What to expect from my personal trainer ... Am I just needy
angelashu108
Posts: 4 Member
I need input
I have just started my second round of PT. (I did 3 months and took 3 off)
I'm in great shape but want to tone up more and gain more muscle.
Here's the thing, my trainer is a bit young... He's an awesome trainer but kinda lacks in the "full program" aspect. In other words when he's training, he's awesome...
But he provides little to no guidance outside of our session.
I am only workin with him 1day a week.
I want/expect him to give me a schedule (better yet a workout) for my off days.
But so far... He hasn't. I've asked but he just seems to not to take it seriously.
Same with my diet, he says it's great.
I'm 5'6 132 pounds and 17%bf.
I Need guidance to get to the next level, I know it's hard to put on muscle and that's why I hired him.
So my question is...
Am I just a needy client? What do other trainers do? I don't need him to hold my hand but I want to get to the next level and I just don't know what is reasonable.
What do you all get from your trainer?
I have just started my second round of PT. (I did 3 months and took 3 off)
I'm in great shape but want to tone up more and gain more muscle.
Here's the thing, my trainer is a bit young... He's an awesome trainer but kinda lacks in the "full program" aspect. In other words when he's training, he's awesome...
But he provides little to no guidance outside of our session.
I am only workin with him 1day a week.
I want/expect him to give me a schedule (better yet a workout) for my off days.
But so far... He hasn't. I've asked but he just seems to not to take it seriously.
Same with my diet, he says it's great.
I'm 5'6 132 pounds and 17%bf.
I Need guidance to get to the next level, I know it's hard to put on muscle and that's why I hired him.
So my question is...
Am I just a needy client? What do other trainers do? I don't need him to hold my hand but I want to get to the next level and I just don't know what is reasonable.
What do you all get from your trainer?
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Replies
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I've never had a trainer who will do that, at least not in a "McGym". What I've done is returned and done the same workout twice more and cardio the other days. I've also followed "New Rules" for women in addition to the PT session. That was really tough but I improved a lot. Good luck!0
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Just so I'm clear, your trainer doesn't give u additional direction on what to do outside of your sessions? Correct?
So.. Based on that. I'm Needy? Right0 -
Is new rules a book or website?0
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I think this is going to vary according to what you agreed on when you hired him. When I had a trainer, he created two strength workouts that I alternated 3x/week. But I only met with him 3x total. After that, I was on my own. Did you hire this person to workout with you or to create a long term program?0
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I think they are (1) not paid to do that and (2) worried about liability should you injure yourself without supervision. That said, I did have a trainer do that, but this was a YMCA guy and it was in the early 80s, so a very different time and not a McGym. Remember those gym trainers have sales quotas, so the more work he does for you that he can't charge you for, it's money out of his pocket. It's not nefarious...I don't work for free and I don't expect a trainer, who's not paid nearly as much as I am, to work for free either.
Here's the new rules link, yes it's a book:
http://www.amazon.com/New-Rules-Lifting-Women-Goddess-ebook/dp/B004IE9RGC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1425484582&sr=1-1&keywords=new+rules+of+lifting+for+women0 -
Time for a new trainer. He's not awesome if he's not fulfilling your stated and agreed upon needs. If you have asked and he has agreed to do so and has not, well .... time to go.0
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You're paying him for one day a week, so you should only expect guidance one day a week. Outside of that, it sounds like this trainer might not be a good fit for you. Since you're already in great shape (17% bf!), I'd be looking for a former/current competitor who trains clients. That's kinda the stage your at...already in great shape but looking for lean gains. And, competitors are EXPERTS at that
. You can find lots of online coaches too...which might work well in combination with your current trainer. Two that I'd reccomend off the top of my head are Wendy Fortino (www.cyberbody60.com) and Jenna Fail (look her up on Instagram). 0 -
He shouldn't be giving you nutritional advice anyway, unless he has a separate degree in it - which most trainers don't.0
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Following this post for the same question- I've never had a personal trainer and I'm meeting with one for the first time next week. I would think he'd be able to give you suggestions of what you can do on your own time- or at least ideas about what to do on the days that you don't see him so you can continue to make progress0
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You're paying him for one day a week, so you should only expect guidance one day a week. Outside of that, it sounds like this trainer might not be a good fit for you. Since you're already in great shape (17% bf!), I'd be looking for a former/current competitor who trains clients. That's kinda the stage your at...already in great shape but looking for lean gains. And, competitors are EXPERTS at that. You can find lots of online coaches too...which might work well in combination with your current trainer. Two that I'd reccomend off the top of my head are Wendy Fortino (www.cyberbody60.com) and Jenna Fail (look her up on Instagram).
