PTs? People who have had PTs? People who would like a PT?

vanillarama

Hi,

I realize there is a chance of my getting ripped a new one here, but I'd like some honest feedback.

I am just starting out as a Personal Trainer, and trying to learn all I can. From reading the boards quite a bit as of late, I can see there are definitely a number of people who know a hell of a lot of stuff, and who have been through a hell of a lot.

If you are a PT, had a PT, have a PT, want a PT, want to be one, or even have any sort of (relatively) objectively formed opinion in regards to personal training, I would like to hear it. What makes a good PT? What makes you respond well to them? What is a huge no-no (please don't make this the bulk of the thread though! I know it is easy ) - What suggestions do you have?

I am looking to mainly train those new to a fitness program, older adults, etc. Generally people who are just starting out and want to have a comfortable atmosphere in which to create healthy habits, or people with limited mobility looking to increase their functional fitness.

I read a lot, I continue to learn- I know that's something that is never finished.

I want to be a great trainer. Any help would be appreciated

vanillarama

bump?

drmerc

I like watching the PTs at the gym have the client balance on a ball, while holding dumbbells doing jumping jacks and other crazy exercises like that.
It entertains me while I work out

lauren0804

I had my share of personal trainers and gained a lot of information but exericising and diets seem to change a lot, so I come here often for advice. Recently I had this great wellness/PT coach. First she worked out of her home, and not at a gym. She provided a few different options with bootcamp style. She really kicked my butt and loved it. She also provided/helped with my diary and changed a lot of it. She was quite reasonable too. The reason I'm not going to her right now is fiances (even with her reasonable prices). I think what makes a great PT is that you change it up a bit and not some borning routine you get at a gym. Anyone can learn stuff and go from there but it's those PT that really push you hard. It also helps that you are just not a client but a friend.

jonelaw

ummmmm... the PT caught my attention. PT is the professional abbreviation for Physical Therapist.
Godd luck in your new venture.

californiagirl2012

We just had a couple walk into our gym where the husband paid thousands of dollars for a PT for the wife and they both were not happy. No results.

I achieved my goals without a PT --> http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/740340-i-lost-60-lbs-at-age-51-anyone-can-any-workout

All you need is a calorie deficit and a good workout that involves weight training.

eat less to lose
exercise to maintain or gain lean body mass.

The harder you workout the better you will look when the fat is gone. You will lose fat faster than you will build muscle especially if you are female.

Females need not be afraid to lift heavy. You will not build big muscles like a guy because you don't have the hormones for it. And if you don't want to look "ripped" just don't get as lean, the little bit of extra fat from not getting quite so lean will give you a nice tone softer look. You can have whatever you want.

crystalflame

I had a PT for a summer. Not the best experience. While she taught me a lot about weight lifting technique that I use now, I saw zero progress in those three months because she didn't emphasize nutrition enough in the beginning, didn't have me weigh in or take measurements regularly, and didn't adjust the program when we failed to see my body responding to it. On my own I learned I needed harder cardio and heavier weights; she just went too easy on me. My number one tip would be to always be ready to adjust if your supposedly tried-and-true method isn't working for one of your clients. Treat everyone as an individual, and don't be afraid to encourage them to go harder.

vanillarama

I do try to keep an open mind, and I do feel nutrition is a big part of being healthy. Sounds like you got a bad deal there

vanillarama

We just had a couple walk into our gym where the husband paid thousands of dollars for a PT for the wife and they both were not happy. No results.

I achieved my goals without a PT --> http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/740340-i-lost-60-lbs-at-age-51-anyone-can-any-workout

All you need is a calorie deficit and a good workout that involves weight training.

eat less to lose
exercise to maintain or gain lean body mass.

The harder you workout the better you will look when the fat is gone. You will lose fat faster than you will build muscle especially if you are female.

