Question re Personal Training

PMB0404

I need some advice please . Like many others, I've been down the weight loss road before. This will be my last time....I'm at the right spot in my head and heart, and am ready to do what I need to do. I'm already working with a nutritionist to get the eating side right, and have already lost 12 pounds in the last 4 weeks, out of my total goal of 100 pounds. I just joined Lifetime Fitness and LOVE it! My question is whether or not I need a personal trainer to help me with the fitness side of this equation. It's expensive (and of course, they're pushing it hard), but my thought is that I can go do my cardio and I can do what I've already learned about strength training in my 2 initial sessions with the trainer, and experiment on my own with the circuit machines. Am I missing something? What does a trainer bring to the table that I can't do on my own? Along with the weight loss, I want to make sure I'm toning so I don't do all this work and end up with a bunch of flappy skin!

Thanks!

ltworide

Congrats on your weight loss! I can only tell you about my personal experience and observations with a personal trainer (pt).

I learned a lot from my pt such as proper exercise form, personalized workouts to meet my goals, accountability and pushing me and/or slowing me down as need in my workouts. They also answered questions I had related to exercising, workouts, general nutrition, etc. and pointed me to other professionals/resources as needed. Also I didn't need to program my own workouts, just show up.

The most important takeaway for me from working with a pt was learning where my weak links were and taking steps to improve those areas so I could move forward in becoming stronger overall. One example, most people are weaker on one side of their body compared to the other so incorporate more sets/reps on your weaker side until it catches up to your stronger side.

The downside of a pt includes high expense although you can decrease the cost by working out with a partner or in a small group. Consider the investment as an investment in the improvement of your general health and in meeting your personal fitness goals. What you learn stays with you.

Also There's a very wide range in the education and experience levels between trainers and in the quality of service/care they provide to their client. I have a membership in a large commercial gym where the pts get paid via commission when they sign up a client, hence the heavy sales pitches, and only when they are actually training a client. Most trainers I've seen are genuinely passionate about living and sharing their healthy lifestyle with others but like anything else some take the required course get certified & then take on clients the next day. These type of trainers usually don't last in this business. In the commercial gym I go to, most trainers stick around about 6-12 months then move on for better opportunities.

My advice for finding the right pt is to ignore the "sales pitch". Watch the different trainers as they train other clients, ask them about their education, specialties, experience, how long they've been with your club. etc. fyi my husband had 3 different trainers in less than 6 months and each had to "restart" him so his experience was not optimal.

One other option get a pt to complete a personalized assessment of your functional movements, provide you with one or a few sessions to check form & give you some personalized exercises/workouts and possibly provide you with a workout program you can do on your own for 4-8 weeks. After this time, make another appointment with the pt and reassess & get a new program.

Yi5hedr3

Hit the weights, but read about various training to help you through it. Don't pay too much attention to others at the gym. Most are exercising incorrectly.

MissJay75

I can't speak to the personal trainer bit, but if you want there are things you can do with your diet that are just as important - hopefully your nutritionist is addressing these. 2 Main things, your body will lose muscle with the fat while you are at a calorie deficit. You can lessen how much muscle you lose if you make sure to eat lots of protein. The general guideline is to eat .8 grams of protein for every pound you weigh. Also, make sure you don't go too fast. As I understand it while genetics and age make a difference, how fast you lose the weight is the one factor you have some control over as far as loose skin goes. So slow and steady!

armylife

In two sessions I would be surprised if you have learned enough to make a well balanced plan that will drive towards your goals. If you have not strength trained before, and don't have a friend or family member with a strong background in strength training that can both teach the proper form and correct mistakes in form as they come up, I would say the PT would not be a bad idea. You don't necessarily have to use the one that the gym is pushing. As you advance, through proprioception and familiarity with the lifts, you will learn what right feels and looks like, and you won't need anyone else.

All that being said, don't let anyone try and convince you must have something. Plenty of people, myself included hot started on our own. Having help.... It just helps.

lorrpb

I've worked with a pt for 16 months. There is no doubt that I would have made the progress I have on my own. I would not even have known how to push myself this hard or this far. That said, my trainer is not a drill Sargent and takes a moderate but progressive approach to training. I know I've been more consistent in getting my workouts in that on my own. It had been $$ but it is worth it and is a priority in my life and budget. Of course each person is different.

pintorocket

More important than finding a PT is finding a type of exercise that you love. Save yourself some money now and explore fitness options. Try a bunch of different classes/programs. Try some free online fitness videos. Take classes or do a workout that's always interested you. Once you find a workout/discipline that you want to pursue seriously, you may then want to consider personal training. Think of PTs as PhDs....right now you just need to get your high school diploma. Good luck and congrats on your success. The road is long and personal. Ultimately, do what's right for you.

RobynLB83

As someone who has worked in the fitness industry, there are good PTs and bad PTs and good PTs that will be a good or bad match for you. Most places offer some kind of discounted PT package to get you into working with a trainer. Like they'll give you 4 sessions for 50% off the regular price. No harm in trying it out, but you certainly don't need a trainer to get fit.

starwhisperer6

What I got when using a personal trainer was motivation and comfort. Walking into a gym alone I feel weird, I do it now but I still assume everyone is staring at me,. If I am on my own and the squats start to burn or my breathing gets uncomfortable I'll totally stop, I'm a wimp. But if there is someone there pushing me, and someone I don't particularly want to see me as a quitter I'll go another set. So short term till you are comfortable in the gym and know what you are capable of I think they rock. On the other hand if it comes down to rent or a pt, I assure you with the Internet and a willingness to learn you can do it on your own.

Azdak

One of my clients tells me "I pay you for the last set, or for the last 20 min of the hour". That's when I push him harder than he would himself (within his abilities, of course), and often that's when the most gains occur.

That being said, having a trainer is not absolutely necessary. Most people can't afford one and can do a good job on their. It really depends on the individual.