Are personal trainers worth it?

penguina727

I was considering hiring a personal trainer for a couple sessions so he or she could show me the best exercises for me. I am not really familiar with any of the machines at PF except for the treadmill and bicycle. I don't want to waste my time or hurt myself doing them incorrectly. Is it worth it or is there somewhere else I can look for guidance? I don't feel comfy asking the employees because they aren't the friendliest people.

vorgas

My experience with Planet Fitness has not been good. The owner has even come out against the need for personal trainers. I don't know about yours, but the ones near me have gotten rid of all free barbells and only have a small selection of dumbbells and a smith machine. In my opinion, these should be the staple of any good exercise regimen. You don't exactly need a trainer to put you on an elliptical.

Personal trainers can be good or bad. They are people, not robots. Also, what works for you may not work for another person. Some people want somebody yelling and screaming, some want coddling, some want positive encouragement.

Talk to several different trainers about your goals before picking one. Narrow it down to a two or three and observe how they interact with other clients. Are they attentive or do they tend to let their eyes wander? Are they chatty? Is this what you want?

gmallan

If you find the right one. I would definitely say that you will benefit from having someone show you the ropes with weights and check your form.

Is there anyone you know that could recommend someone to you. Make sure you're clear to them with your goals

dondimitri

"worth it" is probably in the eye of the beholder....

There are some very fine trainers out there that I would be happy to spend time and money with.

However there are others with whom I felt I paid for more than I received.

I agree that clear goals and a clear plan are important.

I also agree that if you have a chance to check them out in the gym working with other clients that can be very helpful in determining whether or not you might want to hire them.

I wouldn't buy a large package of workouts from anyone who I hadn't had a couple of single workouts with.

JDBLY11

If you just want basic help you can just ask the people at the gym.

I had a personal trainer for a short time. A good personal trainer with experince is totally worth the money. They are very knowledgeable and will do a program with you that you could not do on your own and get you results you could not get on your own. My personal trainer just made a program for me to do on my own and then did a completely different program with me when I met with him once a week. He did not just lead me through a workout on the machines. It was totally his own program using free weights a bosu and a step and a ball. I could not afford to continue so I had to stop. I would get a personal trainer three days a week if I could. It keeps you accountable too.

penguina727

I haven't really paid much attention to what weights my PF has I just really started going back to the gym this week. I have only done the treadmill and the bike so far. I know weights are important but am scared I won't be doing it right. I don't have alot of money so I would only be able to get a trainer for maybe 3 sessions at the most unless they had a really decent package where I could afford more sessions.

ninerbuff

Not familiar with PF trainers so make sure that they are at least certified through an accredited organization like A.C.E., NASM, ISSA, AFAA etc.
As some said, "worth it" is subjective. Since you're brand new to lifting, it probably will be worth it if the trainer is well versed in basic knowledge of lifting and form.

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

honey2two

I have a trainer coming to my house twice a week for 30 mins each time. I started with 1 hour each, but that was shear torture. I'm 246# 48yo. I started in Jan '13 @ 293#. do I owe all that weight loss to my trainer? absolutely not.... other than she turned me on to "clean" eating. I started clean eating 1350 cals a day. But what I will say a trainer gives you is that push. Even though some of the things we do are simple like lunges and squat walks. I would never be able to make myself do as many as she makes me do. If you are the type that is totally self-motivated, don't waste your money. If exercise is like pulling teeth, you can't beat having a trainer.

JohnHanly

A good personal trainer will surely help you in this case.Try looking out for an experienced,and a certified personal trainer who will teach some good exercises and help you in maintaining a fit body.

Personal Trainer in NYC

JoRocka

First off I'd get away from planet fatness.

They are kind of useless and I'm not even sure if they qualify as a gym.

Secondly- I support the "maybe" on personal trainer bit.

A good one is worth their weight in gold- but do some research figure out what you want then make sure the trainer you get is the one that is going to help support your goals.

For every good on out there- there are 3 bad ones giving them a bad rap.

ItsCasey

Good trainers are absolutely worth it. Aside from teaching you how to do things the right way, they save you the time and effort of designing your own program, and they also push you to do things you don't even know you're capable of.

A trainer at Planet Fitness? I wouldn't waste my money. I also wouldn't waste my time on machines, but that's another topic.

