personal trainer

brendaj39
brendaj39 Posts: 375 Member
edited January 24 in Fitness and Exercise
I really think I need to get a trainer to help me start lifting weights. I would like to know how many have done this and want to know of your success with it. What kind of research should you do before you select a gym to go to? and what should I expect from them? I want to lose my belly fat and really get my legs and arms into shape with definition and believe this will be the only way, along with doing some cardio. I've seen so many fabulous pictures of where they start out looking like me, and ending up just stunning. so I really would like your help on this...thank you!!

Replies

  • Ninguneado73
    Ninguneado73 Posts: 832 Member
    I have not worked with a personal trainer. However, if you decide to do it, make sure he/she helps you achieve YOUR goals. Communication is important. It will be a great investment in you and in your time. You could go to a gym by yourself but there will be lots of trial and errors without help.
  • bokodasu
    bokodasu Posts: 629 Member
    All gyms are going to have pretty much the same equipment - the important thing is to pick the trainer. If they say "join first and then we'll assign someone to you," go somewhere else. Don't sign a year contract off the bat - if you can get a minipackage of 2 or 3 sessions first, that's going to be worth the upfront cash to avoid getting stuck with someone useless (or worse). Make sure they're onboard with your goals, they know your health history, and they're giving you relevant advice. And that they pay attention! I know people who've gotten trainers who chat with other people or text on their phone during sessions, which is terrible and not something you should be paying for. They should be watching you to make sure you're learning and not going to injure yourself.

    And don't be afraid to hurt their feelings. If it's not working out, it's just business - even very good trainers and very motivated clients don't always mesh, sometimes you just might need someone with a different motivational style or philosophy. They should push you beyond your comfort zone, but not past your actual abilities, and that's kind of a tricky spot to hit, so it's important to get someone you can work well with.

    My trainer has been a huge benefit to me, and I totally recommend using one if you can.
  • vorgas
    vorgas Posts: 741 Member
    Trainers are people too. They aren't infallible. There are some good teachers in this world and there are some bad ones.

    Make sure you are clear on your goals before you talk to them, and the timeline you are interested in.

    Make sure these are doable. For example, you can't say you want to add on 15 lbs of muscle over the next 10 weeks or that you want to lose all your belly fat only.

    Talk to several trainers before you pick one. The gym will try to get you to a single trainer because they rotate through them. But that's on them, not on you. You pick the one you want.

    If possible, watch them with another client, see how they act.
  • SlimJanette
    SlimJanette Posts: 597 Member
    Just be careful on picking a trainer. I know at my gym I watch them and some are awesome and there are a couple that would prefer to talk to everyone else and text.
  • BeginningNew2012
    BeginningNew2012 Posts: 27 Member
    I have been working with a personal trainer for about 2 months now and I LOVE it! I had no clue what I was doing at first and they truly do help you, so long as both of you can communicate what you want and what you expect. I honestly joined a gym and got a trainer kind of blindly, after hearing only some about it. I got lucky and have had 2 great trainers. You need to get one that is passionate about what they are doing and will listen to you. You will typically have a session to do measurements and discuss where you want to be and by what time. You have to be honest with them when they ask about your eating or how an exercise is making you feel.
    I have lost 40 pounds since having trainers (the first one had a very tight schedule with all his other clients) in September. I slacked a bit but I am getting back into it. I have definitly toned up. I would highly recommend one. For me, choosing a gym that was close, affordable, and had a child care center was very important. Get on facebook if you have one and ask your friends or get on a gyms fb page and look at what people say or their results. Hope this helps! :)
  • brendaj39
    brendaj39 Posts: 375 Member
    thank you for your advice, it is so scary to me, I did have a trainer once to walk me thru the equipment but she really didn't offer help on form or anything like that. When I decide to spend the money, I don't want to end hurting myself so I can't use it I'm hoping to find a Gym that offers like a 90day trial or something like that if that is even offered, then after I get comfortable with it, I am hoping to do it on my own. I also have been thinking of getting that book everyone on here is talking about, Weight lifting for women...(I think that is what it is called). I've never done weights because I was always told I would get big and bulky, even though I know that isn't true, big and bulky is better than big and flabby...
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    I've never had a good personal trainer. Part of that is being stuck in certain geographic locations and part of that is simply being very picky and wanting someone who truly knows what he/she is doing. Those are rare. I don't need to be motivated so I have had much more luck with reading, studying videos, and carefully working on my form. I will say that make sure that any PT both listens to your goals and uses exercises that will help you achieve them.
  • imtrinat
    imtrinat Posts: 153 Member
    This doesn't have anything to do with their skill level but I wanted to offer my input. My hubby is a trainer and I've learned from him that the clients who have the best results are the ones who he gets along with well. I think this comes from a more trusting relationship and having someone who meshes well with their personality, goals, and expectations. They work harder because they respect him and aren't intimidated by him. If you need a boot camp type trainer who will be more demanding, try to find that. If you are sensitive and need someone who is more laid back and kind, look for that too. Don't hire them if your first impression of their personality isnt good. Also, talk to them about starter packages. Many places offer a couple of sessions so you aren't locked into a long program.
  • andeey
    andeey Posts: 709 Member
    I've worked with a trainer for over a year and it's the best decision I've made. I was highly intimidated at going into the gym at all, let alone trying to figure out how to do everything and what would work best. At the initial meeting with the trainer manager, my husband and I laid out our goals (which were/are very different) and the manager suggested a specific trainer based on that. We met with the specific trainer and reiterated the goals and his approach and then just went with him based on that (as opposed to interviewing several, etc.).

