Do I need to get a personal trainer?

there are a lot of youtube videos, which can help show the basics.

I might consider purchasing one or two sessions with a trainer, simply to learn how to use the equipment and the proper form. If you have a gym membership, a machine orientation may be included.

The problem is many trainers don't know how to perform the big lifts. Ive seen literally only one trainer at my gym who can squat and deadlift properly. The rest are quarter squatters and snap-city deadlifters.

If you're able to find a competent trainer then it's well worth it. Otherwise you're throwing money away and learning bad habits. That's probably the worst part..because then it takes a long time to forget the incorrect movement patterns and learn the proper ones.

I could not be lifting how I lift now without my personal trainer, he was the best. I can't imagine learning everything you need for correct form for, say, the deadlift. Five months into lifting, he was still correcting the minute details of my form. There is no way I'd learn what I've learned through just videos and books. I'm 52, started just last fall, fairly weak, some long-standing back/foot/knee issues; and form was of the utmost importance to both of us (still is). Had the best trainer. Now I'm on my own, sadly. There are no other trainers at my gym like him at this point (he left a couple weeks ago). I haven't even done the deadlift since he left, sniff....

You can absolutely learn using YouTube videos. I personally like bodybuilding.com and there are some things for you to print and take with you to the gym. I had hired a trainer and he was horrible. Waste of money. I ended up working out at home but sometimes miss the heavier weights that I used at the gym. I take my iPad with me the times I do go and use my workout videos that are streamed (p90x is my 'go to') and can still ask a trainer for quick tips if I need to.

I get hired a lot for just one session just so I can correct form and spot any issues that a person can't see themselves. You can't see yourself from the back when you squat or do a deadlift. What may look right from the front, may not from the back. So even just small adjustments can make the difference.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Yes and No.

If you're one to self-teach and have the time....then yes you could go without the personal trainer. There are several programs, such as the ones on bodybuilding.com that are already setup and tell you the exact workouts/machines to use and when so you don't even have to put together your leg workout or should workout, etc, etc. That being said, I strongly suggest practicing your form, making sure you consult training videos that show proper technique, and starting out at a level that you can handle, don't go balls to wall if you can't handle it.

On the reverse side, and as something with a personal trainer, I think it's partially worth it. I bought 20 sessions at once to use how I like. It ended up cost a little over 25$ a session which isn't horrible but isn't great with my budget either. I did this for a few reasons:

1) I didnt know about all the pre-set customed workout plans that are offered out there
2) Between my job, son, and trying to keep the house semi-decent I don't have much time to work out, let alone research and learn every thing I would need to feel comfortable going at this by myself
3) She has to set up weekly workouts for me until I've used all my PT sessions. Granted they're the same 4 workouts rotated for one month then they change the next month. And she failed to switch them for an extra two weeks at one point because she was training for her competition....I still had workouts planned for me. No research (aside from technique) videos needed.
4)If I have any questions my trainer is there. She doesn't always answer right away, but I know she's there when I need her.
5) During our sessions she teaches me about different types of machines and how to properly perform any exercise shes torturing me with at the moment
6)Its a good motivator to have someone tracking your progress, even if it is only once a month.....


Long story short, if you want to try a personal trainer, try a session or two. If you don't, then do this the best way you can. Everyone is different. I personally like having my workouts set up for me. And my trainer is a body builder. A year or two from now when Im at a decent weight and my body fat is considered a healthy range I really want to start trying to body build the way she does. So it's awesome to watch her and imagine getting to her level. On the flip side, once my 20 sessions are up....I will probably try doing this alone for a while or using the pre-set programs of bodybuilding.com for a while. If nothing else because I do want to learn and be able to provide myself with a good workout rather than always depending on a trainer. Plus after so long with a trainer....you're going to learn how to set up your own workouts anyway.