Project9

I was considering hiring a personal trainer for a couple sessions so he or she could show me the best exercises for me. I am not really familiar with any of the machines at PF except for the treadmill and bicycle. I don't want to waste my time or hurt myself doing them incorrectly. Is it worth it or is there somewhere else I can look for guidance? I don't feel comfy asking the employees because they aren't the friendliest people.

I did it one time and my answer is "no".

VorJoshigan

Trainers are "worth it" to help you get good form. Bad form can make you injure yourself or get less benefit from the exercise.

Planet fitness... um... I guess it's better than a sharp stick in the eye?

RHSheetz

Well, My Personal Trainer is great! Of course, he was able to address the issue that I was struggling with and resolve it. He pushes me to exercise above and beyond what I could do on my own. He is very supportive and focused on getting me to My goals.

I picked my trainer based on someone who could get me past where I was stuck. And I picked out someone who obviously knows what they are doing based on what they have accomplished. I figured if they could do it for themselves, they can do it for me.

I would highly recomend hireing one, just make sure it is someone you are comfortable with, who is willing to listen to your goals, and is in or beyond the shape you want to reach.

billsica

I don't feel comfy asking the employees because they aren't the friendliest people.

I think this is the problem right here. Why would you go to a place that you feel uncomfortable at?

I have been working with a personal trainer for about a month now. During our initial meeting we went over our goals. I say talk to them first.

My goals were to improve strength and form, particularly in the following lifts: Squats, dead-lifts, bench press, clean and press. Also to be able to scale an 8 foot wall.

Lifestyle4life

Trainers are definately worth it--to get you started,to teach you form and programs, or to jump start a stagnate routine....but it still is up to you. Fitness comes from the time you put into it. In the gym or out of it.

Rosiemac2

I used a trainer for 5 sessions. I had pinched a nerve so I wanted exercises that would not hurt my neck. He showed me porper form and designed 3 different sessions that work my core as well as upper and lower body at the same time. I now do the exercises on my own. Just let them know up front that you only want to use them for a defined time. They may try to get you to continue. I would love to keep using him but I do not have unlimited funds. I also go to a gym which is a health and fitness center...so they are all certified and experienced.

Witchdoctor58

Planet Fitness gyms vary. There are 2 within a block of each other where I work. One has a crappy free weight section, which is dominated by muscley young men and there is never any access. The equipment is older and worn. The other has a roomy area with barbells and dumbells, and plenty of clean new benches.

For the price, it's worth it even if all I use it for is a quick lunchtime half hour of circuit training or cardio.

Planet Fitness also includes orientation to the machines as part of the membership...they don't want you suing them, after all!

I never paid for a trainer, as I learn better from books and videos. Other patrons are often willing to give advice if you approach them nicely without interrupting a set.

BeachIron

I don't feel comfy asking the employees because they aren't the friendliest people.

I think this is the problem right here. Why would you go to a place that you feel uncomfortable at?

I have been working with a personal trainer for about a month now. During our initial meeting we went over our goals. I say talk to them first.

My goals were to improve strength and form, particularly in the following lifts: Squats, dead-lifts, bench press, clean and press. Also to be able to scale an 8 foot wall.

You found the great white buffalo. A PT who listens to your goals and actually incorporates a program that will get you there.

Bankman1989

I am a personal trainer but based on you wanting it for 1 or 2 sessions I would say NO! Getting a personal trainer is a commitment and 2 sessions will not be enough to see any results. If you ask your club manager you should get a couple sessions for free. They should take your measurements and show you the ropes. After that if you still want a trainer do at least 20 sessions. Its not about the money rather the commitment you need to have.

rsimoneau1

I participate in small group training 3 days a week at a place called Dynamic Strength and Conditioning. Have been at it for 4 weeks (3 sessions per week), and I can feel the difference. Every Mon/Wed/Fri I'm in there at 4:45 am. Groups are never more than 8 people, and it is the same people every morning. The trainers are all certified (check out their website, google is your friend), and are very concerned with your form. For instance, I was going a little too deep with squats, so the trainer set up a step platform at the depth I should be getting to. Worked perfect.

When I pulled hamstring, they completely re-worked my whole fitness plan to allow healing time.

When I went in for my consultation, we went over goals, and did a fitness/flexibility test to see where I was at physically

Training regiment changes every 4 weeks (I'm on my second 4 week cycle now).

Is it worth it to me? Yes.

healthymelisa

I've had personal trainers in the past, some were good and some were bad. If you happen to find one that you like stick to it, if not, walk away.

