Question for personal trainer or those who used one?
CeeBeeSlim
Posts: 1,255 Member
Happy Holidays, All. Would it be a waste of time and money to use the personal trainer I hired to use one of the Strong Curves programs to guide our sessions? I thought I could do it on my own but I know I’ve hurt myself in the past with either bad form, lifting too heavy, or something else. I’m still have lower back pain and struck how one inch of a movement can make all the difference to either injuring myself or not. I’d like to do SC again but would a trainer be “offended” that I would prefer to not have her construct a program of her own or should it even matter? Hope this is clear!
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Replies
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Key word is “personal”. So a good trainer should be happy to provide whatever service you want.
However, as long as you are paying, it would probably also be worthwhile to listen to any other advice or ideas the trainer had, if any.3 -
A gym instructor can show you how to perform the exercise correctly an hook you up with a program. A personal trainer id good but some charge a lot.0
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I don't think that would be a problem at all, but it's good to meet with a trainer first and discuss your goals and objectives to see if they would be a good fit and comfortable with it. Not all trainers are a good fit for all trainees, so it's good to see if you'll fit first.0
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At the consultation, you can ask if they'll guide you through SC. Most will, a few won't.. and for good reason - a good trainer can customize a program for you that may be superior to the mass-marketed programs, including SC.
Either way, since you're injury-prone, try to hunt around for a trainer with a degree in kinesiology or physical therapy, or certified with NASM-CES.
And of course, get your doctor's approval before lifting.
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I wouldn't advice it's worth the investment of time or money.
First, strong curves isn't the best of programs especially if you are paying for individualized programming from a trainer.
Those type of templates are okay if you plan to do-it-yourself and sorta happy with the results. Not everyone responds to these general group type programming the same.
Custom programming by a experienced trainer would be better in most of all cases. Especially if that trainer is not employed by a commercial gym who tend to follow senseless regurgitated schemes that were taught to receive a cert.
If you are going to invest substantially more money, I would want the best results possible. That might be programming that is similar to SC, but with better load management and exercise selection for you as a individual.
I'd also like to point out that bad form isn't the cause of injury. This is often misunderstood and unfortunately nocebo'd throughout the fitness and health communities by those less informed. Injuries are the result of improper load management. When someone runs programming that doesn't have auto regulation, it can increase the risk of injury. Movements barring trauma is not the problem, it's the load of the movement that your body hasn't adapted to yet.1 -
My trainer is $50 per session...no way in hell I'm paying that for them to just look at me and my form while running an off the shelf program. A good trainer is going to provide a far superior product than anything you can get off the shelf. Nothing wrong with those programs, but they are written broadly for the masses...a good trainer will provide a far superior plan.
Don't waste your money...if you get a trainer, let them train you. I doubt a good trainer would even entertain the idea of you giving them money while you're just running an off the shelf program.1 -
I'm a certified trainer. I wouldn't recommend paying a trainer just to check form unless it's a one-time thing. Also, many gyms have a policy about trainers working in their gyms, so unless the trainer is associated with the gym they probably wouldn't be allowed to train you there.
I'm not 100% aware of what Curves is but it seems like a self-guided circuit training gym. They are probably all machines, which are very easy to use and are typically the best for beginners who don't have a trainer because it's less likely that you will get injured from poor form.
If you are having pain using machines it could be simply tightness in the back (if you don't have a known injury) or it could be you need to train your core more to alleviate stress on the lower back. If I were to make a recommendation it would find a good trainer at a more traditional gym. It sounds like you may need some corrective training. A good trainer may be able to guide you in a program that could fix your back issues so that you can train without pain.0 -
I’m a member of a commercial gym tied into a 12 month contract and the trainers all work for the gym and are not what I would call proper strength coaches they do circuit type stuff with most of their clients and they isn’t what I want.
So if that’s the kind of set up you have then I would say it’s not a good use of your money. If I was starting out again I would join a specialist strength gym as their coaches are likely to be better.
