Buddy Up

Find a partner and book a session for the two of you. Try to find someone of similar age, experience and fitness level. (If one of you can't keep pace, the trainer will have to keep switching gears to accommodate. That means a less effective workout for both of you.) For the first session, have the trainer design a workout that you can do together, taking turns spotting and lifting. On your own time, practice this workout. Return a few weeks later for the second, progressively more difficult workout, and repeat it at regularly scheduled intervals. Not only will working together save money over individual sessions, but you'll also help keep each other on track!

Hire the Trainee

At most gyms, the more experienced trainers command a premium. But before you pay top dollar for the guy or gal with the longest list of credentials, find out whether you actually need all that firepower. If you have an existing injury, have medical problems, are pregnant or postpartum, or experience other "red flag" issues (the gym's fitness director can help you identify these), then you might indeed need someone with the additional certifications to handle your special circumstance. If, however, you're healthy and simply want to start or modify an existing fitness program, then you might be well served by the person with the "trainee" name tag. Just make sure he or she has obtained professional certification.