Are Personal Trainers Worth The Money?

akgolden1

I am really having a hard time staying focused. I was doing weight training about 3 times a week and running 2-3 miles twice a week. My net calories were usually between 1300-1600 but the weight wasn't coming off like I wanted it to. I know muscle weighs more than fat, but there are areas where I definitely have fat, and those areas weren't changing! Now, I'm getting kind of discouraged. I thought maybe a few sessions with a trainer would educate me on what I'm doing wrong and motivate me. Does anyone have any thoughts about that...maybe I should just get my lazy butt up and keep trying on my own?

Sabine_Stroehm

I did it about 15 years ago. It was great. I learned a lot about form, even though I'd been lifting for years. And I found that I'd really been slacking. I've never been so sore as I was after my trainer got ahold of me.

I think it's worth it, if you find a good one, and if you can afford it.

I generally don't have any "gender bias" but for a trainer I found that I preferred a woman.

LetsTryThisAgain54

I look at it this way, it won't hurt to give a trainer a shot. I never used one myself, but I know a few girls at work that used one and they loved them. It's completely up to you, but as Sabine said, she preferred a woman. I say that because one of the girls said her first trainer was a guy and all he did was try and hit on her. She was paying good money and said if she wanted a guy to hit on her, she'd go to a bar instead. LOL! Good luck.

ninerbuff

Totally depends on the trainer and your approach with whatever program you're put on. Find a trainer with good client results. Also make sure you pick one that you can communicate with. Some are in it just for the money. Some are in it with a real passion to help people.


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

akgolden1

Thanks for the posts everyone! I decided to call a woman who has worked with a friend of mine. My friend didn't stick with the process long enough, but he was happy with the results he saw while he was following the trainers guidance. I'll keep you posted!

chayleah

Having a trainer has been worth it to me. Although I no longer need help with my form I have continued to work with a trainer because:
1. Accountability - I will go to the gym because I know that someone is waiting for me. I will also go on on the other days because I know she will ask about my progress.
2. Variety - I am easily bored and my trainer is much more creative when it comes to making a workout routine.
3. Push - I work harder when someone is standing next to me watching and counting my reps. My trainer tends to pick heavier weight than I would on my own.

jackieatx

What I did is I used my "trial session" and made a point to remember everything he showed me. If I need to reaccess in a while, I'll hire him for one session. I'm cheap!

Capt_Apollo

it depends on the trainer, the gym, and your level of comitment.

you don't have to buy a personal trainer for 3 times a week for six months. i got one where i met him twice a month for six months. and i already came to him with some good knowledge of what i wanted to acomplish. i also told him about how i wanted to do triathlons and get better at the big lifts (squat, dead lift, over head press) and he helped me out immensly and did research for my goals.

talk to talk to them about your goals. don't just go in there and say "uh, i want to lose weight" because then you'll get a cookie cutter routine from their basic trainer. talk to gym management, tell them you want a trainer that will do XXX for you.

georgie_lou

I have a trainer (male, I'm female). I go once a week to him and it's awesome. I go mid week (as I start to lose motivation) and he pushes me hard and I find myself motivated for the rest of the week. The fact that he's good looking makes me work harder!

CookieCrumble

Mine is worth at least ten times what I pay him. He's really excellent and understands exactly how far he needs to push me to get results. I usually do a session with him to introduce new elements to my routine - then do a week by myself to see how those work for me - then a follow-up session with him to see that those exercises have bedded in and that my form is still good. After that I get on with it myself for another month by which time I'm ready for another beasting.

He's worth his weight in platiunum and if I ever win the lottery, I'm going to have him on staff... he kicks my butt like nobody else can. :bigsmile:

Laces_0ut

to me its like hiring a travel agent. for the most part its just not need these days. there is plenty of info online. so if you are self motivated id give it a go without one at first.

Hestion

I had a free taster session, decided I thought she was just what I was looking for, and have used her for a month now, she is fantastic, I dont use her for the machines, as I can do that myself, but we do free weights and boxing and she throws in different stuff.