I ran strong curves and wasn’t really a fan. I think it’s too faffy in terms of the exercises for complete novices. I personally world pick a programme that focuses on fewer lifts. There are plenth out there. As a newbie almost any programme will “work” for a while as long as it focuses on the main compound lifts and progressive overload.0 -
Thanks, Everyone. I’ll see what my trainer comes up with and skip having her guide me through Strong Curves. Our first sessions were spent on assessments and corrective movements foam rolling and stretching. Then the last one was spent on what she said she wanted to do with me in order to meet my goal of losing 15 lbs - an HIIT session. Whew, Lordy! 😩. I think I was hoping for ONLY strength training even if it wasn’t SC. 🙂0
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CeeBeeSlim wrote: »Thanks, Everyone. I’ll see what my trainer comes up with and skip having her guide me through Strong Curves. Our first sessions were spent on assessments and corrective movements foam rolling and stretching. Then the last one was spent on what she said she wanted to do with me in order to meet my goal of losing 15 lbs - an HIIT session. Whew, Lordy! 😩. I think I was hoping for ONLY strength training even if it wasn’t SC. 🙂
Well, some cardio is good for general health. Keeps heart and lungs healthy but card as a means to lose weight is not the greatest idea.
Also, HIIT is a pretty risky thing to do unless you are in reasonable shape and conditioned already. If not, HIIT can lead to injuries. No more than 2-3 HIIT sessions per week is advisable and that's assuming a decent level of fitness to start with.
Lifting 3-4 days a week with 20 minutes of light cardio is generally the best mode to lose weight when combined with proper protein intake. Lifting programming should be scaled for the level of experience the lifter has but otherwise it's the best method.0 -
liftingbro wrote: »I'm a certified trainer. I wouldn't recommend paying a trainer just to check form unless it's a one-time thing. Also, many gyms have a policy about trainers working in their gyms, so unless the trainer is associated with the gym they probably wouldn't be allowed to train you there.
I'm not 100% aware of what Curves is but it seems like a self-guided circuit training gym. They are probably all machines, which are very easy to use and are typically the best for beginners who don't have a trainer because it's less likely that you will get injured from poor form.
If you are having pain using machines it could be simply tightness in the back (if you don't have a known injury) or it could be you need to train your core more to alleviate stress on the lower back. If I were to make a recommendation it would find a good trainer at a more traditional gym. It sounds like you may need some corrective training. A good trainer may be able to guide you in a program that could fix your back issues so that you can train without pain.
The OP is talking about Strong Curves, not Curves. Strong Curves is a program developed by Bret Contreras who is a well known and respected fitness expert (20 or so years in the industry and a PhD in exercise science). Is it going to be perfect for everyone, of course not, but given the expertise of the person who developed it's better than most programs not specifically tailored to the individual.
If you're a trainer you may want to pick up Bret's new book Glute Lab. I got an Amazon gift card for Christmas and may pick it up.
https://www.amazon.com/Glute-Lab-Strength-Physique-Training-ebook/dp/B07X9F6RPZ/ref=pd_sim_351_1/130-5100323-2718159?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07X9F6RPZ&pd_rd_r=03b1a3fd-77b1-44f7-a945-590cd98b4c4f&pd_rd_w=VQwqG&pd_rd_wg=JKbye&pf_rd_p=04d27813-a1f2-4e7b-a32b-b5ab374ce3f9&pf_rd_r=55AQ823K306HWK7QD53X&psc=1&refRID=55AQ823K306HWK7QD53X
Curves is a franchised female only exercise studio that uses a circuit of resistance machines, I believe with some sort of pre-programmed cuing telling when people should move to the next station. I'm thinking there are some still out there but all of them in our areas closed years ago.
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Theoldguy1 wrote: »liftingbro wrote: »I'm a certified trainer. I wouldn't recommend paying a trainer just to check form unless it's a one-time thing. Also, many gyms have a policy about trainers working in their gyms, so unless the trainer is associated with the gym they probably wouldn't be allowed to train you there.
I'm not 100% aware of what Curves is but it seems like a self-guided circuit training gym. They are probably all machines, which are very easy to use and are typically the best for beginners who don't have a trainer because it's less likely that you will get injured from poor form.
