Your experience using a PT or wellness coach?

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What has been your experience when finding a personal trainer or wellness coach? Has it been easy to find someone? I'm in the process of looking for a trainer and wondering if there are any systems that connect you with a trainer. Bit confused on who to go with and don't want to spend too much! Thanks

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  • Erik8484
    Erik8484 Posts: 458 Member
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    I found a pt at my local gym. I asked the pt that looked like i wanted to look. That's definitely not the best way to go about things, but it worked really well for me
  • smileymaxine
    smileymaxine Posts: 275 Member
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    I got my pt through my gym as sessions are included in membership tried one before the one I've stuck with , best to find one who knows what they are doing not just look great, look at the education and ask them questions or your local gym questions. Some spout the same workout for everyone and tell a bunch of crap, you want someone who will work with your individual needs.
    I would say it's really worth the money at least with my gym you can buy blocks of like 3/5/10 sessions at reduced rate and can pick between trainers
    Maybe see if you could get a group rate trainer if you have a friend also wanting to train, less individual attention but saves about 50%
  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
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    I first sought the input of my family doc, primarily because his Bachelor's degree is in exercise physiology. He recommended a particular local gym that has a special focus on helping people with chronic or degenerative illnesses such as MS, fibromyalgia, etc (I have arthritis in my back). From there I talked to people I know that go there as well as with a couple of the trainers who work there. Based on the recommendations of the actual users I have one particular trainer in mind at that location; I have yet to sign up only because I'm still on restriction after surgery but the plan is to do so as soon as I'm cleared by my doctor. I'm looking forward to it!
  • Lesley2603
    Lesley2603 Posts: 119 Member
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    I got my pt through my gym, the gym assigned me to him as I have some joint issues and that is what he specialises in. We have been working together for seven months and it has been a great relationship. I am really enjoying training with him.
  • VASMA63
    VASMA63 Posts: 19 Member
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    You can find referrals for trainers and coaches in your area by looking at certifying body websites (NASM, ACE, RRCA, ISSA, etc.) This is a good place to find out what their certification is, what if anything they specialize in, hours/schedule, and if they're accepting new clients.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,209 Member
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    raazi_au wrote: »
    What has been your experience when finding a personal trainer or wellness coach?

    Why are you considering hiring one? Wellness coaches are primarily for motivation. For strength training help, you'd want a trainer.. preferably an above average one. If you need dietary help, a registered dietician is best, not a trainer or coach, unless they have nutritional credentials, which is rare.

    Where are you? Australia?
  • DreesPerformanceTraining
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    I've never hired, but can offer advice from a professional standpoint. I would do an online search for "personal trainers in <your city>" - or something similar. This way you can read reviews of the gym/trainer and find one that fits your needs. I would avoid trainers from large commercials gyms. There are some good ones, but generally, these are places where trainers go when they are just starting out. The good ones often leave after 1-3 years to make more money elsewhere.
  • thefuzz1290
    thefuzz1290 Posts: 777 Member
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    I hired a trainer back when I was 18 and had no clue what to do in the gym. I was humbled enough with being fat and weak that I hired a 110lb female trainer (she was competing to get her pro card it the fitness category). I only had enough money for 5 sessions, but she taught me a lot. That being said, I'd look for a trainer that competes (or has competed) in something. Avoid most of the big box gym trainers (ie. professional rep counters), because they'll just give you the same workout they gave the person before you and stand by and count reps while you move from machine to machine.