Females need not be afraid to lift heavy. You will not build big muscles like a guy because you don't have the hormones for it. And if you don't want to look "ripped" just don't get as lean, the little bit of extra fat from not getting quite so lean will give you a nice tone softer look. You can have whatever you want.

Ok, that's really great, but not so helpful.

vanillarama

I had my share of personal trainers and gained a lot of information but exericising and diets seem to change a lot, so I come here often for advice. Recently I had this great wellness/PT coach. First she worked out of her home, and not at a gym. She provided a few different options with bootcamp style. She really kicked my butt and loved it. She also provided/helped with my diary and changed a lot of it. She was quite reasonable too. The reason I'm not going to her right now is fiances (even with her reasonable prices). I think what makes a great PT is that you change it up a bit and not some borning routine you get at a gym. Anyone can learn stuff and go from there but it's those PT that really push you hard. It also helps that you are just not a client but a friend.

I definitely agree with a lot of that. I think that being a friend is important, but still maintaining a balance so that the client doesn't feel that they can distract with the friendship. I'm not sure I put that as clearly as I would like- but I see a lot of trainers at my gym spending their hour chatting about love lives and gossip and not getting much else done. If we can get our work done, then tell me anything you like

However, I am aware that with some older adults in particular this may also be a social event for them, so making it effective but social is important to me.

nyxrun

I'd like to get a PT...thought about it a lot actually. The weights at the gym are still a bit scary to me, and I'd like to learn. I work crazy hours, so I got to see him with various clients at various parts of the day.

Right now I feel like I need to be in better shape before I even consider signing up with him. Everyone he trains has the same basic workout - a lot of things I'd be concerned about, given my old injuries (I have bad knees, ankles and back from jumping out of a plane and landing wrong). I'd like a trainer who's willing to listen and modify their routine based on the client. I dont want to risk injuring myself doing something I'm not ready for.

smackadoodle

Know 3 things: 1. what is your client's goal (not yours for them)
2. Be sure you have the knowledge to help that particular person with that particular body.
As an older adult with heath issues it is vital my PT knows what moves not to push, and how to work the same muscles in other ways, better for my body.
3. Encourage! For those without a long history of training, or recent training, encourage, encourage, encourage.

keenercam

I am working out with the third personal trainer that I've had in the past five years (the first one moved to a private gym and the second moved away). My current personal trainer is the best so far. When I tried to pinpoint what makes him different/the best, here are the highlights:

1. He understands my limitations (I've had 4 knee surgeries including a reconstruction and had a torn trapezius several years ago) and he has gradually helped me add exercises to strengthen those weaknesses. He has done this carefully and conscientiously so that I don't risk re-injury.

2. He watches every singe thing I do while we are working together and immediately corrects my form if necessary. Again, I appreciate this so that I don't risk injury and I don't create bad habits.

3. When we are working together, he is completely focused on our workout, not socializing with anyone walking by or working out in the vicinity.

4. At the beginning of every session, he asks if there is anything in particular I want to work on. I appreciate this respect, especially since I am often training for a half-marathon or will have a 5k coming up and may not want to overtax my legs.

5. Every workout is interesting. We don't do exactly the same workout twice.

6. He has introduced many new exercises, new equipment (kettlebells and TRX, for example), and new challenges. I've used equipment and the free weight area that I never would have gone near before. This has also given me credibility with the others working out in that area and everyone is friendly to me even if my PT isn't with me. I am convinced that a lot of this comes from their respect for him.

7. He pushes me to my limits (though he says I am one of his hardest working clients and that sometimes he has to hold me back because I don't always recognize my limits). When I thought I couldn't do pushups, he told me to try one. Now he won't let me do anything less than a full-out good form pushup. When I thought I could only plank for x number of seconds, he pushed me to stay at it and doubled my duration in one session.

8. He makes me sweat every session. I mean dripping wet, reaching for a towel, drinking lots of water, and feeling very accomplished because of it. He says never to apologize to a PT for sweating - that PTs love to see a client pushing that hard.

