Personal Trainers

I have a trainer now. He motivates me and my man. He knows what excersizes to do to target certain areas of the body. He switches back and forth from weight training and cardio. plus he is a great motivator. Definitely worth it! you will see a difference within a cpl weeks if they know what they are doing. Try it out for a month and see.

they are so expensive.

I had a personal trainer the other day in the gym telling me there was a better exercise for my Traps, seeing as his shoulders looked like a broken coat hanger and he had no idea what i was trying to achieve at the time i told him to jog on, eat some chicken and go play with himself over muscle and fitness magazine and keep dreaming.

Most of the ones i know have no real gym experience, and have very little worth listening to especially at their over inflated prices.

There are of course exception to the rules of course.

Peace

P.S I am qualified myself I have just never bothered to use it, I did ACE ages ago, it was easy, needed little study from what I already knew, always useful to have an extra cert though.

;-)

I had a personal trainer the other day in the gym telling me there was a better exercise for my Traps, seeing as his shoulders looked like a broken coat hanger

^ HAHaahahhahah

It depends on what you want. Someone mentioned they are expensive, which usually they are. My gym has a free service and the girl is very competent, but she's not the type of trainer that will customize a workout for everyone in the gym. Those are the ones that cost.... Make sure they know what they are talking about. I've had them approach me in other gyms and act like everyone there doesn't know that exercise helps lower your blood pressure and cholesterol. No kidding, really? Or the ones that say "fat turns to muscle and vice versa..." Those ones don't know what they are talking about, and so, will be a waste of time and money. At one gym the one trainer was actually a medical student (how she was working and going to school, no idea!) but everyone wanted her because obviously she was on top of the game. But that was before the Internet... I'd just search for some information first. I follow a bunch of "accounts" on Twitter that always post good exercises for all body parts and types, pre and post workouts, how to eat well, etc. I wouldn't hire one of them even if I had the money, honestly.

My personal trainer is on MFP (but he doesn't post here). I went to a personal trainer because I needed motivation and consistency. I needed help getting back on track basically. Having a set appointment once/week helps and having someone rooting for me also helps.

Another reason to go to a personal trainer is if you have never done weights, a personal trainer can help with your form and help set you up on a program.

Is my personal trainer worth it? Absolutely.

I have a trainer now. He motivates me and my man. He knows what excersizes to do to target certain areas of the body. He switches back and forth from weight training and cardio. plus he is a great motivator. Definitely worth it! you will see a difference within a cpl weeks if they know what they are doing. Try it out for a month and see.

We are definitely motivators and help push you when you need it the most.

At my gym you can only sign up for 6 months (some trainers will agree to 3 months). It is too expensive for me. Also, I don't want some person following me around and hanging over me when I am trying to exercise and telling me what to do with my life. I like to be self-motivated and alone. However, I wish they would offer shorter packages that cost less and give me a few sessions so that I could get some expert help on making sure I have good form on some very key, specific compound weight lifting moves. They say they only give the training in large packages because you can't gain anything from a short amount of training. That's complete BS. I am a dancer and I studied all the stuff he studied in school about the body (anatomy, physiology biology, kinesiology). I just want a little guidance with setting some things up, knowing where some things are, and having an outside eye on my form when trying weights that are heavier than I have lifted before. Even one session with a trainer would be fine. But, no, they won't do that. Or if that's not good I could sign up for a smaller package, but no they won't do that. I have to pay 1000 dollars to be committed to 3 months worth of training. No, thank you. But, it does have many benefits, if it is affordable. I have some friends that are trainers (don't live near me since I moved).

If you can find the money to spend its worth it in my opinion. My fiance and I have one, it cost $260 for 4 sessions fro both ($130 each). He seems to motivate us a lot when we work out. Plus after his "workout/routine" he gives us a sheet of what we did so we can work on that stuff until are next workout. He like to push us and motivates us but understands not to kill us. He builds on what we know and teaches us on other. Plus he helps with nutrition if we want.

Why do trainers lock you into contracts? Couldn't more flexibility around arrangements potentially mean more of a different kind of business?

