Are Personal Trainers worth the money?

randa_behnam
randa_behnam Posts: 488 Member
edited September 25 in Fitness and Exercise
Just asking because i am considering hiring one but cant afford more than one hour a week. is this enough to get me on the right track to weight loss and fitness or is this something i will have to invest serious money. PI's here cost about £40 an hour!!

i will of course do other work outs set for me throughout the week. Does anyone have any opinions on this? x

Replies

  • RTricia
    RTricia Posts: 720
    what do you need a trainer for? To navigate around all the machines at the gym or to reach a weight loss/strength goal?
  • randa_behnam
    randa_behnam Posts: 488 Member
    i was thinking to come to my home and help me with the equiptment i have and to work outside as well?? Get my stamina up so i can run etc.
  • Barbellerella
    Barbellerella Posts: 1,838 Member
    Hell yes! He's like my therapist too.. If I'm having a bad week, he put me back in check and on track =)))
  • RoadDog
    RoadDog Posts: 2,946 Member
    Hard question. I guess if you have the disposable income and it gets you motivated to show up, it's worth it. Most are expensive and, in my opinion, there are better ways to spend your money.

    Taking a couple tours around the gym with a trainer to set up a routine is probably a good idea. Beyond that, the problem may be motivation.

    Don't get me started on Motivation and/or Life coaches.
  • backinthenines
    backinthenines Posts: 1,083 Member
    Whether you will benefit from a personal trainer depends on you and the trainer.

    I've known truly fantastic PTs that have helped me get great results, they were innovative, knowledgeable, etc.

    It kind of depends on what you want to achieve, how much knowledge you have, how self motivated you are.

    Stroutman on this forum did a great blog on how to pick a PT... Track him down and get him to send you the link.
  • IanRS
    IanRS Posts: 68 Member
    It can be useful to get a programme and motivation to ensure you stay on track, but if you look around he internet you can easily decide on your own exercise - I guess it depends how well you will stick to it. :-)
  • spicegeek
    spicegeek Posts: 325 Member
    It depends on the trainer and your goals

    I have had 3 trainers in the past 4 years - the first I grew out of - she was good when I started but I moved beyond what she could do for me - My second trainer helped me hit a 4 hour marathon - she was totally awesome and we are still best friends - unfortunately he now lives 700 miles away ! My current trainer is my old trainers trainer - he is also awesome - and as a natual body builder he understands nutrition VERY well. Not all trainers understand nutrition - or even you specific situation - you need to interview them - discuss your goals and what they can do for you.
  • snoland81
    snoland81 Posts: 19
    If you cannot stay accountable to yourself then a PT is worth the money. My friend is a PT and there are people I know she works with that would NEVER have lost the weight on their own. I think a lot of what holds us back from our potential is in our minds. We need to reprogram what we think and why we think those things and I feel like a PT checking in on your progress even just once a week can make you think and do more exercise when they aren't around as well as make healthier choices on food when you are out. Too bad you don't live in my town. My PT only charges about $13 an hour!
  • themommie
    themommie Posts: 5,033 Member
    I agree I think it depends on the personal trainer and you, if you can find a good match then it is worth it
  • ♥_Ellybean_♥
    ♥_Ellybean_♥ Posts: 1,646 Member
    It really depends on the trainer, I've had an experience on both ends....

    I hired a trainer at my last gym and lost a measly 10lbs (in 8 months) ... but I gained a ton of information in the process... including a one on one in the grocery store explaining what foods are good vs bad foods... I could have seen a nutritionist and got tje same information for probably about 1/5th of the money (here my training was about $30 for 30 minutes)


    Now I am with a new trainer at a different gym... I have gained strength in the lat month I have been with her... she works me hard! and I believe she is my key to sucess... We do not use machines.. and she pushes me when I need that push and even when I don't (for sake she made me jump rope) ... It's only been a month, but I am happy with this purchase (@$50 per 30 minutes)

    So it really depends on what your looking to get out of your trainer.... the knowledge that they share with you and the amount of energy they will give you when it comes to working out. Do your research be sure you are getting what you pay for... and not someone that just went online and got a certificate.... You want someone that is going to work for you... after all you are their BOSS>
  • andreae13
    andreae13 Posts: 239 Member
    My husband and I have poured all our extra money into a personal trainer for 3 hours a week each and it has made a world of difference!! It does completely depend on the person to though. We both needed someone to give us that extra push and knowledge. If you already have the motivation but just need the knowledge you may want to get one for just once a month to set up a program for you and to help keep you on track. Since my hubby and I both have a long ways to go in our journey we really needed the extra help :)
  • crazymama2two
    crazymama2two Posts: 867
    sounds like you have better things to spend your money on - that one hour wouldnt be worth it to me. do you belong to a gym? my gym has a free consultation to show you how to use machines, etc. if you have one, use it for that and then do what you know you need to do and save your hard-earned money for a new outfit when you lose your weight :)
  • michelle4271
    michelle4271 Posts: 194 Member
    Personal trainers are good if you are going to soak them for all they are worth.Knowledge of the exercise and form is a must. Make sure they are showing you 3-5 exercises per muscle group so you can change things up every 4-6 weeks to keep the body guessing. Take notes on the machines/ exercises so you have something to refer back to when you ditch the trainer.

