Personal Trainers Do or Don't?

taylorwaters98
taylorwaters98 Posts: 16 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm a college student at Mississippi State, and they offer Personal Trainers (Seniors in Physical Therapy, Kinesiology, Sports and Fitness, etc). They don't really have any reviews, and I don't know anyone who's actually used this service. I'll be back for summer classes (on co-op right now) and I was wondering is anyone thinks this might be a good idea?

Replies

  • Cr01502
    Cr01502 Posts: 3,614 Member
    There's good ones and bad ones. Just keep that in mind.

    If you find a good one though they can be invaluable.
  • crazybookworm
    crazybookworm Posts: 779 Member
    It's all about Personal preference. I skipped out on it. When I did my assessment when i first joined the gym, He stated that with his plan, I would lose about 50 lbs in a year. But the price was outrageous! I declined, and was able to lose 110 pounds in a year, and was able to diminish my lose skin all on my own as well.

    However, I have friends who have had great results with PT's. Do some research, maybe have a sit down with one and then decide.

    Good luck!!
  • Danny_Boy13
    Danny_Boy13 Posts: 2,094 Member
    There are some that are better then other. Honestly if it is cheap I would try it out, especially if you are new to training. Even a seasoned individual can possibly learn a thing or two.
  • kcaffee1
    kcaffee1 Posts: 759 Member
    I'm working with one through my school. For the weight work, they're an excellent source of motivation and information. But, since they're not trained in nutrition, we're kind of at logger heads about the food side of things. So, if you can find one that is willing to work with you on what you want to work with (and shows an expertise in the area) you can get a ton of good information out of it. They can also provide the extra push to get through those days you just don't wanna do anything.
  • toutmonpossible
    toutmonpossible Posts: 1,580 Member
    I'd be wary about working with unlicensed college students. As for licensed, adult trainers, apart from knowledge, I'd look for people who understood and respected my goals.
  • RisOnTheRun
    RisOnTheRun Posts: 624 Member
    I can't vouch for the personal trainers that your school or anything, but to me the only downside of using one is the cost. My gym offered a few free personal training sessions when I signed up and they were awesome. I like to think that I'm in decent shape (I run a lot and lift weights fairly regularly), but I definitely worked harder with the trainers than I would have on my own. Having someone push you a little bit further than you would push yourself and teach you new exercises is a great way to shake up your routine. Just be clear about what your goals are and try to get them to work with you on something you don't normally do (i.e., if you already do a bunch of cardio, focus on weights; or if you already lift but tend to neglect certain muscle groups, focus on those muscle groups).
  • Flixie00
    Flixie00 Posts: 1,195 Member
    My PT is worth his weight in gold, but then I found one who specialises in lifting which is what I wanted a PT for. I had had a PT before, but she wasn't too fond of the weights room, so not much use to me.

    Check out a PT working with other clients, are they doing the sort of things you want to do? if so, speak to the PT and give them a trial run. Don't commit to a number of lessons with them until you are sure they are suitable.
  • taylorwaters98
    taylorwaters98 Posts: 16 Member
    It's all about Personal preference. I skipped out on it. When I did my assessment when i first joined the gym, He stated that with his plan, I would lose about 50 lbs in a year. But the price was outrageous! I declined, and was able to lose 110 pounds in a year, and was able to diminish my lose skin all on my own as well.

    However, I have friends who have had great results with PT's. Do some research, maybe have a sit down with one and then decide.

    Good luck!!

    I'll definitely check it out and see if I can talk to more than one to get a feel for it. Has anyone had a PT? Is it like drill sergeant scary?
  • Cr01502
    Cr01502 Posts: 3,614 Member
    I'd be wary about working with unlicensed college students. As for licensed, adult trainers, apart from knowledge, I'd look for people who understood and respected my goals.

    I'd trust a college student before I trusted some guy that's licensed. I don't know how it is in the states but over here in the UK it's a 6 week course and you can take the test as many times as you want. BAM. Your a personal trainer.

    At least the college student is pursuing a degree.
  • frantny
    frantny Posts: 17 Member
    It's all about Personal preference. I skipped out on it. When I did my assessment when i first joined the gym, He stated that with his plan, I would lose about 50 lbs in a year. But the price was outrageous! I declined, and was able to lose 110 pounds in a year, and was able to diminish my lose skin all on my own as well.

    However, I have friends who have had great results with PT's. Do some research, maybe have a sit down with one and then decide.

    Good luck!!

    I'll definitely check it out and see if I can talk to more than one to get a feel for it. Has anyone had a PT? Is it like drill sergeant scary?
    I have used several through the years, and it is really important to find one that will listen to what your goals are.
  • Lifting_Knitter
    Lifting_Knitter Posts: 1,025 Member
    Mine is really good and has taught me a lot.
  • jackieallan21
    jackieallan21 Posts: 5
    Hi,
    I do not have a personal trainer, I do lots of different classes at my gym...Body Pump, Body Attack, RPM, Body Tone and run twice a week....But I have used their advice especially about what equipment to use on gym floor or what class based excericse is best for you!
    If they are good they will steer you in the right direction, if they are not they will just want your money.
    Good Luck.
  • 19kat55
    19kat55 Posts: 336 Member
    My PT is worth his weight in gold, but then I found one who specialises in lifting which is what I wanted a PT for. I had had a PT before, but she wasn't too fond of the weights room, so not much use to me.

    Check out a PT working with other clients, are they doing the sort of things you want to do? if so, speak to the PT and give them a trial run. Don't commit to a number of lessons with them until you are sure they are suitable.


