Crossfit or Personal Trainer??

kiely13

I'm debating whether to join a crossfit gym or join a regular gym and look into getting a personal trainer??


THOUGHTS? Just wants some opinions.

Please & Thank You. :]

jlryan123

I have never done crossfit but I did hire a personal trainer about a month ago. It has been a HUGE help to me. Last week was about the time I normally quit and say forget this because I am so tired but I knew he was waiting and I have pushed through. My trainer is so supportive, pushes me, and cheers me on. I am so grateful I hired him.

Susay2942

Sorry if I sound stupid...but what is the difference?:embarassed:

kerriBB37

I'd say CrossFit!
I did it over the summer for 4 months and loved every second! I look back now and even though I didn't lose any weight, I toned up like woah! It's a fun atmosphere and a big challenge, which I love. It's very expensive though, that was my reason for leaving it..

Scully10

Crossfit. DO IT!

Ajones33

I love my gym, it's cheap and has classes& you can sign up to have a one on one with the trainers to come up with a work out regimen. I feel amazing after doing the classes& the trainer really works with you and I dont have to pay a crazy amount

mhotch

I have no idea what a "crossfit" gym is. But I have had a personal trainer in the past, and it is worth every penny I paid.

Shizzman

Crossfit basically is getting a trainer and being a part of a community....

Mamoonie

I'm working out with a personal trainer and I love it/him.
I have one hour sessions every 2 weeks, and between such sessions he sends me programs to do on my own, which include crosstrainer/elliptical, treadmill, rowing machine, and also weight training/muscle training.
Though my weight loss slowed down, I lose inches faster.

I'm glad I have a good personal trainer, who knows what he does, who focuses on right positioning and whole-body-toning.
You might as well get a bad one, who does more bad than good, so be careful who you chose! The trainer you chose should be able to push you, to help you, to understand you, and soon enough they get to know you better than you might like ;-)

I wouldn't want to work out without personal trainer anymore!

Jennan1

I've been doing crossfit since this August, and years ago I did the gym/personal trainer. I have had excellent results with both. I would however, recommend crossfit. Do your research and find an excellent cf gym with a great feel to it. Try a few, I look for one that treats my experience as a school/education. You should be able to ask questions and really be taught how to lift. You will meet tons of supportive, like-minded people. With crossfit you learn how to exercise, and eat. It really is an education. With the personal trainer/gym deal you're on your own and don't get that community feel. I love cf and seeing improvements every workout. When I started I couldn't do a pull-up. Now I can do 10-15 dead hang pull-ups without any assistance. Cf will change your life if you find a gym you love. It's a blast. Ok, I'll shut-up, I think I may have been a little too much! I did do cf this morning and it puts me in such a positive frame of mind!!

Jennan1

Oh, and I forgot to mention. I'm 41 and have a 3 year old, and my 60+ year old parents all do cf. It is for anyone who's willing to try it.

cassavaca

Im not really sure what Crossfit is, but I do have a Personal Trainer and he is super awesome. I really like the one-on-one, my exercises are focused on me and he has helped me with my exercising, eating options (shoot, he introduced me to MFP) and helped me with my emotional issues that come along with being unfit and unhealthy. I never have regretted once about my decision to have PT, even when my husband gives me a hard time about the cost of it.

thefuzz1290

If you're comfortable with the big lifts Crossfit does, then do Crossfit. However, Crossfit is like a cult and a lot of members don't believe anything else will suffice. Also, some Crossfit gyms is about doing as many reps possible with the worst form...speed over safety sometimes.

If you're new to lifting, get a trainer then move towards Crossfit.

akjmart2002

For those who haven't heard of CrossFit:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=crossfit

kiely13

Thanks everyone!

My only problem I foresee with crossfit is money wise. I'll have to scope out the area and see what all my options are.

melrose09

Another option is to join the regular gym and just work with a trainer once a month. S/he can help you with your goals and show you how to achieve them and then the next month you two can readjust the plan as you get stronger and stronger.

YcatsFursworth

my gym I can do a personal trainer for a bit more but I just had one today and set up a personal plan for my workouts and he's always there for support or questions when I go in so I dont' see the need for him to stand there to push me harder... I have the plan to do that... and he will update it every two weeks as needed so it gets harder as I get stronger. I'm the kind of person I will really push and succeed doing it this way... some people need that person standing there pushing them... I just need that paper to tick what I could do each time.

thefuzz1290

Thanks everyone!

My only problem I foresee with crossfit is money wise. I'll have to scope out the area and see what all my options are.

That's why I'll never join a Crossfit gym...all the ones in my area are over $120 a month. Check for Z-Fit in your area as well, its virtually the same as Crossfit, but its usually attached to a gym and you don't have to pay separate.

AntWrig

I'm debating whether to join a crossfit gym or join a regular gym and look into getting a personal trainer??


THOUGHTS? Just wants some opinions.

Please & Thank You. :]

Look for a trainer that is knowledgeable in the core lifts (squat, bench, overhead press, deadlift) if they steer you towards machines and cardio equipment. Run away!

Here is my problem with Crossfit. In order to be good at Crossfit you need to learn the Olympic lifts. The problem is many Crossfit "trainers" don't know what they are doing. That is why Crossfit as a whole is changing this.

addisondisease2

where is RachealSNO? did she get banned?

addisondisease2

OP: Both would be beneficial, flip a coin.

