Personal trainer or not...
iRebel
Posts: 378 Member
That is the question.
Are you more likely to meet your goals with one? Worth the $$$?
Are you more likely to meet your goals with one? Worth the $$$?
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Replies
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Being a former Personal trainer, here is what I have found with clients. The most successful ones were the ones that actually listened & followed the diet & exercise program I had set up for them. I had clients that I met with once per week & they thought that was enough, not taking the initiative to workout on their own the rest of week & couldn't understand why they were not losing any weight. Truthfully, if you feel you can follow the program & are new to working out then I feel yes they are worth it. There has been a lot of times that I have recommended to clients to sign up for fitness classes instead of paying me because I felt they would have more commitment by signing up for a class. Hope this helps!0
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Worth the $$$ if you have a lot of it.0
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thanks! I would love to have a PT... what are the rates like?0
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In my opinion, personal trainers are for those people who have no clue about exercising, are lazy, and/or lack motivation to get fit and healthy. People who don't know what their goals are, who don't want to spend time learning on their own by reading free books (library), free articles written by fitness experts and free fitness programs available online.
However, personal trainers can some times help professional athletes, power-lifters, or others training for a competition by taking their bodies to the next level of supreme fitness.0 -
In my opinion, personal trainers are for those people who have no clue about exercising, are lazy, and/or lack motivation to get fit and healthy. People who don't know what their goals are, who don't want to spend time learning on their own by reading free books (library), free articles written by fitness experts and free fitness programs available online.
However, personal trainers can some times help professional athletes, power-lifters, or others training for a competition by taking their bodies to the next level of supreme fitness.
Well, I think that they can help you find out what your true limits are, eh? I see watcha sayin, tho
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In my opinion, personal trainers are for those people who have no clue about exercising, are lazy, and/or lack motivation to get fit and healthy. People who don't know what their goals are, who don't want to spend time learning on their own by reading free books (library), free articles written by fitness experts and free fitness programs available online.
However, personal trainers can some times help professional athletes, power-lifters, or others training for a competition by taking their bodies to the next level of supreme fitness.
Well I use a personal trainer and think it's a bit harsh to tar everyone with the same brush don't you think? I'm not lazy but I do lack motivation so find that if I have someone waiting for me at the gym to kick my *kitten* then it motivates me more just like it does through the session to have someone pushing you to your limits - something I CAN'T do when I'm on my own. He makes me run 5 minutes longer and won't let me give up and lift 10lbs heavier and won't let me not finish my full reps. I read lots of fitness things and diet/nutrition advise online - I'm not thick?
It's your opinion and your entitiled to it but what works for you might not for others......just saying0 -
Fortunately, my personal training sessions at the gym are only $30/session. I do a 3-month contract from time to time to make sure I keep on track. I tend to push harder when working with my trainer because she really pushes me to do that little extra bit I don't think I can do. I tend to loose more inches when I work with a trainer, just once a week for me.0
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I've had a personal trainer since I started this journey... and I don't plan on giving him up anytime soon either. It's not because I'm lazy, have no clue about exercising or lack the motivation to get fit/healthy(believe me if I did, then my first personal trainer would have gotten a lot more credit!) or that I don't know what my goals are or spend time learning on my own(again, if that was the case my first PT would have gotten rave reviews from me!).
I like have a personal trainer because it keeps me committed and gives me new ideas and someone to bounce ideas off of. I know how to work out, I like to work out, and I'm at the gym at least 3 or 4 times every week... but there are the times that I can't always make it and if I have a PT session scheduled, then I know I will get at least one good workout in that week.
As far as the price range goes, it depends on your area. My gym charges between 45-50 dollars for a one hour session with a PT... and if you buy sessions in bulk(like I buy 20 at a time) then I put a certain amount down and then pay the rest off in payments.0 -
exactly! I see what you are saying. I was thinking that If you knew you had to face your PT and you WANTED succes, IT would be harder to blow your diet/fitness program off.
plus, Being able to ask them questions is nice too, right ?0 -
Having a personal trainer was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am not lazy, but I really benefited from one-on-one attention from an expert, especially since at the time I was fairly new to serious strength training. Some people thrive in that kind of arrangement, and there is nothing wrong with that. I stayed with her until I felt like I had a good base to continue on my own.0
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In my opinion, personal trainers are for those people who have no clue about exercising, are lazy, and/or lack motivation to get fit and healthy. People who don't know what their goals are, who don't want to spend time learning on their own by reading free books (library), free articles written by fitness experts and free fitness programs available online.