9. He tracks every single workout on a card that he keeps with him. He always tells me when I'm lifting heavier than I've done before or when I've done more reps than the last time. I appreciate that he keeps track so carefully.

10. Whenever he sees me at the gym, he says hello and then the next time we work out together, he'll make mention of what I was doing - how long were you on the elliptical, how was the reisistance, how did your knee feel, did you enjoy your rowing session, good job on planks the other day. Very encouraging.

11. He is encouraging, complimentary, assertive, and demanding. I call him "Killer Kyle" and he loves it.

I hope that isn't more information than you were looking for. I am convinced that a good PT can completely turn around a person's attitude about working out and can change a person's life. It's great that you want to know what makes a great PT, I wish you tremendous success in this venture.

ndblades

We just had a couple walk into our gym where the husband paid thousands of dollars for a PT for the wife and they both were not happy. No results.

I achieved my goals without a PT --> http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/740340-i-lost-60-lbs-at-age-51-anyone-can-any-workout

All you need is a calorie deficit and a good workout that involves weight training.

eat less to lose
exercise to maintain or gain lean body mass.

The harder you workout the better you will look when the fat is gone. You will lose fat faster than you will build muscle especially if you are female.

Females need not be afraid to lift heavy. You will not build big muscles like a guy because you don't have the hormones for it. And if you don't want to look "ripped" just don't get as lean, the little bit of extra fat from not getting quite so lean will give you a nice tone softer look. You can have whatever you want.

Wow this is great a great post -- and makes more sense than anything else I have seen here. Your body is proof!

cheekylemur

I signed up for a once/month session with a trainer when I joined a gym. My primary reason is that I have never been in a gym outside of freshman year in high school. I have no idea what to do with the equipment, how to use all the assorted aids, how to exercise in a planned way in general.

In years past I've been a serious dancer, been involved in some intense horseback riding, lived semi-carless with a lot of commuter walking - and at the time those were fine without adding in some other work-outs. I'm totally lost in a gym or picking a workout program without someone to get me started, even though I know what it is like to be fitter and work hard.

I'll switch to a new trainer soon under my program, but I've been pleased so far - I get an encouraging "good to see you" or "nice job" when he walks by and I'm there on my own for motivation. And he's been good about figuring out what I want to accomplish and coming up with a routine I can use on my own.

vanillarama

Thanks so much, all- I really appreciate it. Even the random post above does give me something to work with, that people spent thousands and that I need to bear the zillions of different types of people I have and will encounter in the gym.

A lot of this stuff may seem obvious to people reading this thread, but it is a nice place for me to look and see if I'm even on the right track, so if anyone else has any thoughts, please share them

Keenercam, That's great you're so satisfied with your trainer and that he is helping you achieve your goals. If I can get someone to think those things of my work, I'll be a very happy lady

vanillarama

People are inspired by many different things- I guess the key is to listen, even when people are disagreeing with you. Maybe especially when they are disagreeing with you...

anemoneprose

Reiterating other points:

- LISTENS. Canned workouts suck
- Knowledge/expertise around biomechanics/injuries/overuse issues
- stays on top things; continually self-educates (but avoids fads & uses common sense)
- superlative client service/rapport-building skills
- I think an awareness of CBT principles could help re people who are very overweight, or who've been sedentary all their lives, or who have low self-esteem/self-efficacy, or use negative or catastrophic self-talk - the ability to motivate is important, as is being empathetic. I think some trainers who come from more of a performance background might miss this.
- doesn't push sales/packages; willing to do one-off sessions to teach technique
- oh yeah, for sure, focusses on the client. I had one once who spent most of my session flirting with other potential clients.

edit: maybe, if you`re working with an older/injured population: taking excellent histories - really probing around general health, medications, lifestyle, previous injuries, etc

darrensurrey

One issue I'd look out for when choosing a PT is how they look. I want a PT who walks the walk so if I were looking to lose weight, I'd expect the PT to be lean. And if I were looking to bulk up, I'd not take a PT seriously if they were skinny. It's a bit like those rusty cars you see with "MAKE £1,000 A WEEK IN YOUR SPARE TIME!"... you can see it's not working for them!

