BCD

Anyone here used a personal trainer? I mean REALLY use a personal trainer, not just having someone walk around with you to show you the machines and exercises when you join a new club. Personally I think I might get a benefit from using a trainer. I have a bad combination - an ectomorph body and very picky eater, which means I am working my ass off but not seeing the benefits others would see. If I had someone who could help me establish a good workout routine and a diet that I could actually live with, I would get more of a benefit from my workouts. Any thoughts? Thanks.

forseti-6

Yes I had a personal trainer. A very good one at that. When I started out I was 190 something and couldn't do 10 pushups. Now I'm 155 and can do 70 pushups and have a six pack starting to show through. Caveat: A personal trainer will only help you as much as you're willing to help yourself. Don't expect to see major improvements unless you're willing to work your butt off on your own as well.

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BCD

Thanks for the reply. I'm willing to work my butt off on my own, and do that already. I just want to feel like my time is being spent efficiently and get results. You know what I mean?

BCD

How much did your trainer change your workout routine and diet?

forseti-6

Well diet wise, he just told me what to eat and what not to. He didn't take a very proactive role in changing my diet, however, I took his advice. I gave up candy, my morning bagel and stopped drinking so much beer.

As for workout routine.... I thought I knew what I was doing. He basically said I had no idea what I was doing. I was trying to just lift a lot with poor form and without a foundation. He basically broke it all down and started from the basics - building up my core and working up. It's amazing the results I got.

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"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss

StephenSa

I used a personal trainer for twenty five sessions. I had some knowledge before I hired him but he really helped me get my work-outs to the next level. A good trainer should take your body fat percentages using a good caliper, weigh you, get resting heart rate etc. He/she should also have you complete a food diary for at least three days so they can see what you are eating and at what time. The trainer should then create a nutrition plan for you which you should follow if you expect results. The trainer should find out what your goals are and create a work out specifically designed for your goals based on all the aforementioned data. The trainer will probably start you out gradually, gauging your experience, strength and endurance. As you get stronger and more fit the trainer will add exercises and weight as needed. For me personally having a trainer was great. Before the trainer I might skip a workout because I felt tired or didn't think I had enough time. When I was paying a trainer it felt more like an appointment I couldn't miss so my workouts became regular and I never missed one. Also before I might skip an exercise or not try as hard but with the trainer I couldn't take it easy so the intensity level was always there. Having a trainer taught me a lot I didn't know and was a great investment in my fitness. Costs usually start at around twenty five dollars and hour and go up from there. My trainer charged forty five and hour but if you bought in blocks of ten he would cut a deal for a lower price. A lot of trainers will do this. If you can afford it I think its a great way to start.

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boatguy234

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Lunchbox7

Im an accredited personal trainer and my last degree was in health science with a major in PDHPE. I can tell you this. You do the work. He/she will help you get the most out of the work you do. If your not commited to your program then you will get nothing out of it. Most people I know get professional help and think it will be a magical cure like one of those "new fitness technology" machines on the shopping channel. Nothing could be further from the truth. Another thing I have noticed is the amount of people (gym junkies especially) who think they know what they are doing because they have read a book but have no idea. They lift weights with bad technique so they look strong but it just increases their chance of injurie and they dont get the benefit. Saying that there are good PT and bad PT. A good one will know what they are doing. Any idiot can get a huge increase over the first 2 months. A good PT will continue the improvement no matter what level your at.

rockzilla

I've been looking into buying a few sessions with a PT, maybe 3/week for 3 weeks. Mostly to work on my form/technique, and to develop a routine to suit my goals, then maybe buy a few more sessions a couple of months later.
They're quite pricey, but I can only progress so far with my rudimentary knowledge of weight training. I've found it's one thing to read a workout routine on a website or a magazine, but I'd rather have someone right there making sure I was doing things right.

StephenSa

Rockzilla, as obvious from my post I'd recomend trying it. Three a week for three or four weeks will give you a good foundation and create good habits. I don't think it is necessary to always have a trainer, you can do quite well on your own, but a good trainer can improve your performance and add an extra level of safety. Have fun.

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BCD

Thanks guys for the good responses. I plan on finding a trainer, and will let you know how it goes.