Personal Trainer - Motivation??

Jodi_83

I've been seeing my trainer once a week for about 6 months. I was going through stages of liking it and hating it. When I thought about cancelling I'd really enjoy a session, and then sign up again etc.

I told him when I started seeing him - my main goal is weight loss

Since seeing him I have lost no weight (actually gained weight) – while I admit my eating / drinking habits weren’t awesome and that’s not his fault I also think he’s not necessarily focusing on weight loss – we do weights / squats / lunges / viper / kettle bells etc, and no cardio (I warm up before I meet him) but it’s all the same so repetitive every week.

Since I’ve sort of really committed in regards to calories to MFP / weight loss in the last few weeks - I’ve also increased my “outside PT exercise” from 2-3 times a week to at least 5, I’m sort of at the “what is the point” in seeing him.

I wake up Tuesdays dreading seeing him (I gym at lunch, then I’m like “oh I’d rather go home and relax, or go for a run” after work)

I still have 3 sessions left with him - Any guidance what I can ask him to work on that makes me feel like going?

stfriend

Have you lost any inches? I would think that 6 months of strength training would have your clothes fitting differently. Maybe ask him what his goals are for you. It sounds like he has something different in mind. I understand that if you're strength training you may gain weight but lose inches.

ninerbuff

I've been seeing my trainer once a week for about 6 months. I was going through stages of liking it and hating it. When I thought about cancelling I'd really enjoy a session, and then sign up again etc.

I told him when I started seeing him - my main goal is weight loss

Since seeing him I have lost no weight (actually gained weight) – while I admit my eating / drinking habits weren’t awesome and that’s not his fault I also think he’s not necessarily focusing on weight loss – we do weights / squats / lunges / viper / kettle bells etc, and no cardio (I warm up before I meet him) but it’s all the same so repetitive every week.

Since I’ve sort of really committed in regards to calories to MFP / weight loss in the last few weeks - I’ve also increased my “outside PT exercise” from 2-3 times a week to at least 5, I’m sort of at the “what is the point” in seeing him.

I wake up Tuesdays dreading seeing him (I gym at lunch, then I’m like “oh I’d rather go home and relax, or go for a run” after work)

I still have 3 sessions left with him - Any guidance what I can ask him to work on that makes me feel like going?

If you aren't getting results, then it's time to move on. Part of it may be your fault, but if you're doing REPETITIVE work each week, then all you need him for is to write a program, watch you do it, then use him again in a month for another program.

IMO the goal of any GOOD personal trainer is to try to get "rid" of your clients. You get rid of them by helping them achieve the goal they set for themselves. If a trainer is just in it to have people "under their belt" to secure their income, then your best interests aren't at hand.

Question: Does this trainer write down your workout, weights used and any "notes"? If not, then they are shooting off the cuff and just using you to fill in their time sheet.

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

Going4Lean

I've been seeing my trainer once a week for about 6 months. I was going through stages of liking it and hating it. When I thought about cancelling I'd really enjoy a session, and then sign up again etc.

I went through this and was with my trainer for a yr. I was not getting the results i wanted so finally just said enough and cancelled.

Going4Lean

I
Question: Does this trainer write down your workout, weights used and any "notes"? If not, then they are shooting off the cuff and just using you to fill in their time sheet.

My trainer did none of these things.

Jodi_83

]If you aren't getting results, then it's time to move on. Part of it may be your fault, but if you're doing REPETITIVE work each week, then all you need him for is to write a program, watch you do it, then use him again in a month for another program.

IMO the goal of any GOOD personal trainer is to try to get "rid" of your clients. You get rid of them by helping them achieve the goal they set for themselves. If a trainer is just in it to have people "under their belt" to secure their income, then your best interests aren't at hand.

Question: Does this trainer write down your workout, weights used and any "notes"? If not, then they are shooting off the cuff and just using you to fill in their time sheet.

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

I think after the next 3 sessions I will stop seeing him.

He does keep notes and makes comments etc - and what we're doing each week is written down before I get there but then he will be like "ok I think we've done this before" (yes we have - last week, aren't you referring back to that?)

But yes I didn't think that I could do all these things my self and just see him when I wanted the program changed.

Jodi_83

Have you lost any inches? I would think that 6 months of strength training would have your clothes fitting differently. Maybe ask him what his goals are for you. It sounds like he has something different in mind. I understand that if you're strength training you may gain weight but lose inches.

Nope I have lost no inches either (I've been measuring weekly)

I told him last week that I'm feeling incredibly unmotivated or excited about our sessions. So I'm crossing my fingers tonight is more interesting.

sarafil

Agree with everything that everyone else has said, and maybe it's time to leave the trainer...but I do want to stress that your diet is a HUGE part of whether or not you will see the results you are looking for. You said you see him only 1x per week, so a lot also depends on what you are doing for the other six days of the week!! If you aren't exercising hard and eating well, one time a week with a trainer will not do a whole lot for anybody.

chayleah

I have worked with a couple of trainers over the past 6 months and what I have found is that they each have a type of workout that they like/are comfortable with. What this typically means for the client is you need to find the trainer who is into the style of workout you want.

When I first started training my focus was on gaining strength so I worked with a guy who was all about lifting heavy. Now I am traing for an obstacle course race, and I am working with a trainer who does more of a circuit style workout.

Even though a trainer SHOULD be focused on designing a program that meets your goals, most of them are going to do it within the confines of what they like or find interesting. So either find a new trainer or do it on your own.