Anyone had a Personal Trainer?

Hello,

Has anyone had a personal trainer before? And has it helped?

I found out that my zumba teacher is also a personal trainer and I think I could work well with her. I have never had a personal trainer and was wondering if having a personal trainer allows you to reach your goals quicker? I can probably only afford to have a block of ten sessions, so am thinking of having a session with her everyother other week.

Any advice welcome
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Replies

  • hdlb
    hdlb Posts: 333 Member
    I meet with a personal trainer twice a week for weight training, and do cardio on my own on the other days. It does help me, because i have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to weight training. I have no idea what the machines are, or how to work certain muscles, so thats her job.

    I don't know about reaching goals faster when it comes to weight, because I'm maintaining. My goals now are more towards toning and getting stronger, and she most definitly helps with that. For me its worth it.
  • MariaYaremchak
    MariaYaremchak Posts: 58 Member
    I am currently using a personal trainer and I love her. I use her more for weight/strength training as well and then I do cardio after my workout sessions with her along on some of my off days. I currently see her 4x/week. Last month it was 3x/week. It is definitely not something I can afford long term, but she is definitely giving me the help and push I need and I am seeing the results. Like you, I would have no idea how to use the machines or properly do the exercises otherwise.
  • nikb1983
    nikb1983 Posts: 44 Member
    I have a trainer...with 80+ pounds to lose, I need all the help I can get! I was hesitant at first because of a previous bad experience with a trainer (had a free session at my old gym, felt pressured into buying more sessions...he told me I would NEVER reach my goal without him...I don't him where to shove it) but when I signed up at the gym I'm at now, everyone seemed so nice and it's just a less intimidating enviornment.

    So I started with 3 sessions, yes it's cheaper per session to buy 10 or more but I wanted to make sure I liked the trainer. Tuesday was my 3rd session and I bought 10 more (hey, if hubby can pay $200 for MLB extra innings, I can pay for a trainer). I meet with her once a week and she shows me proper form and breathing and tells me things I can do the rest of the week.

    I think it's totally worth it.
  • rencawdor24
    rencawdor24 Posts: 157 Member
    Thanks for your help everyone.

    I was thinking of buying 10 sessions with the Personal Trainer and using her every other week That way:
    1) The 10 sessions will last me around 5 months (as the sessions are pretty expensive)
    2) Knowing I have someone to answer to at the end of the 2 weeks will keep on me on the straight and narrow.

    When did you all start using your personal trainer? Did you use one as soon as you decided to tone up/lose weight?

    I want to lose weight and then tone up, but haven't exercised for over a year due to ill health. So I'm wondering if it'd be better for me to start increasing my exercise on my own first? And then use a personal trainer when I'm fitter. Views welcome.

    I am currently nearly 13 stones and my height is 5ft 3.5". I would love to lose 4 stones in total but would be happy with 2.5 stones.
  • marikaCL
    marikaCL Posts: 276 Member
    Hi.

    I have been using my personal trainer twice a week for about 6 weeks now.

    I hadn't done much work on improving my fitness levels or increasing my fitness levels before getting a trainer. I had been considering one for a while but after some not so nice comments at work I though I would give it a go.

    Glad I did it.
  • chymerra
    chymerra Posts: 212
    i have years ago but to be honest, if you have google and youtube, you can actually LEARN all that stuff yourself. a PT is great for motivation (and the fact that you're paying for it will push you to get your money's worth) but if it's just because you dont know what to do with weights, machines, cardio etc, then i would say save your money and research it yourself.
  • janetlynn31
    janetlynn31 Posts: 74 Member
    I've been using a trainer for 3 months and it has been worth it for me. Keeps me motivated and going. I started out 2x a week and now go 3x a week. I do my own cardio either at the gym or at home other days. If I did strength training on my own, I wouldn't push myself to my potential - I tend to give up too easily.
  • jaz050465
    jaz050465 Posts: 3,508 Member
    I'm just going to start using one to set me programmes and monitor that I do it. I don't intend to actually work out with them a lot. My plan is once a week for a few weeks then once a fortnight.
  • salmonmama
    salmonmama Posts: 9 Member
    I'm on month 4 with a personal trainer.

