eh, i lost 3.5 stones with the help of my £26.00 an hour personal trainer. he was much much much better than any of the ones i've previously used.
He isn't too busy, 3 clients a day. He usually goes to the clients, because fitness and working out shouldn't be dependent on a gym membership.
He also gives new clients 7 days to show any signs of improvement or else he refunds. (So you don't have to see him more than once) but on the 7th day since your first meeting he does schedule a 15 minute assessment. He's quite strict. If you don't buy the package of 15+ sessions then the normal fee is £32 an hour and the assessments are at £18 an hour. The first two assessments are free and you pay him a £100.00 deposit once you've booked him, it is refundable after 7 days if you haven't made any improvements or at your 6th full session.
as far as nutrition- he does go over several different eating plans, and takes you through the different fad diets and explains harm/benefit of each. He personally suggests a certain calorie count depending on your dedication to actually work out with or without him and specifies what needs your body has as far as vitamins and supplements go. he never suggests you buy any specific products, or foods and does ask everyone to see a gp within 2 weeks of the initial start date to make sure that the plan both of you have set is safe.
i could go on and on about him, but to be honest he only takes clients through referral and his business revolves around word of mouth i think he plays on being exclusive....but with all the info i've given in this post, you could just do it all yourself without his help.
if you really feel like you need weights or a treadmill just buy them on ebay. i got my elliptical for £70.00 with original manufacturers warranty, it had never been used for more than a drying rack. Weights are cheap too. all of it combined is still much much much cheaper than a gym membership.
sorry if it's long, just don't want anyone to get stuck in the rut i'd gotten into when i'd gained all my weight and then faced the daunting task of losing it all. if you can put it on, you can take it off. you can and will do it if you really want to. you can do anything.