Wanted to start a 5x5 type program but trainer is against it.

If you want to do 5x5 the trainer really needs to justify why he is against it. If it is because he thinks it will not result in fat loss, they perhaps you need a different trainer. Frankly, if you want to lift heavy doing 5x5 with him helping you get your form correct, then it might be time to say that is what you want him to do. If you hired him to put together a program, well, then discussion needs to happen about what sort of program you actually want (compound lifts and heavy weights).

Just as an aside, 5x5 starts really light, but fairly quickly gets to higher weights.

If you want this, and this is what you desire to have the trainer work with you on. Simply insist on it. You are the client and he is there to assist you.

I'm ambivalent about this. You can achieve what you want with what he's suggesting. If he stated 3 months then I think that's a reasonable amount of time for him to size you up and for you to see how you'll (bodily) respond at this stage...given post chronic illness too. Although if he pulls out a pink 1kg dumbell I'd definitely spit chips.

At 119kg I was trained predominately cardio (kick bag, rower etc) with body resistance.

At around 95kg progressed to high rep, low weight cardio with HIIT.

At around 85kg, mostly what he's suggesting to you. My before n after in profile (black singlet) is the result of all the above (73kg). More definition than I imagined, strength gain and of course weight loss. I was not bored until this year but also I had injury which started me thinking down the compound trek.

For example, leg press maxed out at 80kg because of a niggle in back. Ticked me off. So we stopped using it. Squats became too easy. I needed some grunt. Enter compounds. My trainer had to be talked into it because I'm a creaky old soul. Insurance/injury a worry for a private home run gym and I spent a couple of months behaving and proving form on everything! Got my way and loved it. As you know have left training with enough knowledge base to feel confident I'll behave.

So point being...what he's suggesting can still be interesting and advantageous towards your goal. At 3 months, I'd re-evaluate. Trainers do tend to have a preferred method initially and I kind of understand that. It's later on, if you're bored and they baulk at changing that I'd question their intent.

Personal training is a business. So is managing a gym. In my personal experience, some trainers are worth the money, if they are experienced and competent. However, most trainers that are attached to a gym have no choice, but to stick with the business model of this gym. And that's dragging clients along as much as possible to assure continued business. As a previous poster wrote, the program that you have in mind, is fast paced, and can progress quickly. They won't be able to suck too much money out of your pocket. Once you get into it, you can do it on your own. Stand up for your goal! If the trainer starts debating, dump him! You money, your choice!
Just 2 cents of my money on this topic...lol
Happy lifting!

Have an open and honest discussion. There can be some very good reasons why the trainer would suggest such a program and those recommendations are not incompatible with your long-term goals.

You mentioned that you have not been lifting for 8 mos or so due to chronic illness, so spending some time rebuilding your base and conditioning your body for heavier work is not a bad idea per se.

It could very well be that a trainer could stereotype you and try to push you into a "granny" program, but you should be able to easily determine that during your initial meeting.

Trainers have dual responsibilities. On the one hand, you are there to serve your customer and give them what they want. OTOH, you are also a trained professional whose job is to give them what they need. I've been in situations where I tried to do too much of #1 and not enough of #2, and it is usually not a good outcome.

If you were my client, this would be a straightforward process. We would discuss your goals, what you liked to do, assess your current ability and fitness level, and come up with a plan. If initially I felt you needed something different than what you originally wanted, I would clearly explain why, and how the initial program would help you reach your ultimate goal.

I would lay out a timetable as to how we would progress, and we would build in checkpoints where we would assess your progress and I would get your feedback on whether you were satisfied with our direction.

I suspect that most quality trainers would do the same thing. So, like I said, you should be able to figure out who you are dealing with pretty quickly. Take the pictures you posted here and be totally blunt about what you want. A good trainer will enjoy the give-and-take and appreciate your input. If the trainer seems put off, or dismissive, then you politely and quickly move on.

JadeRabbit08 wrote: »

So what do you think an obese woman in her mid forties should be doing as a start up for lifting?

Mid-forties? Any full-body workout is probably fine, but I'd stick with 8-12 reps, especially in the first three months. It's effective and safe, you can make progress on that. It's actually what's advised by the NASM for beginners (google to see their current recommendations).

Also, even people with a lot of training years behind them transition to working smart vs. working hard, after a certain age. Heck, even Schwarzenegger uses machines now. I would approach this more from the point of view of injury prevention and less from the POV of "I want a hard body". Because 5 reps of 5 is hard on the body, and if you've had chronic fatigue and illness, why not stay on the safe side?

edit: 8-12 reps isn't exactly pink dumbbells. Come on.