    Initially, I met her 2 x a week for 30 minutes. I would then do Jillian workouts or Zumba classes on the days that I don't see her.
    Now, we meet 1 x a week for 30 minutes. I do heavy lifting and Zumba classes on the days that I don't see her. She does circuit training with me. Like a Jillian ripped workout on steroids.

    Could I do this on my own? Probably.
    Would it be the same? Probably not.
    Is it an investment? Yes.
    Do I think it's worth it? Yes, because my trainer invests as much time as I do.

    She keeps me accountable. She checks in on my MFP profile. She texts me to see how I'm doing---even when I'm on vacation!

    She invests time into her workouts and I don't think I've repeated an exercise (or at least I don't think I have) in the 4 months we've seen each other. She keeps my muscles guessing.

    Will I be able to afford this forever? I don't think so, but I'd like to keep her in my life because I haven't been very good doing this "on my own".
  • _noob_
    _noob_ Posts: 3,306 Member
    for me, no...

    I probably know as much as the average trainer anyway. And I just went a few sessions with one that was assigned and came free with my gym membership, so not exactly the best shot at working for me.

    I would probably benefit from one more accustomed to teaching proper techniques and working with powerlifters though.
  • MellyGibson
    MellyGibson Posts: 297 Member
    I do have a personal trainer - and I also have BECOME one! :D

    I started using her because I was doing a TON of cardio (I'm also a Zumba instructor) and really wanted to get into strength training but was unsure how to go about doing it!

    I paid for a 12-week program and had GREAT results! I lost 10 pounds in the first 6 weeks.

    Now I pretty much take care of myself...but I do miss being held accountable to her. Good thing she and I are friends now! :D
  • mycrobemini
    mycrobemini Posts: 122 Member
    Thanks for your help everyone.

    I was thinking of buying 10 sessions with the Personal Trainer and using her every other week That way:
    1) The 10 sessions will last me around 5 months (as the sessions are pretty expensive)
    2) Knowing I have someone to answer to at the end of the 2 weeks will keep on me on the straight and narrow.

    When did you all start using your personal trainer? Did you use one as soon as you decided to tone up/lose weight?

    I want to lose weight and then tone up, but haven't exercised for over a year due to ill health. So I'm wondering if it'd be better for me to start increasing my exercise on my own first? And then use a personal trainer when I'm fitter. Views welcome.

    I am currently nearly 13 stones and my height is 5ft 3.5". I would love to lose 4 stones in total but would be happy with 2.5 stones.

    I had several injuries when I started this process, so I purposely sought out a trainer with that expertise. I found that having a trainer from the beginning really helped me be more motivated (since I was paying), and less overwhelmed by the all the gym had to offer. I meet with my trainer every other week, and sometimes once every third week, depending on my schedule. That works out really well, because I'm motivated to improve in between my sessions, and to improve, I have to consistently go to the gym! Once I feel comfortable with what all the machines do, I will probably spread out my training sessions even farther.
  • MonDeee
    MonDeee Posts: 37 Member
    I've had a couple of trainers now. It absolutely depends on how good the trainer is and how much YOU are willing to put into it. The trainer can't lose the weight for you.
    That being said, if you're not seeing them at least once a week don't bother. You can get the same meal/exercise plans online for much cheaper if that's all you're going in for.
  • 1ConcreteGirl
    1ConcreteGirl Posts: 3,677 Member
    I had a personal trainer once. He was pretty good. A little lacking in finesse at times, but mostly satisfactory. I didn't like how he extended our sessions when I had somewhere to be, though I always arrived feeling relaxed.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    I had a coaching session for about an hr once. We went over squats and deadlifts. It was fairly productive. I think my money would have been better spent learning the Oly lifts. I pretty much found out that my squat and deadlift were pretty much fine. But Oly lifts I am a pre-beginner on.
  • dward2011
    dward2011 Posts: 416 Member
    i have years ago but to be honest, if you have google and youtube, you can actually LEARN all that stuff yourself. a PT is great for motivation (and the fact that you're paying for it will push you to get your money's worth) but if it's just because you dont know what to do with weights, machines, cardio etc, then i would say save your money and research it yourself.