A one-off 'intro to form' + program design session & maybe some reading recommendations would be well worthwhile. Maybe a check-in every couple of months, as needed (again, on a one-off basis).

I wouldn't pay for ongoing sessions.

Why do trainers lock you into contracts? Couldn't more flexibility around arrangements potentially mean more of a different kind of business?

A one-off 'intro to form' + program design session & maybe some reading recommendations would be well worthwhile. Maybe a check-in every couple of months, as needed (again, on a one-off basis).

I wouldn't pay for ongoing sessions.

I think it's more the club than the individual trainer. We do some similar things, but offer training in smaller packages as well.

Many of our members know they want to work with a trainer on a long-term basis, either 2 or 3 times per week. If they are willing to purchase 6 months or 12 months worth of sessions upfront, they not only get an additional 10% the lowest price per visit we offer, we waive their monthly dues. It's a win-win--the member (who would have purchased the sessons anyway) gets a great deal, and we get a good chunk of $$ upfront.

We also offer single sessions, 6-, and 10-visit packages, as well as other training/membership packages for those who don't want to buy 52 sessions up front. That way everyone has options.

I thought I would never use a trainer but my friend used one for a few months and she recommended him. You can pay for one session at a time when you want one or pay for four up front and get the fifth one free.

He has taught me different routines to do in the gym that I would never have worked out for myself. I get different routines every week and I get weighed every week and get my muscle fat and water levels measured. My weight loss has slowed a little but my body shape has changed and I dropped a dress size very quickly. I have had five sessions so far and I intend to keep having a weekly session for a few more months. I still have over 8 stone to lose.

Look at me. My PT did that. Well worth it. Oh, and he is a HOT fitness model too.

With regards cost, yes it can work out expensive, but I figured that my life was worth it - In January I was contemplating using crutches or motorised wheelchairs to get about due to me needing a knee replacement. I am a new woman and not a walking aid in sight!

You're amazing!! That's totally inspirational

Why do trainers lock you into contracts? Couldn't more flexibility around arrangements potentially mean more of a different kind of business?

A one-off 'intro to form' + program design session & maybe some reading recommendations would be well worthwhile. Maybe a check-in every couple of months, as needed (again, on a one-off basis).

I wouldn't pay for ongoing sessions.

I think it's more the club than the individual trainer. We do some similar things, but offer training in smaller packages as well.

Many of our members know they want to work with a trainer on a long-term basis, either 2 or 3 times per week. If they are willing to purchase 6 months or 12 months worth of sessions upfront, they not only get an additional 10% the lowest price per visit we offer, we waive their monthly dues. It's a win-win--the member (who would have purchased the sessons anyway) gets a great deal, and we get a good chunk of $$ upfront.

We also offer single sessions, 6-, and 10-visit packages, as well as other training/membership packages for those who don't want to buy 52 sessions up front. That way everyone has options.

That's smart (and fair!). It's a real shame that more gyms aren't run that way. Access to fitness improves quality of life in countless ways, and good, safe, effective instruction isn't always available at more affordable gyms. I guess that's not always what less stand-up owners might think about first, but, liability issues aside, why would anyone get involved in fitness if they didn't care about health? Plus, in this economy, not a bad idea to widen the demographic a bit, I`d think.

Even in terms of membership - one-month options are available, but they're often the most expensive. Some kind of discount on those (e.g., 20% off the third month in a year) would be good too. Community centres sometimes offer this sort of thing but aren't always equipped with basic strength equipment.

But I digress. Even for a self-motivated person, it takes time to learn just basic fitness principles, never mind enough to customize a program for specific goals. And it's easy to waste time or hurt yourself. Quality training absolutely has value.

I thought I would never use a trainer but my friend used one for a few months and she recommended him. You can pay for one session at a time when you want one or pay for four up front and get the fifth one free.

He has taught me different routines to do in the gym that I would never have worked out for myself. I get different routines every week and I get weighed every week and get my muscle fat and water levels measured. My weight loss has slowed a little but my body shape has changed and I dropped a dress size very quickly. I have had five sessions so far and I intend to keep having a weekly session for a few more months. I still have over 8 stone to lose.