Personal trainer- Is it worth it?

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SisterSueGetsFit
SisterSueGetsFit Posts: 1,211 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm wondering if anybody has or had a personal trainer? I've got about 60 pounds to lose and I'm wondering if this would be beneficial. I'm thinking I'd like to lose another 20 on my own first, but I just don't know. I have about $200-$300 a month to spend if I choose to do this. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.
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Replies

  • Muscleflex79
    Muscleflex79 Posts: 1,917 Member
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    weight is lost in the kitchen...a personal trainer is for exercise....two very different things....
  • SisterSueGetsFit
    SisterSueGetsFit Posts: 1,211 Member
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    Muscleflex79 wrote: »
    weight is lost in the kitchen...a personal trainer is for exercise....two very different things....

    I understand this; I should've articulated myself better. I'm wondering if a personal trainer is going to substantially help me develop a healthy physique/body during my weight-loss process. I often hear people say that they've done very well lifting heavy, doing small or smaller amounts of cardio and eating healthy. My question is, combined with a low calorie diet and healthy eating is a personal trainer for Workout purposes worth it.

  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
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    I've posted this before but mine is invaluable to me

    He keeps me motivated, challenged and got me into fitness, strength and exercise

    He has nothing to do with my weight loss ...which is down to food intake, which I do myself...but my ability to commit, to keep committing and to become a different person from the fat, couch potato I had been for so long is partly down to him...and the fact that when i lost the 53lbs+ of blubber everything was tight, taut and strong underneath

    So yes mine is worth the investment ...a hundred fold...
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
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    He doesn't do it though...I do it ..I put the effort in ...on my own and with him ...he just helped me develop a deep enjoyment, and a behavioural addiction to it
  • SisterSueGetsFit
    SisterSueGetsFit Posts: 1,211 Member
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    @rabbitjb - thank you!
  • robs_ready
    robs_ready Posts: 1,488 Member
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    1. If you need a constant flow of motivation, lack the time to study nutrition and the different ways to achieve your goals, and/or lack the confidence to do so, yes.

    2. If you're a a self motivator, are happy to learn (Google) and want to practise and have the confidence to do so. No.

    It really comes down to the invididual, and cost element.
  • geoblewis
    geoblewis Posts: 44 Member
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    When one has a lot of weight to lose, cutting calories in general while trying to build muscle will work, as long as you're still eating enough protein. If you need more support, as long as the trainer is reputable and knows what she/he is doing, then go for it. Don't assume every trainer is good. Do your homework, ask for referrals, ask about their philosophy to make sure it aligns with yours.

    At some point, you will need to taper up your calories towards maintenance so you can continue to build muscle.
  • niniundlapin
    niniundlapin Posts: 327 Member
    edited January 2016
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    For me, it'll depend on the chosen workout routine to assist weight-loss. In my early stage when I just started, I did mainly cardio-intense exercise (mostly gym classes) and almost no weight training. I also did my own thing for nutrition plan (not really a plan but just loops of trial and failure) and was able to lose some by my own. But now looking back, I'd rather have someone who's supposedly more knowledgeable to guide me for a constructive method, not just for weight-loss but also fitness, so I could waste less time doing my own thing that didn't improve myself much. Now I do want to have more weight training but there's less chance for me to find a good personal trainer nearby because of geographic limitation. My suggestion is, get one when you have chance to and maybe this person can help more and make your weight-loss process smoother without injuries caused by "trying to figure things out by your own" (which is what I did to myself :p ).
  • SingingElvis
    SingingElvis Posts: 8 Member
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    I started using a personal trainer in November, and it's made a massive change to my attitude to food and exercise. I feel more committed to making better food choices and keeping to a calorie deficit, in fact joining MFP was his suggestion. I've started doing different classes at the gym, we do lots of weight training in our sessions and I wouldn't have thought this was something I'd enjoy but I love it. If you can afford it then I'd recommend it. My trainer offers sessions for two people for only £5 extra on the normal charge, which means you can cut the costs. And it means that my sister and I are both getting healthy.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,372 Member
    edited January 2016
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    If I could afford it, I'd do it in a heartbeat... I hate all that strength stuff but with a trainer it's more enjoyable (plus really, it's not like you have a choice anyway).

    The main issue is that 1) it's a lot of money that's really more useful elsewhere (for me), when you can get good results on your own as long as you put in the work.

    2) I imagine that once I stopped paying a trainer, I would still find the strength stuff too boring to continue on my own.

    But if I had a lot of money? Sure, why not. I just don't. The gym membership is expensive enough for me, and I'd rather put the money away for vacations or the kids' education than use it for something that, in the end, would be pure vanity, and that I realistically wouldn't keep up with when I stop anyway.
  • ilex70
    ilex70 Posts: 727 Member
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    If there is a good trainer available to you and you can afford it then totally worth it. If you can afford to see someone regularly then you can at least learn how to use the equipment, get a plan, and then have a later session to evaluate progress/adjust.

    I do understand about saving that for later though due to the expense. I haven't worked with a trainer in a very long time because of the cost. Like SingingElvis said some trainers will train 2 people at once to reduce the cost. Ages ago mine did half hours because I really didn't need someone to work with me on cardio warm up/cool down/stretching.

