Personal trainer or not...

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.

I would totally disagree with this statement. I am quite an experienced althlete. I have trained on my own, in a group setting on competetive sports teams and with a trainer. I have a trainer because she pushes me farther than I will push myself and keeps me accountable during the week. I have the knowledge to train on my own...and the capability, but I enjoy having someone plan weekly torture sessions for me. Each week is different and tailored to me.

If you can afford one on an on-going basis, I think that a good personal trainer is invaluable. If you're just starting out, a trainer can give you good technique tips and give you a plan.

My experience hiring a personal trainer years ago was SO TOTALLY worth it. There is absolutely no way in the world I can push myself as hard as a trainer does. Also, I am super motivated even when not with the trainer b/c I spent $$$ and b/c I wanted the trainer to see my progress. I would highly recommend a trainer. If your only option is to find a trainer at a gym you are stuck paying whatever the gym charges. However, my wife has become a personal trainer (she wasn't one when I hired one) and she specializes in working people out in our home or their home. Anyway, with the recession she is making tons of deals with people on packages and giving big discounts. So, if you find an independent trainer don't be embarrassed to try and bargain. Good luck!

I hired a trainer 6 weeks ago, and its the best decision I ever made. I am not lazy, I have a ton of motivation (45 pound loss in 16 weeks pretty much proves that, no?) Generalizations are ridiculous. Anyway, my trainer pushes me farther out of my comfort zone than I would do on my own because she knows what I'm capable of and I don't give myself enough credit. I hired her to prevent injury, muscle strain, etc. Best money I have ever spent. I'm 10 times stronger than I've ever been and I lost 11.25 inches off my body (4 of which came off my belly) in the first 5 weeks I worked with her. Like another poster said, my trainer is worth her weight in gold.

There are pros to having a personal trainer....I think ppl who have a partner to workout with are more likely to achieve long term goals... It can motivate you to get up, off the couch and into the gym. A good personal trainer will give you the positive re-inforcement that you need to hear. You will learn what works for you and WHY. They will give you a program that works for you!

That being said, it can be expensive, especially since the fee is in addition to your gym membership. You have to honor your committments, and if you don't then you get charged even if you don't show up...

You could always sign up for one session and see how it goes...

Personal trainers are just that. Personal Trainers. Not everyone will find them useful for what they are trying to achieve while others will find them to be their biggest difference in success.
Where I think some are resistant to PT's (I hear it all the time) it's usually because they think they got it down pat and don't need any assistance based on their knowledge. Think of pro athletes. They know their jobs and excel at what they do, so why do they need a coach? Because a coach helps them to excel better than they think they can. Because experience counts.
As of late I've gotten 6 people who were avid gym goers and in great shape to move to a level of fitness that they've never reached before. Results: one female who was stuck on a 4 month plateau broke it and is down 7lbs she couldn't lose. One male is now running 5 miles further than before gassing out.
Now I will say it DOES depend on the trainer too. Lots of the newer trainers are all stuck on Functional training and leave out the basics. Squatting on a Bosu Ball isn't the same as squatting HEAVY with feet flat on the floor.
So many just need to think about where they are at and if they can't do anymore than they've done. At that point a trainer may be the thing they need.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I have been using my PT twice a week for over a year. I initially was just going to use him a few times to get pointers, and instruction on proper use, and technique. I now find him an invaluable source of information, and motivation, on a continuing basis. When I started out it was strictly for weight lifting goals, with no thought of weight loss. Well, after a few months of his nudging that my problem was not my weight lifting techniques, or regimen, but the weight I carried around all day, we formulated a plan that has me 55lbs. lighter, and 100% more healthy. Could I have done this by myself? Absolutely. But it was his guidance that set me on the proper path. Soon, I will begin to put back some of the lost muscle. I know that my PT feels a great sense of pride, having helped transform me. To him; a job well done. I would assume that you could work out a long term situation with a PT, that would be suitable financially. Also, I would suspect if you worked as hard for him/her, as they do for you, those terms may get better as you go.

Hi

I have been using a personnel trainer for the last 8 months and have recently changed to seeing him twice a week as well as the other exercise I do (running, cycling and swimming) I have lost 101lbs, and am doing a warrior dash in June and a triathlon by the end of the year, things I would never have dreamed of doing I am so much fitter and have most importantly remained injury free...

But here is the crunch...... I started with my trainer at the local gym I joined and the sessions were great then in September due to family circumstances he had to move to the other end of the country and was not sure if and when he would come back so I moved to another trainer and it all went wrong.... I learned that all trainers are not created equal.... the sessions with the new trainer were completely different and not in my opinion anywhere near as good my motivation and confidence took a real knock and I stopped seeing a trainer and stuck to classes and trying to go alone.... within weeks things slipped and I also sustained a nasty rotate cuff injury....

Then in November my original trainer (Ben) came back to London we had stayed in contact and I started to see him privately again and immediately things just slipped into normal mode and off I went again on this long journey....

The difference in the trainers was amazing Ben loves what he does and really cares about his clients, he is never tight with our time and never books clients in for back to back sessions as for him finishing the programme he has planned for the session is the most important thing. He is a functional trainer so we rarely use any machines, focusing on free weights, kettle bells, body weight and core stick only..... In his words why would I want to pay someone to watch me on gym equipment when I could do that on my own....He understands the biomechanics of the body and has really worked to correct all the damage carrying so much weight for so long has caused..... He texts we throughout the week checking on what I am doing and I can text him for advice at any time.... He listens to my issues and woes and I would now call him a friend.....

So my advice would be trainer DEFINIATLY YES - the best investment I could have made

But check out a few to make sure you get what you need remember you are paying for it....

Message me if you have any questions.........

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.

Because watching a squat and doing a squat correctly are 2 different things. I'm more than sure that if I watched you workout, that I could find issues with form and execution. But that may not be worth it to you.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Whatever works for you. I lost all my weight on my own, no help from a personal trainer. That being said, I am looking into getting certified as a trainer to help others that need the guidance.

You basically agreed with the statement you just said you disagree with....(see bolded text above)

I think they are good for letting you know if you are using good form and giving you a general sense of direction and some goals/accountability. Certainly not necessary for results though.

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I can't get the quotes to work properly for me today...to early a start today, I guess.

In reference to the above post, please excuse me for not being more clear. I do not think that personal trainers are just for the lazy or for the uber athletes. I think that they are for everyone...at least at some point in your training regime.

There is no doubt that they expensive, but I think that everyone from a newbie, to a reasonably fit individual to an elite athelete, can benefit from a personal trainer.