If you are having pain using machines it could be simply tightness in the back (if you don't have a known injury) or it could be you need to train your core more to alleviate stress on the lower back. If I were to make a recommendation it would find a good trainer at a more traditional gym. It sounds like you may need some corrective training. A good trainer may be able to guide you in a program that could fix your back issues so that you can train without pain.
The OP is talking about Strong Curves, not Curves. Strong Curves is a program developed by Bret Contreras who is a well known and respected fitness expert (20 or so years in the industry and a PhD in exercise science). Is it going to be perfect for everyone, of course not, but given the expertise of the person who developed it's better than most programs not specifically tailored to the individual.
If you're a trainer you may want to pick up Bret's new book Glute Lab. I got an Amazon gift card for Christmas and may pick it up.
https://www.amazon.com/Glute-Lab-Strength-Physique-Training-ebook/dp/B07X9F6RPZ/ref=pd_sim_351_1/130-5100323-2718159?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07X9F6RPZ&pd_rd_r=03b1a3fd-77b1-44f7-a945-590cd98b4c4f&pd_rd_w=VQwqG&pd_rd_wg=JKbye&pf_rd_p=04d27813-a1f2-4e7b-a32b-b5ab374ce3f9&pf_rd_r=55AQ823K306HWK7QD53X&psc=1&refRID=55AQ823K306HWK7QD53X
Curves is a franchised female only exercise studio that uses a circuit of resistance machines, I believe with some sort of pre-programmed cuing telling when people should move to the next station. I'm thinking there are some still out there but all of them in our areas closed years ago.
holy crap - $30 for the kindle version of that book...0 -
deannalfisher wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »liftingbro wrote: »I'm a certified trainer. I wouldn't recommend paying a trainer just to check form unless it's a one-time thing. Also, many gyms have a policy about trainers working in their gyms, so unless the trainer is associated with the gym they probably wouldn't be allowed to train you there.
I'm not 100% aware of what Curves is but it seems like a self-guided circuit training gym. They are probably all machines, which are very easy to use and are typically the best for beginners who don't have a trainer because it's less likely that you will get injured from poor form.
If you are having pain using machines it could be simply tightness in the back (if you don't have a known injury) or it could be you need to train your core more to alleviate stress on the lower back. If I were to make a recommendation it would find a good trainer at a more traditional gym. It sounds like you may need some corrective training. A good trainer may be able to guide you in a program that could fix your back issues so that you can train without pain.
The OP is talking about Strong Curves, not Curves. Strong Curves is a program developed by Bret Contreras who is a well known and respected fitness expert (20 or so years in the industry and a PhD in exercise science). Is it going to be perfect for everyone, of course not, but given the expertise of the person who developed it's better than most programs not specifically tailored to the individual.
If you're a trainer you may want to pick up Bret's new book Glute Lab. I got an Amazon gift card for Christmas and may pick it up.
https://www.amazon.com/Glute-Lab-Strength-Physique-Training-ebook/dp/B07X9F6RPZ/ref=pd_sim_351_1/130-5100323-2718159?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07X9F6RPZ&pd_rd_r=03b1a3fd-77b1-44f7-a945-590cd98b4c4f&pd_rd_w=VQwqG&pd_rd_wg=JKbye&pf_rd_p=04d27813-a1f2-4e7b-a32b-b5ab374ce3f9&pf_rd_r=55AQ823K306HWK7QD53X&psc=1&refRID=55AQ823K306HWK7QD53X
Curves is a franchised female only exercise studio that uses a circuit of resistance machines, I believe with some sort of pre-programmed cuing telling when people should move to the next station. I'm thinking there are some still out there but all of them in our areas closed years ago.
holy crap - $30 for the kindle version of that book...
The hardcover is only $35. It's over 600 pages.0 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »liftingbro wrote: »I'm a certified trainer. I wouldn't recommend paying a trainer just to check form unless it's a one-time thing. Also, many gyms have a policy about trainers working in their gyms, so unless the trainer is associated with the gym they probably wouldn't be allowed to train you there.
