Is this gym the right fit for me

RillaMonsoon
RillaMonsoon Posts: 20 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So I'm officially 60 days into my MFP journey. Yesterday I went to a small local gym with the goal of learning to lift heavy weight. The owner/trainer pretty much talked me out of my goal and wanted to put me on his weight loss/strength training program.

1) I'm losing weight without a trainer or a "program"
2) I want to get stronger
3) I'm not very interested in doing gym circuits
4) I already walk 2.5- 5 miles a day 7x/week

Well, I joined anyway and today was my 1st day at the gym. I had a good workout cardio/ab work/ some free weights. Worked up a good sweat.

Still, I left feeling disappointed because I feel like he's making me do it his way, and I doubt I will stay motivated for his program as it seems to be the most beneficial on a 5x/week type of workout. I only have 3x/week that I can dedicate to a gym, so I thought that heavy weights was the best and most efficient use of my time.

He's a very respected trainer/powerlifter with a Master's in Exercise Physiology whatever that is) and that's why I went to him in the first place.

Should I 1) keep going and monitor my progress 2) ask him to help me meet my goals my way 3) find a new gym and trainer

Thanks.

Replies

  • FromHereOnOut
    FromHereOnOut Posts: 3,237 Member
    The most important thing is whether the gym has the equipment to do what you want to set out to do.

    I shopped around to find a gym that had Oly bars and squat rack. Unfortunately, there aren't too many where I live and the one I found gets ALL the business, which means that part of the gym is packed. I'm not able to go during the day, when it's less busy, so I'm doing the machines. But when my schedule can change and I can get there at a time when the weight section isn't too crowded, at least I know they have the equipment I need.

    So, just check to see if they have Oly bars & benches and squat rack and even if you don't start with it now, you'll know they are equipped for you later.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    I don't know if this gym is right fir you, but I would not like it if a trainer tried to sell me on his/her way. I've worked with trainers in the past and one of the first things they did was ask me about my weight loss and fitness goals. The programs were always created to meet my needs, not theirs.

    If you find it's not working for you, I'd stop the sessions. If you've paid in advance, then I would ask for a refund.
  • RillaMonsoon
    RillaMonsoon Posts: 20 Member
    Thx. They have everything! 4 or 5 benches. Power rack. Deadlift box. Several oly bars. Free weight section is never over crowded.

    Thx SSL. He created a program to meet my ultimate goals. He believes its better overall than what I had set out to do (SL 5x5)
  • Zylahe
    Zylahe Posts: 772 Member
    Maybe find out why he's recommending his way.
    Is it that he onlyknows one way of doing things, or does he think your original plan was unrealistic for a begginer?
    I find it odd that you joined even though you didnt get what you originally planned.

    Btw thats not necessarily a bad thing, i went out shopping for a wardrobe nd ended up with a chest of draws, cos that turned out to suit my ultimate needs better.
  • FromHereOnOut
    FromHereOnOut Posts: 3,237 Member
    Thx. They have everything! 4 or 5 benches. Power rack. Deadlift box. Several oly bars. Free weight section is never over crowded.

    Thx SSL. He created a program to meet my ultimate goals. He believes its better overall than what I had set out to do (SL 5x5)

    Maybe take it one round at a time. I wanted to do SL, but it didn't work out for me, for NOW. So, I put together a machine workout to do for 3 months. After that, I'll re-evaluate my progress, my likes & dislikes, and (most importantly) my schedule vs. gym peak times (which totally clash at the moment). You could try something like that. Maybe give yourself 4-6wks to try the gym out and see what you like and what you don't about it. I've been at it at this new gym for ~8wks now and I've tweaked my routine numerous times, switching from selector machines to cable machines on some things, and experimenting with splits. I've learned a lot and made some gains and I might have even figured out a way to start with barbells 2x/wk (not exactly SL which is 3x/wk, but maybe the best I can do).

    Knowing they have everything for SL, and it's not crowded is a huge plus, if you ask me.
  • jwdieter
    jwdieter Posts: 2,582 Member
    I'm usually pretty down on trainers. Most I've seen have no idea how to use barbells. But in this case, the owner is a powerlifter and set up a real lifting gym. Sounds like a good situation. Talk to him about your concerns. As you seem to be ~100 lbs over where you want to be (?) he oriented his training around establishing basic fitness and losing weight. He might be right about an optimal approach toward your ultimate goals.

    But you want to lift barbells, and what you want is important too - since it will keep you on track. Get some form training with the basic lifts, incorporate those into your free weight training, and you should be getting everything you want and need.
  • chelso0o
    chelso0o Posts: 366 Member
    If he is your trainer and you are paying him, you should be able to communicate with him. You should be able to tell hkm "I am new to tjis, and for now I can only dedicate 3x wk to strength. Please make me a plan with this amount of days." If he wont bend or accommodate to your schedule then, no,he may not work for you. Fitness is a lifetime commitment, and if you arent happy then you wont stick to it. However, he may have some good insights. I stopped using sl 5x5 because I felt better with another program. It is 5x wk. Talk to him and find out why he changed things.
  • geebusuk
    geebusuk Posts: 3,348 Member
    Normally I would be all about 'strength, strength, strength' - on a deficit I am still doing a modified starting strength 3.5x a week.

    HOWEVER, in reality you're going to have limited strength gains while on a deficit and you've got a fair bit to lose, so will be on said deficit for a while. People with high body fat may even be able to get SOME muscle gains while on a deficit, but it's quite possible you will then lose those again as you carry on losing weight.

    I've decided for myself to do a bit more cardio and not worry if it hits strength a little as I CAN improve cardio (and have) while on a deficit.

    So, from that, for your overall goals, a lighter 'circuit' weights system may make more sense - it will still develop some strength through more efficient use of muscles, it will help prevent muscle loss and could aid weight loss better through more activity.

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