17% BF doesn't automatically mean in great shape.
I dated a guy with low body fat and visible abs but he couldn't run or lift for *kitten*.
17% BF just means low body fat, nothing else.0 -
I hired a PT to guide me from the start, given that I never lifted anything heavier than 16 oz until October 2014. I bought a package of sessions, and started with the stated intent to work from 3 sessions/wk to 2/wk and then to once a week as "maintenance". I needed both the guidance of a trainer to do the exercises correctly as well as the personal commitment to show up at the gym every M-W-F. Now that I have been doing it for 5 months that commitment is not so much of an issue.
That said, my PT is more than willing to write up and e-mail me workouts for days when she or I are out of town, or days that I feel I can start working out on my own. I expect this to continue as I trail off to see her once a week. I work out at the YMCA in either Regina SK or Kelowna BC.
Bottom line, Personal Training is a service business. If your current provider isn't giving you what you want, shop around!
Cheers0 -
There are some trainers that can offer more information for outside of time with them, but usually you are then paying more to get a scheduled workout plan.
I saw a personal trainer for a while. I knew I had her for 1/2 an hour once a week so I told her what I wanted to work on in that time, asked her to watch a couple sets of other lifts to make sure my form was correct and that was it. Sometimes if she saw me between sessions she'd offer a tip or two for my form or a replacement for a lift I was doing but she wasn't paid to give me a workout routine so she didn't give me one.
If you want someone to give you a routine for outside of your time with the trainer, you'll have to get a specific program set up and pay more than you are currently paying, possibly even change gyms depending upon the rules at your current one.0 -
I haven't used a trainer myself but from what I gather after training near them and seeing them repeatedly with clients, my opinion is this:
-They are definitely sales driven
-Not qualified in that particular area at times
-Defer to specialists (Comp prep coaches/strength/posing/macro) etc.
Consider inquiring what services are offered before you "request." Perhaps this is something this person does not have time for, if thats the case then so be it, there are plenty of other trainers out there. Each have varying levels of interaction.
What you may find is open ended questions although honest and sincere will often get open ended answers. So what should I do on my other days? Train hard. Should I eat clean? Yes wash your food before eating. Should I do cardio and how much? Do as much as you need and/or do not want to take away from intake to meet your goals for the week at a mild and/or moderate loss.
Just some examples, the good thing is you are in the right place asking questions and there is a wealth of knowledge out there. Youtube and/or other IG Trainers that offer more "interaction."
Best of luck in your training and may the gains be with you!
Sidenote: I'm not a fan of upright rows if the form isn't spot on due to the potential for Impingement. I'm an informed lifter so sue me haha
But I'm training and I hear a trainer say to his client, "you feel that pinch? that's where it's at, keep at it..couple more... get it!"
I listen smile and walk away. Now that is not a trainer for me. To each there own, find a good one! 0 -
My first PT would develop programs for me and would switch them up every 4-6 weeks. He was always asking questions and discussing possible solutions with me for nutrition, fitness, and time management issues I'd run into. He refereed me to a great dietitian. He cared, and I felt I was getting my money's worth hands down. But I wouldn't say he devoted a ton of time outside our time together to me. It probably took him an hour max to develop the programs every 4-6 weeks. I worked with him for 2 years.
My new PT is helping me train specifically for obstacle course races. My schedule is such that she doesn't need to provide me with a routine to do outside of our time together. But she is very aware of what I'm doing and will adjust our session based off my week's workouts (ie if I ran 8 miles of trails the day before she isn't going to kill my legs). She is always sending me links to nutrition and fitness articles that pertain to me. She literally logs into My Fitness Pal randomly and will review my diary and leave comments (mostly accountability, she knows I have seen multiple dietitians and know how I should be eating). She's always open for discussions and will text back when I have questions or need encouragement. Obviously with cell phones it's not taking a TON of time, but she cares and the little things really add value to me. I try not to bug her too much because I know she has a life too
I was also clearly a long term, once a week client....which may make a difference.
