To hire a personal trainer or not?

What is you're experience with exercise? Do you feel you're knowledgeable on form and execution?

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

I hired a trainer to help me maintain my lean muscle and strengthen what I did have while I was losing a considerable amount of weight. I was already faithful to do my cardio, but much less likely to *choose* to do weights without accountability. I am positive I worked out far more, and better, than I would have on my own, and I'm very happy with the results. It was very expensive, though, and I've dropped back to once per week (was twice). Things are moving along much more slowly now, and I have to be much more disciplined to get into the gym to work on my own. Anyway, yes, I'd say that if you need a push, or advice on how to make the most of your workouts, and you have the extra cash--it is *well* worth the investment if you can find someone who works well with you. (I've had three trainers--two have been fabulous and one not a good fit, so I changed.)

I've had two experiences with trainers, one good one not so good. The first time I walked into a gym because of a promotion that was running and was assigned to work with someone. After an hour, every part of my body hurt except my ears and pinky toes. I told the trainer before hand I had NO previous exercise experience (including walking in the evenings), he obviously didn't listen because he gave me exerces that were far beyond my capabilities. I felt like he gave me a workout that he would do, not that was best for me. It took my body over a week to recover. I never went back to him or that gym. In fact, it took me six years to try exercising again. This time before hiring a trainer I did my research, I asked for referrals, I checked their credentials, and I interviewed them before starting to make sure we were on the same page as far as goals were concerned. The results...complete success! I have been with my trainer now for 6 months. I have muscles where I never thought I would ever have muscle. He never babies me, but he is always encouraging. I am sore after a workout, but a good sore that my body easily recovers from. As a result, I am now training for a 1/2 marathon, something I NEVER thought possible. I could not have done this on my own. I have tried exercising by myself several times only to give up, now I have some accountability. Yes, it is expensive...but it is the best money I've ever spent. Good luck, it is a tough decision, one only you can make.