Personal Trainers and you

[tippy2k2]

Hi Escapist! (Please say "Hi tippy2k2" back at your screen. You have to say it before you keep reading! I can wait here all day)

Alright, now that you've said "Hi tippy2k2", onto the thread. Basically, I'm considering getting a trainer at my gym. However, spoiler alert, they are not cheap. I'm not exactly well off money-wise but after going to this gym for two years (and hurting myself with soft tissue injuries three times in the process; I do not know if that is related but right now, I am assuming it is) with minimal results, I think some hands-on help would greatly help.

So Escapist members, have you ever had a PT? If so, would you recommend them? If you did or did not like it, why is that?

 

[DoPo]

Hi Escapist! (Please say "Hi tippy2k2" back at your screen. You have to say it before you keep reading! I can wait here all day)

What, you have something against the mute, eh? What, do you hate them or something and not want them in your thread? Are you voiceist or something?
/joke

I'm not exactly well off money-wise but after going to this gym for two years (and hurting myself with soft tissue injuries three times in the process; I do not know if that is related but right now, I am assuming it is) with minimal results, I think some hands-on help would greatly help.

So Escapist members, have you ever had a PT? If so, would you recommend them? If you did or did not like it, why is that?

So, answers to the questions in order: No. N/A. N/A.

Technically, that is. I have been to the gym with a friend. Since his father owns a gym, he knows stuff about training. He's not a personal trainer, but has been the closest I've worked with. He mostly just gave me pointers here and there unless I asked him about specific training, in which case he'd expand. It was educational and quite useful, I think.

At any rate, what do you mean "results"? Are you after more muscle or weigh loss or something else?

 

[tippy2k2]

At any rate, what do you mean "results"? Are you after more muscle or weigh loss or something else?

Namely weight loss and/or become fitter.

Going on my own has certainly helped but I've more or less hit a wall. I actually wouldn't be so against keeping it myself and not using a trainer but my main concern now is staying uninjured. Like I said in the above, I have hurt myself three times with "soft tissue" injuries (injuries that are caused by repeated usage or over-usage like Tendinitis in my knee and Plantar Fasciitis in my foot and now my Physical Therapist has said my back injury was caused because I overworked the back muscles, causing my traps to overwork themselves compensating).

My thinking/hope is that a personal trainer will be able to make sure that I am exercising correctly with my form and with the scheduled out exercises, would help to make sure I don't overwork parts while under-working other parts. People might not be able to give me exactly the answers I'm looking for as every trainer is going to be different but I'm looking for general experiences that people have had, good or bad.

 

[DoPo]

My thinking/hope is that a personal trainer will be able to make sure that I am exercising correctly with my form and with the scheduled out exercises, would help to make sure I don't overwork parts while under-working other parts.

My guess is that a PT should be able to do that. Again, I'm only going off my experience with my friend, but that's one of the major things he was turning my attention to. I am fairly sure personal trainers should know this by heart.

Also, you might want to check if a gym near you offers free sessions with a trainer. I know some would have the first 1 or 2 sessions free, so you can get a feel, and then you can just pay normally later on. You could try that and see how it goes.

 

[Albino Boo]

I've used one when coming back from injury in my rugby days to help with rehab and that was effective. For more general fitness work, I use one every six months or so to come with a new routine because your body adapts itself to the excise. What I suggest is that you hire one to tell you what you should be doing but not use one every time you go to the gym.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

I've had a trainer and I can say that it's worth it mostly just to make sure that your form is correct for all the exercises that you're doing and to come up with a few new ones to help keep your workout from getting too monotonous. A lot of gyms will give you one day with a trainer for free and I think that's enough. If you want more than that then pay for 3 days and that way you get to work out with a trainer once a week for a month.

I wouldn't want to work out with a trainer every time that I go to the gym, and I think that's a huge waste of money, but I definitely think that working out with a trainer a couple of times does improve your form and understanding of what exercises are going to be more beneficial to your particular goals.

 

[Ihateregistering1]

Alright, now that you've said "Hi tippy2k2", onto the thread. Basically, I'm considering getting a trainer at my gym. However, spoiler alert, they are not cheap. I'm not exactly well off money-wise but after going to this gym for two years (and hurting myself with soft tissue injuries three times in the process; I do not know if that is related but right now, I am assuming it is) with minimal results, I think some hands-on help would greatly help.

