How to use my sliding scale

I use sliding scale pricing to make my offerings as accessible as possible while still allowing me to earn a sustainable wage. The middle of the range is the “actual cost” of the offering: this is what I would charge for it if I wasn’t using a sliding scale. The high end of the scale is the “pay it forward” price, which makes it possible for me to offer a supported price at the low end of the scale.

Each of my offerings are priced differently - take a look at the offerings section of my home page for the cost of each offering. If you already have a sense of what you can afford, great! If not, below are some factors to consider.

Consider paying less on the scale if you:

  • have significant debt

  • are unemployed or underemployed not by your own choice

  • have medical expenses not covered by insurance

  • are eligible for public assistance

  • have immigration-related expenses

  • are an elder with limited financial support

  • are an unpaid community organizer

  • have been denied work due to incarceration history

  • are indigenous or are descended from enslaved people

  • are supporting children or have other dependents

Consider paying more on the scale if you:

  • own the home you live in or rent a higher-end property

  • have investments, retirement accounts, or inherited money

  • can afford to take vacation or travel a few times a year without that causing a financial burden

  • have access to family money and resources in times of need

  • can usually or always afford to buy new things

  • work part time or are unemployed by choice, including unemployment due to full-time school in a degree-earning program

If you fit most of the bullet points about the lower end of the scale, consider paying the lowest, supported price. If you fit most or all of the bullets about the high end of the scale, consider paying the highest, pay-it-forward price. If you’re somewhere in the middle, consider paying somewhere in the middle of my scale. Regardless of what you decide is appropriate, I don’t ask for income verification or anything like that.

All that said, money is complicated and of course this list can’t capture every situation. If you’re not sure what makes sense for you, let’s talk about it! I’m always happy to talk through what price and offering would be appropriate and sustainable for you.

My offerings

  • Sliding scale pricing: 

    • $65 - 125 per session

    Looks like:

    • Weekly, 55-minute sessions, just the two of us

    • In person or virtual!

    • At each session, we’ll warm up, check in, and then work out for 30 - 40 minutes

    • Every other week is available if you also plan to train on your own

    Might be a good fit if:

    • You want a structured space to learn good form

    • You enjoy having someone else plan your workouts

    • You want support learning how to both push yourself and pace yourself while strength training

  • Sliding scale pricing:

    • $40 - 90 per session

    Looks like:

    • You, 1 - 2 friends, and me!

    • Weekly, 55-minute sessions

    • In person only

    Might be a good fit if:

    • You have friends or partners with similar movement goals

    • You’re seeking regular, individualized coaching at a lower cost

    • You want a structured space to learn good form

  • Sliding scale pricing:

    • $100 - 200 per month

    Looks like:

    • I share personalized programs with you which you follow independently

    • Monthly check-ins about how your workouts are going

    • I’m available to answer questions via email throughout the month

    Might be a good fit if:

    • You’re able to motivate yourself to work out consistently if you have a plan

    • You feel comfortable strength training on your own, but need help adjusting or progressing your workouts

    • You have an existing gym or home exercise setup that works for you

Thank you to Little Red Bird Botanicals for the (lightly edited) list of factors to consider when determining where you fall on the scale, and to Alex J Cummingworth for a blog post that helped me think about how to structure a sliding scale.