FAQs

Why should I choose you over other gyms in Columbia Mo?

Well, there are more than a few reasons why you might find the studio more inviting for you than a typical gym but if it needed to be boiled down to a few points...

You'll love working out at SSF if:

• You're opposed to mirrors, supplements, diet talk, and body shaming. We stick to strength training and refer out to trusted healthcare providers in our network.
• You felt you missed that time in your life when everyone else learn how to lift. Or if it's been a bit since you've worked out.
• You’ve never felt comfortable at a big gym. We're a small, private space and only have the things we need.

You won't have a great time working with us if:

• You're looking for a one-stop shop trainer who's going to pretend to know all aspects of wellness including fitness, nutrition, and psychology or what some call "lifestyle and accountability coaching".
• You expect coaches to yell in your face. You won't find any drill sergeants here. The real psychology of motivation is grounded in autonomy, competence, and for some, relatedness.
• You’re after the cheapest gym in town. We're priced competitively when compared to most one-on-one personal training in town but that doesn't mean we're the cheapest.

How old do I have to be to work out with you?

We've worked with clients of a wide age range, as young as 12 and as old as 76 (and counting). If you're under the age of 18 we require parental consent. Personal training is safe for individuals of all sizes, ages, and genders across the lifespan with appropriate modifications.

How much does a personal trainer cost?

Membership cost varies depending on the number of times per week that you sign up for and the length of your commitment. We offer a 28-day trial to all new members to make sure that we have a good fit before continuing with a 12-week or 12-month agreement.

Contact us if you have any questions. We've been flexible with clients in the past who may be leaving for the semester, graduating, moving, or changing jobs.

Where are you located? I haven't seen the place before.

Right behind Vaughan Pools and Spa! SSF has been located at its current address since 2016.

It's the same building as Vaughan between StorageMart and Assured Partners (formerly Naught Naught Insurance Agency) (where Trueson Exteriors used to be) on the south side of town.

For a visual:

1. If you are traveling south down Providence Road, you will pass Nifong Blvd and make the first available left at the concrete divider.

From there turn right at Freddy's and SSF is behind Vaughn Pools and Spa.

OR

2. If you are traveling west down Nifong Blvd, you will turn left at Providence Road and make the first available left at the concrete divider.

From there turn right at Freddy's.

Here's a link to our location on google maps.

Does your gym have showers, lockers, or other amenities?

We do not. We're not currently in a space that accommodates this. We periodically ask members if it makes sense to save for future investment in this and they've said nah.

Are you open on weekends?

Presently there is not any training offered on the weekends. That may change in the future!

Got these student loans to pay off and applying to physical therapy school.

Can friends try out a session?

Yes! We offer a referral program that allows members to bring their friends in for a trial. Contact us for more information or nudge your friend to let you come in with you.

Do you sell supplements?

Do you charge extra for meal plans?

We do not offer meal plans. Please contact our friends at Bamboo Nutrition Therapy or Hannah Holzum with Wholesome Nutrition Co!

Unless your trainer is a registered dietitian, they should NOT provide a meal plan.

Meal plans are very specific recommendations. This is different from general nutrition advice.

For more deets - Your trainer cannot:

• Diagnose a medical condition.
• Tell you exactly what foods to eat at each meal.
• Prescribe a supplement to treat a perceived nutritional deficiency.

Some of these things fall into what is known as Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT).

If you have specific needs, please seek out a registered dietitian!

How long is each session?

About an hour!

There isn't a perfect answer to how long your workout should take. As you get in better shape, you're able to perform more exercise in the same amount of time.

The length of a workout depends on the way that your program and schedule are laid out.

Most of the programs at SSF take about 45-60 minutes.

Note: We have some flexibility here and allow clients to come in up to 10 minutes before an appointment and up to 15 minutes late. If you arrive late, we ask that you try to finish on time.

What should I wear to my personal training visit?

You should wear something respectful that you feel comfortable in that also allows you to move freely. If you're not sure, feel free to reach out and ask for more specifics.

Do you help with workouts outside of the studio?

Yes! We love keeping you active and tell clients that they have 3 options when it comes to staying active outside of the studio:

1. If you come in 1 or 2x per week, you have access to a third workout that you can do on your own.
2. If your goal is to build up your confidence outside of the studio, repeat one of the workouts you do with us using the same sets and reps and 10-15% less weight.
3. Ask us about paying a nominal fee for additional programming outside the studio. We have some clients who would like to work out more often but need accommodations to do so elsewhere.

How often should I see a personal trainer?

This all depends on your goals, budget, and schedule. Most people notice a difference in their energy, sleep, and mood within 3-6 weeks after getting started with exercise.

2x per week is what the current scientific guidelines tell us is a good minimum number of times per week to work out. Start there and see if you're getting in better shape from week to week. If that stops working, revisit what your current goals and values are based on your results.

If you're looking for a starter amount of confidence and a routine, you might be able to get away with working with a trainer for 3-6 months (or shorter).

For more, try reading this long-form article on how long you might want to see a personal trainer.

Do you have a freezing policy?

Absolutely. We allow members to pause their agreement for free for up to 6 weeks in a calendar year for any reason (you don't have to tell us why). You just need to give us a return date so we know how long to pause you for.

If you need to go past 6 weeks, talk to us.

Do you have a cancellation policy?

Yes, our phenomenal business lawyers crafted a cancellation policy so that we didn't have to make one up based on if we liked someone or not.

"Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, Client may terminate this Agreement by delivering written notice of such termination to Simple Solutions. Following notice of termination, Client shall be issued a single invoice which shall be deemed a “Termination Fee.” Such Termination Fee shall be equal to Twenty Percent (20%) of the Membership Rate multiplied by the remaining weeks in the Clients Initial or Additional Term."

How can I upgrade or downgrade my membership?

Sometimes clients ask us if they can workout more often or make adjustments to their plans. If you need to change the frequency that you come in to the studio, talk to us and we'll adjust as needed.

What payment methods do you accept? Will I get charged on a month by month basis?

We accept most major credit and debit cards as well as ACH. Following a 28-day trial, we bill on a weekly basis.

Can I pay with my Health Savings Account (HSA) of Flexible Spending Account (FSA)?

Yes, we have had some clients pay for personal training through their FSA or HSA and/or deduct the cost of training as a medical expense. Reimbursement depends on your insurance provider and if it is deemed medically necessary by your physician. Check with your insurance for requirements.

Have more questions?

Give us a call at (573) 443-1495 or send us an email at Steven@Simplesolutionsfitness.com.