LarryDUk

I have had one for a month and it has already made a big difference in my workouts and how I feel about weights. As Bigced said, you will need more than a couple of sessions. We are just getting started really.

alpine1994

Planet Fitness has free training. They offer small group classes of less than 5 people where a trainer brings you around and shows you how to use all the equipment and creates a total body workout for you. You can check the schedule for your PF location on the website (www.planetfitness.com). I've never done it personally since I have some weight lifting experience but I see other people do it.

Like other posters said, they don't have the greatest equipment since it's mostly the machines, but it's great for a beginner. I go there because I needed something cheap and short-term because I knew I was moving away and it works fine for me.

tolygal

I think that if you find a GOOD PT and stick with him/her for a full program, then yes, it would be worth it. I've tried several different trainers at a couple of different gyms (not from PF) for 1 to 3 sessions. I couldn't afford to keep going to them for any length of time - I just wanted them to help me get a program set up, and it never worked like that - with any of them. They all wanted me to keep coming back and kept touting their great rates for purchasing more sessions. Not one of them would teach me an actual program that I could follow myself. So I guess it depends on what you want. If you just want someone to show you how to use the machines properly, you shouldn't have to hire a trainer for that - the gym employees should be able to show you that. I learned a whole lot more by reading and watching good videos than I leaned from a PT. JMO! Good luck whatever you decide.

spfldpam

I used to go to Planet Fitness but recently switched gyms to one with more classes and a pool. Planet Fitness does have a trainer that can show you how to use all the machines cardio and weight machines and they can also set you up w a personal exercise plan. Check with the front desk at your PF to see when they do that. I had two done when I was a member for the 6 months there. One at the beginning and another one at about 4 months. I liked my Planet Fitness, it was new and very clean and I never had to wait for a machine and it was only $10 a month! It worked for me since I hadn't never joined a gym and wasn't for sure if I would like it or stick with it. After 6 months, I was getting bored and wanted a gym with more classes and options so that is why I left. My gym now cost $43 a month but I got two months free but did have to sign a year contract but I get all the premium classes free the first 30 days also. Good luck!

admegamo

i think it's good to shop around for a personal trainer that makes you feel comfortable. I met with a trainer that never let me get a word in (he was supposed to be evaluating me) and would finish my sentences because he thought he knew what was going to say. Every time he did that, he was wrong. He totally offended me because I felt steotyped and was like being fat isn't one personality type fits all.

I haven't found the time to try to find a different trainer but I stopped seeing this guy because I knew that I wouldn't improve with him making me feel so negative.

mohanj

My experience with personal trainer is very good. I go to 24 hour fitness gym and I liked the trainers there. My trainer introduced me to Myfitnesspal which is the best thing that happened to me besides learning the proper way and also new exercises that are customized to my needs. If I could afford it, I would certainly take it in the future again. It is certainly worth it.

shunggie

I just joined PF. I haven't met with their PT yet, but I do plan on it. I really like it so far. I used to go to the Y and 24 Hour Fitness but $10 vs $65 a month???? I'm not comfortable in classes- I can't seem to keep up. So no classes is fine for me. I love the curves like circuit and ab room. I feel as though I can do cardio and strength training without too much trouble.

SteelySunshine

I think it's worth it if you need to know how to target areas you want to be stronger like your core for example. They can show you form and other things like that. They can help you figure out your BF%. I am having mine done today (little nervous it's like high ya know), so looking forward to that I am sure there are a number of things they can help with.

BOTOH, I am probably just going to do whatever it is that I want to do anyway, regardless of advice to the contrary.

brookielaw

I love my certified personal trainer with all of my heart. He listens, respects my boundaries/injuries and helps me push myself harder. He designed a program that works for ME, not a cookie-cutter program. Since I love to swim (I swim a mile 3x/ week minimum) we spend about a third of the session doing strength training to improve my swimming, about a third of the time on what I call "knee-hab," which are different exercises that improve my strength and range of motion in my jacked-up knees and a third toning. He keeps me moving and there's always a cardio component in there. I actually belong to a different gym for swimming but would follow this (inexpensive, IMHO) guy to whatever gym he is with. I like breaking up my usual workouts and have seen amazing results. It is such a great feeling to say "uh, hey, S, I just signed up for kayaking in November, gotta be able to get in and out and row" and have him come up with something to help prepare me. It's great to have another person invested in my fitness & future, even if I can only afford to train once a week.

So short answer: Heck yes, if you have the right one for you. (And they're certified)