How are my friends finding muay thai trainers in 24-hr fitness, ballys etc?

Question

and using them for lessons for free?

i called some in my area and they are saying its personal training that will cost me 30 dollars each session. cmon now... help

Answer 1

Usually the trainers at 24 hr fitness or Bally's are cardio-kickboxing type trainers, not martial artists.  I would avoid them at all costs if you really want to learn a martial art of any kind.  You have to pay for membership to those places anyway, and the trainers are usually contract employees, not staff members.  That means they get extra money for private training, but they get to use the fitness center's facilities.  Sometimes they will give 1 or 2 free lessons, but not free training.

Find a good martial arts gym - check out the facilities - many of them have weight machines or free weights at least.  Some of the nicer ones have cages, rings, etc. for open sparring time.  And many of them have unlimited memberships that include one-on-one sessions as well as the group training.  Do some research and find something that works for you.  You'll definitely get a good workout at a good martial arts gym, and you'll learn something as well.