Fitness business continues to boom

In its four years as a personal training studio, The Training Edge in Cape Girardeau has seen plenty of changes in how its clients want to exercise and shape their bodies.

"Our niche is to be like a private studio," said Scott Hubbard. "People who come here don't want crowds and just want to be able to work out and not be harassed by people wanting to talk to them."

Trainers Scott Crosier and Mary Zimmer say they see clients with poor eating habits who've already tried fad diets without sucess.

People are often surprised by how involved the exercise sessions can be, Zimmer said. "They don't think about the commitment and how hard it will be. They want easy."

But sticking with an exercise program isn't easy, and trainers know it. They try to coach clients into starting with basic exercises and working their way into a more intense routine.

The exact workouts depend on personal goals and fitness levels, said Kirsten Winkler.

People who seek personal trainers "know that they can't exercise on their own," Hubbard said. Most don't know which exercises to do, how to do them correctly or in what sequence to perform them.

The Training Edge offers a variety of personal training packages, as listed below.

• Two personal training sessions and unlimited workouts by appointment, optional assessment and food analysis: $110 per month.
• Four personal training sessions; unlimited workouts by appointment; optional assessment and food analysis: $200 per month.
• Three personal training sessions, unlimited workouts by appointment, optional assessment and food analysis: $ 340 per month.
• Twelve personal training sessions, unlimited workouts by appointment, optional assessment and food analysis: $450 per month.
• Shrink to Fit: 8-week body fat reduction program. Option 1: $450 and Option 2: $900.

Standard personal training rates

• $40 per hour for single session.
• $35 per hour for two 1-hour sessions per week.
• $30 per hour for three 1-hour sessions per week.

Assessment: $15

Nutritional analysis: $25