Personal Trainer

Piqueaboo
Piqueaboo Posts: 1,196 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey guys,

I'm seeing a PT for the first time today for an induction & program, anything you'd advise me on mentioning or asking for? How long should I ask a program to be? How often a week (plus swimming & classes) should I aim for?

Replies

  • torygirl79
    torygirl79 Posts: 307 Member
    I can't answer this but I am In exactly the same position, first session today. I've spoken to the trainer over the phone and told him u want to focus on strength rather than cardio but not really sure what else I should be saying to him.
  • Flixie00
    Flixie00 Posts: 1,195 Member
    Let him know if you have any health issues, tell him exactly what you want to work on, and how often you currently work out a week and what you do.

    You need to set boundaries as I have experience of trainers (personally and through friends) who will either just coast, set unrealistic programmes, or have a trainer decide that they know better than you (one MFP pal had a trainer tell her that she shouldn't lift weights).

    That last statement sounds a bit negative, so I would like to reassure you by saying I use a PT once a week, I have been for some time, and he is great.

    Enjoy.
  • Bethie_B
    Bethie_B Posts: 292 Member
    I started with my personal trainer in February; first time I'd ever had one. If you got a good one, you should be able to tell him what your goals are and he can design a plan around your needs. As far as the frequency, that is totally up to you and what kind of time committment you can make. Personally, I see my PT twice a week for strength training and boxing, and I do cardio on my own 4 days a week.

    Really, let him lead you. Just go in with a positive attitude and be willing to voice your opinions, concerns, etc.
  • lynnetted43
    lynnetted43 Posts: 252
    hey there. i am a personal trainer. right up front this person should be asking you if you have any underlying medical issues that could prevent you from doing certain things.. if your goal is strength be specificwith this person. if you want to tone and define, be specific. they should flat out ask you what you would like to see as an end result. continue with them, push through your routine and stick with it. i have 35 clients on a weekly basis. and for some strange reason, they always come back for more!!:wink:
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    I'm going on my third PT and here's what I've learned from my journey involving PT's:

    Not all PT's are equal.. some are awesome, some not so much. If you can, try to observe him with another client and see how he does.. look to see does he listen to that client? Are they getting results? Is he ensuring that they have proper form when lifting and are not injuring themselves?

    Ask about their certification... Not sure if you are in the US or UK, but all PT's should be certified by some organization. If they give you one but you are not sure if it's legit or not.. Google it and see. If it's not a legit certification, well then it's time to find someone else.

    At the initial session, the PT should sit down and ask you about any medical problems, medication, goals, etc and then weigh you, do a body fat test, and even take measurements.

    I personally see my PT once a week, 3x a month. I currently have 4 or 5 total body programs that I am cycling through... and I strength train on my own twice a week, and with the PT once a week. On my off week from the PT, I do it 3x a week by myself. Most PT sessions are an hour, so thats how long the program should be... any longer, and it gets to be to time consuming I feel.
  • wrecktechno
    wrecktechno Posts: 145 Member
    They should take all your measurements, weight and take photos of you. My personal trainer made me a little diary where I could write my food and exercise in plus she made me out a diet, gave me some recipes and wrote me out a workout schedule.
  • torygirl79
    torygirl79 Posts: 307 Member
    How did your session go FitJap?

    Mine went okay, although they didn't weigh me or take measurements. It was more a discussion of what I wanted, what I was eating, what I was doing for excercise now then some time spent doing specific arm excercises (I listed my number 2 priority behind weight loss as thin upper arms lol).

    Since it was a free assessment and induction I'm not going to be too picky, the paid sessions start next week. Will see how they go: this is my big half way to goal reward so I need them to be worth it.
  • wrecktechno
    wrecktechno Posts: 145 Member
    Fair enough torygirl79, just make sure they measure you and weigh you next time. And take your camera so they can take side and front on photos. You'll never know the results you're getting unless you get these 'officially' taken and make sure they take them all again in a month's time.


    I remember when I used to see my PT, our gym was 3 stories high with the main equipment on the 3rd floor and reception on the bottom floor. By the end of a session, I would literally have to take one step at a time down the stairs, holding the arm rail and it'd take about a minute to get to the bottom of one flight because my legs would be shaking so bad. That's how hard they have to push you if you want results, otherwise (in my opinion) you could get the gym staff to show you technique and you could do it yourself free of charge :) It worked for me.

    I miss PT sessions :(
  • Nataliaho
    Nataliaho Posts: 878 Member
    I'd expect certifications above and beyond the basic one you need to be a PT. This not only indicates that they might know more, but that they are passionate about learning more about their field and advancing their knowledge. My PT is constantly learning new things, doing more in depth studies.

    Also think about what kind of person you would respond to, someone gentle or more hardcore. I even think its ok to think about gender and age. This may sound terrible but I knew I wanted a woman trainer and someone who was around my age. Not because a young male trainer couldn't be a good trainer, but because I know that I would have felt so self-conscious that I wouldn't push myself as hard.
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