    Wish I could find someone to do that now...I'm not lacking motivation, I'm just older and have stuff going on w/my wrists and knees so that it would be really nice to have someone to spot or help me modify.
  • bellabonbons
    bellabonbons Posts: 705 Member
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    Weightlifting and cardio exercises are very healthy for your body .... you'll burn better and you will lose weight easier as it speeds up your metabolism. I've had two personal trainers and it was tremendous! A great help to know how to use the weights and exactly how much weight etc. I never diet unless I'm also going to the gym. The education I learned from working out with personal trainers will remain with me for the rest of my life plus it firms your body and helps you burn so much easier! Good luck it's well worth the investment.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,575 Member
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    For weight loss I don't think it's worth it. You do that on your own with your food. Add a bit of whatever cardio you like if you want to eat a bit more and for heart health. For weight training-it's absolutely worth it. I invested some money in a trainer to help me lift. I was broke for a quarter of a year but it was worth it. I've learned a technique I will have forever and it's changed my life.
  • Jozzmenia
    Jozzmenia Posts: 252 Member
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    I say worth it, but I never would have done a burpee, or jump squat, or any other crazy thing but for having a trainer and i work out harder when I'm getting yelled at lol
  • Carnhot
    Carnhot Posts: 367 Member
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    I agree with rabbit. I only see mine for 30 mins a week, but I practise the stuff he shows me during the week. It gives me variety and keeps me accountable.
  • kmash32
    kmash32 Posts: 275 Member
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    rabbitjb wrote: »
    He keeps me motivated, challenged and got me into fitness, strength and exercise

    He has nothing to do with my weight loss ...which is down to food intake, which I do myself...but my ability to commit, to keep committing and to become a different person from the fat, couch potato I had been for so long is partly down to him...and the fact that when i lost the 53lbs+ of blubber everything was tight, taut and strong underneath

    So yes mine is worth the investment ...a hundred fold...

    This^^

    I just started with mine two months ago and he has been invaluable at keeping me accountable and pushing me to try things I never would have done on my own. I use to sweat when I worked out on my own but not much, with him I come away drenched and really feel like I have pushed myself. It was definetly expensive but I gave decided this year is about me and getting me healthy.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,527 Member
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    As a trainer for almost 20 years, I can honestly say that most believed the time with me was conducive to their overall fitness and helped them to fix or learn correct exercise techniques. Nutrition and eating was secondary because I had no way to monitor them and verify it, so I left it up to them to be honest with themselves about CICO. Thing is many trainers are limited in their actual knowledge. Some are great at functional training, but know little about heavy lifting (compound) and vice versa. And some are great at cardio/circuit, but are limited in say balance or sports specific training.
    If you select a trainer, make sure they are knowledgeable in what you're specifically trying to do and get some references. Basically their clients should be their best advertisement. If you see a trainer with a mix of many clients, likely they are good with people. If you see a trainer with just fit clients, they may be just good with people who are already fit, but NOT good with people who are trying to lose a lot of weight and get fit (lack of patience or inefficient at modification).
    All in all find out as much info as you can about the trainer.

    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
    9285851.png
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,874 Member
    edited January 2016
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    It really depends on the individual and the trainer...as with any profession, there are good ones and bad ones. I work with a trainer and it is worth it to me...I only physically work with him about once per month in the gym, but he programs my workouts as per the specific goals that I have. He's also a USAC coach and I'm a cyclist and he has made me a much better one. He leads group rides most Sundays and I usually get in on those at no additional cost. It also helps that he will not hesitate to give me a ring and tell me I need to get my *kitten* to the gym if/when I start getting a little inconsistent with things. We're also really good friends and my wife and I frequently join him and his wife for dinner and whatnot...we're all going to Colombia together in May as he is coaching a bunch of USA BMX riders in the BMX World Championship in Medellin...it's going to rock.

    When I first started out it probably wouldn't have been all that worth it to me as I was already pretty familiar with the gym and lifting, etc and I'm pretty self motivated...I sought him out when I started having more specific fitness aspirations.



  • samthepanda
    samthepanda Posts: 569 Member
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    If u have the money then give a go. I had one I worked for about 18 months. I started as I wanted some advice after a shoulder injury and he was a sports injury specialist. We got on well and I then decided to have a concentrated push for the last 10lbs so we met twice a week. He advised on nutrition when I asked for it, we discussed goals and what I wanted from the sessions. I was okay with cardio but wanted help with strength and core. Once I reached my goal, I continued to work with him, but dropped to once a fortnight. I found it really helpful to session arranged and keep me getting to the gym when we had changes to the family and I was struggling physically and emotionally. He left a year ago, and I don't feel the need for it at the moment (and couldn't afford it!) but glad I did it then.
    Ask around for recommendations, and think about you goals and what you want from it - eg do you want to be pushed hard in your sessions, do you want programmes to do yourself between, do you want gym based or outdoor? What approach do you want? I've watch a lot in my gym and there a couple I know are good, but wouldn't work for me. Don't tie in to a long contract, have a trial first to make sure their approach works for you.
    Hope you find one that works for u.
  • Jozzmenia
    Jozzmenia Posts: 252 Member
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    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    It really depends on the individual and the trainer...as with any profession, there are good ones and bad ones.

    TRUE.
    Over the years I've probably had 10 trainers or so. Some are sort of lazier than others. Trainers aren't lazy, but I'd be wary of ones that schedule people in groups to save you money but you don't get the same attention. I've had trainers who talk on their phone or go do other things during the session, when I've used that time to cheat a little because I was exhausted and they weren't looking. I've had phenomenal trainers who yell at me, push me, motivate me, etc. For me that's the best. Don't go easy on me. I can do that on my own time. Depends on what you're looking for in the long run, but if you're not dripping with sweat exhausted at the end, I'm not sure you really need them, unless you're a super beginner...

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