So Escapist members, have you ever had a PT? If so, would you recommend them? If you did or did not like it, why is that?

So I've actually been a trainer off and on for a while (both certified and official, and just helping out friends). Honestly, half the reason most people get trainers is because it forces them to go to the gym.

If you do have some sort of major past injuries that need to be taken into account, a GOOD personal trainer would be a good idea. In this case, I mean one that has training in exercise science and rehabilitation. Look at their certifications beforehand. The truth is that becoming a personal trainer isn't particularly difficult, and can be done by shelling out $700 and taking an online course.

If you don't have major injuries to take into consideration, I'd recommend getting a personal trainer for like a month, learning proper technique and physical fitness basics, and just having them work up a regiment for you, and then going on your own from then on. If you're disciplined and can make yourself go to the gym without outside motivation, a trainer is only going to do so much after a few weeks.

After that, just go until you start to plateau (ie. you stop making noticeable gains) and then you can look at getting another trainer after that.

 

[LetalisK]

Going on my own has certainly helped but I've more or less hit a wall.

And what did you do when you hit this wall?

 

[tippy2k2]

If you do have some sort of major past injuries that need to be taken into account, a GOOD personal trainer would be a good idea

The Personal Trainer I'd be using is certified and he is currently studying to become a physical therapist so he's a pretty good one. In an amazing coincidence as well, the Physical Therapist I visited from my Doctor's recommendation is my Trainers...mentor. It's nothing official or anything like that so maybe mentor is not quite right but they talk about once a week or so.

Going on my own has certainly helped but I've more or less hit a wall.

And what did you do when you hit this wall?

I've been increasing weight and time at the gym but then I end up getting hurt (see my history in post #3 up there). So I'm hoping a trainer could help me break that wall while making sure that I stay safe doing it.

 

[BytByte]

Honestly, if you want to lose weight and stuff, put any extra money you have into being able to afford healthier food that actually tastes good and make a concerted effort to walk more. Food is like 90% of the equation when it comes to being health, so personally I'd focus on that.

 

[mysecondlife]

Hi Tippy. Sorry about your Vikings. I couldn't believe it either.

Before you get a personal trainer, you should really evaluate your dietary habit. After all, if you're working out let alone spend your cash on personal trainer, eating properly matters even more.

I don't recommend against personal trainer, especially if you think your personal trainer is a good one.

I'm personally on what is called intermittent fasting. And I find it working for me. You should read up on it. After you read up on it and you're interested, I can tell you some things that I do.

I also didn't bother counting calories until recently. But I simply use android/iphone app called MyNetDiary and food scale to keep track of what I eat during the day. It certainly made things quite easier on myself.

If you're not in severe pain and you think you can hold out, perhaps these are things you could try out.

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

Hi Escapist! (Please say "Hi tippy2k2" back at your screen. You have to say it before you keep reading! I can wait here all day)

Alright, now that you've said "Hi tippy2k2", onto the thread. Basically, I'm considering getting a trainer at my gym. However, spoiler alert, they are not cheap. I'm not exactly well off money-wise but after going to this gym for two years (and hurting myself with soft tissue injuries three times in the process; I do not know if that is related but right now, I am assuming it is) with minimal results, I think some hands-on help would greatly help.

So Escapist members, have you ever had a PT? If so, would you recommend them? If you did or did not like it, why is that?

Not so much personal trainers but a great motivator in a Drill Sergeant. Seriously that man pushing me to endurable limits and beyond helped me maximize my physical potential which surprised the hell out of me.
A PT is basically a nicer version of a Drill instructor, and they can help but ultimately you have to be willing to push yourself as well.
For all my social issues, the weirdest part is that I can't work out by myself, I need a buddy or trainer to keep me on track. Maybe its ADD, maybe its just inherent apathy. I've done everything I can think of to break my bad habits toward physical workouts but I recognize when I have hit a seemingly immovable object in my path. So I just find ways to go around it. I should be in better shape than I am, and I'm not in terrible shape as it is but nowhere near what I used to be and it kills me at times to know what I can do but having that roadblock and no one to work out with.

 

[s0denone]

I would say a PT is never, ever worth it. Surely you have a friend or two who go to the gym regularly; ask them for advice. Even if you don't, you can simply make a new friend at the place. Read about your particular exercises and how to properly do them.