I'm not 100% aware of what Curves is but it seems like a self-guided circuit training gym. They are probably all machines, which are very easy to use and are typically the best for beginners who don't have a trainer because it's less likely that you will get injured from poor form.
If you are having pain using machines it could be simply tightness in the back (if you don't have a known injury) or it could be you need to train your core more to alleviate stress on the lower back. If I were to make a recommendation it would find a good trainer at a more traditional gym. It sounds like you may need some corrective training. A good trainer may be able to guide you in a program that could fix your back issues so that you can train without pain.
The OP is talking about Strong Curves, not Curves. Strong Curves is a program developed by Bret Contreras who is a well known and respected fitness expert (20 or so years in the industry and a PhD in exercise science). Is it going to be perfect for everyone, of course not, but given the expertise of the person who developed it's better than most programs not specifically tailored to the individual.
If you're a trainer you may want to pick up Bret's new book Glute Lab. I got an Amazon gift card for Christmas and may pick it up.
https://www.amazon.com/Glute-Lab-Strength-Physique-Training-ebook/dp/B07X9F6RPZ/ref=pd_sim_351_1/130-5100323-2718159?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07X9F6RPZ&pd_rd_r=03b1a3fd-77b1-44f7-a945-590cd98b4c4f&pd_rd_w=VQwqG&pd_rd_wg=JKbye&pf_rd_p=04d27813-a1f2-4e7b-a32b-b5ab374ce3f9&pf_rd_r=55AQ823K306HWK7QD53X&psc=1&refRID=55AQ823K306HWK7QD53X
Curves is a franchised female only exercise studio that uses a circuit of resistance machines, I believe with some sort of pre-programmed cuing telling when people should move to the next station. I'm thinking there are some still out there but all of them in our areas closed years ago.
holy crap - $30 for the kindle version of that book...
The hardcover is only $35. It's over 600 pages.
i would pay that for a hardcover, but not a kindle - which in my experience many workout books aren't optimized for when it comes to diagrams, links etc...0 -
deannalfisher wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »liftingbro wrote: »I'm a certified trainer. I wouldn't recommend paying a trainer just to check form unless it's a one-time thing. Also, many gyms have a policy about trainers working in their gyms, so unless the trainer is associated with the gym they probably wouldn't be allowed to train you there.
I'm not 100% aware of what Curves is but it seems like a self-guided circuit training gym. They are probably all machines, which are very easy to use and are typically the best for beginners who don't have a trainer because it's less likely that you will get injured from poor form.
If you are having pain using machines it could be simply tightness in the back (if you don't have a known injury) or it could be you need to train your core more to alleviate stress on the lower back. If I were to make a recommendation it would find a good trainer at a more traditional gym. It sounds like you may need some corrective training. A good trainer may be able to guide you in a program that could fix your back issues so that you can train without pain.
The OP is talking about Strong Curves, not Curves. Strong Curves is a program developed by Bret Contreras who is a well known and respected fitness expert (20 or so years in the industry and a PhD in exercise science). Is it going to be perfect for everyone, of course not, but given the expertise of the person who developed it's better than most programs not specifically tailored to the individual.
If you're a trainer you may want to pick up Bret's new book Glute Lab. I got an Amazon gift card for Christmas and may pick it up.
https://www.amazon.com/Glute-Lab-Strength-Physique-Training-ebook/dp/B07X9F6RPZ/ref=pd_sim_351_1/130-5100323-2718159?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07X9F6RPZ&pd_rd_r=03b1a3fd-77b1-44f7-a945-590cd98b4c4f&pd_rd_w=VQwqG&pd_rd_wg=JKbye&pf_rd_p=04d27813-a1f2-4e7b-a32b-b5ab374ce3f9&pf_rd_r=55AQ823K306HWK7QD53X&psc=1&refRID=55AQ823K306HWK7QD53X
Curves is a franchised female only exercise studio that uses a circuit of resistance machines, I believe with some sort of pre-programmed cuing telling when people should move to the next station. I'm thinking there are some still out there but all of them in our areas closed years ago.
holy crap - $30 for the kindle version of that book...