I agree with @May_Rose too. Perhaps your current trainer feels he can't be much assistance to you? Have an open honest conversation with him and if you are still unsatisfied then try someone else. My first PT told me if I am not clear about what I need/want, he can't possibly help me. The worst thing that could happen is your PT saying "that's not part of my job description".....and then you look for someone who thinks it is, etc.0 -
I think it depends on what you've agreed with your trainer. They all seem to work differently. For example, my friend is a trainer and also ex military and BB competitor. He expects to meet his clients once a week and for them to stick to the plan he gives them for the rest of the week. His ultimate aim is to get them to the point of not needing him any more.0
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I think it all depends on what kind of service you and your trainer have agreed to. My friend's pt tells her exactly what to do each day and recommends nutrition options even though she only sees him once a week. She does however have a long term contract. Personally I think something is funky there as she can't do a 30 second plank after 8 months of pt/working out and she didn't even start with any excess weight/injuries etc. The nutrition recommendations seem extreme/ uninformed to me as well.
My old pt did our sessions but didn't recommend what to do otherwise. Truthfully she wasn't that great but I won the sessions for free so I can't really complain. The training manager has taken an interest in me so we met twice so he could see my lifts and we could discuss my goals and the second time so we could run through the lifting program he designed for me and I could ask questions. He said he is willing to design another program when I'm done with this one.
So it all depends but honestly if I were you, I would start doing some research on your own to figure out exactly what your goals are and how you can get there. Ask questions when you don't understand but this is your body so learn about it. Just my opinion.0 -
I have the opposite problem. My trainer wants to provide me with diet and medical advice (detoxes, probiotics, etc...) that I have no interest in. I like him as a trainer, but he won't take the hint that I don't want his other advice. I'm too much of a wimp to tell him that I think he's spouting nonsense and to stick to exercise.0
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I have no experience with a personal trainer other then 30 years ago when I joined a health club and the "trainer" did one session with me to show me how to setup the machines properly. More of an instructor then a trainer.
Sounds like you should have discussed your expectations with the trainer before you started. Are you paying per session or are you in a contract? If your paying by the session and don't have a contract commitment, then find another trainer that will provide you with what you expect. Just be sure to discuss expectations up front. If I were to hire a PT I would expect along the lines of what you state your expectations are as far as fitness routines. I would not expect or want their nutritional advise unless the trainer was also qualified in that area. To get what you want may cost more then you are paying now. You are hiring this person for a reason, interview them like they were a contractor. What are their qualifications, what have they done, get references, etc. I wouldn't care so much about what they have done for themselves, but what have they done for their clients.0 -
sheldonklein wrote: »I have the opposite problem. My trainer wants to provide me with diet and medical advice (detoxes, probiotics, etc...) that I have no interest in. I like him as a trainer, but he won't take the hint that I don't want his other advice. I'm too much of a wimp to tell him that I think he's spouting nonsense and to stick to exercise.
Lol! Sorry but lol
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Sorry, I've not read anyone else's comments yet...just wanted to say what my trainer does. As well as one hour's training per week, she will write a food plan (if wanted), check nutrition every day (I send her my food diary daily), write a home plan and review it every few weeks. I don't think you're needy at all. I think you should have a home work out plan at least.0
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angelashu108 wrote: »I need input
I have just started my second round of PT. (I did 3 months and took 3 off)
I'm in great shape but want to tone up more and gain more muscle.
Here's the thing, my trainer is a bit young... He's an awesome trainer but kinda lacks in the "full program" aspect. In other words when he's training, he's awesome...
But he provides little to no guidance outside of our session.
I am only workin with him 1day a week.
I want/expect him to give me a schedule (better yet a workout) for my off days.
But so far... He hasn't. I've asked but he just seems to not to take it seriously.
Same with my diet, he says it's great.
I'm 5'6 132 pounds and 17%bf.
I Need guidance to get to the next level, I know it's hard to put on muscle and that's why I hired him.
So my question is...
Am I just a needy client? What do other trainers do? I don't need him to hold my hand but I want to get to the next level and I just don't know what is reasonable.
What do you all get from your trainer?
I was told pretty clearly by a trainer that If I wanted him to write me a program for the off days, that he would happily do it for a fee. The money you pay him is for his time (and expertise) while he is training you, and writing a program for you would certainly be something outside of that, and something he should be paid to do. Maybe you can suggest using one of your paid sessions to skip the workout and sit down and work on a plan.