I know you may be chubby, unfit, weak or whatever - but most big guys are the gym are more than willing to spot you and give you pointers for ten minutes. Don't be afraid to ask.

I trained alone for years and then with a friend at the gym. When he couldn't go with me, I would just pair up with someone random while there.

If you're focused especially on weight loss, I would advise you to cut back severaly on your strength training and simply do more cardio. No worries of injuries doing that. More cardio, less carbs and less fat. Job done.

 

[the.chad]

"Hi tippy2k2!"

Have been doing PT for the past 9 months.
Personally I can only highly recommend it.

My personality type makes me nervous to not try things I'm not very confident at, so if I were by myself, I would essentially only hit the cardio.

But having someone guide me through and essentially be a buddy (really helpful cos I go to the gym generally by myself) has been awesome.

As others have already said as well, trainer will be certain you are using correct form to ensure your previous injuries weren't self-induced.

Not certain if all PT'ers do it, but mine generally checks in every couple sessions to make sure I am eating ok. Mainly to be certain that I'm putting in enough to own the session

 

[Smooth Operator]

Well if you got money to burn why not, I do have a good number of friends who use them, but those friends are professional athletes or at least looking to be one.

I would never spend a cent on exercise alone as I know I can get it just about anywhere for free, but I'm not the average super consumer so this is a whole new context.

 

[LetalisK]

I've been increasing weight and time at the gym but then I end up getting hurt (see my history in post #3 up there). So I'm hoping a trainer could help me break that wall while making sure that I stay safe doing it.

You're not going to will yourself through a plateau. More of whatever you're doing isn't going to work. Basically, you have to switch up your routine. Doing low rep/high weight? Switch to high rep/low weight. Doing moderate cardio? Switch to sprints. Doing isolation exercises? Switch to compound or calisthenic exercises. And vice versa. And if that doesn't work start taking yoga classes. Yoga: it'll fuck you up.

Edit: Actually, considering your injury history, I would strongly suggest yoga or pilates. It'll help you work on your flexibility and all those little muscles we tend to ignore at the gym and you'll be better for it when hitting the weights. Do yoga/pilates for a month or two with light weight lifting to make sure you keep up with good form and then start hitting weight hard again after that.

Oh, and go Seahawks(next season...)

 

[Fieldy409_v1legacy]

I was really lucky after my hardcore slightly fucked up dieting(I know better now) that I lost 40kgs with, to have met a personal trainer and befriended him by getting on the piss with him. He actually started showing me and a bunch of other friends stuff for free. I learned how to actually lift weights properly, there is some complication to it and most gyms just toss you into the exercise room without telling you a damn thing or involve classes so large you actually get zero feedback on your form.

But heres the thing, even if I hadnt paid for it, I gained knowledge that was definitly worth it. A PT session is the fastest way to learn how to lift weights properly without hurting yourself or getting nothing out of it. So dont become a loyalist working with the same PT forever, but just use them as a way to learn. Then dump them when you are happy with your knowledge base. Preferablly somebody experienced too, dont just get the first twenty something trainer with abs!

Small classes of strength/conditioning can be great too as a cheaper way, kinda like learning karate type classes with more sweat. As long as it isnt just the one random trainer on a stage paying no attention to you.

 

[tippy2k2]

Hi Tippy. Sorry about your Vikings. I couldn't believe it either.

It's even better when you were at the game sitting in -6 degree weather only for it to end like that! No, don't feel too bad, I'm totally over it. *Maniacal cackling turns into racking sobbing

Edit: Actually, considering your injury history, I would strongly suggest yoga or pilates. It'll help you work on your flexibility and all those little muscles we tend to ignore at the gym and you'll be better for it when hitting the weights. Do yoga/pilates for a month or two with light weight lifting to make sure you keep up with good form and then start hitting weight hard again after that.

That's something I've also greatly considered but it is not available at my gym. I may look more into places where that is available as I've heard nothing but good things about yoga (I'm not too familiar with Pilates but I'm sure that's good too). So rather than spend the money on a Trainer, I'd join a Yoga gym or something similar.

If you're focused especially on weight loss, I would advise you to cut back severaly on your strength training and simply do more cardio. No worries of injuries doing that. More cardio, less carbs and less fat. Job done.