Kissybiz

I read an article recently on Crossfit. The writer enjoyed it at first, his girlfriend was into it, and had some good things to say about it, but in the end, it wasn't for him. He also said that it's possible to injure yourself because of not using correct form for many of the skills or weight lifting portions of it. The benefit is that everyone inspires you.. it's a group effort and infectious. He said it was all shapes and sizes and the thinnest weren't necessarily the best at it.

I don't think I'm ready for it physically. I am loving my personal trainer. He doesn't babysit me on the circuit machines. Everything he does incorporates a lot of different movements, muscle groups and balance. And I'm definitely burning fat as he moves from one thing to another without rest. I don't know how much cross fit costs, but the trainer isn't cheap.. but I'll do whatever it takes to continue paying for it for now.

maddymama

Personally I'd say personal trainer. In our area, the Crossfit trainers suck- three of my close friends have done some major damage to their bodies in the past year- all three have had to take over a month off of work and all three had to have surgery done. They were told to lift too heavy with imporper form. One hurt her knee, one her shoulder, and one her hip.


I'd work with a personal trainer to learn how to lift heavy, and then if I was still interested, then I'd join a Crossfit gym. I would not count on the trainers there to teach me how to lift heavy correctly.

graysmom2005

I was looking into CF because I wanted to be pushed instead of being the pusher....but it was SOOOOO EXPENSIVE! How is it as popular as it is, being the cost that it is? I just don't know. Our spiffiest gym costs less than CF. I'll never join for that reason. I'd get a trainer.

HealthyHappy120

CrossFit if you have the cash! I would SO do it but alas...I'm paid minimum wage right now

Elleinnz

It really depends what your fitness goals are - with a personal trainer you can work much more specific on YOUR goals....

I have not done crossfit, but it seems to be highly competitive (sometimes to the detriment of form) - but you do get the team and social interaction aspects as well....

I do a lot of the crossfit type training one on one with my trainer - and do like it, but from reading forums, and talking to people that has "dropped" crossfit the costs, and also hyper competitveness of some clubs is the main reasons people drop out...

lind3400

I did a crossfit course over the summer and lost 30lbs lol best workout of my life and I loved every minute of it...plus its pretty much the same as having a personal trainer except you have other people to compete with...but with me thats what Ineed is compettition

dane11235813

Crossfit basically is getting a trainer and being a part of a community....

not even close to the same thing.

Iluvchopsticks

I think everyone has excellent points. I do Crossfit and love it!! But I agree with other posters that some gyms don't know how to teach lifts properly and sometimes discount form for speed. Not all gyms are created equal. I started at one where I began to feel they didn't really know how to teach that well and moved on to a gym that is awesome. If you have multiple gyms in your area shop around. Also, take a look at the coaches certification. I would look for ones that have certifications other than Crossfit and are well rounded in the fitness world. Coaches with a good lifting background are a big plus! It really makes a difference in your experience. Most Crossfit gyms will let you do an intro workout for free. I would go and ask as many questions as possible. I do understand your cost concerns though. That can be a big turn off and was the initial reason why I hesitated trying it for a few years.

dane11235813

I was looking into CF because I wanted to be pushed instead of being the pusher....but it was SOOOOO EXPENSIVE! How is it as popular as it is, being the cost that it is? I just don't know. Our spiffiest gym costs less than CF. I'll never join for that reason. I'd get a trainer.

because it costs money to be an elite athlete. :laugh:

for crossfitters with a sense of humor.....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z2b2x6C5o0

thecrossfitter

I've done both, and I'd say it's just a matter of preference. Both can get pricey, and depending on where you are for either will determine which is more expensive than the other. In my experience a personal trainer cost substantially more, but I'm sure it can totally vary.

There are pros and cons to each, and no matter which route you go, make sure the people who are working with you have solid credentials (for Crossfit I'd be looking for coaches with MORE than just the crossfit certification). See if you can get a free appointment with each. See how you mesh with the coach and what the atmosphere is like. It'll be easy to pick up on

Now, assuming you've found quality coaches/trainers in each personal training and crossfit, I'd break down my pro/con list into the following:

Personal trainer
Pros - One on one. Can program specifically to you and your needs.
Cons - I struggle to workout alone. I often got bored. In my experience it was too expensive.

Crossfit
Pros - Community for accountability, we have goal setting meetings, also includes yoga/endurance/boxing/mobility/olympic lifting/power lifting separate classes (not all gyms do this), still in a small group setting (~10 people per class), it's only $5.50 an class for my membership, opportunity for going to competitions (like events where you compete based in different classes), coaches who make training programs for specific races in the area.
Cons - You have to go when it's offered (although we have 9 time slots a day!), some people don't like working out in a group, can be pricey

It's really just a matter of your own preferences. Check them both out before you decide
And of course, remember there are good and bad trainers and good and bad crossfit gyms. Make sure you aren't signing on with any of those!

PS - Personally I saw better results from Crossfit (by FAR). But I put no blame to this on the trainer. Crossfit was just a better fit for me, and I stuck with it! Having the goal setting meetings with the coaches there really helped me a lot as well, in addition to having the open gym time to work on my own goals at the time.