    Agree with this 100% Love my current trainer. I cannot put a price on how much he has helped me. No nonsense with him, all we work on is lifting. And he corrects my form if it is not correct. I had a female several years ago at a different gym. Because I was an older woman, all she wanted to do was balance stuff, yoga, and pilates. I had zero interest in that and quit using her after about three months. Make sure if you do use a trainer they understand what YOUR goals are and will work on those goals. My current trainer will work on balance, but does so using weights. He understands my goals and is helping me achieve them.
  • Joreanasaurous
    Joreanasaurous Posts: 1,384 Member
    I would give it a try. Why not? There are good ones and bad ones, just like with anything else. My advice is go in and meet one with aclear goal in mind and see how you want to be motivated and communicate that with them. You goal and motivation can evolve and change, but I think giving them a clear starting point and idea how to help you reach it will make it a much better experience for both of you.
  • WarriorCupcakeBlydnsr
    WarriorCupcakeBlydnsr Posts: 2,150 Member
    It's all about Personal preference. I skipped out on it. When I did my assessment when i first joined the gym, He stated that with his plan, I would lose about 50 lbs in a year. But the price was outrageous! I declined, and was able to lose 110 pounds in a year, and was able to diminish my lose skin all on my own as well.

    However, I have friends who have had great results with PT's. Do some research, maybe have a sit down with one and then decide.

    Good luck!!

    I'll definitely check it out and see if I can talk to more than one to get a feel for it. Has anyone had a PT? Is it like drill sergeant scary?
    It depends on the PT, mine is encouraging not demanding, she will push but she's not mean about it , she takes the time to explain things and will correct me if she needs to.
    Some things to make clear with your PT: if you want them to be a drill sergeant, if you have injuries or particular areas you want to work on (ie cardio, weight training, toning, ect), if they can touch you or not to make adjustments to your form (at first my trainer constantly asked if she could and I finally told her that all she needed to do was warn me she was going to do it so I could maintain my balance and not fall), make sure you have a good repoir with them, ect
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,994 Member
    I'm a college student at Mississippi State, and they offer Personal Trainers (Seniors in Physical Therapy, Kinesiology, Sports and Fitness, etc). They don't really have any reviews, and I don't know anyone who's actually used this service. I'll be back for summer classes (on co-op right now) and I was wondering is anyone thinks this might be a good idea?
    Working in the Wellness Center, the Senior population here is what supports the center. We have classes daily for seniors including Tai Chi, Chair workouts, Stability classes, classes on learning how not to fall, etc.
    It's one of the best markets out there right now and most gratifying since you are actually helping to prevent seniors from becoming sedentary.
    Not to mention our best paid PT's clientele are 85% seniors.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    It's all about Personal preference. I skipped out on it. When I did my assessment when i first joined the gym, He stated that with his plan, I would lose about 50 lbs in a year. But the price was outrageous! I declined, and was able to lose 110 pounds in a year, and was able to diminish my lose skin all on my own as well.

    However, I have friends who have had great results with PT's. Do some research, maybe have a sit down with one and then decide.

    Good luck!!

    I'll definitely check it out and see if I can talk to more than one to get a feel for it. Has anyone had a PT? Is it like drill sergeant scary?

    Like a drill sergeant..not quite...but you're paying for someone to push you beyond the limits that you would generally push yourself. There are good ones and bad ones out there...if you have a good one, it's awesome and you'll gain a lot out of it...bad ones just suck, period.

    I've learned to push myself pretty hard over the years, so I don't feel the need to pay for one full time...I do consult with one from time to time...usually for a month or so.
  • allisonlane61
    allisonlane61 Posts: 187 Member
    I love my personal trainer. He's expensive, but I've a lower rate than usual because I go at 6 a.m. (I guess that's their slower time). I'm using him to train for a particular running event, and he's been pretty much invaluable to me. He pushes me to squeeze out 5 more reps when I KNOW I would not think to do them on my own (and I've been very much surprised that I was able to do it). He also changes up my training regularly and focuses on the areas I'll use for the race I'm running, so my endurance and strength is exponentially better than had I trained on my own.

    I guess there are some people out there who could've done the above all on their own; I'm one of those that needs to be pushed. I also like the training that is timed, meaning, instead of reps, I have to do as many as I can of something in the allotted time (I'm up to a minute). This is very difficult and I know I'd have not thought of this on my own.

    I think without him, I'd have never really learned what I'm capable of doing. But this could just be a personal flaw.

    edit: If I could try out seniors at a college as a PT, I'd jump at the chance, especially if free.
  • mariapuhl
    mariapuhl Posts: 529 Member
    I'm a college student at Mississippi State, and they offer Personal Trainers (Seniors in Physical Therapy, Kinesiology, Sports and Fitness, etc). They don't really have any reviews, and I don't know anyone who's actually used this service. I'll be back for summer classes (on co-op right now) and I was wondering is anyone thinks this might be a good idea?
    Working in the Wellness Center, the Senior population here is what supports the center. We have classes daily for seniors including Tai Chi, Chair workouts, Stability classes, classes on learning how not to fall, etc.
    It's one of the best markets out there right now and most gratifying since you are actually helping to prevent seniors from becoming sedentary.
    Not to mention our best paid PT's clientele are 85% seniors.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition


    I don't think you read or understood what she was asking at all. She was asking if she should take PT from seniors as in, senior-college-students who are in their last year of college..... Not if classes for seniors are good. Haha.



    I love my personal trainer, he is totally worth it and I love him.

    I think trying out the personal trainers at your school is a good idea - remember, they chose to study this path and are working towards their goal - so yes, they might not be perfect at everything but they're trying to do their best. They want you to do well because then they know what they're studying is worth it. So I say go for it.

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