Share your Personal Trainer experiences/stories/advice!

wontwentyfive

Just as the title says, and some details to get you started/

- Finding the right trainer
- Pricing
- What results you saw
- Red flags to avoid
- Workout routines

Cbean08

When I joined my health club, I was given a few trial sessions. They matched me with someone who they felt would be a good fit based on what I liked to do and what goals I had set. Luckily, all the trainers at my club are excellent but this one was a perfect match.

I pay $110 per hour.

My strength increased from a 135 lb deadlift to a 290 lb deadlift. I learned how to use barbells for lifting as well as other things like kettlebells. We also do a lot of mobility. My body fat went down, my strength increased, overall fitness increased. My confidence and happiness increased. He also programs my other workouts for the week.

Avoid- trainers who try to sell you some MLM stuff, trainers who try to put you on a specific diet, trainers who flake on your appointments or show up unmotivated to work. Double check all their certifications. IMO, trainers should have their training cert and a CPR cert. You also should never be pushed to do something you aren't able to do. Trainers should focus on form first and then adding weight later.

hipari

When I joined a gym, I was given a trial session with one of their trainers. I had vetted them online beforehand and specifically requested the nicer-looking one of the two who were also listed as trained physical therapists (I have had severe back and mobility issues so the physical therapy training was key, and the other trainer had a resting *kitten* face that made him look both bored and mean). The trainer has since left the gym and started his own business, and I followed him to another gym where a lot of the independent trainers in my area work. I pay 70€ per hour, but he has publicly said he charges new clients significantly more - I have trained with him since Jan 2016.

My results are great. I haven't focused that much on numeral goals, but I have improved technique, strength and mobility (I can walk up stairs without pain!), better muscle balance (I lost a dress size from my shoulders/chest simply by fixing my posture and overly tight chest muscles), and most importantly, motivation and routine.

Avoid trainers who sell you things that aren't the training itself, try to put you on specific diet, are bad with their customer service, or who don't have a lot of experience. I don't know about your area, but in my area the minimum certification requirements for personal training are not very much, so check their certification and amount of work experience. Get references if you can.

This obviously doesn't apply if you're older, but I would personally not work with a personal trainer who is younger than me, or significantly older than me. I'm 26, and I want my trainer to have some understanding of the challenges in my life. My trainer is a few years older than me, has experience of similar life situations and hasn't forgotten everything. When trying to find balance between all aspects of life and figuring out eating and working out, his input is surprisingly insightful.

It's probably clear from this, that for me the value in personal training isn't purely about technique and form, it's also about motivation, routine and finding ways to live a healthier lifestyle.

lorrpb

You can do a search on MFP for “personal trainer “ and get thousands of answers to this question.

VUA21

My story.
Was morbidly obese, with help of MFP, lost a lot of weight (about 150lbs).

I wasn't happy with my shape and was given the suggestion to incorporate more exercise, particularly strength training. I had never even used the machines, let alone free weights - and am old enough to realize being uneducated + lifting heavy things can lead to injury.

I started with the trainer at the gym (the free service) where I got the basics of how to use everything and lift properly so I wouldn't hurt myself. A few months later and very little progress, I decided I need a lot more help. As I already had the basics down (how to do a deadlift and not throw out my back etc), I searched for someone who could set me up on a very specific plan. Didn't need in-person help, I needed a plan to follow.

Found one online. I sent about two dozen emails out and narrowed my search to someone who was best suited for my particular goals. A ton of questions and some full body pics later, I had a starting plan. Every week I got a new workout plan, everyday I would send post workout updates including weight lifted, how I felt, and so forth. We did once a month progress photos and measurements. Every week workouts would be adjusted based on my progress and goals.

We worked on my diet a bit, made some (now obvious) changes including upping my protien from very little to a reasonable amount. We only worked on my diet because I requested that.

Cost: $800/6 months.

My results: went from pretty squishy everywhere to actually seeing muscles. While I did gain 6lbs, my body shape changed drastically. I went from a size 12 to a size 8 (US) pants size. My waist shrank 4", although my shirts stayed the same size as my shoulders widened slightly.

My greatest result: no longer obsessing over the scale numbers, but to look in the mirror, take measurements, and compare what I can do now but couldn't do before, for a true measure of progress.


He never tried to sell me anything. Did give his recommendations to various foods and products, but only when I asked. 90% of the time is was "it's not needed" for product questions, except for a really good foam roller - that was definitely one of his "you really should get one", but didn't try to sell me a specific one, just gave me a list of good ones he was familiar with and what I should look for in one if I couldn't find the ones recommened.

Red Flags:
1. Try to sell you products. (Basic product recommendations such as "good foam roller", or "professionally fitted running shoes" are fine, and generally is great advice)
2. Does not tell you what they specialize in (no one is great at everything).
3. Cannot/will not give you any references.
4. If in-person: is on thier phone or otherwise distracted from you.
5. Misses appointments or is difficult to get a hold of.