Personal trainer experiences?

I have been working with a trainer for over two years. I started with one trainer and then switched to another as my goals shifted. I can honestly say that I would not be anywhere near where I am now. I meet with her 2x week. I have had several injuries (none from the gym) in the last two years. She has been able to keep the training me while allowing the injured areas to heal. In the last year I have doubled my deadlifts, and back squat.

I would have probably backed down on training with a couple of the injuries, but a good trainer is worth the money and able to work around any limitation you might have or develop. BUT make sure you get a good one. Certified and has additional education.

a *good* trainer is worth their weight in gold.

ninerbuff wrote: »

A good trainer WILL help you get results one may have thought improbable. One goal I try to achieve with anyone is pullups.

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

That's interesting that you set that goal for your clients as i do the same, just not with pullups.

I get my clients to do some simple gymnastics moves. Like handstands, cartwheels, back walk overs, bridges, wall-walks, the splits, and some simple bar movements like skin the cats and pull overs. A lot of them don't seem interested in performing these things at first, but as they progress with me in both strength and flexibility, they generally love being able to "see their body do things they never imagined possible" or "this move should be impossible for someone my age", etc.

To the OP, a trainer who is skilled, passionate, and knowledgeable can be a great asset. I may be biased since it's my profession, but i know that i personally work my best when i have someone pushing me or watching me/there to help me if i fail.

It sounds like you had a free session at your gym where they pitch you their training services. I just want to say if it's a corporate gym i highly advise against you signing a long-term contract and also advise against just letting the gym pick any trainer for you. You really need to find someone you mesh well with, who you believe can help you acheive your goals, and some times (we ARE people) you just will not have that "click" with your trainer. In a case like this i'd prefer to be able to fire that trainer or work with someone else or take my business elsewhere.

It's also important to note that a lot of these corporate gym settings will use high pressure sales techniques to get you to sign up. They don't care about you, your goals, your happiness with your assigned trainer, etc. they just want to lock you into a contract. AND they generally pay trainers less than half of the price you are paying per session. For example, at LA fitness i know they charge 75$ per 30 minute session and the trainers make 12-14$ an HOUR.

take your time to decide and find someone who you trust. good luck!

I started working out alone and then moved to a personal trainer after about 6 months. I was assigned a female trainer at first from LA Fitness and we really didn't 'click'. She just kinda followed me around while I used machines. My second trainer was a body builder and he really helped me and my husband learn the basic movements of deadlift/squat/etc... to get stronger, but it just wasn't the right format for me. My husband stayed with the trainer longer because that worked for him.

I've learned that I do better with a group bootcamp style instruction. This way their focus isn't completely on me (it just makes me nervous), but I'm still getting the small group attention and structured workouts I really need.

This is just what happens to work for me. Try out the trainer for a few more sessions and if you like it, stick with it. No doubt they will help you achieve your goals!

I am very happy with my trainer. First we work on my frozen shoulder then we go into other things that I need. I started lifting and I love kettlebell. So first we started with light or no weights, just to get the technique right.
4 weeks into it, the mobility of my shoulder increased dramatically, my form is getting better etc.
I agree, a good trainer is worth a lot, he also showed me exercises I have never heard of and they work wonders for me.

I loved my first personal trainer; she totally "got" me and understood where I was at and wanted to be. I also really respect that she was more focused on proper form and opened up my eyes to a lot of workout routines. I also credit a PR on a 15k to her.

The second was very much the "the more weight the better" which doesn't suit for my knees and lunges. I would have switched around but my contract was up and I needed to save the cash for wedding planning.

It's definitely worth it: just be sure to communicate and find the one that works with you.

My trainer is amazing, he has helped me go further than I ever really thought I could. Originally the goal was weight loss, he helped me with my diet and we started a good workout plan. Once I got closer to my goal weight, we switched to fitness goals. He has always been very motivational for me and he kept me from getting bored in the gym. 6+ years later, he is still helping me. (although he moved out of town, so it is now more on-line training ) We re-evaluate the goals every now and then and come up with plans. It wasn't cheap, but the best money I ever spent.

I've had couple of great ones, plus a couple of rubbish ones. ( who didn't last long.). Ranging from £25-40 hour. If you get chance find out a bit more about them and what others think, plus see if you can watch them work. Also see what their payment policies are. ( my previous gym gave discount if you paid by direct debit, which was fine until he walked out. You had to give a months notice from first of month so ended up signing with another guy whether I wanted to or not).

In my experience they range from downright dangerous through to harmless enough but not particularly useful right through to worth their weight in gold.

Look at qualifications, plus a proven track record in whatever it is you're trying to achieve. Recommendations from people with similar goals/mindsets are fantastic.

I'm working with a strength and conditioning coach that is absolutely invaluable. I do one session with him to teach me anything I don't know and look at form and get a 5-7 week program to do on my own. It works well for me but others might need more one-on-one time. I don't lack in motivation for training either - sometimes all you're really paying for is someone to motivate you.

rainbowbow wrote: »

ninerbuff wrote: »

A good trainer WILL help you get results one may have thought improbable. One goal I try to achieve with anyone is pullups.

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

That's interesting that you set that goal for your clients as i do the same, just not with pullups.

I get my clients to do some simple gymnastics moves. Like handstands, cartwheels, back walk overs, bridges, wall-walks, the splits, and some simple bar movements like skin the cats and pull overs. A lot of them don't seem interested in performing these things at first, but as they progress with me in both strength and flexibility, they generally love being able to "see their body do things they never imagined possible" or "this move should be impossible for someone my age", etc.

To the OP, a trainer who is skilled, passionate, and knowledgeable can be a great asset. I may be biased since it's my profession, but i know that i personally work my best when i have someone pushing me or watching me/there to help me if i fail.

It sounds like you had a free session at your gym where they pitch you their training services. I just want to say if it's a corporate gym i highly advise against you signing a long-term contract and also advise against just letting the gym pick any trainer for you. You really need to find someone you mesh well with, who you believe can help you acheive your goals, and some times (we ARE people) you just will not have that "click" with your trainer. In a case like this i'd prefer to be able to fire that trainer or work with someone else or take my business elsewhere.

It's also important to note that a lot of these corporate gym settings will use high pressure sales techniques to get you to sign up. They don't care about you, your goals, your happiness with your assigned trainer, etc. they just want to lock you into a contract. AND they generally pay trainers less than half of the price you are paying per session. For example, at LA fitness i know they charge 75$ per 30 minute session and the trainers make 12-14$ an HOUR.

take your time to decide and find someone who you trust. good luck!

Agreed. Great post.