PT's worth it?

IzzieDizzie93 · May 27

I am trying to transition from lifting weights at home to going to a Gym and start lifting heavier weights, due to anxiety the idea of 5ft little me walking over to the weights and lifting is scary haha.

So I've decided that I'll look into getting a PT initially to allow me to gain more confidence to go to the gym. It would start off as once a week but maybe progress to a bit more in the future.

Are PTs worth it? And does it really matter if it's a male or female?

nossmf · May 27

Male or female is strictly a comfort thing, both are equally suited to the task.

PT's are still around because they fill a very important role in the fitness community, both in helping acquaint people with how to exercise as well as cheerleading them through it.

The question comes down to how long do you want to retain the services of a PT. Some gyms offer a complimentary orientation session, and that may be all you need. Or you may want to have a guide for your first few weeks until you gain confidence in yourself, or you may never want the PT challenging to end.

AnnPT77 · May 28

In addition to Tom's very sensible comments, I'd observe that there are good PTs and very not-good PTs, and everything in between.

Credentials can be part of figuring that out, so can length of experience, reviews from clients (real ones!), and more.

Very loosely, the so-called PTs at discount gyms tend to be poorly trained/experienced, and the good PTs practice elsewhere (higher-end/reputable gyms, private practice, etc.). But individual PTs may not be in line with that generality, on either side of the goodness scale.

Sure, take a free session if your gym offers them, but refuse to do anything that truly seems scary.

Obviously, you want a trainer who's knowledgeable about whatever you want. If you're motivated to become a runner, probably don't hire a trainer whose focus is bodybuilding, or vice-versa. (General fitness goals are fine, but you still probably want someone with that kind of perspective.)

Generally, ask your friends if they know good trainers, look at bios of trainers you're considering, look at online reviews, interview potential candidates, maybe pay for a one-session trial, and that sort of thing. You want them to be knowledgeable and effective obviously, but it's also very important to find someone who listens to your goals (maybe has intelligent comments if they disagree with some aspect but generally supports you in what YOU want). Some trainers' personalities and communication style may click with you and be motivating, while others don't. Those interpersonal aspects are also important.

Example: I interviewed a trainer who had a good rep among high-athletic-achievement friends. He was very strong - overbearing, even - on the idea that I should follow a paleo diet. I've been vegetarian for now 50 years, and prefer that. I didn't hire him. He may've been great on the technical side, but he was (frankly) an overbearing jerk, among other interpersonal issues. Big no.

(I didn't hire a trainer at all. I've relied on coaches in my sport, and qualified people teaching classes specifically about skills I wanted to learn. That's worked for me. But trainers can be great, based on some friends' experiences.)

springlering62 · May 28

I’ve had several trainers.

When I was obese, I had a couple trainers at Workout Anytime and a couple at LA Fitness. Lowest possible denominator. They’d let me whine and complain and get out of stuff. Or they’d have obese me, in July, in the Deep South, out on black asphalt with a barbell and weights on my back doing things that were patently unsafe for my skill (and health!) level. Or, have me do excessive numbers of sit-ups (over 100), inform me afterwards I was doing them poorly, and never show me the correct form.

I’m going out on a limb here because I know there’s some fine trainers around MFP, but I’ve had the best experience with the two female trainers I’ve had. I just relate better with them on a personal level, and also when I have to say stuff like “ya know this particular effort is causing me some leakage” The only time I ever said that to a male trainer I had to explain about babies and urinary incontinence. I was mortified but not half as much as he was. He turned beet red.

Neither female trainer would let me crap out. They challenge me. They encourage me. They never made me feel like I was “less than” or that they were doing me a favor deigning to work with my fat *kitten*- the very distinct vibe I got from the WA and LA fitness trainers.

Shop trainers. Test drive them like you would a car. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. You don’t have to commit to anyone. But be honest. Tell them if you’re a whiner, what you’ll respond to, what your goals are.

I had one trainer, by the time I was in better shape, after my first female trainer retired, whom I specifically asked to challenge me and not treat like his grandma. Which is exactly what he did. He made it one session.

Is PT worth it? OMG yes! If you put yourself into it, and treat it as something you look forward to, and not a punishment to get through. That also falls on the trainer, equally.

slade51 · June 2

Interview trainers to see if there’s a fit for what you’re looking for. “Hire slow, fire fast”.
Do you need basic instruction to show correct form? A workout plan fitted to you? A cheerleader or drill sergeant to push you during the workout?

Sadly a lot of gyms will only let you use their in-house trainers, and the ones in my HOA’s fitness center are Pilates instructors filling in clients between classes 😞. Since they charge by the half hour they’ll gladly let you complain, procrastinate, or discuss vacation plans & grandchildren.

I found a good online coach to tweak my program, discuss goals then check progress once a week. I don’t need a cheerleader during my workout - I use AirPods to tune everyone out.

The comments above are all good advice. Good luck.

Retroguy2000 · June 2

IMO, no. Speaking just for myself, it's easy to find good channels on YT for form guides (e.g. ex-pro bodybuilder Jonni Shreve is my favorite for this), and personally I'm not intimated nor do I think others need to be. I mean I understand why they might feel that way, I'm just saying that people at the gyms are a) focused on their own thing, b) supportive of beginners joining the hobby, Another reason for needing one is for accountability and cheerleading, which again is something I don't need.

So I understand why it might be helpful or necessary for someone else, especially for a short time when starting out. But for myself, no. In other words, whether it's worth it or not, and for how long, is entirely personal.

Hobartlemagne · June 4

Trainers are great from learning the correct way to lift weights, and getting diet advice.
I worked with a couple different ones for maybe 5yrs or so.
They're great for motivating you.
On the other hand- Im suspicious of their incentives. I dont like wasting time doing mobility stuff during a session, which is a popular activity among some trainers.

2zzgj9dj6m · June 7

I started with a trainer. I didn’t stop until after a year and I could write my own workouts. My trainer did look over my workouts and said I was good to go. It really helped to build my confidence and to lift weights correctly.

Gsdluv6 · June 7

Trainers can be helpful but it’s so individualized as to who works the best with u , ur goals , personalities etc etc. good luck!

PT's worth it?

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