She is always ready to text/email/speak on the phone/at the gym etc, and even though she is on holiday this week, she told me to email her if I need her, thought that was lovely, although I wont pester her whilst she is away.

I've found it worth the money, but I think you need to get one that suits what your aims are for etc.

gmpuggles

If you have the money, I would say purchase some sessions. I really enjoy working with my trainer, he shows me the proper form to use on the different machines and has given quite a few ideas on how to do different exercises. And don't forget about the motivation part as well, there's been a few times when I wasn't that motivated to go to the gym but after sessions with him, I've always been glad to exercise - even if I get sore afterwards.

jennkain97

if you're looking for someone to push you, or hold you accountable, a trainer is a great idea. if you're just looking for a program, try New Rules of Lifting for Women. follow both exercise and nutrition sections, and you WILL see results.

VinoFonseca

Having a trainer has been worth it to me. Although I no longer need help with my form I have continued to work with a trainer because:
1. Accountability - I will go to the gym because I know that someone is waiting for me. I will also go on on the other days because I know she will ask about my progress.
2. Variety - I am easily bored and my trainer is much more creative when it comes to making a workout routine.
3. Push - I work harder when someone is standing next to me watching and counting my reps. My trainer tends to pick heavier weight than I would on my own.

Ditto. Though I gotta say, there is nothing so frightening as an 'enthusiastic' trainer. I had a great weight loss week, and I will never forget the gleam in my trainer's eyes. After that session, things ached that I didn't even know I had! BUT, what a difference. I leg pressed 160 pounds today and I could barely squat 10 weeks ago. I also bench pressed 50 pounds yesterday. Baby weight, I know. But never imagined I could do that.

I highly recommend a trainer. Mine's a guy and I'm a girl and he's wonderful. When I'm depressed about my progress, he always cheers me one. Can't sing his praises enough.

sullykat

I my trainer. He is the only reason I go to the gym, because I have someone waiting there for me. I also like that he corrects my form, because even if I have "good form" most of the time, I do have slip-ups and he lets me know. I also like that he counts for me, and increases the weight when things get too "light" (because of my bangin' muscles)… I'm very lazy, and would rather someone else do that all for me I've been with him for the past year, and to me, it is so worth the money.

Koldnomore

I had one for about 6 months. In that time I lost only 12 lbs, didn't see any losses in inches , didn't see any muscle gains, wasted 2400$ and puked a dozen times. The guy was horrible and I think he could have cared less what my issues were - I have problems with my joints that prevented me from doing some motions but he isn't seem to care a whole lot about it. He would show me something quickly then walk away and come back after I was part way thru. He didn't even bother half the time to correct my postures or whatever.

Just make sure you get a good one who isn't just in it for the money.. It's going to be a long while before I trust another one.

Music4Hym777

I agree with the person who said their trainer was worth 10x what they pay for him. I absolutely love mine and he is great. (yes, mine is male and I am female). I think it is a great idea to have a trainer on hand because they can always show you new things and also mine goes over my food too if I want to. Mine is great at knowing when to push me, but also knowing when to back off if I am not feeling great or I am overdoing it myself.

eddieharrisjr

Speaking on behalf of personal trainers. Being someone who lost 60+ lbs on his own and then went on to become a personal trainer I can speak truthfully that although I didn't have an actual trainer at the gym that I worked out at; the trainers and owners of the gym were there to cheer me on and provided me with valuable tips. If I had it to do all over again (I don't plan on doing it over again) and I could have afforded it. I would've definitely made the investment. Ironically enough I am now a trainer and nutritionist at that very gym. As a trainer, I don't believe that everyone needs a trainer, particularly if they are motivated enough to do it on their own, but a personal trainer is really more of a fitness guide, coach and motivator. Some people need that. Hey just ask the Biggest Loser contestants if they think having a personal trainer is worth it.

ashleymichelle06

Yes! The trainer I've been seeing is a woman. She's very helpful and nice but she also gets me to push harder than I ever thought I could. I lost 8 lbs in 2 weeks, and I only saw her once per week. I can't imagine how much more I would lose if I could afford to see her 2-3 times per week! lol

MustangGirl05

Totally depends on the trainer and your approach with whatever program you're put on. Find a trainer with good client results. Also make sure you pick one that you can communicate with. Some are in it just for the money. Some are in it with a real passion to help people.


