Does anyone out there have experience with a personal trainer? I have been struggling to get in shape and motivation is a problem. I am considering getting a personal trainer to kick my ass. On the surface this seems like a reasonable idea, but I am concerned about the cost and the chance of regressing if/when I have reached my goal and stop using the trainer and start working out on my own. Anyone have any experiences/advice related to personal trainers or random insults for me or my mother?

Thanks!

8/7/2006 2:27:54 PM

id imagine if you dont have the willpower to get in shape, you wont have the willpower to stay in shape.

8/7/2006 2:30:00 PM

^ thats me right there

8/7/2006 2:30:23 PM

Quote :

"you wont have the willpower to stay in shape"

I always start making excuses and skipping the gym when I've been working hard for a month and I see minimal results. I'm hoping a personal trainer can help me get started and be more effective/efficient and see better results faster. I see your point though.

8/7/2006 2:36:38 PM

id say no

what you need is a workout partner that you can both motivate each other

8/7/2006 2:37:25 PM

I've thought about that but I have this ridiculous idea that a personal trainer knows all these valuable tips and tricks that will make my workouts more effective. Maybe I just need to grab a friend and a Working Out For Dummies book.

[Edited on August 7, 2006 at 2:40 PM. Reason : d]

8/7/2006 2:39:48 PM

^^ preferably one who has breasts and a vagina, and with whom you sleep with every night

8/7/2006 2:46:48 PM

^^ good idea. Your results will depend on your body type for the most part. So, a trainer can give you tons of knowledge, but you will probably be disappointed if you've paid them lots of money and don't see much results in six months or less.

A friend can motivate you and if you train with them enough, they will know your routine and also be able to spot you like you like.

[Edited on August 7, 2006 at 2:49 PM. Reason : .]

8/7/2006 2:48:56 PM

even if you know a lot, if you get a good trainer with a lot of experience they can really help you out... they might know something you don't, you might be misinformed about something, and they can help you use all of the information to make a plan that will really benefit you the most. i'd hit a total plateau until i got someone to train me and it has made a WORLD of difference. although my legs really, really hate him from yesterday.

8/7/2006 4:45:03 PM

a friend can also distract you and slow things down.

pick a friend whose already in shape and works out routinely.

8/7/2006 4:48:01 PM

haha, most trainers are a joke. You need to find one w/ experince training you for what you need to know. I had a free session when I joined beyond, I wasn't gonna do it but they kept nagging me. And I told him I wanted a bigger squat and dl. Well he tells me, "Well if that what you want, we aren't just gonna throw you on a squat machine and just let you deadlift. You have to build up other parts of your body first." So we did some stupid ass workout were he just made me burnout on each excercise and then goes, "I've beat you have never felt a workout like that."

[Edited on August 7, 2006 at 4:51 PM. Reason : fsdf]

8/7/2006 4:50:21 PM

a personal trainer can teach you how to workout smarter, not harder. You'll see alot more improvement by doing better and more effective workouts than you will by just simply trying to push more weight.

that said, I've been working with a personal trainer since January this year. I started out with no real weightlifting/exercise experience, and I've made huge gains since then.

8/7/2006 4:58:04 PM

Any tips on how much training sessions should cost?

8/7/2006 5:17:34 PM

40-75 per hour is normal.

8/7/2006 5:21:48 PM

yea a personal trainer will be helpful for showing you good technique, routines, and exercises that can help you get in better shape...once you start seeing results it'll get addictive and you will be motivated to keep working at it. good luck

8/7/2006 5:21:59 PM

Quote :

"that said, I've been working with a personal trainer since January this year. I started out with no real weightlifting/exercise experience, and I've made huge gains since then."

ever think that those huge gains could be because you hadn't done it before?


everyone is talking about how good a personal trainer can be. But all these things apply to a good personal trainer. There are a shit load of muscle heads out there that think they know what they are doing that will damn near kill you or at least can injure you very badly. If you go with a personal trainer, make sure you check out their background and certifications.

8/7/2006 5:32:07 PM

Quote :

"haha, most trainers are a joke."