    I agree. I used a PT 2x/wk for 18 months. The other 4 days of said week, I ran and cross trained. I was not making any progress and finally stopped paying for the sessions (even after trying a different trainer for the last 6 months). I then took the time to educate myself with books, studies, and my doctor's advice. I bought weights and DVDs for home. I use YouTube and BodyRock. I've been on my own for almost a year now and have experienced nothing but success. I think it was a complete waste of my time and money during those 18 months.
  • gordonfroese
    gordonfroese Posts: 12 Member
    My PT kicks my butt more than I would on my own. She keeps changing my program so I never get comfortable with my workout; always challenging me to achieve more.

    MFP, the trainer and getting to the gym every day (it is now a habit) are the key components of my success. I will scale down the visits to the PT once achieve my goal and move to the maintenance portion of my life.
  • BlueInkDot
    BlueInkDot Posts: 702 Member
    I started my lifting with a trainer because I was afraid I would hurt myself with bad lifting form. Trainers have education and experience in correct lifting form. With my trainer watching my form, I can be confident that I'm doing it right and focus more on pushing myself. She will correct my form when I accidentally let my form slide because I'm tired, which I really appreciate.

    I work with her once a week for half an hour. It's a bit of a chunk of money... but those workouts are very effective and I enjoy them the most out of all my workouts.
  • OddChoices
    OddChoices Posts: 244 Member
    Hello,

    Has anyone had a personal trainer before? And has it helped?

    I found out that my zumba teacher is also a personal trainer and I think I could work well with her. I have never had a personal trainer and was wondering if having a personal trainer allows you to reach your goals quicker? I can probably only afford to have a block of ten sessions, so am thinking of having a session with her everyother other week.

    Any advice welcome

    Yes and I learnt a lot from her. If you get one don't just follow instructions. Ask questions. Get information you can use when they are not around.
  • davegruper
    davegruper Posts: 68 Member
    Last year I had a personal trainer who was great. I had twenty workouts that I spread out over twenty weeks. I admit is was hard to see the progress week to week, but it was easy to see it at the end of the twenty weeks. I didn't need the motivation to work out. What I needed was someone to teach me the right exercises and the right way to do them. Along the way he also explained how each exercise works the specific muscle type. Overall very beneficial and I have reccommended him to several people.
  • Alidecker
    Alidecker Posts: 1,262 Member
    I have been working out with a trainer for 3 1/2 years now. He is a great motivator and keeps me from getting bored in the gym. I don't want to have to research what to do, I like that he does all that for me. I spend enough time in the gym without spending more time at home looking exercises up. I started my weight loss with him and now, I am still trying to lose some weight, but its more about being strong and healthy now. I go every other week, he gives me a workout that I do a couple more times without him and I do cardio on my own, although he helps me with that too. He also helped me a lot with my diet in the beginning. Could I have done it without him? Yes Do I think it was easier for me with him? Yes. Just make sure your trainer and you are the right fit, not all trainers are for everyone.
  • I LOVE my personal trainer! I am about as coordinated as a baby giraffe in strength training, so I NEED someone to tell me what to do and how to do it..and constantly correct my form. I meet with him every other week. Between sessions I will work on the exercises he shows me but he just kicks my butt anyway the next time I see him despite all my hard work to improve. :)

    My trainer is also my nutrition coach so 2 for 1 deal. He helps me to cook and eat healthier, and what food I need to avoid. And he is always following up on my progress, whether its through texting or facebook...that man has eyes everywhere. haha!
  • jaz050465
    jaz050465 Posts: 3,508 Member
    I may be wrong but it seems that most people talk about a PT in the gym. Mine is going to help me workout at home and outside. Is this more of a UK thing?
  • Elegra2006
    Elegra2006 Posts: 144 Member
    I've had a couple of personal trainers, my first one was gym-based and really useful for helping me lift heavy weights. He really pushed me and would spot me (I didn't have any gym buddies so wouldn't have been able to lift as heavy by myself).