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

I agree 100% with this, I have friends at the Gym that have Trainers that really don't care about their clients. I feel so bad for them knowing they are just getting trained for an hour and then "see you at your next session". I have been with my Trainer for 6 mos now & it has been the best investment ever. I am one of the lucky ones to have such a great Trainer, it is so important that you are able to connect with them. He once told me that he is not only there for my physical fitness but for my mental fitness as well, he cares about his clients, male or female. He gives me the tools to live a healthier lifestyle & stay fit for me. Good luck to you with your journey 8)

ZugTheMegasaurus

A trainer can be a great investment if you get a good one. Be careful though, I've heard some trainers say some crazy, even dangerous things. Every job has some people who really shouldn't be working it; as George Carlin said, "Somewhere in the world is the world's worst doctor. And what's truly terrifying is that someone has an appointment with him tomorrow morning."

If I were you, I'd get a recommendation from someone who seems to have the results you want (someone you notice in your gym, for instance). And if you find someone you like, make sure to recommend them to others as well.

meshashesha2012

they can be. i've belonged to several gyms in my life and honestly i've only come across 5 PT i thought were worth it.

before you hire one, try watching them in action at the gym. one thing i look for is the type of exercises they give to their clients. if a PT is giving the same routine to a 20- something women overweight woman and a rail thin 40-something man then i wouldnt hire them. if i see them having clients do all kinds of crazy stuff on bosu balls i wouldnt hire them. if i see them putting their clients on cardio machines for most of their time i wouldnt hire them. if i overhear them spewing any kind of bro science i wouldnt hire them.

from there you have to find out if you'd work well together. all of the trainers i've worked with have been former athletes in fields that i used to compete in (soccer, rugby or weightlifting) or similar fields (football). when i've tried other trainers without an athletic background, they've never been strenuous enough for me and they waste time issuing warnings about overdoing it and sticking to the fat burning zone or whatever :laugh: i definitely think there's a HUGE difference in training styles from PTs who approach their routines in terms of weight loss vs those who approach it in terms of getting fitter and pushing yourself. i work better with the latter.

Dawnhasajeep

I agree with a lot that was said above. It depends on the trainer. I would watch them around the gym see what style you like. Also look for someone who is keeping a close eye on the person while they are working out and correcting their form. I have seen trainer who are looking around the gym and not paying attention to the person doing squats wrong. You can learn a lot for a good trainer that you will last a life time. Than it is worth the money.

Good luck!

jlilangel

A trainer is totally worth the price, if for nothing else than to show your proper form and technique. As a personal trainer myself, although not working in the industry right now, when I am at the gym I see so many people performing exercises incorrectly. They need someone who is going to help them do things properly and safely. And don't forget the accountability factor as well. A trainer will follow you every week and track your progress. Be honest with them on how things are going. They're there to help you succeed not push you away from your goals. But, if going to the gym isn't for you, find a group and tell them your goals. Keep yourself accountable too in achieving those goals and helping others do the same.

Vonwarr

I have hired a personal trainer right now, and I'm greatly enjoying it. You do have to do some research and pick the right trainer though. I interviewed several trainers before settling on one... The first trainer I saw tried to railroad me into a 6+ month contract up front, the second tried to tell me I would get "Great results" with their cookie cutter plan weight loss plan, and the third asked intelligent questions about my goals and said I could try a few sessions, (3 sessions for the price of 1 actually). I obviously went with the third.