However, personal trainers can some times help professional athletes, power-lifters, or others training for a competition by taking their bodies to the next level of supreme fitness.
Well I use a personal trainer and think it's a bit harsh to tar everyone with the same brush don't you think? I'm not lazy but I do lack motivation so find that if I have someone waiting for me at the gym to kick my *kitten* then it motivates me more just like it does through the session to have someone pushing you to your limits - something I CAN'T do when I'm on my own. He makes me run 5 minutes longer and won't let me give up and lift 10lbs heavier and won't let me not finish my full reps. I read lots of fitness things and diet/nutrition advise online - I'm not thick?
It's your opinion and your entitiled to it but what works for you might not for others......just saying
I disagree with Bizco and agree with non87. Im not lazy or lack motivation. There are a lot of exercise circuit training tips that I have learned from my personal trainer than I have ever known. I have been going to the gym for the last three years, slowly losing weight. With a personal trainer, I have actually dropped two pant sizes faster than I had with cardio/basic weight lifting. Personal Trainers are not just for atheletes, power-lifters, or other people training for a competition. Im using one to try to get a position with the federal government as an agent for the FBI. Its a long process but believe me, the motivation to lose weight is there....0 -
I have started working with a personal trainer the past few months and found it to be really motivating! It's harder to slip up during the week when you have a scheduled workout. It makes you a little bit more accountable. Not only that, but a good trainer will push you past your comfort zone and will help you mix up your workouts. I have felt myself getting stronger and more healthy, and it's given me extra motivation to log my food every day on here (Especially if you share your diary with your trainer - do it!). If nothing else, it can get you to start developing a workout habit!
Basically, if you've ever taken music lessons, it's a bit like that. You can learn piano on your own if you want, but if you take lessons with an expert, you will probably learn faster with a better technique.0 -
Just make sure they know what they are talking about, I am consistently astounded looking around my gym at the personal trainers "training" their clients letting them do excersizes with terrible form and even going to get the wheights and hand them to their clients.. really if you can't go get your own dumbells then your too lazy to be in the gym. just do your research and ak around at the gym to get a feel for who knows their stuff0
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In my opinion, personal trainers are for those people who have no clue about exercising, are lazy, and/or lack motivation to get fit and healthy. People who don't know what their goals are, who don't want to spend time learning on their own by reading free books (library), free articles written by fitness experts and free fitness programs available online.
However, personal trainers can some times help professional athletes, power-lifters, or others training for a competition by taking their bodies to the next level of supreme fitness.
A personal trainer can be valuable for somebody with any level of knowledge, proficiency, or goals. The one problem I find is they are just too expensive. The other problem is there are a lot of them who aren't very valuable for someone who is above a novice level of fitness. I tend to think I know what's best for me (even when i really don't), and I think I would resist anything a PT recommends that doesn't follow my own beliefs. But to each their own. I think someone with a good PT is generally better off than someone without one.0 -
Just make sure they know what they are talking about, I am consistently astounded looking around my gym at the personal trainers "training" their clients letting them do excersizes with terrible form and even going to get the wheights and hand them to their clients.. really if you can't go get your own dumbells then your too lazy to be in the gym. just do your research and ak around at the gym to get a feel for who knows their stuff
^ So much truth here. There's only 1 trainer at my gym that I feel is good. There's 2 that use bad form and another that questioned why I would lift heavy weights. You need to watch them train their clients for a while to see if they're worth the money.0 -
exactly! I see what you are saying. I was thinking that If you knew you had to face your PT and you WANTED succes, IT would be harder to blow your diet/fitness program off.
plus, Being able to ask them questions is nice too, right ?
