Time to get a trainer? Thinking about it. Opinions?

debussyschild

Okay, so I've been giving it a lot of thought, and I think it's time for me to hire a personal trainer. I've been following a routine that I found on BB.com on my own for a bit now, but I'm just not satisfied with it. I'm mostly considering getting a trainer because I don't feel like my routine is matched to meet my goals. I feel like a monkey when I go to the gym, doing the SAME thing each week. I always strive to add more weight each time to perform an exercise and I toy with rest time in between (usually 1 min between sets, sometimes 2 if I added a lot of weight). However, I'm noticing that while I *believe* my overall form is good, it needs work. I really want to make my workouts as effective as I can. I don't want to just workout hard, I want to workout smart. I feel the only way to do that is to have someone who knows what my goals are and has helped other meet similar goals teach me how.

I know I've got a long way to go until I meet my weight goal (about 40 lbs), but the idea of competing in figure competitions is VERY appealing to me. My mom used to compete in fitness competitions and trained incredibly hard for a long time. I always admired her for that. I feel like I'm too muscular to compete in bikini categories, but I'm not really into physique training. I think physique looks too hard and is not as feminine. Plus, my husband has already made it abundantly clear how unattractive he finds physique competitors... Anyways, I guess this is just more of a rant, but I'd like to hear what anybody has to say about it. Am I better off trying it on my own for a little bit and see how I go or should I just go ahead and invest in the real deal now??? :huh:

ibcsrl19

I know what you mean. I have thought of getting one also. I entered a fitness challenge at the beginning of the year. I haven't lost any weight, but I have lost 8 inches of my waist. While that is nice, I want to see the scales move. If you are like me you need accountability. Which is why getting a personal trainer sounds like a great idea. It is someone to hold you accountable. I say go for it!

ibcsrl19

Btw, I have a friend who is a figure competitor check out her site stephaniekeenan.com or google SK FitLife. She does virtual personal training and is wonderful.

TiffanyWasmer

I was waffling about this myself and decided to go ahead and get a trainer! I'm only doing one session weekly, but the other two days are planned out for me.
Being a cardio girl for SO long, I decided to make the initial investment to get myself moving in the right direction safely!! Too soon to say if it's working, but I'm excited and hoping for great results

ctlinj7

I think it is a great idea. I have had multiple trainers over the years. I do not need to lose much weight, but I started going to have someone motivate me in the gym and mix up my routine. The trainer I have now is amazing. He literaly kills me everytime I go and I am finally seeing the "shredding" and look I wanted. He actually challenges me during the workouts by working out with me and competing for time and repetitions on some of our workouts. If you are leary about it, see if they offer an intro pkg or single session. August will be a year with my trainer and I am so glad I did it. And I have a fitness & exercise background. Also you can learn alot of different exercises and moves to help if you feel you want to go it on your own again.

ibcsrl19

Good luck!

deep220

I would totally recommend it. I didn't know how to tailor workouts to my goals or ensure that my form was technically correct. I was also recovering from a knee injury and wanted to train for a 5K but needed to really strengthen the supporting muscles. Just be upfront with with that you need. I worked out 2 days a week for 2 months- best money spent in years!!

debussyschild

I think a trainer it is then I have a good working knowledge of nutrition and exercise. Mom used to be a personal trainer, so she was the first one to show me how to lift weights and how to workout. The biggest problem for me is that there is just SOOOO much advice and SOOO many techniques/routines/moves/tricks/gimmicks out there for fat loss that I really just want someone I can TRUST to point me in the right direction and help me focus on one specific path. I'm a bit of an over analyzer (disclaimer: that's an understatement) so I just get stuck with "what do I do?!" since there's so much out there to do. I just want to do what's right for me and my goals and forget the rest, lol

shannonshay1

I hired a trainer I it has been the best decision I have made. The work outs are fun but challenging and I have seen a huge change in body shape. My gym is wonderful and the staff are really supportive. I know I wouldn't have got this far without them.

debussyschild

Good luck!

Thank you!:happy:

TiffanyWasmer

I'm a bit of an over analyzer (disclaimer: that's an understatement) so I just get stuck with "what do I do?!" since there's so much out there to do. I just want to do what's right for me and my goals and forget the rest, lol

From one overanalyzer to another: Just DO it! Seriously, I've started programs then stopped because I read about something that *might* work better...or maybe I just have ADD who knows I was actually relieved to say, "yes, I'm committing to this program for the next 6 months!"

ninerbuff

Trust in actual research. If you cannot find peer reviewed scientific studies on information you've "heard" from a PT, then more than likely it's just fitness jargon that's being repeated by the masses.
I'm glad I don't conform to a lot of what the fitness industry tries to delegate (right now it's mostly in "functional training") unless the information has been thoroughly researched enough.
IMO, anyone can do a bikini competition as long as their physique is in good condition.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Ejwelton

I've had personal training once a week for the last 7 or 8 years.
You don't know how hard you can work until you've had a trainer push you on.

I can't recommend it enough. I've been with my current one for about three years and she is fab. She is really interested in her clients and even texts her clients from her holidays to make sure her clients are keeping on track.

dad106

I lost 30 pounds and 6 sizes under trainer guidance(along with MFP and cardio on my own).. so yes, I recommend them highly.

I had to go through 3 trainers until I found one i liked, but the one I have currently is amazing. He's always coming up with new ideas and new ways to do exercises... and knows when to push and when to back off.

I know that I wouldn't do half the stuff I do now, if it wasn't for my trainer.