Personal trainers?
adhebert8
Posts: 27 Member
How many of my MFP friends use a personal trainer?
Do you like it? Is it worth the money?
Do you feel like you have more progress with a trainer rather than alone?
Do you like it? Is it worth the money?
Do you feel like you have more progress with a trainer rather than alone?
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Replies
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I guess I'm lucky because my husband was a personal trainer in college. I've learned a lot from him, but I don't know if it would be something I would pay money for. Most of it you could probably research on your own.0
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How many of my MFP friends use a personal trainer?
Do you like it? Is it worth the money?
Do you feel like you have more progress with a trainer rather than alone?
I don't currently use one but I have in the past. I do have a triathlon coach.
I always liked having a trainer. I didn't usually have one on one sessions, I had trainers that I had a few sessions with to show me how it is done, then write me up a program. I'd go back to switch up the program.
Personally, I feel it was worth the money FOR ME. I also feel like if I had a one on one trainer I would have made more progress because I am the type who does well with structured programs. I am a direction follower. And I would be much less likely to cut a workout short or slack off if I had someone watching me. NOt everyone is like that. Plus the whole fact of having to show up at a certain time means I'm less likely to skip a session.
If I had the money, I'd always have one on one sessions iwth a good trainer.
The problem is finding a good trainer. I've had a few that just gave me cookie cutter workouts. I was at the point where I wasn't quite a beginner but coming back off a lay off and would get the generic beginner plan. I don't like that.0 -
I am a qualified personal trainer and if our services meet your needs depends person to person.
The most valuable aspect to having a trainer is their knowledge, a lot of trainers like to keep the trade secrets secret to make you keep coming back. I personally find this a shameful tactic.
It also depends on what your ultimate goals are, if you're just after weight loss a time will come where you've picked up enough to drop your trainer but if you have more long term training goals trainers start becoming more useful for form checking and kicking your butt if you start slacking off.
A lot of the clients I've had really just like having someone who is isn't in their social circle. Someone they can complain about their partners/kids/work or to expose their body in a way no one else gets to see it without being judged
Long story short, I think everyone should see a personal trainer at least once, and really smash out some questions. Make sure you get what you're paying for and if something comes up that you're unsure of see if you can sauce a trainer for just some consultation, it's usually a lot cheaper than a session. Good luck.
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Attaining knowledge and executing it are 2 different things. It's one thing to look at and analyze a squat, but another to actually know if you're doing it correctly. Many times people track their knees wrong, lean too far forward, lift their heels off the floor, breath incorrectly, etc.ariana_eatsandlifts wrote: »Most of it you could probably research on your own.
To the OP it's going to be an individual thing as well as whom they get as a trainer. Some like to pushed, others like to be just monitored. Some like them stern, while others like some with humor. Most trainers will give someone a "sample" session, then go over specifics after. But at least that way you get a chance to see if you mesh.
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
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It is worth it to learn to do things correctly. If you are going to bother exercising and eating right you should maximize your returns. I have paid a certified kettlebell instructor for the last year and a half(among other coaches). I can tell you with absolute certainty that I would not be as far as I am without their instruction. I watched plenty of youtube before I hired a trainer. You can easily end up hurting yourself without proper instruction.0
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I used one to learn how to lift with the barbell. I think it's a waste of time to have someone tell me to do jumping jacks and burpees but learning how to lift was huge for me. As far as the INFO she gave me, as much as I loved her, I always came home and researched what she said. She was young, and some things seemed...off. The MFP forums and the google helped me clear up some of the things she mentioned about food/nutrition/training.0
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I think the mileage varies, I'd talk to the different trainers at the gym and try to find one your comfortable with. If your self conscious around them you won't perform to your best. My experience with a trainer was amazing and I know most other trainers would disagree with how we worked together. He was really good at pushing me to my limits, I rarely walked away from a session not wanting to up chuck. The thing is at the time my training ideology was that if I wasn't shaking/sick then I didn't drive the body hard enough. He accepted that about me and always came out with something different that pushed that envelope, corrected my form and helped me make gains I otherwise never would have. If I had the financial means i'd find another. Just make sure your goals and their training methods and ideas are on the same track.0
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I have in the past. If it's a good trainer they are very worth it. Let someone else do the thinking and programming for you. Get coaching cues on form and execution. But if they aren't any good, it's a complete waste of money0
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3dogsrunning wrote: »Personally, I feel it was worth the money FOR ME. I also feel like if I had a one on one trainer I would have made more progress because I am the type who does well with structured programs. I am a direction follower. And I would be much less likely to cut a workout short or slack off if I had someone watching me. NOt everyone is like that. Plus the whole fact of having to show up at a certain time means I'm less likely to skip a session.
