Hiring a coach (body/muscle building)

sardelsa

Looking for some input and advice.

What kind of benefit would I gain from hiring a coach or trainer?

So some background:

-I have been lifting for a few years now. I have run two successful bulk/cut cycles, I have built a physique I am very happy with. But just wondering if I could take it to the next level with my next bulk to have more direction on how to continue to build my body, however not looking to compete at this time (but kind of wouldn’t mind training in a similar fashion)

-I have a home gym, so the coach would have to be online (in person could get costly I’d imagine). I also have limited equipment (no squat rack or bench)

-I have run Strong Curves, some other glute programs and now Get Glutes (which is very similar to SC) – 4x per week, full body, glute focus. It has worked wonders so I am not looking to change my routine too much, but maybe something more tailored to my specific goals and weak spots.

-My nutrition/diet is fine, I don’t need help there… nor do I need help with motivation or someone to push me.

So would it even be worth it for me to consider if I am not competing? Or should I just keep doing what I’m doing.

Those of you who have/had coaches/trainers, what is your experience ?

Thanks!

rybo

My thoughts are yes. Even experienced and already knowledgeable people can benefit from coaching. They offer a fresh perspective without bias. As much as we all want to say we know our own bodies and what we need, we still carry a bias with us.
Knowing as much as you do, you'll obviously search for a coach that fits your needs & goals. I say it will be beneficial.

And yes I've used a coach in the past even though I didn't "need" one. I'm probably going to seek another one out again as soon as my finances stabilize

BigNate17

Online trainers will typically set you up with a training and meal plan, but since those are the areas you don't wish to change it would probably not be worth the cost for you.

However if you do decide to compete in the future, access to a gym with more equipment as well as a prep coach would definitely be recommended especially for first time competitors.

My advice: As long as you are progressing in your overall physique with no immediate intentions of competing, I would say keep doing what you're doing until you decide to take the next step.

Ironandwine69

I train with a personal trainer once a week only. I have learned and he has pushed me harder than I have ever pushed myself. Now I would not pay for it to be more often than that, it's just not worth the expenses since I don't have any specific goals other than to push myself.
I would say try it and see how you like it. It can be worth it, or it can be total waste of money, not every trainer/coach knows what they are doing.

pigheaded

I would invest in a squat rack/ bench. You seem to have everything else nailed. Increasing your workout options in your home gym would probably give you a better bang for your buck.

GiddyupTim

This is not lifting, but.........
My wife hired a running coach, a local runner who almost qualified for the Olympic marathon and who won her age group at Boston.
It was distinctly unhelpful. The woman never ran with her, so she could never give her any meaningful, specific feedback. This woman just presented my wife with scheduled routines -- like my wife could have looked up herself -- and reviewed the times my wife recorded for her runs.
I'm going to suggest you are going to find the same thing with an online coach. You are experienced and knowledgeable already. You would need advice from someone who knows you and has watched you and understands you. You don't need someone who is just going to give you their own special-sauce programming. You need critique. Right?

stanmann571

sardelsa wrote: »

Looking for some input and advice.

What kind of benefit would I gain from hiring a coach or trainer?

So some background:

-I have been lifting for a few years now. I have run two successful bulk/cut cycles, I have built a physique I am very happy with. But just wondering if I could take it to the next level with my next bulk to have more direction on how to continue to build my body, however not looking to compete at this time (but kind of wouldn’t mind training in a similar fashion)

-I have a home gym, so the coach would have to be online (in person could get costly I’d imagine). I also have limited equipment (no squat rack or bench)

-I have run Strong Curves, some other glute programs and now Get Glutes (which is very similar to SC) – 4x per week, full body, glute focus. It has worked wonders so I am not looking to change my routine too much, but maybe something more tailored to my specific goals and weak spots.

-My nutrition/diet is fine, I don’t need help there… nor do I need help with motivation or someone to push me.