8/8/2006 10:06:17 AM

Setting yourself a distinct goal is really helpful. Like I am training to run a marathon. I've paid my registration fee, and I've told my friends and family I'm doing it, so I don't want to fail that goal. I know if I don't train, I won't be able to run the thing.

Saying "I'm going to work out for an hour 4 times a week" is kind of easy to cheat on. And really if you miss it once you've "failed" because you aren't working towards anything. If that makes sense.

8/8/2006 10:55:44 AM

what is worse:

-having a personal trainer?

-taking advice about personal trainers from people on tww?



I'd go with the later.

8/8/2006 10:57:45 AM

^lol the personal trainers hired at gyms around here and most gyms anywhere are complete morons (cause the gym "trains" them)... while most on this site are as well


unless you have a national certification or have the credentials from past positions to be one, they mean nothing

[Edited on August 8, 2006 at 11:01 AM. Reason : ]

8/8/2006 11:00:35 AM

most personal trainers are fucking stupid

8/8/2006 11:00:44 AM

most people on tww are fucking stupid

^^dont get me wrong, im not saying they are worthwhile, im just saying that i wouldnt take conflicting advice from 236 different people on tww, when the majority of them don't know what they are talking about

[Edited on August 8, 2006 at 11:05 AM. Reason : df]

8/8/2006 11:04:08 AM

I would concur

[Edited on August 8, 2006 at 11:06 AM. Reason : ]

8/8/2006 11:05:13 AM

who are you again?

8/8/2006 11:06:13 AM

exactly

8/8/2006 11:07:00 AM

Quote :

"ever think that those huge gains could be because you hadn't done it before?"

that's exactly why he made huge gains, he's developing his neuro-muscular connections for increased muscle control and innveration... after a few months gains level off and you actually start to build muscle tissue then progress slows down alot....

8/8/2006 11:08:47 AM

stick a needle in your ass, they will progress much quicker

8/8/2006 11:12:30 AM

lol once you've reached the tissue building, yeah that would 'help' things

8/8/2006 11:13:43 AM

Quote :

"MAN...I LOVE THESE THREADS...EVERYTIME SOMEONE MAKES A WORKOUT THREAD A BUNCH OF OUT OF SHAPE LOSERS CHIME IN ABOUT HOW YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO EXERCISE EVEN THOUGH THEY DON'T ACTUALLY DO ANY OF THESE ROUTINES"

8/8/2006 2:40:09 PM

I had that problem. I really wanted to get in shape, but couldnt make myself stick to a routine or keep my motivation up. When I got a personal trainer 5 weeks ago I wasnt expecting miracles. She's helped me more than I can say. Now when I have an appointment to exercise I HAVE to go, or else my hard-earned money is flushed down the tubes. I got a trainer when I really couldnt afford one either, so that helps me stick with it. So far I've lost 15 lbs, lost 5% body fat, gained tons of muscle, and have many new friends.

Just went to a cookout of my trainers last weekend for her babys 2nd birthday. You'll find that there are added benefits than just the exercise

P.S. Her name is Deb and she works at One 2 One fitness in Cary. I highly recommend her

[Edited on August 8, 2006 at 4:35 PM. Reason : ]

8/8/2006 4:33:29 PM

Quote :

"So far I've lost 15 lbs, lost 5% body fat, gained tons of muscle, and have many new friends"

HAHAHA....THIS SOUNDS LIKE AN INFOMERCIAL...."NOW THAT I HAVE MY NEW BODY PEOPLE ACTUALLY LIKE ME"

ROFL

8/9/2006 11:23:29 AM

Quote :

"She's helped me more than I can say"

booowchikcwwawawa

8/9/2006 11:24:43 AM

Quote :

" So far I've lost 15 lbs, lost 5% body fat, gained tons of muscle, and have many new friends."

sounds like newbie gains...were you working out before?

curious, what is she making you do?

8/9/2006 11:33:06 AM

pelvic thrusting?

8/9/2006 11:33:36 AM

Quote :

" sounds like newbie gains...were you working out before? curious, what is she making you do?"

YEAH WHEN YOU FIRST BEGIN TRAINING YOU SEE RESULTS LIKE THIS...THEN YOU EVENTUALLY HIT A PLATEAU...

8/9/2006 11:41:22 AM