Update :Personal Trainers

Anonymous

I am considering getting a personal trainer at the place I currently get my massages. To give you a quick history of my issues : I suffered severe TMJ about a year ago. In July I began getting trigger point massage therapy which cleared up the issue and in doing so uncovered trigger points in my upper back and cleared that up as well. As a result of the pain and tightness, I hadn't truly exercised for almost a year. I have been trying on my own to stretch and weight train. My range of motion has improved a great deal, but is not where it needs to be and my strength, especially in my back and arms is terrible.

My options are to sign up for group training classes or individual training. Individual training would be more costly, but I feel it is the best approach for me so that I get the personalized attention I need.

So my question is have any of you worked with a personal trainer and do you feel that you greatly benefited from it? Also, do you continue to work with the trainer or are able to continue your exercise regime on your own now? Thanks

7 years ago

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30 replies

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Anonymous

I've had a personal trainer for a few months now. She's my neighbor, and is a certified Pilates instructor and also does strength training. She has a training studio in her house so twice a week I just hop across the street, and soon I'm getting my patootie kicked. I just love the individual attention, and feel I'm getting the results I wanted sooner than I would in a class. She makes me work hard, but that's what I want. I am the world's laziest person, so for me, it's a great investment, and makes a huge difference in how I feel.

7 years ago

Anonymous

Xtabay, I think that I too will love the individual attention and gain my strength back much sooner. The place is less than a mile from my home so that is also convenient. I have my massage next Tuesday and will talk to them a bit more about it then.

7 years ago

Anonymous

Good job on how well you've done on your own, but some personal attention might be just what you need to get to the next level. Just be sure to get someone with good credentials and experience. Don't hesitate to ask for references!

7 years ago

Anonymous

I've used a personal trainer off and on over the past 15 years or so, and have never regretted the expense. It IS very costly where I live , but with the right trainer, the one-on-one is invaluable. Always learning something new too. My daughter is training in this field now , and I'd use her all the time if we actually belonged to the same gym - we don't. She bosses my husband around instead (which gives me perverse pleasure).

Any trainer I've hired has always encouraged , in fact recommended, doing the work on my own in between appointments with him.

7 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I take 5 classes a week in Pilates and TRX at a local studio and do 1 personal training session (well, half of one that I share with a friend) as well. It works out really well, because the detailed feedback from the small session helps with the workouts in larger classes.

7 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

I've had a personal trainer for the past six years and I don't know what I'd do without him. When I started with him I had lower back pain and he took care of it in relatively short order. He's seen me through surgeries and broken bones and now he is doing Lovely Husband and me together and LH is stronger and more flexible than he's ever been. Bit thumbs up from here!

Oh, and echoing Lisa, we train on our own between our twice-weekly sessions. I do boot camp classes and LH rides his bike.

7 years ago

RobinF

Veteran

I have gone to a trainer twice a week for the last year and see a big improvement in my strength and muscle tone. The one I go to is a small group, usually 4 to 6 of us so we get some personal attention but not as much as a one on one. I love it and highly recommend whether you do as a group or individual.

7 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I go to a similar set up to RobinF above- 4-7 of us, three mornings a week. We are aged from 40-60 do we have various injuries and issues- it works well for me because someone tells me what to do and I do it!! In between I walk run and bike depending on the week. There are so many options now - I think starting off one on one could be great and in time joining a small group makes it cheaper.

7 years ago

Jane

Veteran

Definitely worth it. I see a trainer, who is now a really good friend, on and off for 10 weeks or so at a time, probably about once every 18 months or so. Also, it helps with technique and getting the right range of movement. I have an ACL / MCL injury to my knee, but I have such good strength from training that it is in good shape and not too much bother - definitely the personal training has helped with this.

7 years ago

Anonymous

You ladies have boosted my confidence in getting a personal trainer. At 60 I need to keep my muscles strong and my body fluid and flexible so I can age in the best way possible. The past year of being in pain is not how I want to spend the rest of my life. Thanks again and I will let you know how it goes after I start.

7 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

I bought a year with a personal trainer as a birthday present for myself, and the next year had my best race times ever in my sport - at 54. I did 3 1 hour sessions at the start of every 4 month cycle during which he taught me a weight training program that I would do afterwards on my own. Then I had a weekly 1-to-1 for a half hour of core and balance work. He was so imaginative, I don't think we ever repeated an exercise! He was also the one who, picked up the fact I needed to do some balance work. i used to post about my 'evil personal trainer' before I moved.

DS#2 has been my trainer for weights the past 18 months. He is very strict about proper form, and cuts me no slack for my advanced years.

7 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I don't have one now but I have in the past and it is totally worth it. Now I'm in a small class twice a week with about 6 other middle aged women and the guy who teaches us says we put his other class of 20 somethings to shame. I train on my own in between sessions. I'm planning to hire a personal trainer again in a few months for a refresher. I need work on balance because my hearing is a little off (the two are connected) and I also want to get more serious again about my weight training.

7 years ago

Anonymous

Keep us posted, danusia. I would love to hear how it works out for you.

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