the exercising - and we all know that there is much more that goes in to fitness than exercise. In our model, clients are able to get a FULL health and fitness program, not just a list of workouts to be walked through every couple of days.

SS vs. PT: The Cost

Our membership structure is set up on a monthly basis, rather than by session. Since the clients learn to work independently, there is no need to set up individual sessions. With this, each client can train as many sessions per week as needed for their fitness goals. Depending on the commitment length, memberships cost either $150, $180, or $210/month. Most clients will train 4 times a week for about 1 hour, or 16 times per month. At our median cost level, this breaks down to $11.25/session, not including the lifestyle coaching you get outside of the gym! To compare, in Decatur where we are based, some of the local fitness centers charge (on average) around $45 per one hour session, with no additional services provided outside of the gym, and a lot of times these are “small group” personal training sessions, so multiple people are doing the same workout, which was not designed for the individual.

Ultimately, our model allows for us to get the same (if not better!) personalization of exercise as does personal training, while also cultivating a sense of community and support that is seen in group training. We work to teach our clients to take ownership in their exercise, understand why they are doing what they are doing, and how to move properly. With principles to guide our programs, we coach individuals that want to compete in sports, lose weight, improve strength and range of motion, have better energy and vitality, or live until they are 100!