So would it even be worth it for me to consider if I am not competing? Or should I just keep doing what I’m doing.

Those of you who have/had coaches/trainers, what is your experience ?

Thanks!

There are plenty of places where you can get program/form critique with specific suggestions for areas to improve.

Even here, If you post a video, you'll get some useful comments.

not_a_runner

If you were planning to compete, I'd say definitely hire a coach. If your goal is just improved body comp/lifestyle, maybe not necessary. You can at least say you tried it though, and you might learn some new things.

I've worked with a few different coaches, both while cutting. Powerlifting coach - made simple calorie adjustments with essentially just linear programming, and was awful at responding. I could've easily ran this plan on my own.

Then a Bodybuilding coach who was um, "enhanced".. and ran my programming the same way she trains, with slightly less volume. It was too much for me. The diet was much more rigid than I would've liked (a strict meal plan with a weekly "free meal", which I struggled with - I had shared initially that the diet was a concern as I wasn't used to being strict). I was encouraged to push my lifts and weights as much as I could, to failure. By week 8 I had an SI injury (not necessarily related, can't say for sure but I had never had issues with it before). There was also some "bro" theory, like fasted cardio and certain supplements for fatloss. SO much protein. (I'm a 5'1'' female and was eating 190 grams..) I learned a few things and it was in part a great experience, I was honored to be able to work with her, but in the end I was burnt out and didn't even want to go to the gym any more.

At this point I've realized I have no goals of being a serious competitor (strength or physique). I want to improve body composition and do fitness things that will enhance my life and on my own time, and I don't think I will ever need a coach for that. As a natural athlete, I just have to accept that it takes a long time to build! If training/nutrition/rest/motivation is all there, you're basically doing everything you can already. And there really is a lot of free information out there.

Had I never worked with anyone, I think I would have always wondered what it would be like. It's definitely exciting, and it can be good to get a fresh perspective.

joeybrid

Unless you plan to compete in powerlifting or bodybuilding/physique then it isn't worth it. 99.9% online coaches are a scam that just regurgitate the bro-science of the day and generic diet advice. You'd honestly just be better off posting in the women's section on bodybuilding.com since most of them have been where you're at now regarding goals and programming for women, including PTs, bodybuilders and coaches

usmcmp

I think you are doing great solo and a large number of trainers/coaches are not going to get you any further or give you new perspective. That being said there are some great online trainers out there that could be worth hiring at least for a couple of months to add new perspective. I've been lifting since 2011 and I still find my trainer to be valuable. I am constantly learning from him. I could and I have worked out without him for long stretches of time, but I feel that his many, many years of knowledge are worth what I pay.

sardelsa

Thanks everyone for sharing your advice and experiences. Definitely all gave me some things to think about.

As mentioned I probably have a lot of bias as to what I should be doing which could potentially hold me back, and having that new perspective could be beneficial for sure. But at the same time, I am doing really well on my own.. I don't want to pay someone if I know what I am doing (even though I am sure there is room for improvement), if I did go with a coach, it would be one who I would research and is reputable.

Unfortunately we don't have room in our gym for a rack or bench press. Maybe something to look into if we ever move. But ya I definitely understand the importance of having that equipment.

I think I will put it on the backburner for now, and maybe consider it if I ever decide to compete or my goals change, I may still do research though and if I find a really good fit I may go for it.

Thanks again!

blackcomaro

sardelsa wrote: »

Thanks everyone for sharing your advice and experiences. Definitely all gave me some things to think about.

As mentioned I probably have a lot of bias as to what I should be doing which could potentially hold me back, and having that new perspective could be beneficial for sure. But at the same time, I am doing really well on my own.. I don't want to pay someone if I know what I am doing (even though I am sure there is room for improvement), if I did go with a coach, it would be one who I would research and is reputable.

Unfortunately we don't have room in our gym for a rack or bench press. Maybe something to look into if we ever move. But ya I definitely understand the importance of having that equipment.

