11 replies to this topic

[mussakka]

I'll admit I'm a complete dufus when it comes to working out.  I've played around in the gym before, usually when hanging out with buddies back in college, but for the most part I've never really done any sort of weight training.  That said, I'm wondering if it would be worth the expense of having a personal trainer show me the ropes and perhaps customize a routine for my goals?

Has anyone else used a trainer and if so, what was your experience like?  Do they work with you long term, or do you just meet for a few sessions and then you're on your own?

From what I've already found, they can be really expensive.  One guy I talked to was $55 per session.  At two sessions per week, that's $440 a month.  Whoa nelly!  I can swing that if it would really be worth it, but my stingy side says get a book and learn to do it on my own.  Maybe a subscription to Men's Health would be cheaper!

[RogaDanar]

You could also hire him for like one routine a month or two and write down what you are doing and work on it on your own.   Some places also design routines for you to do on your own.

[BugdocMom]

Do you have all the equipment you need at home? If so, it sounds like a good investment just to have someone come in and show you a good routine. If you are planning on joining a gym anyway, many offer a free introductory session with a personal trainer. You may even be able to negotiate monthly sessions into your contract. I hear they are easier to negotiate with at the end of the month when they are trying to meet their quotas. At that time, you can often talk them down to a lower monthly rate, too.

[Junotopia]

I had a personal trainer.  It was $250 for eight sessions.  We met once a week for several months.  It was helpful because he set up routines for me and helped me become confident with the machines and how to use them.  On the other hand, he babied me way too much.  I don't think I even sweated once during our workouts, was never sore, and kept pushing him to work me harder.  I think he was freaked out because at the time I was only 8 weeks out of surgery.  I felt  completely fine and had clearance from my doctor, though....

So yes, it's worth it if you can find the right trainer at the right price.

[mussakka]

 RogaDanar, on 07 February 2012 - 08:17 PM, said:

You could also hire him for like one routine a month or two and write down what you are doing and work on it on your own.   Some places also design routines for you to do on your own.

I thought of that, but this guy does a type of training that mimics everyday movements, not the typical gym-type routine.  I think he called it whole body fitness or something.

 BugdocMom, on 07 February 2012 - 09:38 PM, said:

Do you have all the equipment you need at home? If so, it sounds like a good investment just to have someone come in and show you a good routine. If you are planning on joining a gym anyway, many offer a free introductory session with a personal trainer. You may even be able to negotiate monthly sessions into your contract. I hear they are easier to negotiate with at the end of the month when they are trying to meet their quotas. At that time, you can often talk them down to a lower monthly rate, too.

I think I have a set of weights lurking under a bed somewhere.  I don't think they'd be enough for what I need, though.  My intent was to join a gym so I had access not just to the machines and free weights, but whatever other amenities they have (sauna, massage, ????)

 Junotopia, on 08 February 2012 - 02:48 AM, said:

I had a personal trainer.  It was $250 for eight sessions.  We met once a week for several months.  It was helpful because he set up routines for me and helped me become confident with the machines and how to use them.  On the other hand, he babied me way too much.  I don't think I even sweated once during our workouts, was never sore, and kept pushing him to work me harder.  I think he was freaked out because at the time I was only 8 weeks out of surgery.  I felt  completely fine and had clearance from my doctor, though....

So yes, it's worth it if you can find the right trainer at the right price.

$250 for eight sessions is a lot easier to swallow than what this one guy was asking for.  What you describe is exactly what I'm looking for.  Confidence building, instructions on proper technique and machine use, and a set up for a good program for my particular goals.

I've also thought about checking the fitness center run by the hospital.  You'd think they'd offer discounted rates for surgery patients, but I couldn't find anything to support that.  Exercise is such an integral part of WLS that it would make sense.  A friend of mine told me to avoid trainers that are employees of the gym because often they don't really do much more than show you the equipment.  Not sure how true that is, but I definitely want more than that.

[lyssa719]

I was going to be a personal trainer at one point in my life.  I learned a lot about different exercises/how to do them in what order/what days from a good friend of mine.  He had been really involved in sports and weight training through high school and college.  
There are a lot of magazines that offer specific workout plans that vary from month to month and add in new exercises that you can do at home with minimum equipment (I use Oxygen for new ideas).  Or there are websites online that give you how to do things (like sparkpeople I think still does).

That being said, having a basic knowledge of how to do things so you don't risk injury is super duper important.  I was taught time and time again that it's much more important to do reps perfectly than increasing the weight and doing a shotty job.  You're only cheating yourself in the end.  As BugdocMom said, a lot of gyms (actually all the ones I know of) offer a free personal training session when you sign up.  Even if it's just to have them demonstrate how to use the equipment properly, they can offer a lot of information on doing things right in a short amount of time.

I had a personal trainer for a few months, but I met him through being an instructor for one of the classes at the gym.  He would do krav maga and muoy thai moves with me since they didn't offer classes on it where I was going.  He would add in some weight training (because he liked to see me suffer I'm sure).  I needed someone who would actually do things with me though because I hate being stared at while I'm working out, and so forcing myself to have a workout that counted also as his workout was really difficult, but worth absolutely every penny.  He is also the only person I've ever known who would giggle as I would curse at him.  

[RogaDanar]

My hospital has an "exercise coach" program where you meeting for an hour with them and they help set goals/encourage and set routines.  I think they charge $180 for 12 sessions.   It has been invaluable to me and honestly do not know where I would be without this coaching.

[MegsMom]

I think it is completely worth your time and every penny!  I belong to LA Fitness Gym (don't know if there is one near you), which has all types of classes (spin, zumba, etc) and also personal training (training is an extra fee, of course).  The trainer I had when I first started wasn't much help, SO, I switched trainers.  

I am the type of person who needs a little extra push, and she certainly pushes me.  When I weight train on my own, I don't get nearly the workout I do when I train with her.  I say GO FOR IT...this isn't about money...its about your health, and you can't put a price on that!

[nineset]

Trainers are good especially if you need motivation to go to the gym or you're worried that you do not know how to use the gym equipment. They can build a routine and you generally pay up front and schedule the times so there is motivation to follow through. I've found it's much more economical to find a friend who is already a gym rat and then to tag along every time they go. If they don't mind.

[RumpusParable]

If you need the motivation of seeing someone then they're helpful, but in my opinion otherwise they're not at all worth the money. I've tried out a few over the years and they're pretty useless...you can do everything without them that you can do with them, except that heavier weight training often requires a spotter - which you could have a friend or new gym buddy do with you for free.

[gabedad]

 RumpusParable, on 10 February 2012 - 11:44 AM, said:

If you need the motivation of seeing someone then they're helpful, but in my opinion otherwise they're not at all worth the money. I've tried out a few over the years and they're pretty useless...you can do everything without them that you can do with them, except that heavier weight training often requires a spotter - which you could have a friend or new gym buddy do with you for free.

If you have never worked out and want to learn which machines or weights to use and how to use them - I think they are worth it.

I am 6'3 and was 325 - I could push some weight around. 113 pounds lost later - I have definitely lost muscle mass
I am looking to get a personal trainer to help me get fit and build muscle strength. I have never lifted in a gym and need to learn how to do it correctly

[kevinyoung_88]

You just need a good gym having good environment. The environment of the gym always helps in motivating a person, you need the same. Just make a daily routine and do workout for daily it will surely help you.


weight loss nj