ShannonMpls

I like my trainer for these reasons:

1) My programs constantly have new exercises or riffs on exercises I've done previously, while also including the basics: chest press, deadlifts, squats. My programs are always different and as a result, I don't get bored. He keeps track of my workouts for me, so he knows what I lifted last time and helps me progress as needed.

2) We rarely spend time isolating muscles. When we do curls, for instance, they're at the very end of the session when we have extra time or more often, they're added into other exercises (rear lunges with curl).

3) My programs are unique and tailored to me. He does not use a cookie-cutter program for each client he trains. If he did, I wouldn't consider it worth my money. He knows my goals and takes them into account when writing up a program.

4) He challenges me more than I would challenge myself, and because I have a trainer watching me the first time I feel comfortable taking risks and pushing hard.

5) He makes my programs something I can repeat easily on my own, since I only work out with him 1 out of every 6 strength training work outs (every other week I have a session).

6) He checks in with me, chats, etc between sessions too. I like having a friendly face in the gym, and he's always willing to let me bounce ideas off him or ask questions outside of sessions too (though I do not abuse this). I cannot overstate how helpful this has been in keeping me headed in the right direction.

7) During my session, he is paying attention to ME: watching form and correcting it when needed. Nothing I hate more than seeing other trainers chatting with each other while one of them is training a client.

8) He's entertaining enough that I don't get sick of spending an hour every other week with him. I work hard but genuinely enjoy each session.

9) He is a stickler about form, and therefore I'm now a stickler about form too.

10) My body is pretty awesome now, and it's not from cardio.

I don't think a trainer is necessary but it sure has been nice.

cwanek726

I've been working with a PT once a week for the last year and a half. Quite honestly, it's the best decision that I've ever made. I consider it to be both a valuable investment in myself and money well spent.

That being said, you can only make your client work out for the hour or 30 minutes that he or she has with you. I regularly talk to my trainer about what my goals are, what I'd like to be doing and what equipment I'd like to be using.

She does tend to get me doing things that initially are outside of my comfort zone, but I take those exercises and work them into my normal routines the other 3-4 days a week when I'm not working with her. This is extremely helpful, as some things I woulnd't have thought to do on my own.

Since I started working with a PT, I've lost roughly 35lbs and more than 60 inches. While the 35 lbs isn't terribly dramatic for a year and a half, I think the 60" speaks for itself.

EDIT - Forgot to add - my trainer competes in figure/bodybuilding competitions, and definitely looks like she should look to be taken seriously as a trainer.

MtnKat

I had a PT and now I don't. He was really good and explained a lot to me but he was so flakey! I could never get a set day of the week to workout. It was always "Ill text you the next time I am available". I told him right from the start, "I need at least 2 days a week with you" - he agreed to that but now that I think about it, the most we ever worked out was once a week. I just don't think that is a way to do business. When I finally did get a hold of him, he always acted like it was all my fault (Not sure how, with me being the customer and all)

Where I'm from, I am a big fish in a small pond. I have a lot of very prominent contacts just through my work (I work at a college and have a very high level job that is also very public). You better believe that I'm yelling out to all my colleagues and friends about his performance and commitment. Around here, word of mouth is a big thing.

If I could hire another trainer in this small town, I would do so in a heartbeat. But I am so disgusted by my PT's lack of commitment that I'm at the point where I believe that I can just do it all on my own.

So, just make sure you are honest and up front with your clients. Lay it all out for them so that they know what to expect and when (and then keep that commitment). I think I would have been happier if he said "I can't work out with you because you smell" than to be led on and lied to.

