Go it Alone?

sallywilson06

Sooo I got a friend that is a trainer that tried to help me out showing me the ropes around the gym. He then started training me according to his basketball practices/drills doing suicides jumping and whatnot. I was going to the gym 4-5 times a week on my own and happily doing quite well. I was running on the elliptical, then doing weights and toning either back and upper body or arms and abs, then at the end I would finish up with more cardio.

I find it more rewarding when I go to the gym by myself and push myself, not having someone else push me for me. I find it to be torture and I don't like the workouts that he is planning for me because I have no interest in being a basketball player at all.. Granted I know that the workouts are really beneficial, I feel that the workouts that I was doing were beneficial as well.

Has anyone else gone through this? Do you feel better when it's you pushing yourself to do more or when there is someone else pushing you to do what they want?

myfitnessnmhoy

I feel what's better is whatever works for you. I'd certainly encourage you to get ideas from your friend, or maybe check if you want to do some lifting or other exercise to make sure your technique is good and wouldn't lead to injury, but if you're more self-motivated than motivated by others, more moving > less moving.

And, as you say, if you are not looking to be a basketball player than focusing on basketball-specific exercises will hold less interest for you and won't benefit you any more. If and when you get bored of weights-and-cardio for their own sake, you can always find a sport that does interest you and turn your exercise into training for that to give you a little focus and rekindled interest.

If your pal has helped with the weights and you don't want to hurt his feelings, ask for additional help with lifting form but cut back on the actual training plan.

iWaffle

The answer would always be to do whatever motivates you the most to go to the gym and exercise. If someone gives you tips then just take up whatever you want and discard what you don't like. If you like exercising alone then do it alone.

Personally I do the gym alone unless I take my son with me.

PeaceCorpsKat

Do what you enjoy because then you will do... Unless you desperately want to look like one of the guys on Spartacus you are fine just doing cardio and moderate lifting/toning. Personal trainers just want to sell sessions by making you feel bad about yourself. Set a personal goal, achieve it, and ignore them.

iWaffle

Unless you desperately want to look like one of the guys on Spartacus

Tonight! We dine in Hell! (On chicken breast, no salt, and fat-free Greek yogurt.)

awolf2011

Do whatever works for you. I enjoy working out by myself cause I feel that I can focus a lot easier depending on what I am doing. If I am just walking, then sometimes it is nice to have someone along, but if I am doing weights or cardio, I prefer to do it by myself. Everyone has their own motivation, so if you are motivated on your own, rock on with it!!

ishtar13

A trainer, even a friend, should work around YOUR goals.

If you aren't interested in basketball, then why is he giving you a basketball workout?

If you're more comfortable by yourself and think you know what you're doing, why are you letting him bully you into doing something different?

NoChub4Me

A trainer, even a friend, should work around YOUR goals.

If you aren't interested in basketball, then why is he giving you a basketball workout?

If you're more comfortable by yourself and think you know what you're doing, why are you letting him bully you into doing something different?

^^agree 100%

BetterMike

Unless you desperately want to look like one of the guys on Spartacus

Tonight! We dine in Hell! (On chicken breast, no salt, and fat-free Greek yogurt.)

LOL, Love it but since it's Spartacus shouldn't you just say yogurt? Greek seems redundant...

Bobby_Clerici

I always go it alone with no need for anybody's input one bit.
And my results are all my own, and I am happy with this.
Stand up for yourself, but be kind to him, and thank him for his input. And make sure that his involvement is not really an attempt to get a date. Sometimes we can be very "helpful" to ladies we want to take home to meet Mom.
Apart from that, just be honest and let the cards fall where they may.
Good Luck!

secretlobster

I'm with you. I am a good self-motivator (always pushing myself a little bit further) and I get annoyed with trainers insisting I give more effort when I'm already giving it my all. It's not motivating for me to have someone barking at me and telling me what to do, unless I'm boxing, then I can punch them in the face and it's all good.

devil_in_a_blue_dress

He's your PERSONAL trainer.

You tell him you want a new routine because what you are currently doing isn't working for you. If he doesn't listen, stop going.

Jacwhite22

this is not at all what I thought this thread was going to be about.......

sallywilson06

Thanks for the comments. I think I will just have to tell him that I will take his advice when needed because I don't want to be training for something that I am not into.. that and I think I get better motivation while pushing myself.. I see myself avoiding the gym because I don't want to run into him.. thats kinda bad..