Personal trainers

[pandafitness]

Do any of you have experience working with a personal trainer? I recently posted about myself seeing one for the past six months with maybe one week off during those six months. I have lost 10 lbs but occasionally 1-2 lbs creep up but I think it is water weight/hormones. I haven't gained more than 3 lbs back.

My current personal trainer is offering a special for the new year but I don't know if I should commit to additional package. I was offered a great discount in October (better than New year special) and I have about four months left. After the four months I am interested in more personal training, but I must decide by next week if I want to get the New Year's price. Another problem is my weight has plateued in the last month; so I am not exactly sure if I want to continue. I was losing 1# at one point but I am getting disappointed that I am not losing weight in the last month. I am definitely feeling the muscle which is heavier than fat. 

[jd18]

I used a personal trainer for about 4 months and it was great experience and it helped me stay motivated, especially when it came to weight training.  I have no problem doing cardio but i just don't enjoy it, but a personal trainer helped me be accountable, especially since I was paying for their knowledge and experience.  It really helped me.

[pandafitness]

Thank you for your advice. I agree with you that a personal trainer is very helpful when it comes to weight training. 

[emili]

hey Panda, I kind of feel like you are a little all over the place. The best thing to do is write down your commitments to fitness and health. Then see if you need a personal trainer. I would also make sure the trainer you have is worth the money you are spending. Do they work with you towards your goals or do they have a plan and you just follow along? Are they teaching you as you go so you can become independent and continue the journey on your own? Are they selling you or are they helping you? Trainers are great for accountability- for some reason we are OK lying to ourselves but have a harder time lying to someone else. You would think it would be the other way around, but...If they are good at what they do, they are great partners and coaches. If they just want to be paid- you can do without them. I think you have some thinking to do- good luck and please let us know what you decide.

[SunsetRunner · Accepted solution]

Hey hunn,

To be completly honest most personal trainers don't really care passionately about their clients and remember it is their job to get new customers and retain their old ones, not all but some.  In most cases average people starting out in the gym sould only see a personal trainer for 1 month, maybe 3 in order to gain a routine and get familiar with the equiptment.  Anything after that is up to you to get your butt to the gym and get moving.

Personal trainers are generally very helpful for
1. Someone who does not know where to start

2. Elite/serious athelets that need specialty training

3. People who are overcoming injuries or illnesses

Everything else is up to you.

Yes training plans and guidance is wonderful and important, and if you feel more comfortable being followed by a coach or a trainer and you trust that this is what works for you then by all means continue;  but that being said most things that the average gym goer needs can be learned within the first 1 month - 3 month window and any questions outside of that can usually be answered by gym staff for free.

-Freddles

[CCGettingfit]

It truly depends upon your trainer.  Interview or watch a few at your gym to see what they do and how they interact with their clients.  You will be able to identify those trainers that are truly engaged and committed to their client's success.  They are usually the ones pushing and encouraging their clients and not texting on their cell phones 🙂  I am enjoying an amazing experience with personal training. I never lifted weights prior to hiring a trainer.  I only engaged in cardio activities.  I am grateful for the education, expertise, guidance, support and coaching. Since starting with a trainer in July, I have lost 33 pounds, lowered my blood pressure dramatically, and gained tremendous strength.  I feel great and look so much better.  I would have never accomplished this without my trainer.  My goal is 50 pounds, once there I will cut back and continue on my own or subscribe to a once a week session for accountability. 

[Nomad92]

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@pandafitness wrote:

Do any of you have experience working with a personal trainer? I recently posted about myself seeing one for the past six months with maybe one week off during those six months. I have lost 10 lbs but occasionally 1-2 lbs creep up but I think it is water weight/hormones. I haven't gained more than 3 lbs back.

My current personal trainer is offering a special for the new year but I don't know if I should commit to additional package. I was offered a great discount in October (better than New year special) and I have about four months left. After the four months I am interested in more personal training, but I must decide by next week if I want to get the New Year's price. Another problem is my weight has plateued in the last month; so I am not exactly sure if I want to continue. I was losing 1# at one point but I am getting disappointed that I am not losing weight in the last month. I am definitely feeling the muscle which is heavier than fat. 

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I know you have already choosen a solution.

But I want to cut in and say that you don't need a personal trainer nor fitness-studio / gym.

With some research online and some interest in reaching persona goals, you will do fine and get the shape you finally want. No need to waste a ridiculous amount of money for gyms and personal trainers.

[kpjd]

Unless your personal trainer is prescribing your food you can not expect much in the way of weight loss. Your weight is dependent on what you eat, how you carry that weight will be effected by your training but not your weight. Your personal trainer can make you stronger, more muscular, help you become more knowledgable and design prgrams that will prevent injury in your training (or at least they should be able to) but your diet is what will dictate your weight.