personal trainer questions

Kimsoontobe
Kimsoontobe Posts: 110 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Is it best too have a personal trainer to learn what to eat & what exercise I should do? I spoke to a trainer & he's a nutritionist he's suggesting that I use him in order to reach my weight loss goal. My question is will it be best to go with a trainer or should I do research online for exercise & meal recipes? Do anyone know a good site to start with?

Replies

  • Emprawrting
    Emprawrting Posts: 10 Member
    Almost always, personal trainers are garbage. Have a good look at his credentials and his experience before signing up. I'd recommend someone with at least a degree in kin and/or nutritional sciences. Otherwise, most of the time they will put you in a terrible position for weightloss.
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    It really depends on the trainer and your current needs.
  • Kimsoontobe
    Kimsoontobe Posts: 110 Member
    Thanks... He kinda came off as a salesman lol.
  • Kimsoontobe
    Kimsoontobe Posts: 110 Member
    Wow thanks for your reply. I'm currently reading some of your posts at this moment.
  • amjfox
    amjfox Posts: 17 Member
    Hi, I am seeing a trainer at the moment. She's really good, has numerous qualifications etc and has sorted out my nutrition as it was poor. (Mainly as I wasn't eating enough) For the first time in ages my weight is dropping and I've lost some inches, she also did a gym plan for me for when I'm training by myself. I'd recommend having a tryout session first before signing up to anything.
  • trybefan
    trybefan Posts: 488 Member
    It really depends on the trainer and your current needs.

    For sure, this.

    I don't believe I have ever met a PT that suggested that I use them, or that anyone use them. Its does sound like a sales pitch, or desperation, to me. Most PT's that I have met, talked to and work with are respectful of their potential clients and their choices.
  • Tacticalmedic13
    Tacticalmedic13 Posts: 26 Member
    I would recommend a trainer if you are lifting and are not familiar with the correct techniques. They can point out mistakes before you develop bad habits. I use one from time to time just to give me some fresh ideas on new exercises. I do not think they are required unless you find that you are not motivated enough not to workout with someone there to push you (and finding a gym friend at that point would be cheaper). As far as nutrition, I think there are a lot of good programs out there. I think you should be able to do your own research. Or you could take a college class on nutrition if you really want to get into the subject in detail. Just my two cents.
  • Commander_Keen
    Commander_Keen Posts: 1,179 Member
    I would say Yes.. use him as a foundation, then google the rest on your own.

    there are alot of great websites out there that can help.
  • Kimsoontobe
    Kimsoontobe Posts: 110 Member
    Thanks
  • mistyloveslife
    mistyloveslife Posts: 111 Member
    For me hiring a trainer gave me confidence in the gym. I was always intimidated by the men at our local gym so I would never go in there. Once I knew how to get into a routine and use the equipment, I was able to go in there and not be so uncomfortable. I love my trainer and feel like he's exactly what I needed to get on track. I would recommend it. You can always decide later to do it on your own.

    Good luck!
  • spicegeek
    spicegeek Posts: 325 Member
    the right trainer is invaluable - not all trainers are nutritionists - but the goods who are not will be able to refer you to someone if you need special assistance with your diet.

    If all your trainer is doing is showing you around the machines - not worth it - if they are coaching you in form and have a plan for progressing your training - worth it
  • Kimsoontobe
    Kimsoontobe Posts: 110 Member
    Thanks to everyone
  • Kimsoontobe
    Kimsoontobe Posts: 110 Member
    Thanks
  • DrVon2
    DrVon2 Posts: 1
    I'd suggest the main erason for hiring apersonal trainer is to FORCE yourself to exercise. "It's raining - I'll go tomorrow.", etc is a weak excuse if you are paying £25 to £50 an hour, you'll want to get somehting for your rmoney, so you'll do the exercise. Once you've got the habit and can motivate yourself, you'll need fewer trainer sessions.

    After exercise, you'll probably be hungry so it would also help to get some suggestions for filling & satisfying food. I started cycling to work and felt I "deserved" a full english breakfast (which was 2,500 calories!)

    Generally I wouldn't pay for nutritional advice - healthy eating is not hard. The hard part is only eating small amounts.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Almost always, personal trainers are garbage. Have a good look at his credentials and his experience before signing up. I'd recommend someone with at least a degree in kin and/or nutritional sciences. Otherwise, most of the time they will put you in a terrible position for weightloss.

    no.

    not all personal trainers are garbage- lots of them are good at what they do- and are genuinely interested in making your life better and helping you reach your goals.

    People hire trainers for lots of reasons. And you cant' possibly speak for all of them or to all trainers meeting THAT person's goal. You have to find a trainer you click with AND helps you meet your goals and reasons for hiring them.
    the right trainer is invaluable - not all trainers are nutritionists - but the goods who are not will be able to refer you to someone if you need special assistance with your diet.

    If all your trainer is doing is showing you around the machines - not worth it - if they are coaching you in form and have a plan for progressing your training - worth it

    lots of truth here.
  • Emprawrting
    Emprawrting Posts: 10 Member
    I guess I spoke a little too much from personal experience. Almost all of the personal trainers that I've come across have been certified with the generic "box gym certification", which in my opinion is not enough. My view is probably skewed after hearing a personal trainer telling his client that the concept of energy balance is invalid in humans. I'm not trying to say that all personal trainers are garbage. Heck, someday I hope to be a strength and conditioning coach myself. However, the truth is... a lot of the trainers out there are not equipped with enough knowledge to help their clients, even if they really do mean well.
  • Of_Monsters_and_Meat
    Of_Monsters_and_Meat Posts: 1,022 Member
    The internet will almost always be your best source of information in anything in life. Don't trust an "expert" or paper "degree" The internet has the entire wealth of human knowledge at its disposal at any given moment.

    Start with google, yahoo or maybe bing.
  • lrmall01
    lrmall01 Posts: 377 Member
    Wow thanks for your reply. I'm currently reading some of your posts at this moment.

    Perhaps the most epic Sidesteel post - you should read it: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Regarding the trainer, there really is no way to say without knowing the trainer in question and how you recieve instruction. The fact that you are doubting the need to work with this particular person seems to indicate that perhaps this one is not a good fit for you.

    Good luck!

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