    I now have an outdoor based trainer (he's way cheaper!) and he's great for speed, interval and boxing training. I do miss doing weights though.

    What I love most about having a PT is that, although yes, I could do most of the exercises myself, having someone else plan the session, shout encouragement, time your sets etc is fantastic. It means I can completely switch off any 'thinking' part of my brain and solely focus on physically doing the exercises.
  • Jamie571
    Jamie571 Posts: 16 Member
    I have had a personal trainer for the past 18 months and I LOVE him. I probably don't need him now it terms of motivation since he has turned me into a gym rat but he always has something new for me to try. He is great at teaching me things so that I can do them on my own and we have a great working relationship. We meet twice a week and one day a week we do more heavy lifting and on the other days he has these insane workouts that we do for time that usually leave me a sweaty puddle laid out on the gym floor :happy: I will continue to use him as long as he is still at the gym. I can honestly say that he is the best investment that I have made in my health!!
  • frood
    frood Posts: 295 Member
    I started using weights with a physical therapist after a broken/repaired wrist 3 years ago. I stayed with that guy for over a year, going in about once a month for weights advice and basic wrist therapy before I moved away from the area. I kept up lifting dumbbells on my own for a while.

    I started working with my current trainer this January for kettlebells and heavy lifting. I go once every two weeks, and try to fit in 4-5 sessions on my own between appointments. I was thinking I'd just go a few times to get the basics worked out, but I'm finding I really value the little form corrections and tips.
  • LeslieC1970
    LeslieC1970 Posts: 160
    I have been using a trainer for the past six months and have gotten fantastic results. I see him 4X a week and the changes in my fitness level and body composition have been significant. What has also been key is having someone to push me harder than what I would normally do on my own.
  • Ejwelton
    Ejwelton Posts: 331 Member
    I've been seeing a pt for years. Over that time I've had several - all really good. At present I see two. One on Thursday evening - I've been with her for a few years. She's n demand and pretty much works 7 days a week and its difficult to get a regular second slot itch her. So the last month or so I've been doing an early Tuesday session with the trainer at my gym.
    Both do similar things and push me much further than I'd ever push myself.

    For me it's become an essential part of my training, not a luxury
  • I have had a trainer since January & wish I had started sooner. I had lost a good part of the weight, but my body fat % was far to high for a woman of my size. I started at 36.3% body fat & am currently at 30.5%. I am at the stage that the BF% won't go down unless I build muscle. My trainer would like to see my BF% go to around 25%.

    I train with mine 3 times a week for a half hour & hope at the end of 6 months to have a much better understanding of weight & strength training. I already feel much more comfortable in the "muscle zone" of my gym. She not only taught me the machines, but lots of things like body bridges, dead lifts with weighted bars, various sit ups, russian twists, working with hand weights, many things that will work away from the gym. I am jogging for a half an hour on the treadmill, which I would never have done on my own. I believe the jogging has improved my knee strength & stamina.

    Often times when I'm taught a new skill I am awkward as hell at it, but I practice outside of our sessions to get it right. It is important to work everything your taught with a trainer away from the trainer or you are wasting your money. I find I have come to LOVE the physical & mental challenge this has provided me.

    My trainer also has a background in nutrition, which has helped fine tune my diet. She has offered helpful advice on adding Greek yogurt, smart balance peanut butter, string cheese, kashi bars & cereals. Some are to add protein, while some are less processed & without high fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils .

    Overall, my strength has improved & I am able to pick up a 30 pound bag of dog food, which I never could have done before. My goal is to pick up a 50 pound bag. Just today I tried on a form fitting dress that was tight even when I was smaller & now fits even better. I can't wait to try it on in 6 months & show off my arms & shoulders as it is a halter:)

    Hope that helps & good luck????
  • jaz050465
    jaz050465 Posts: 3,508 Member
    Saw my trainer today for an intro chat to see if I wanted to use him. In Saturday we are meeting to do fit tests and measurements and will then start next Thresdat when he will set me a programme. I want to workou myself and use him to monitor me and set/ adjust a programme based on what I enjoy/ need.