The hardcover is only $35. It's over 600 pages.
i would pay that for a hardcover, but not a kindle - which in my experience many workout books aren't optimized for when it comes to diagrams, links etc...
That's been my experience also. I bought Gray Gooks Functional Movement System as Kindle but it was $9.99 as a Kindle vs 49.99 as a paperback. It's not bad, but as you mention some of the non-text stuff doesn't come though like it would with a traditional book.
The $5 up-charge on Glute Lab seemed like a deal.0 -
@liftingbro - thanks. In my gut I felt the HIIT sessions (or at least THAT session) were not for me. I’m not sure why I’m so tentative but I can just ask her to develop a strength training program, no? In my research HIIT was described as a mixture of strength and cardio so I thought the session made sense - but it wouldn’t leave me looking forward to our sessions.
My articulated goal to her was to lose 10-15 pounds. Look more toned. She did mention this would be more about my diet, but went straight to HIIT (jump box squats, battle ropes, shadow boxing with weights, mountain climbers, jump squats in a line).
@swierzbik1 - do tell! Why?
@Theoldguy1. Correct. I’m talking about the Bret C program.
@cupcakesandproteinshakes - that makes sense.
So would the consensus be that I’ll watch my diet, get my protein in, have her customize a progressive strength training program for me and I can do the light cardio (not HIIT) on my own?1 -
A gym instructor can show you how to perform the exercise correctly an hook you up with a program. A personal trainer id good but some charge a lot.
A gym instructor's knowledge is pretty much a crap shoot. Could be decent or have as much knowledge on the subject as a wrench.
Same with personal trainers. Certification from one of the big 5 certification programs is just an entry, base level of knowledge. Doesn't make one right for you.0 -
"Then the last one was spent on what she said she wanted to do with me in order to meet my goal of losing 15 lbs - an HIIT session."
Facepalm!!
Suggest you try running - running away from this PT.0 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »liftingbro wrote: »I'm a certified trainer. I wouldn't recommend paying a trainer just to check form unless it's a one-time thing. Also, many gyms have a policy about trainers working in their gyms, so unless the trainer is associated with the gym they probably wouldn't be allowed to train you there.
I'm not 100% aware of what Curves is but it seems like a self-guided circuit training gym. They are probably all machines, which are very easy to use and are typically the best for beginners who don't have a trainer because it's less likely that you will get injured from poor form.
If you are having pain using machines it could be simply tightness in the back (if you don't have a known injury) or it could be you need to train your core more to alleviate stress on the lower back. If I were to make a recommendation it would find a good trainer at a more traditional gym. It sounds like you may need some corrective training. A good trainer may be able to guide you in a program that could fix your back issues so that you can train without pain.
The OP is talking about Strong Curves, not Curves. Strong Curves is a program developed by Bret Contreras who is a well known and respected fitness expert (20 or so years in the industry and a PhD in exercise science). Is it going to be perfect for everyone, of course not, but given the expertise of the person who developed it's better than most programs not specifically tailored to the individual.
If you're a trainer you may want to pick up Bret's new book Glute Lab. I got an Amazon gift card for Christmas and may pick it up.
https://www.amazon.com/Glute-Lab-Strength-Physique-Training-ebook/dp/B07X9F6RPZ/ref=pd_sim_351_1/130-5100323-2718159?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07X9F6RPZ&pd_rd_r=03b1a3fd-77b1-44f7-a945-590cd98b4c4f&pd_rd_w=VQwqG&pd_rd_wg=JKbye&pf_rd_p=04d27813-a1f2-4e7b-a32b-b5ab374ce3f9&pf_rd_r=55AQ823K306HWK7QD53X&psc=1&refRID=55AQ823K306HWK7QD53X
Curves is a franchised female only exercise studio that uses a circuit of resistance machines, I believe with some sort of pre-programmed cuing telling when people should move to the next station. I'm thinking there are some still out there but all of them in our areas closed years ago.
There are a ton of fitness experts selling books these days. Pretty hard to keep up with all of them, particularly when most of them are just rehashing stuff others did.
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