Yes it does make you commited - if your not a 'exercise' kind of person then it gives you that extra push to make sure you go to the gym because someone is there waiting for you. You also benefit from the knowledge of someone who is trained in this field rather than being 'self taught' and thinking the information they have is 100% correct and it's always good to chat and ask questions on target areas/nutrition etc I also am more aware as we weigh in every week so it's not just me that knows!!0 -
Had a few lessons with a PT when I started out on this journey when prime motivation was weight loss. Have now lost a fair bit of weight and want to tone, so signed up with a new PT to learn weights. Will definately need his help in the 1st few weeks as not comfortable with weights, and then probably occassionally just to check progress and change my routine around. I would definately recommend a PT if you are starting out or want to learn something new, but only if you are prepared to put the work in.
For the record I am not lazy, I am in the gym 5 nights a week, take Saturday off as a rest day, and tend to take a long walk on Sundays.0 -
I think it is highly dependant on the PT you find. I look at the ones at my gym and they really don't even look fit themselves, one in particular is extremely pear shaped.
If you get a good one it would probably worth their weight in gold and you'd make massive progress compared to on your own, but if you don't get a good one it might just be a waste of money. I tried one once and what I didn't like is he gave me no advice about food whatever I would have thought a good trainer would want you to keep a food diary etc.
I would go to bodybuilding.com and on the home page you can get a workout plan tailor made for your sex age and goals and that would work just as well .0 -
In my opinion, personal trainers are for those people who have no clue about exercising, are lazy, and/or lack motivation to get fit and healthy. People who don't know what their goals are, who don't want to spend time learning on their own by reading free books (library), free articles written by fitness experts and free fitness programs available online.
However, personal trainers can some times help professional athletes, power-lifters, or others training for a competition by taking their bodies to the next level of supreme fitness.
Well I use a personal trainer and think it's a bit harsh to tar everyone with the same brush don't you think? I'm not lazy but I do lack motivation so find that if I have someone waiting for me at the gym to kick my *kitten* then it motivates me more just like it does through the session to have someone pushing you to your limits - something I CAN'T do when I'm on my own. He makes me run 5 minutes longer and won't let me give up and lift 10lbs heavier and won't let me not finish my full reps. I read lots of fitness things and diet/nutrition advise online - I'm not thick?
It's your opinion and your entitiled to it but what works for you might not for others......just saying
I disagree with Bizco and agree with non87. Im not lazy or lack motivation. There are a lot of exercise circuit training tips that I have learned from my personal trainer than I have ever known. I have been going to the gym for the last three years, slowly losing weight. With a personal trainer, I have actually dropped two pant sizes faster than I had with cardio/basic weight lifting. Personal Trainers are not just for atheletes, power-lifters, or other people training for a competition. Im using one to try to get a position with the federal government as an agent for the FBI. Its a long process but believe me, the motivation to lose weight is there....
You go girl, you can do it - with the help of your PT and your determination!!0 -
Well.... I don't have a personal trainer, but I have a running coach. And over the last few weeks, my running has been steadily improving in ways I never imagined!!
I personally think having a trainer could be a fantastic help for many people and if I could afford one, I would love to work with a trainer!! Until then, I refer to (as previously suggested) the many many books in my wonderful library. Although it will never be the same as working one on one with someone, it is still immensly helpful0 -
I agree there are some fabulous books out there on workouts and nutrition and my PT will be the first to admit that the self taught guys are sometimes the best as he often has to refresh/learn new things because he does it everyday.
I think I've just had a slight meltdown hehe I was just a bit hurt by the comment that people who have a personal trainer are lazy because this has been a long and hard journey and I am by no means lazy - the complete opposite!!0 -
Just make sure they know what they are talking about, I am consistently astounded looking around my gym at the personal trainers "training" their clients letting them do excersizes with terrible form and even going to get the wheights and hand them to their clients.. really if you can't go get your own dumbells then your too lazy to be in the gym. just do your research and ak around at the gym to get a feel for who knows their stuff
^ So much truth here. There's only 1 trainer at my gym that I feel is good. There's 2 that use bad form and another that questioned why I would lift heavy weights. You need to watch them train their clients for a while to see if they're worth the money.
I also agree with this statement.