I am not worried so much about the lack of results as I saw some people post....I am the one who needs to put forth the effort. I don't expect my trainer to take the blame for that. It's pretty much the same as anything....it's what you put into it.

karrielynn80

I had a PT for approx 3 months & loved it.

What i loved:
*I was accountable - to be there when i planned
*I learned how to use certain parts of the gym
*I learned how to use my body to do things without machines
*She focused on overall body recomp
& she was personable. Just balanced enough to still get the job done.
*flexibility (financially) she allowed me & my SIL to train together (as were were the same body type / size) and only charged us one fee... this made it much easier to continue our sessions.

What i would have preferred be different:
*although i know it's probably not the objective of a PT (as it's their profession) I wish she'd had made it a little easier to continue what i'd learned outside of our sessions - i wrote down as much as i could & still do some of what she taught. But some kind of schedule or goal plan (written for me) would have been nice - so I could someday take hold of my own training.
*nutrition. I know this is a gray area b/c PTs aren't Nutritionist, & mine vaguely covered what SHE ate - but quite frankly she's in the gym at least 8 hrs a day, i am not lol... it would have been nice if some kind of general meal plan accompanied our training...

But all in all, she is one of the major stepping stones that got me into the gym hardcore so i am very thankful for her.

siriusalien

I started my fitness/diet journey December 2011: hired a PT and stuck with him for 6 months. Liked the guy, but wasn't seeing any results. When he moved on to greener pastures, I joined another gym and hired another PT-who was completely useless. Poor knowlege base and unmotivated himself. I'm not paying someone to stand next to me while I run the treadmill. This one refused/avoided getting me anywhere near the weight room. Fired his DA... Next guy was a powerlifter-he's on youtube lifting heavy junk. He was all caught up in a personal crisis. Didn't talk (literaly). Just grunted and pointed at stuff. he did teach me great lifting form!
Now, I've just walked into the gym, got the firness manager, and TOLD him we were doing Stronglifts! Made it clear his job was to make sure I didn't hurt myself, correct form, motivate, and teach me the in's and out's of the weightroom so I would eventualy be confident in there by myself...
I have been SOOOOOOOOO dissapointed with the quality of PT's out there. Check out JCD Fitness and Body Improvements-they are my go to guys

Good luck

akillaah

my personal trainer is absolutely amazing. She cares a lot about me and my goals and making it happen no matter what the cost - i wasn't just about the sale to her and I've never felt that way about her in the slightest. She is understanding, but still firm and makes sure that I stay committed and motivated as well as have fun and enjoy exercising. She is very creative with my work out routines and tries not to do the same exercise twice in a short time span. I don't know, I just really love her passion for the job and her want to see me succeed as much as I do - if not more! Lol! I wanna do good for me, but I also want to do good for her since, even though I'm paying her, she really commits 150% to me always and I don't want to give her a reason to doubt me I guess.

RobinvdM

If I could afford a Personal Trainer I would want...

Someone who remembers my name when we meet up.
Someone who is as committed to my weight loss/work out training as I am
-- sometimes more so on those days I just want to throw in the towel.
Someone who WILL hold me accountable (without being a jerk about it.)
Someone who is consistent, punctual, tidy/presentable, flexible to work with
Someone who puts together a tailored program for me, and keeps things not boring
Someone who doesn't mind reshowing me some basics and won't hesitate to correct my form if they see me screwing it up.
--remember, HOW you say I am doing it wrong is just as important as correcting me.
Someone who is absolutely approachable without losing professionalism.
Someone who has the education to back up what they are trying to educate me on
Someone who clearly benefits from his/her own advice (do NOT be obviously overweight and telling me how to get in shape.)

lauren0804

I had my share of personal trainers and gained a lot of information but exericising and diets seem to change a lot, so I come here often for advice. Recently I had this great wellness/PT coach. First she worked out of her home, and not at a gym. She provided a few different options with bootcamp style. She really kicked my butt and loved it. She also provided/helped with my diary and changed a lot of it. She was quite reasonable too. The reason I'm not going to her right now is fiances (even with her reasonable prices). I think what makes a great PT is that you change it up a bit and not some borning routine you get at a gym. Anyone can learn stuff and go from there but it's those PT that really push you hard. It also helps that you are just not a client but a friend.