    Most recommend 1-2 body parts per day with a day off:
    day 1 back and bi's
    day 2 chest and tri's
    day 3 shoulders
    day 4 legs

    total body workouts are good, if you only have a coupld days a week that you can get to the gym for that extra work out....you should have a day of rest for the body part that you exercised before repeating it.

    but if you can get there several times a week, then the first option is probably the most efficient.

    good luck on your journey
  • StephieAmber
    StephieAmber Posts: 83
    My trainer is AWESOME!! I honestly don't think I could have done this without her. It's more than just understanding how the machines work. For me I needed someone to spell out for me what I needed to do, and push me that little bit more. I was my biggest obstacle and I've accomplished things I didn't think I could possibly do.

    I also have a workout friend that I go to the gym with...and without him I doubt I would have had the motivation to even begin.

    Sometimes we just see the pricetag, but the service is totally worth it!
  • C_Bran
    C_Bran Posts: 254
    My opinion:

    Pay me and I'll send you emails of workouts to do. Better yet, keep your money and I can send you workouts to do.

    Trainers are a waist of money. Most people on this site can give you decent information to do adequate workouts and you can ask the people that work in the gym "am I doing this correctly" and I'm sure they will tell you.
  • greatescape
    greatescape Posts: 54 Member
    I love my trainer! Honestly, I don't need him to show me proper form... I need him to keep me motivated! I have the most difficult time getting in the gym, but having a trainer and appointments for aerobics classes not only holds me accountable for exercise, but also helps me eat healthier since I spend the $$ on training and don't ever wanna feel like I wasted it.

    In all reality, people use trainers for different reasons. If you feel like you want one to show you proper form, different things you can do, or work you harder, then by all means it's worth it!
  • shaunshaikh
    shaunshaikh Posts: 616 Member
    A good personal trainer can make all the difference. A bad or mediocre personal trainer is probably a waste of money. You don't need a personal trainer to lose weight. Heck, you don't even need to exercise to lose weight. Just pay super close attention to everything you eat, track everything, and balance out your meals and you'll lose weight. However, there's the whole matter of what you'll look like when you lose that weight. It's quite likely that the body you want requires lots of strength training and things other than just pure cardio. If you don't really know how to work a weight room or can't really push yourself very hard, then it could make a huge difference in the way you look and how you feel.

    A good personal trainer would be able to tell you what to do and when to get the best results from your body. They would be able to diversify your exercise to prevent injury and give you a total body look which you might desire. They know what you can handle and what you can't and they could intelligently build you up to where you want to be. And probably most importantly, most trainers will be able to push you harder than you could push yourself. Look what Bob and Jillian do every single day on the biggest loser.

    I know a lot of people that say they know how to workout really don't. I see a lot of people at the gym using terrible form, that get super focused on a couple muscle groups, that don't workout very hard at all, and seem to be working out without a real purpose. The worst at this are ex-athletes.

    With all that said, I don't use a personal trainer. I wish I could afford one, but I can't. I try to watch them workout other people to get ideas and I read everything that I can on training and exercise. I'm doing some of the right things, but I know I'm missing out a lot based on the Total Conditioning class I went to today.

    Good luck with your decision.
  • muppetkeeper
    muppetkeeper Posts: 33 Member
    I have to declare an interest up front.... my wife is both a personal trainer and a nutritionist!

    There are good trainers and bad trainers, but you should always look at a qualified, registered and insured trainer.

    In the UK, you don't need any qualifications to call yourself a trainer, so always go for one that is REPS certified, these people will have trained and qualified. That said, there will still be people you may not get along with.

    In our experience, 1 hour a week is enough, especially if you are getting dietary advice as well as training advice.

    Hope that helps

    MK
  • DoReMiFaSoLaTiDo
    DoReMiFaSoLaTiDo Posts: 296
    Ive always felt personal trainers are a waste of $$$.... I dont need to pay someone to yell at me & to keep me motivated...and say "come on, you can do it!"


    perhaps my impression of PTs is wrong
  • Tree72
    Tree72 Posts: 942 Member
    It's kinda funny because I never thought I'd like working with a personal trainer, but now that I've tried it, I love it. Not only does my trainer challenge me with new exercises and routines every time I see her, she helps me work past mental blocks and obstacles that I've put in my own way. She's gotten me to do things I never thought I'd be able to do.

