Trainer or NOT

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Chines03
Chines03 Posts: 42 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
First off let me say, I hate exercising. Don't know why, but I do. I plan to change that. I met with a personal training and thinking about letting him train me. Was told I train 2 times a week and follow a meal plan by him. I have to text him my meals every 2.5 hrs. No eating after 8 pm. Workouts with him will be a hr on training days. Days I'm not training with him, I need to be in the gym. Weigh in once per week. His training consist of running, planks, lots of outside exercise, etc. I know it is going to be very hard but worth it if I can hang in there. My question is, is a trainer necessary for someone like me or should I just clean eat and force myself to the gym at least 4-5 times per week for an hr? I just don't want to waste money. The gym I am joining is Planet Fitness and I know they have some trainers there as well.
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Replies

  • 52cardpickup
    52cardpickup Posts: 379 Member
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    Are you going to go to the gym without having a trainer there to push you to do so? Be honest with yourself, and that'll give you your answer.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
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    Do you see value in investing in yourself?

    I personally invest in the services of a coach in order to maximize my benefits while minimizing my time spent. I've finally had massive breakthroughs thanks to my time with my coach.

    I feel if it's something where health and performance is important, and you can comfortably afford it, it's a good investment. So I buy less silver every month, I'm buying a few more years of life, hopefully.
  • jrline
    jrline Posts: 2,353 Member
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    I lost 100lbs on my own just logging everything on here. It really depends on you. Some people need the trainer to help hold them accountable. Good Luck on your Journey
  • Chines03
    Chines03 Posts: 42 Member
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    52cardpickup wrote: »
    Are you going to go to the gym without having a trainer there to push you to do so? Be honest with yourself, and that'll give you your answer.

    To be honest, yes I really believe I can. I really need to lose weight and get healthy for my 2 young kids. My down fall is going to be on my nutrition and I believe the trainer can help me greatly in that area and I will be held accountable at weigh in.
  • Chines03
    Chines03 Posts: 42 Member
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    dbmata wrote: »
    Do you see value in investing in yourself?

    I personally invest in the services of a coach in order to maximize my benefits while minimizing my time spent. I've finally had massive breakthroughs thanks to my time with my coach.

    I feel if it's something where health and performance is important, and you can comfortably afford it, it's a good investment. So I buy less silver every month, I'm buying a few more years of life, hopefully.

    So true. I totally agree that it's time to invest in my health and do something for me.
  • Chines03
    Chines03 Posts: 42 Member
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    jrline wrote: »
    I lost 100lbs on my own just logging everything on here. It really depends on you. Some people need the trainer to help hold them accountable. Good Luck on your Journey

    Thank you so much!
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
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    Also, I would not hire a trainer from Planet Fitness.
  • Chines03
    Chines03 Posts: 42 Member
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    dbmata wrote: »
    Also, I would not hire a trainer from Planet Fitness.

    No this trainer has his own training studio. Not one from the gym. I just need the gym membership to use the equipment and have no excuses when I don't agree with the weather to workout outside.
  • Lalalindaloo
    Lalalindaloo Posts: 204 Member
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    I spent the first 6 months of getting back into the swing of things doing it myself. Almost all cardio. I lost 50 lbs and a whoooole lotta inches. So probably getting started you can do on your own.

    BUT

    I wish I had invested earlier in advice from someone knowledgeable about the best ways to reach my goals. And really, help me figure out what my goals were. At first I thought I just wanted to lose weight. Now, I know I want to get stronger and make my body more efficient and healthy. I start working with a trainer on serious strength training tomorrow night, but wish I had started it 6 months ago.
  • uconnwinsnc1
    uconnwinsnc1 Posts: 902 Member
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    If you really are completely unsure of what you are doing, there is nothing wrong with having a trainer teach you technique/form/workouts. He also seems very dedicated to helping his clients from what you're saying so give it a shot! If you need someone to hold you accountable that should help.

    Let us know how it goes.
  • Chines03
    Chines03 Posts: 42 Member
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    Lalalindaloo wrote: »
    I spent the first 6 months of getting back into the swing of things doing it myself. Almost all cardio. I lost 50 lbs and a whoooole lotta inches. So probably getting started you can do on your own.

    BUT

    I wish I had invested earlier in advice from someone knowledgeable about the best ways to reach my goals. And really, help me figure out what my goals were. At first I thought I just wanted to lose weight. Now, I know I want to get stronger and make my body more efficient and healthy. I start working with a trainer on serious strength training tomorrow night, but wish I had started it 6 months ago.