Regardless of how you work out the mechanics on when and how the schedule is written, if you don't expect to compensate him for his time to write it, you are the one being unreasonable.0 -
needy0
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What are your goals? Are you thinking of competing? If so, get a figure/bikini coach with experience. If not and you are just looking for "more" you need to voice that and if he can't meet your expectaitons, move on.0
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The first and only personal trainer I had, I had a bad experience. The first day I met her she had me doing crazy stuff with a significant amount of weight that was too heavy for me. I kept telling her this was my first time working out and this stuff was too heavy and she thought I was complaining blah blah. Anyways, I just about tore every muscle in my body and I couldn't walk, stand, sit, anything for an entire week. She gave me no nutritional guidance. She had me write down what I was eating and then give it to her and she would say, "You know you should be eating healthier than this." and that was the extent of that. She gave me no advice for off days from her, and called and cancelled on me often. Sorry if this wasn't any help. Just reminds me a little of what you're going through. I think certain programs will help with that outside of a PT tho. There are different boot camps or outside fitness programs that offer a group setting personal training and more nutritional guidance. You'd have to find them in your city. Or maybe a PT who isn't in your gym (not sure if this one is or not) Anyways, good luck to you.0
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I'd expect your fee covers just the time your in the gym unless explicitly stated elsewhere.0
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I work with my trainer once a week. He then gives me written workouts to be done twice before the next meeting. Usually with lighter weight since I'm solo.
He's also gonna help me with my running form,which is cool.0 -
Your trainer is lazy. They should be providing a workout program for at least 6 to 8 weeks, I don't necessarily agree with being provided a food program though. Progression in the set program should be based on your weekly session, where they check your form, weights are heavy enough as your fitness improves etc
Is your workout session with the trainer the same workout each week? Are you being challenged each week? Is your trainer just winging it each week? With no little thought to progress?
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My thoughts...
1. Talk with you before any training starts to understand your physical and medical history, so they can understand any limitations
2. Listen to you talk about your goals and expectations
3. Perform a movement analysis to understand deficiencies
4. Create a custom training plan, depending on the discipline it would be 3 to 4 weeks
5. Be vigilant during your training session in demonstrating exercises and watching your perform them, correcting as needed
6. Prescribe a cardio plan
7. They can discuss nutrition and what research is available but most should not prescribe an actual nutrition plan unless they are a dietitian or nutritionist. In many states it's actually illegal for them to do so.0 -
angelashu108 wrote: »I need input
I have just started my second round of PT. (I did 3 months and took 3 off)
I'm in great shape but want to tone up more and gain more muscle.
Here's the thing, my trainer is a bit young... He's an awesome trainer but kinda lacks in the "full program" aspect. In other words when he's training, he's awesome...
But he provides little to no guidance outside of our session.
I am only workin with him 1day a week.
I want/expect him to give me a schedule (better yet a workout) for my off days.
But so far... He hasn't. I've asked but he just seems to not to take it seriously.
Same with my diet, he says it's great.
I'm 5'6 132 pounds and 17%bf.
I Need guidance to get to the next level, I know it's hard to put on muscle and that's why I hired him.
So my question is...
Am I just a needy client? What do other trainers do? I don't need him to hold my hand but I want to get to the next level and I just don't know what is reasonable.
What do you all get from your trainer?
You’re in no way needy, you’re the client. If he is not meeting your needs, find another. Set your expectations with them early on, goals, how you want to approach the program, eating resources (PTs in the US are not able to give much nutrition advice), etc. You might just use one of your sessions to go over a question and answer, program development. It should be part of the standard evaluation.
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I've been working with personal trainers since last May, and my current one since August. It took me a couple of tries to get one that really understood what I was looking for and was willing/able to put in the time to help me get there. We work 3x's a week and if I need a routine to do he will usually text me one that doesn't involve heavy lifting, since I'm still not extremely comfortable doing it on my own (as far as going above my normal lifts). He also looks at my macros/calories and helps me work through those, without giving me specific food plans. I would agree with others: you need to lay out exactly what you expect and get the price for that. If they can't do it, or it's too expensive, find a new trainer or adjust your expectations, whichever works for you.0
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