    I always had the image that personal trainers yelled at you or were borderline abusive. Mine is nothing like that. Not that she doesn't find ways to motivate me, but they are ones that work.

    I'd say try it for a few sessions and see if it works for you.
  • hollyb9871
    hollyb9871 Posts: 401 Member
    I have only tried 3 different trainers. My first one trained a me and a friend at the same time and we met twice a week. He helped show us different exercises as well as making sure we were fit properly into the machines. We gained a lot of muscle definition and knowledge working with him. The second one I had a free trial with and we just didn't mesh well. He had me doing some exercises that I hadn't done before but he made me feel like I was so out of shape (which I'm not) that I couldn't possibly accomplish my goals without him! HA My current trainer I adore! I've worked with him once so far and will be starting a class with him that has 8 other people so it's part personal training part class. The one time we did train together he had me doing things I would never have done on my own and they were all geared toward working multiple areas at one time but also focusing on my trouble areas. I think we only used one 'machine' and it was a cable cage so not your typical machine. A good trainer makes you want to try your best, not makes you feel unworthy. They also impart knowledge on how to attain your goals whether it's fitness activities or nutrition or both. They genuinely want to help you.

    I think a good trainer is worth the extra money. You may not need it 3X a week but to gain extra knowledge and be able to change up your routine to keep your body guessing is well worth it! You won't get bored and you're body won't do the same old same old.
  • Flyntiggr
    Flyntiggr Posts: 898 Member
    I ADORE my trainer. I would have never reached the point I'm at without her pushing me past where I think I'm done. If it wasn't for her, I would have never gone past 4.0 on the treadmill, done a wall sit or any other strength training. She makes me do things that are good for me but I might not like. And yes, my sessions are like therapy for me. We've become friends beyond my sessions, and soon will start training for a tri together (I've got a few more pounds to lose, and the pool isn't open yet).

    For reference, I pay $40 an hour and she comes to my house twice a week. I figure this is about equivalent to what I was paying in fast food and gym fees before I started this project....
  • randa_behnam
    randa_behnam Posts: 488 Member
    Wow a lot of mixed reviews! i guess i need to do my homework and find a trainer who has a good reviews and has all the right training for both fitness and health. The main reason i want one is to give me the push to work harder and show me where im going wrong or if what im doing is right.

    Thanks for all the advice :o)
  • psmith64
    psmith64 Posts: 102 Member
    I do believe, even if you are motivated to go to the gym, a personal trainer probably will push you that little bit harder in the early days when maybe more motivation is needed.

    The problem is being able to afford one, personally I couldn't justify it.

    However, I do use the Wi fit and bought the " The Biggest Loser " software for it, and at £ 17.99 as a one off cost I get access to my virtual personal trainer. After a 30 minute session, I do feel I work harder than I would have under my own steam.

    Using the Wi fit, in conjunction with walking and cycling, I don't even feel the need to go to the Gym anymore saving another cost.

    Regards

    Paul
  • Dlibo1013
    Dlibo1013 Posts: 883 Member
    Mine has been priceless :wink:
  • pftjill
    pftjill Posts: 488
    I am a personal trainer and it is good to get people going. It is also helpful if they know nutrition, however they can train you, but they don't feed you-so they can give you what to do, but you have to be willing to do it. It wouldn't be a bad idea to interview to find a good one.

    If you don't like their training style they should be good enough to send you to someone who would fit your needs better. In class we talked a lot about what kind of clients we wanted to work with. Like women who are wanting to get through pregnancy or get pregnancy weight off-yes come to me. I am a pro!! I know how to take weight off and also help with training for tri's. I am working on the body building side of things right now. I want to be well rounded.

    Just be careful of big box gyms that will hire anyone as long as they look good. They sad thing is you don't have to go to school-so do your research. I once worked with a trainer who told me it was a hard job because you had to pretend to be peoples friends. Never-I love meeting new people and helping them out. Find a trainer that fits you.

    Someone said you don't need one, but I beg to differ-so many people at the gym do because they have no idea what they are doing. This being said-find one that is going to teach you so you can do it on your own. You don't want to have to rely on them for the rest of your life.
  • LexieSweetheart
    LexieSweetheart Posts: 793 Member
    YES! definitely but you MUST find one that works for you!! My first personal trainer was priceless! She never took a day off when it came to me. She texted on me her wedding to day to make sure I went to the gym. She woke up with me at the crack of dawn to run a 5k, At the lowest point in my life she was there for me and helped me lose 50 pounds. They definitely can be worth the money.find someone who doesn't just see you as a piggy bank and actually wants you to be healthy
  • Iamfit4life
    Iamfit4life Posts: 3,095 Member
    I've always had a slight issue with proper form. Which makes me nervous I'm doing something wrong, leading me to not push myself as hard as I can.

    If I had the disposable income.

    I'd pay for it in an instant.
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