Funny enough, two of my three injuries (the knee and the foot) were because of cardio, not the weights. Granted, I've learned my lesson on those two issues (that was more user error than cardio error; I have a foot issue that gives me problems that I never really realized was a problem until talking with the Physical Therapist when investigating my Plantar Fasciitis).

I would never spend a cent on exercise alone as I know I can get it just about anywhere for free, but I'm not the average super consumer so this is a whole new context.

The problem is that I don't have money to burn but living in Minnesota and in a studio apartment; my options for exercising without an enclosed space like a gym are severely limited.

But heres the thing, even if I hadnt paid for it, I gained knowledge that was definitly worth it. A PT session is the fastest way to learn how to lift weights properly without hurting yourself or getting nothing out of it. So dont become a loyalist working with the same PT forever, but just use them as a way to learn. Then dump them when you are happy with your knowledge base. Preferablly somebody experienced too, dont just get the first twenty something trainer with abs!

And that's kind of my hope with the Trainer. I may be assuming incorrectly but each of my injuries seems to have the common theme of "You overworked this part of your body while underworking this part of your body", which means I'm either not doing my form right or I'm accidentally ignoring certain muscles. The trainer thing I would do would be 4x per month for $90 (plus the membership itself which I already have at $50 and includes nutrition help as well, something I think would be just as helpful, if not more helpful. My gym has year contracts for it so the hope is that after the year, I would be able to break away from it with the knowledge I need.

 

[IronSkape]

Hey Tippy! Real-life personal trainer here, so take that for all of the experience -and biases- it's worth.

A good trainer is always worth it, especially considering your previous injuries. The biggest problem in our industry is the vast discrepancy between "good" and "bad" trainers; I have a 4 year degree, got the most rigorous certification in our field (the National Strength and Conditioning Association's Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, or NSCA-CSCS), and have 5 years of experience. The guy or girl who paid $500 to get a certification last weekend has the exact same job as me. Sounds like I got the short end of the stick, but it takes a college education's worth of human anatomy and kinesiology knowledge to get people stronger and injury-free... and then 10+ hrs a week from then on to stay up to date. We're closer to the medical field than a lot of people realize, and insurance companies are -hopefully- within a few years of providing coverage for "preventative health care" and "prehabilitation".

Your trainer sounds good, but ask if you can sit in on one of his sessions. Ask yourself these questions:

1. Is he hands-on with his client? He should be. Everyone has their own personal boundaries, but there's no quicker or more effective way to correct someone's form than by physically putting them into the correct positions.

2. Are his programs individualized? I once worked with a trainer who gave a bodybuilding arm routine to a 60-year-old woman fresh out of weight loss surgery. That would be a great example of ...well, the opposite of individualization. A shockingly high number of people, especially older people (and, unfortunately, "older" means 25+) have one or more injuries they need to work with or around, and require specialized soft tissue work, mobilizations, and strengthening exercises.

3. Is he more physical therapist than trainer? On the opposite of the "bro" side of training -the guy/gal who gives you their 6-pack abs routine no matter what your goals or contraindications- is the wannbe physical therapist. If 45 minutes of your hour's worth of traineing are spent with foam rollers, lacrosse balls, banded stretches, and mobility work, you're not getting what you paid for. We're not qualified to "treat" your pain; we just tell you how you can lose weight, get stronger, and gain flexibility without getting hurt. 10 minutes of soft tissue work and warm-up exercises, if well planned, should be enough, 20 if you're really jacked up, but remember why you're paying the guy and if you'd be better off getting physical therapy from the physical therapist he's shadowing.

4. Does he explain why he's doing this exercise/stretch/soft tissue mob? Granted, if you're observing a long-term client of his he might have already told them a hundred times, so you might have to ask. He should have a reason for everything he's putting into their program, from "we need to get her ankle more flexible to take stress off her knee" to "I want her back stronger, and she likes this back exercise". And does his explain it using plain English, or does he through as many big words as possible (she needs more ankle dorsiflexion to decrease valgus stress on her anterior cruciate ligament). The former means he wants you to learn, the latter means he wants to sound smart.

I know we're not cheap, but neither is knee surgery. If you learn a good warm-up routine and good lifting mechanics from this guy, it's a long-term investment rather than a cost. 5 or 6 training sessions, provided you let him know their purpose beforehand, should be sufficient.