    Good luck tomorrow night. You can do it. I have no strength at all and that is one of the main reasons I would like to have a trainer. I believe I can handle the cardio part by using the elliptical and treadmill but would like to learn a little more.
  • Chines03
    Chines03 Posts: 42 Member
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    uconnwinsnc1 wrote: »
    If you really are completely unsure of what you are doing, there is nothing wrong with having a trainer teach you technique/form/workouts. He also seems very dedicated to helping his clients from what you're saying so give it a shot! If you need someone to hold you accountable that should help.

    Let us know how it goes.

    Thank you and I will keep everyone updated. I have until Friday to decide if I want to use the trainer or not before all the slots are filled for the New Year.
  • Silentfool
    Silentfool Posts: 189 Member
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    I say defo go for a trainer. I was like you and now find myself doing things i never thought my body was possible of doing. Your trainer sounds a bit harsh in his regime.

    Trainers are like cars, every body wants a different type. I would throughly investigate what type of triner would suit you and you are paying so dont feel guilty swapping for a different one if the orginal trainer does not work out.

    your trainer will teach you so much you need to know at the start but once you are on fitness road you dont need them all the time to hold your hand. start to see them once or twice a month just to check in and make sure you are on track. it also gives you accountability

    Good Luck
  • fannyfrost
    fannyfrost Posts: 756 Member
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    Trainers are really good at teaching you the exercises. It can be very helpful for form and to get started.

    As for the food aspect, I would watch that part, not all trainers are nutritionists and don't always give the best food advice. So just be aware of the calories and what he is expecting. Also if they tweak the food and calories with you based on how much you do.

    As for forcing yourself to go to the gym, why? Lots of exercise can be fun. Do you like to dance? Try zumba. Also think about what you did as a kid, did you jump rope? well do that now? did you play hopscotch or skate, well you can do that now. I am not saying the gym doesn't have its place, but workouts can be fun if you find the right one. even if you don't like exercise.

    The other thing a trainer will often do is introduce you to non traditional exercise. Give that a try.
  • ukaryote
    ukaryote Posts: 874 Member
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    babyphat2013 wrote: »
    My down fall is going to be on my nutrition and I believe the trainer can help me greatly in that area and I will be held accountable at weigh in.

    Does the trainer have a degree in nutrition? If not, I would listen but not take it as gospel. If the person is very insistent you eat exactly what they say, it would raise a red flag for me.

    Another person is definitely helpful with accountability.

  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
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    I had a personal trainer for ten weeks and she was a good match. I'm rather particular about personal health and she was a registered nurse. She pushed me harder than I thought I could go, and I learned a lot from her. She reassured me that I could do much more than I thought.

    Since then on my own, I've switched to exercises that I enjoy.

    I agree that a fitness trainer is only marginally helpful with nutrition, other than helping you be accountable.

    I say, if you find that this trainer is not a good match, be bold enough to terminate and find another one.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,867 Member
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    This really just depends on you. I lost all of my weight without a trainer and just working out on my own and eating for wellness. I did perfectly fine on my own, but recently hired a trainer because I just want to take my fitness to the next level and I was getting a little stagnate.
  • SHBoss1673
    SHBoss1673 Posts: 7,161 Member
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    ukaryote wrote: »
    babyphat2013 wrote: »
    My down fall is going to be on my nutrition and I believe the trainer can help me greatly in that area and I will be held accountable at weigh in.

    Does the trainer have a degree in nutrition? If not, I would listen but not take it as gospel. If the person is very insistent you eat exactly what they say, it would raise a red flag for me.

    Another person is definitely helpful with accountability.

    +1
    As a Personal Trainer myself, I can tell you that there is minimal (if any) nutrition training needed for most programs to become a trainer (it depends on who you are certified through). Get their nutrition related credentials before you follow any meal plans. Any good trainer will tell you straight up that they are NOT a certified nutrition specialist (unless they are). Best bet is to go through a registered dietitian for your nutrition advice, or at the very least, bring any meal plans you are given to one (a registered dietitian) to go over with you.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
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    I like the idea that this trainer has his own gym/studio. The best trainers I've worked with in the past have their own private places.
  • radiosilents
    radiosilents Posts: 223 Member
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    The best $1680 I spent in 2014 was weekly sessions with a trainer. I found a great one that I really felt comfortable with and who really knows his stuff – and pushed me beyond my comfort zone. I have gained so much confidence in my abilities, feel strong and powerful. Could I have done that on my own? I mean, technically, I suppose, as there are a lot of resources out there on the internet. BUT having appointments to keep and having someone design workouts for me with exercises I probably wouldn't have tried was REALLY helpful. Not to mention knowing that I invested that much in myself financially... that was very motivating. Now I have a whole new set of knowledge and skills I can continue to develop on my own, and build on. I do plan to sign up for some more sessions in the coming year, but not commit to another whole year contract again, just because I think I am good for now.

    TOTALLY worth it. It was hard to spend that much, trust me ($140/month), but I bit the bullet and have not regretted it, not one bit.

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