To have a personal trainer or not??

You can sign up for a few sessions at a time, one time, three times, five times... it's important to find the right trainer, so don't let them talk you into packages and long-term anything until you've met with them a few times.

I have had a personal trainer at my gym a few times. I think that it is really important that you do your cardio on your own (like walking or running on the treadmill or the elliptical). Use all of the time with the personal trainer for your strength training. I would recommend that you meet with the trainer for strength training 3 times a week to make it worthwhile. Also, again, make sure you are doing cardio too in order to see results. The key is to workout as much as you can but it is critical that you are following your eating plan as well or you will not see results. Just my opinion.

Best of Luck!

It depends on what your goals are. I hired a trainer to get more familiar with lifting heavy. I wanted to be knowledgeable about my form and honestly I learn something every session. I signed up for 36 half hour sessions and go 2-3 times a week. I viewed it as a learning experience, but I was very picky about my trainer. I chose a former college athlete who worked in pro sports as a trainer with a degree in Kinesiology and a few certifications. Best money I have ever spent.

I wouldn't hire someone who was going to put me on machines or just hand me dumbbells. I don't need someone to motivate me. I want to be able to understand my body and know when I am doing something wrong. Each of my workouts consist of compound lifts and supersets. He's able to tell where I need more work and what my weaker muscles are so I can build those up to be more efficient on other exercises. Again, best money I've ever spent.

This is completely an opinion and I am in no way an expert:

I hear terrible things about personal trainers. They all use the same advice that is unaffectionately called "broscience." Broscience being fake, college-bro proclaimed workout advice that has no factual basis and is just bad assumptions. They all want you to use machines over free weights and grab an overpriced smoothie on your way out of the gym. I wouldn't, but again, just what I hear.

I love mine. I wish I could have him with me 24/7.... The one we currently have is a teacher on summer break and I seriously might cry when he goes back to school in the fall and we have to get a new one.

I'm pretty sure he's trying to kill me. He works me 100x harder than I'd work myself. Has taught me so many new things. I was terrified of the free weight area. Now I can go in there no problem - if it isn't a training day I can look in my book at a past day and have a whole routine right there. He seems to really know his stuff.

Besides giving just general advice (eat protein) the trainers at my gym don't give any nutrition help which is fine by me.

I love mine. She works out of a private gym and is absolutely fantastic. She pushes me beyond what I would do on my own, and teaches me correct form in a variety of exercises in a plan tailored to my goals. I signed up for 3 months, 2x/week and I also work out (following a workout plan designed by her) once a week on my own, do one day of cardio, and follow her nutrition guidelines. I have seen major improvements in my strength already and I would definitely say so far, it has been completely worth the money.

I did group fitness 3 times a week for 9 months last year with a trainer, and was never corrected on poor form. I love my PT. My balance was very poor and my PT recommended I see a chiropractor. The combination of PT and chiro have made an outstanding difference. I would never have thought I needed chiropractic help without my personal trainer.

I have had a trainer that I have trained with on and off for many years. I have tried other trainers and have been thoroughly disappointed.

I am not 100% sure I would get the same results recently on my own that I have got with my "trainer man". It is certainly a monetary commitment

To dismiss all as a waste if your money is not right. I think everyone is different, and you may be perfectly capable of getting the results you desire on your own or you may have a current need: accountability, structure, education, efficiency, help with technical skills Eric. Etc

Evaluate carefully before you invest. Be wise in terms of evaluating your needs and the skills and qualifications of the trainer. Then make a decision. It really does not matter what anyone thinks...this is about YOU, your needs, your finances.

All the best

If you can afford it, I agree, a good personal trainer is worth his weigh in gold.

I have a gym in my home so as sad as it is, I had to pay a man to come stand over me and tell me to lift weights for a year. It is what worked for me when I needed it.

Also, a personal trainer can help you with form and insuring you are doing it right. So often people do not realize they are doing it wrong and end up hurting themselves.

There are three benefits to a trainer
1. Accountability. You have someone expecting you to be at the gym at a specified time.
2. Help with creating a workout plan. If you were not an athlete, do not have a specific plan you are following, or need the extra help a trainer can do that for you.
3. Execution of moves. It is super hard to be sure you are executing proper form on lifts, lunges, etc. Having a trainer can help immensely with this!

But keep in mind that if you have a plan you are following (a book etc) and you have no accountability issues going to a gym then you can ask a trainer to check your form on one or two moves to avoid injury. They will do this generally without any pay. I started a lifting program that had a lifting move I had never done and people can get injured doing, I asked a trainer to check my form, and she did at no cost! Overall the gym makes more money if you keep coming/paying! So avoiding injury is important.

Meeting with a trainer more than 3 times a week or less than 2 is a waste of money IMO! You need to be in the gym at least 2 times a week with someone and once by yourself (3 times a week) for your body to respond. More than that a week with a trainer is repetitive.

I have an extensive background with lifting through college sports, hired a trainer a few years back, and now I lift without it! I have done both! There is no right answer. You need to look at what your needs and fitness levels are!

Maybe try one or two sessions at first and then decide from there.
Hope this helps!!