Are coaches/trainers worth the expense?

Depends on the coach/ trainer. Some are more than worth it. Most are not.

Having a trainer got this exercise-hating couch potato into the HABIT of regular exercise and loving it. I worked with him for 2.5 years, also losing 150 lb, until he closed his studio and I'm still working out & maintaining weight 1.5 years later. Some people need only a few sessions and others need longer term structure /consistency.

I find personal coaches to be expensive. Finding a class through a Rec Centre or something might be a good first step. I do a group class once a week that is aimed at people who are over weight and/or have physical limitations. This class costs around $60 for 8 sessions. I have been going for over a year and there is our regular group of people and some people who join but end up leaving. I love going and seeing the regulars and working out with everyone.

Also, maybe getting a fitness app might be a good way to test the waters? If cardio is your thing there is Couch to 5K, or if you are more into weights I personally like Stronglift 5X5!

I work with a personal trainer 5 days a week and for me it's more than worth the money. She knows exactly how to push my buttons to make me work to my limits (which are a lot higher than I normally think they are). She tailors the sessions to whatever my goal is at the time, so when I was marathon training we worked on various aspects of running and now I'm running shorter distances she's ramped up the cardio, pylometrics and strength. I pretty much hate her at the end of every half hour (and every class as I also go to her classes) but I know that I wouldn't be able to do half of what I do if I worked on my own.

For me, it’s totally worth the money. I have worked with my trainer for 2.5 years, we have session once every two weeks and usually a short more intense period of weekly sessions after Christmas and summer holidays, just to get back on track. The two-week interval is great for me, since if I had a bad two weeks he’ll snap me out of my flunk and back to track, and if it has been a good two weeks we get to do new, more intense things and actually progress.

I do think the key is choosing the right trainer for you, and checking their credentials. I have had serious issues with my back, so I chose a trainer who is also a trained physical therapist. On top of that, he’s nice and we get along - I actually like training with him, and it’s super important. I wouldn’t be motivated by someone screaming at me, so a trainer with that training style would not work for me.

If I was just starting out but unsure of whether I want a trainer or can afford a long-term training relationship, I’d still get around 5 sessions: a few in a relatively intense period of time to get to know the machines, the exercises and get a training program, and then a couple of ”check-ups” later to see where you’re at, check your form, make changes to your program etc. I think this is extra important if you have some specific issues, like a knee or back problem. They can help you work around that, make sure you don’t injure yourself and choose the right exercises to help with those issues. Seriously, it took me a good two years to fix my muscle balance and flexibility enough for me to do a proper lunge, and all my dresses became loose around the chest/shoulder area in just a few months, just because we straightened up my posture and got rid of a *kitten* ton of tension in my pecs. I considered myself generally healthy and well-functioning (apart from the previous back issues) before we started working together.

Best money I ever spent! Definitely ask around for recommendations. I waited until a friend said she had a trainer that had helped her fix her posture.