I definitely agree with a lot of that. I think that being a friend is important, but still maintaining a balance so that the client doesn't feel that they can distract with the friendship. I'm not sure I put that as clearly as I would like- but I see a lot of trainers at my gym spending their hour chatting about love lives and gossip and not getting much else done. If we can get our work done, then tell me anything you like

However, I am aware that with some older adults in particular this may also be a social event for them, so making it effective but social is important to me.

I agree, you don't want to be too chatty. I guess What I meant by friend is that someone that really cares about their goals and really wants to help them, rather caring about making a few bucks off of them. My coach actually reduced her prices so she can achieve people's goals.

lauren0804

If I could afford a Personal Trainer I would want...

Someone who remembers my name when we meet up.
Someone who is as committed to my weight loss/work out training as I am
-- sometimes more so on those days I just want to throw in the towel.
Someone who WILL hold me accountable (without being a jerk about it.)
Someone who is consistent, punctual, tidy/presentable, flexible to work with
Someone who puts together a tailored program for me, and keeps things not boring
Someone who doesn't mind reshowing me some basics and won't hesitate to correct my form if they see me screwing it up.
--remember, HOW you say I am doing it wrong is just as important as correcting me.
Someone who is absolutely approachable without losing professionalism.
Someone who has the education to back up what they are trying to educate me on
Someone who clearly benefits from his/her own advice (do NOT be obviously overweight and telling me how to get in shape.)

I agree. I had a trainer that always rescheduled on me. It was so fustrating that ended up me leaving

rachelerwin

I have been working with a personal trainer for about five months now and it has been well worth the money. I work with him twice a week. He keeps me motivated and even on the days we don't work together he comes and makes sure that I am exercising properly. He has taught me alot about nutrition. He has me lifting heavy something I didn't think I would be able to do. He pushes me out of my comfort zone which is what I want. Just in the 5 months I have worked with him I have lost 70 pounds. My husband is also working with the same trainer and he has gotten great results as well.

dad106

I've had 3 PTs.. and each one was different so I have a pretty broad view of what I think a PT should be.

Main things for me:
Be on time
Actually listen to what I have to say( My first PT did not listen for ****, and wound up throwing out my back three times)
Take measurements(none of my PT's have done this, but I do this myself, so it's not a major requirement)
Figure out their goals and how you are going to respond to them
Encourage but don't be too peppy(my current trainer does an excellent job with that one)
Give a copy of the program so that your client can repeat it on their own
Focus on them and them alone.. not others around you(my current trainer sort of has an issue with this, but I'm fixing that)

I think thats my main points.. if I have anymore, I'll add them.

NiagaraCheryl

Several years ago the gym I was at had a PT who for a small fee would teach you how to use the machines. It was a 6 lessons at 1/2 hour each. It was all I could afford. I loved this woman. She was friendly with a good sense of humour and motivating. I was sorry I couldn't hire her for more. I later left that gym since it was going downhill fast.

I posted this recently about my experience at my current gym. I had a problem with a PT's sales tactics.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/668220-sales-pitch-truth-or-bit-of-both

Once of the things that bothered me about her was that during the sales pitch she asked me all sorts of questions, then used it against me. For example, she had asked me for a fitness goal and I said, "I want to dance at my grandkids' weddings" (which will be many years from now as my kids are 18 and 20). Later on when I was debating about signing up due to the costs, she threw this in my face asking, "do you still intend to be around for your grandchildrens' weddings?". Suggesting that if I didn't sign up with her I'd be dead in no time. That's not the type of person I want to be around.