It took me 3 PT's before I found my perfect fit( and now that he's stepped away from the stigma that girls don't want to lift barbells and only want to do machines, he's even better!)0 -
My PT is worth her itty bitty weight in gold! She has been a PT for 10 years with a background in nursing. I shared my problem areas with her - low back problems, post knee surgery recovery, genetically weak abdominals, etc., and she has done more to help me target these areas safely than I would ever get out of a book. Then there is the fact that she spots me during new exercises, is constantly teaching me new tones and exercises, stays with me while my body learns it can actually do the impossible things she believes it can do, etc.
While I have lost weight before, I have never gained the right kind of shape that I have been getting working with her.
If you are not sure, then just sign up for 3 or 4 sessions to learn what you can do then go it on your own till you can find someone who pushes, challenges and helps you in the way that you need.0 -
You Have to do what works for you.
But If there qualified, there is indeed benefits
Accountability
Proper form for lifting-to enhance muscle or prevent injuries
To advise on at home work-outs
Nutrition-for enhanced muscle gain advice or weight loss
Good luck:-)0 -
It all depends on your goals.
Weight loss is essentially 80% diet, 10% exercise, 10% genetics.
So you would get a better bang for your buck meeting with a nutritionist. If your goals is to get stronger or some other fitness goal, then a personal trainer may be handy, but for general weight loss it seems like a lot of effort for a small return.0 -
I really enjoy working out with my PT once a week when I had sessions. I brought a package of 10 sessions and told her I was going to wait to use them until I felt like I was hitting a wall and needed to mix it up. Well I hit the wall and I am starting my sessions this week to learn new exercises and change it up to lose my last 10 lbs. They are worth it if you will listen to them and trust them, if you are not going to do that then don't waste your money and their time.0
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In my opinion, personal trainers are for those people who have no clue about exercising, are lazy, and/or lack motivation to get fit and healthy. People who don't know what their goals are, who don't want to spend time learning on their own by reading free books (library), free articles written by fitness experts and free fitness programs available online.
However, personal trainers can some times help professional athletes, power-lifters, or others training for a competition by taking their bodies to the next level of supreme fitness.
Then why don't those lazy athletes just read and learn on their own!0 -
In my opinion, personal trainers are for those people who have no clue about exercising, are lazy, and/or lack motivation to get fit and healthy. People who don't know what their goals are, who don't want to spend time learning on their own by reading free books (library), free articles written by fitness experts and free fitness programs available online.
However, personal trainers can some times help professional athletes, power-lifters, or others training for a competition by taking their bodies to the next level of supreme fitness.
Wow, that was quite the generalization right there... I call B.S., too. My thoughts are when you intially join a gym, it is in your best interest to secure a PT, so that you can be assured that you are properly using the equipment and do not hurt yourself, at the very least. For myself, I used my PT to prep for my competition, but I still ate right and worked out 5 OTHER days outside of the one day a week I was with him. In fact, those non-trainer days for me were weight days and trainer days I specifically wanted him to do intense leg workouts (that I also did on my own non-trainer, non-gym time/days).
Do your research, first, before getting a trainer, though. That will make a difference. And, if you don't want to do the work on the days without the trainer and clean up your eating, I'd say don't waste your money.0 -
With all the information out there floating around on the net, I don't know how it would be worth any amount of money to pay for something that you could otherwise get for free.
I guess it all comes down to how much motivation you need to get things done.0 -
I also was a personal trainer back in the day (early to mid 90's). I was fresh out of college & a tad bit inexperienced! I got better as the years went on, and also obtained several certifications. As far as rates go, these could vary widely depending on your location. Usually, a trainer will sell you on a package, in which you would save a little by agreeing to buy 10 sessions, or whatever the case may be. A few questions I would ask:
* How many years experience do they have?
* Are the ACE (American Council on Exercise) certified? Do they have other certifications/qualifications?
* Could you observe them in a session with another client first, before you commit? (The reason for this is to see their "bedside" manner)
Hope that helps. The ACE Personal Trainer cert is about the best one out there. I studied for a year and took a prep class! It was tough but well worth it. I also feel it is ultra important to find a trainer that you "jive" with. It is an investment and you want to make sure it's a good one! Best of luck
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