Is it worth me hiring a personal trainer?

I have never used a trainer but plan to do so when I get closer to my goal. I would only approach PTs who were recommeded to me or if I saw evidence of their work. I don't think they are all created equally. I think that you should do a search for trainers that specialize in helping people with similar goals to yours. Maybe this PT is good, but I'd get referrals first. Good luck.

I would be completely lost without my trainer. But for just training for a 5k - I wouldn't bother - just use the Couch to 5k program and you should be fine. But if you want to go beyond that a trainer can be so useful! I would have no idea what to do in the gym. And he pushes me to do so much more than I would do on my own!

I have a trainer and have had one for over a year. She is worth every penny I pay. Simply put for me, I need someone to hold me accountable. I need that extra push from someone "checking in" on me. For example she sees how many times I come to the gym and will question what I have done outside the gym for exercise. Oh and I need someone to call me out if I am "phoning in" a workout.

Also, I like that she has built a plan for me that targets specific areas.

You could also check your gym to see if they have group fitness classes if you don't want to use a trainer.

For running, no. Weight lifting, yes.

Good trainers are seriously worth it.

My trainer moved

Since you see this trainer at the gym, watch him train other clients and talk to the clients. They can tell you the experience they have had with him. Good luck!

Agree with others, for running I don't think it's going to be worth it. If you want to lift weights or even do circuits it's a great idea if you can afford it and find someone good. I'm on my second trainer in about a year and 4 months and have improved my strength, stamina, stability and aches and pains from old injuries more than I ever imagined I could.

I would only hire a trainer to build muscle. I dont see how a trainer would know the appropriate pace for you as that is something only you would know when running. In my opinion, there is no correct way to run. Just run.

Depends entirely on the trainer. I got 2 free sessions with one when I joined a gym and she was definitely NOT worth it. She texted while I did the exercises, lost count frequently and there were huge time gaps between exercises while she thought of what to get me to do next. I would have been paying her for her time and she would have spent a good chunk of it not focused on bettering my health and fitness. Apparently she had university training in the fitness field but she had a really hard time designing a program that worked with my knee injury. She was not worth it.

I do group classes instead. I find it helps me get a rounded workout and I can get weights and resistance training that way too.

If you want to try a personal trainer, watch them with other clients first and pick one whose work speaks for itself. They can help you get to your goals faster and more effectively but in the end you have to carry that work forward.

It really depends on a few things.

1. What's your training experience / knowledge?
2. What type of education / certification does the trainer have? Certifications from the NSCA and NASM are two of the best, not saying others aren't good but those I know are two of the best.
3. How good is the trainer in applying what he / she knows?

The best thing you can do is look at their education / certifications and hope they know how to apply their knowledge to your needs. It's kind of trial and error but if you at least know their background you're halfway there.

I LOVED my trainer and I used her to improve my running. BUT, we never ran together. She helped me build a strength routine to make me stronger so my running would get better. For your 5k purposes, I'd say not worth it. I agree with others, look up the C25K app and do that. Then after you get the running bug, you can utilize a trainer to help you gain strength for longer/faster runs

It depends on the trainer and the client.














Man that was kind of a useless answer on my part...

I had two sessions with a trainer and wish I could do more. I got them because I lift and wanted to make sure my form was good for the exercises I do. While I found that my form was pretty good, what I didn't realize was just how much weight I could move! My trainer verified my form and then she pushed me to see what I could do. It liberated me and I have been pushing it ever since.

We have friends who happen to be trainers too and they've come and worked with us a little bit. I've found their input to be invaluable for my husband and they both offered me suggestions and tweaks that have helped greatly too. I guess it would depend on your goals in if you feel you need help reaching them.

Yes. Yes. Yes.
Trainers help you push yourself and they teach you tons of exercises that you can continue to do even after you stop training with them.