I think I will put it on the backburner for now, and maybe consider it if I ever decide to compete or my goals change, I may still do research though and if I find a really good fit I may go for it.

Thanks again!

Your thoughts are spot on! Keep doing what your doing.

avietvet

sardesla, get a Starting Strength coach. This program builds strength. Names you can research are: Leah Lutz, at Barbell Medicine, and Alan Thrall. Hope this helps. Stefano- avietvet

Polo265

A few years ago, I belonged to a gym and hired a personal trainer. The gym had some sort of freebee program and did fitness assessments. I think at the time I weighed something like 135 lbs. I'm female and 5'5". I looked thin to most folks. However, my fat to muscle composition indicated I was obese. That inspired me to gain muscle. Bottom line is it was well worth it to me. At my gym, these folks hold degrees in exercise physiology. They started me slow - increasing muscle fibers and ultimately had me lifting heavy to increase bulk. They monitored my protein. I was very pleased and it was worth the money. Oh - they monitored and changed my exercises as needed.

usmcmp

avietvet wrote: »

sardesla, get a Starting Strength coach. This program builds strength. Names you can research are: Leah Lutz, at Barbell Medicine, and Alan Thrall. Hope this helps. Stefano- avietvet

@avietvet I think you missed most of her original post, she's not a novice lifter and she lifts at home with no squat rack.

bbell1985

I don't know if you need a coach...but I do think you may have grown out of a cookie cutter program. You know I love Bret and Strong Curves has done you great, but I think some personalized periodization would be beneficial.

sardelsa

@bbell1985 yea that is exactly how I am starting to feel. I do love the program I am doing now, but I tend to modify it to suit my needs. But I am not confident or experienced enough to write my own from scratch.. I feel like I would love to have someone write a program just for me with my goals in mind. We'll see...

cs2thecox

I have a trainer that I see maybe once every 6 weeks on average.
It's just enough to keep me accountable, but not enough to get too expensive!
He sets my training plan, sets my macros, and measures my body fat. I can email him or book a session when I have questions or get bored or fed up with what I'm doing, and I find it really constructive.
He works me really hard when I see him, but that gives me a benchmark for what I can achieve when on my own, and I think I end up working harder ALL the time because of this. I'm also doing exercises that I would never have done if I was left to my own devices/left alone with the internet, and they're having really good results.
He also has access to my MFP diary, and occasionally emails me with helpful commentary. Sometimes this is encouragement, sometimes it's appropriate chastisement for misbehavior!

Although he works at my gym (I switched gyms last year to a weights gym mostly to get access to better equipment and better trainers), so I train there all the time, he also has PT clients come to the gym who are not members, and train somewhere else the rest of the time.

So I'd vote yes, and see if there are any trainers who work out of weights gyms near you, where you can just go for your session but don't have to join. The good guys should offer a taster session for free, so really nothing to lose?

BoxerBrawler

I have a competition coach and getting her was the best thing I ever did. I've been lifting for a while and I'm a master nutritionist so my diet is on point but she totally helped me with accountability and the way she designs my workouts provide me with the most bang for my buck! Half the things she has me do I would have never thought of on my own. It really does help immensely when each day I send her my food diary and macro's... some days she tells me to get more grams of a macro, most days I'm on point. She limited my cardio which was the best thing ever... I was a cardio bunny... so here I am lifting heavy, running, dancing and wondering why the muscle isn't coming lol! I mean it's common sense but sometimes you have to hear it from someone else. While I am in competition training and will be starting my prep in a couple of weeks, I'll more than likely use her services off season as well. In my case she is local so every Friday I meet her at a local gym and I get an hour - hour and a half of PT. She had given me an exercise (lifting) plan to follow and on Friday's she comes up with all new stuff that I can also incorporate into my regular daily routine. I know a ton of people who use on-line coaches and are very happy... just make sure you do your research about the coach before signing on. I've heard nightmares as well!