This is very true for me too. I have been using a PT for a few months now and I love it. I feel like I am getting somewhere with my training for the first time ever. I was doing Stronglifts and really struggling with form and just being comfortable in the weights room. Now I feel much more confident. I think it definitely depends on what works for you and who the trainer is though. I would try a couple of sessions first before signing up for a longer period.0 -
I've been with one for the past year. He's helped me sooo much, there's absolutely no way I'd be where I am without him. It is expensive, I'd probably have a new car or I'd be able to put more down on my loans lol but that's not the point. I'd suggest to get one a for a few months to see where it leads. Also, make sure that your personalities match. That was big for me, I'm not the nicest person(so i hear) and he's a d!ck which didn't sit well with me in the beginning, but now I know where it's coming from and it works lol0
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My BF writes most of my programs and he does have a training certification. I also take small group classes twice a week in the A.M. and it's pretty tailored to each person's physical ability. This morning there were only two of us, for instance. I do like being told what to do because it's things I wouldn't do on my own so to me it is worth it and I've made progress I know I wouldn't have made on my own. And the facility has equipment I get to use that my 24 doesn't have.0
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I use a trainer and have for a little while. He's great for helping me accomplish my goals as well as educating me on what, why, and how. I find it valuable, but it's not something I'd see myself needing forever. It's great to have form correction and someone to push me to work differently or harder.0
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I have used Pt in past depending ogoals but mainly for lifting, simply because I didn't have knowledge to begin with and I tend to push myself beyond my ability. It was good to have someone to monitor and 'limit' what I was doing. Now I have catch up sessions every 6to 8 weeks to check progress and adjust programme if needed.0
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I have never used a personal trainer, but I do have a triathlon coach and he's worth a lot more than I pay him.0
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I love my personal trainer has Keith me motivated for 8 months which I would never kept at it for so long solo. I'm not naturally sporty etc but I really enjoy my sessions and I'm licky to afford it. I do feel he teaches me how to do things properly and always changing my routines . Some PT's do mini group sessions to keep costs down0
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My main issue is it's a lot of money and it's a 12 month contract.. I hate contracts. Too much unpredictability in life for that.0
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My main issue is it's a lot of money and it's a 12 month contract.. I hate contracts. Too much unpredictability in life for that.
Completely agree with that and I'm guessing you are with a big box gym. In my experience, I have found better trainers at independent gyms or gyms where the trainers are paying rent and can negotiate their own prices. I would not sign a 12 month contract.0 -
My neighbor is a personal trainer and I hired her. It really helped keep me on track. At first I was meeting with her twice a week, but I am in the WRONG tax bracket for that haha...so we agreed to drop down to once a week. Been exercising with her for almost two months and am down 12lbs and feel good about exercising each day (I do take a day off during the week).
She has really helped keep my form through the exercises (its been a while since I went to a gym, so the refresher courses on the different pieces of equipment helped).
I guess it depends on your motivation level. If you can stay motivated and feel confident in the types of exercises you are doing, you might not need.
One thing I will say...and this is for all of you personal trainers making a living helping us get healthy...Please remember that most trainers are making a living doing this...so be upfront with them and let them know what you want and the timeframe involved. It will help them plan and continue to eat :-)
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I feel once I have lost some weight and plateau I will be more interested and possible will have a raise at that point
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Yeah... contracts are often no bueno... I have a month to month trainer.
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If it was month I would probably do it with no hesitation.BecomingBane wrote: »Yeah... contracts are often no bueno... I have a month to month trainer.
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I definitely think it's worth it (especially if you have no previous knowledge ). I myself had previous knowledge but still used one. It was the best (albeit most expensive) decision I ever made! I learned new things I didn't know and it springboarded my loving to lift. Not to be scared to do my own thing and try new regimens and routines.0
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BecomingBane wrote: »Yeah... contracts are often no bueno... I have a month to month trainer.
What facility do you work out in?
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BecomingBane wrote: »Yeah... contracts are often no bueno... I have a month to month trainer.
What facility do you work out in?
10 Gym they outsource their personal trainers from Custom built0 -
It depends on your current fitness level and knowledge. It also depends on your specific goals.
I am training to be a personal trainer myself, that said, I enjoy working with other trainers as well. I can and do workout on my own but I like having someone push me and spot me on certain movements and I like hearing other people's training styles.
For the average gym go-er who just wants to lose a few pounds I don't think its a necessity. Especially not if you have to go through a contract with predatory sales-people. The only trainers I would work with are ones that do this for a living by choice (aka not just biding time while they are in school or moving on to something else), who have a real passion for fitness, who have a good reputation with proof to back it up, and who have an open mind (or don't think they know everything) and are constantly striving to learn more and more.0 -
BecomingBane wrote: »Yeah... contracts are often no bueno... I have a month to month trainer.
What facility do you work out in?
I built a home gym... higher upfront cost, lower maintenance cost and paid for itself in a year based on my previous gym fees. The trainer is the only really expense now.0 -
I've been seeing a personal trainer once a week for about two years, and for me it's been a huge help, first in losing weight, and now in maintenance and recomp. He's not cheap, but he's got a physical therapy background, which he applies to get me past roadblocks like old back injuries, no cartilege left in one shoulder, yadda, yadda, yadda. At 56 I'm fitter now than I've ever been, or ever thought I could be. So I'm about to sign up for an additional weekly session, because, well, you can't take it with you ...0
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I have in the past. If it's a good trainer they are very worth it. Let someone else do the thinking and programming for you. Get coaching cues on form and execution. But if they aren't any good, it's a complete waste of money
this.
I have a very good trainer. I also see a whole bunch of really bad trainers at the gym. Worth looking around and sometimes paying a little bit more is worth it. Other day I was watching a not-so-good trainer get a guy to do squats - his form was all off and they just kept adding weight. Perfect recipe for back pain.0 -
I would have never paid the money for a personal trainer until I was given a free session when I joined my gym. I always thought it was for professional athletes or stars. Not for someone like me, just a typical obese individual. BUT after my free session with her, my legs were killing me (in a good way). And it was the first time my legs were sore like that without the added knee pain. She watched as I did a squat and noticed my heels were going up so we did a different exercise. She modified a plank because I've got back issues and it was nice to be able to actually to a plank exercise for longer than 10 seconds. I will continue to see her because where I'm at right now, I need instruction. I want to do this healthy lifestyle for good and if I injure myself, I'm more likely to quit. So all in all, for me, it makes sense to pay for a PT because I'm new at this working out thing again and I'm obese. I can only speak for me and this is a new thing. I've only met with her once but I can't wait to meet with her again on Thursday.0
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