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Personal Trainers

Debbie

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I finally joined the gym. I need to for my own health and stress relief. I worked out last night with a personal trainer. When we got through the pitch came for regular personal training. I will tell you I know nothing about the gym equipment so having a personal trainer would help. Do you use one once a work or every time you work out. My goal is to go to the gym 3 x's a week and maybe use the trainer once a week.
Any advise or suggestions would be appreciated.

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14 replies

Latest reply was from Scarlet

Laurinda

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Congratulations on taking a great step forward!

I started out with a trainer in a small group class (3-4 people), for a total of four weeks last year. We met twice a week and were encouraged to come in two more times each week on our own. It helped jumpstart my gym attendance, I'm still going 2-3 times/week a year later on my own. Plus I enjoy saying hi to 'my' trainer, who remains very encouraging!

For me, one time per week one-on-one would be great way to get going, up to you (and your budget) to decide if you just need a jumpstart or if ongoing training would keep you motivated to keep coming in.

ETA: I never thought I was the 'gym type' - I'm over 50 and kinda curvy. But I decided to set a schedule and keep going even if I missed a time or two. No big pressure to meet any goals, just to be consistent. A year later I am still over 50, still curvy, but my upper arms look much better in a sleeveless top.

rachylou

Veteran

i did some sessions with a personal trainer. I really liked it. Also, the sense of obligation helps if you're like me and would rather be reading a book.

I do have to say, tho, after awhile one will probably outgrow any given trainer.

Classically Casual

Veteran

I have mixed experiences with personal trainers. First of all, it's impt to be sure about their qualifications, etc. It's pretty easy to become one & hired in some gyms...at least that's my impression. Most of all, you want someone who knows enough to help you work out safely. Once you learn how to use the machines, and have a routine, my advice would be to meet with one every so often to keep your workouts challenging and not get in a rut. The trainers at my current gym, all seem very competent, but when I watch them with their clients, they're all doing variations on the same workout. It feels too cookie cutter to me for all the money people are paying. And then there's the personal chemistry to consider too. I can't sign up for the perky little blond person, no matter how skilled she is. But the older buff guy I did choose was too chatty about every topic under the sun, except my workout. It was like he wasn't very interested, no matter how much I was paying. There's a ton of stuff online, so once you gain some basic knowledge, you may be able to strike out on your own. But keep up the habit, you'll be so glad you did!

Debbie

Veteran

Thanks girls! I decided this month to go for the once a week until I figure some things out an then drop it back. My next session is tomorrow.

Scarlet

Veteran

I used to go twice a week with a trainer. It was wonderful. He kept me motivated and pushed me beyond what I would have done on my own, in a good way, as well as taught me new exercises.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I love my trainer. I go 2X a week, I love the changes in my body and how much stronger I am getting, and most importantly, he makes sure I never hurt myself. Which is huge!

Jules

Veteran

A good trainer can be amazing. But I've seen some crap ones out of the same gym where I had mine. I like your plan to start with 4 sessions. A good trainer should be pushing you IMO - not in a negative way, but definitely outside your comfort zone and increasing intensity/weight. It sounds like you need to learn your way around the weight room so this is a good start. But by 4 sessions s/he should be doing more than just watching you go through the motions.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Good for you Debbie - that sounds like a great plan!

MsMary

Veteran

I agree with Jules and CC -- a good trainer is awesome but you need to make sure you get a good one. Many of the "trainers" in the big chain gyms are just counting reps on the machines, which isn't all that helpful or challenging.

I've been with my trainer for two and a half years and he is always coming up with new exercises to push me and keep me challenged and interested. That's the ideal, as far as I'm concerned.

Debbie

Veteran

Thanks girls! I hate exercising but I know I have to do it for myself.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Last time I had a personal trainer, I hired her for several weeks at a time, 3x per week. The deal was that she'd get me started on a good weight routine, teach me how to do it all, and then I'd call her back after a couple months to get a re-vamp and update on the routine. She taught me how to use weights, what to do when and so on. She got me started on what weight to use for a particular exercise, what exercises to on what days - she made me a really nice chart and plan to follow for the next several weeks.

I was a total newbie to this, and she was fantastic - encouraging and helpful. She was almost more like a coach than a personal trainer. Just amazing, She was a 40-something Mom who was only about five feet tall, and yet - she played hockey every night with all kinds of athletes. Super strong, tough and in amazing shape, and yet - totally non-intimidating. A normal (albeit very strong) woman driving around in a mini-van. I liked her a lot!

If you can find someone good like this, then I'd highly recommend it. For personal training, I'd recommend meeting with the trainer 3x per week for awhile (maybe up to two months), until you get a routine going, then doing it on your own for a little while, and then bringing trainer back to tweak/improve the routine.

My trainer also gave me very good advice on what do to during non weight training days - I was in the gym five days a week, three with the trainer, and two on my own. I felt coached, encouraged and supported. Definitely worth it. I'd meet her at the gym at 6am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. She also provided very good instruction for Tuesdays/Thursdays when we didn't meet up at the gym.

I don't know if this is the norm, but I recommend two months on (with trainer), two months off (doing everything on your own), then two months back 'on' with a newly re-vamped program, and then another two months 'off' doing it on your own.

Kiwichik

Veteran

I've never used a personal trainer but I have a girlfriend who does. She meets him at the gym or a week but goes daily. She reckons it's worth every cent in terms of advice, support & motivation. However I'm pretty sure every PT is not created equal so buyer beware.

Anonymous

It was suggested to me to meet with the trainer a couple of times, she gave me a written schedule of the exercises and machines she suggested to meet my goals with plans to alternate every other day. Then I planned to have sessions about every 6 months. I didn't stick to that at the time be ause of the broken wrist and later physical therapy sessions at another facility. But now some of my goals have changed and I will meet with a trainer in a few weeks.
You want to be sure that you know how to do the exercises and use the weights and machines properly before progressing on your own. I hope you come to find some ways to exercise that you enjoy.

Scarlet

Veteran

I guess I could add that the normal program with my trainer was three times a week, but I just didn't have the time for that and it still did me a world of good.