    I think I got incredibly lucky and cannot reiterate enough what some others have said about personality fit, goal setting/approach and knowing what type of help you need (motivator, cheerleader, etc.). After starting with my trainer, I was able to observe other trainers and their clients and was so happy I wasn't assigned to some of them. But I think part of that was the initial talk with the manager and his ability to partner clients and trainers together and you may have that with a larger gym in your area.

    One final piece of advice - do not be afraid to move along if you're not working well with this person. You need to develop a trust and it's vital that there is a connection there. Good luck!
  • brendaj39
    brendaj39 Posts: 375 Member
    all the replies are very helpful, I do feel intimidated at first but when I get comfortable with someone -something, I can hopefully meet my goals, I have been doing DVD's but just aren't seeing the results like I want. Nothing with just lifting, but with cardio and strength mixed. I hope with my age that lifting will benefit me in many ways..the main is losing my fat...
  • jody664
    jody664 Posts: 397 Member
    I have had 4 different personal trainers in the past. One of them was awesome (and he's remained a good friend to this day), two of them were/are pretty good, and the fourth was horrible and I got rid of him after the first month.

    Here are my suggestions:

    1) Whatever gym you choose, ask for a 14 day trial membership. Most gyms will do that to try to get your business. Pick a gym that close to your house or your work. Convenience is very important. I specifically joined a gym that's within walking distance of my house so I have no excuse not to go.

    2) Decide what your training goals are. Do you want to learn to lift weights with proper technique? Prepare for your first 5K? Really spend some time and think about what you want from your sessions. What would make you walk out of the gym after a session and say "Yes, this is exactly what I wanted to do!" I can't emphasize this step enough. If you aren't clear about what your training goals and objectives are, it will be difficult for a trainer to know how to help you get results.

    3) Interview trainers like you would interview someone who is applying for job and you are the boss (because you are). Ask specific questions (use your goals from #2 above). Example: "So, I want to start lifting weights but I want to do it with proper form. Explain to me what a session would look like to achieve that goal." Or "I've decided I want to run a 5K this summer. What types of workouts would we do to reach my goal?" Listen carefully to the answers. If they don't sound right to you, they probably aren't.

    4) Once you've chosen a trainer, ask the gym for 1-2 free sessions to try them out. If they say no, DON'T join that gym. If you do try them out and still aren't convinced they will help you reach your goals, then choose another trainer.

    5) Don't be afraid to complain to gym management if you are unsatisfied with your trainer. He is YOUR employee. You are paying his wages. Engage management as necessary.

    My training goals are similar to yours.....I'm using a trainer to help me work on lifting form with the goal to do it by myself after a few months. As I learn a new lift and do it a few times and he's confident I've got the form down, he'll tell me to start working that into my own routine. Then we'll focus on a new lift. So far it's working out well.

    I have New Rules of Lifting for Women, and while I found it helpful and motivating, I just can't pick up good form from reading a book (and sometimes not even with the trainer helping me - LOL). I found having a trainer to watch my form and help me correct it when I'm doing it wrong to be very helpful. I don't think I could get proper form down from a book. Or even a YouTube video for that reason. But I'm not a "visual" learner.....so that's part of my problem.

    Anyway, good luck and enjoy!
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