Looking for a customized plan w/o a personal trainer - any ideas?

[CrzyforPiglet]

Hi everyone!

Kind of a long intro but here goes . . .
I'm not sure if it is my looming 40th birthday or a look at my own mortality after my second child but I've finally started to take my health seriously. I have a physical scheduled and about a month ago joined a gym - I've been going 2-3 times a week depending on when I can. My biggest hurdle is trying to get my infant daughter used to the child care center. Some days are better than others for her and I just pray she adjusts to it otherwise I'll have to quit the gym but that's another thread. So part of the incentive for me to join the gym was that they offered their own credits which can be used for all sorts of things one of which is 3 personal training sessions. I was so excited - I've never worked with a personal trainer before. Long story short I met with one of the trainers for a free fitness assessment and equipment orientation. He is really nice and knows what he is doing but he basically told me that he didn't want to work with me unless I committed to more training sessions than the 3 free ones I could get and each extra would be $100 plus he tried to sign me up for another $300 worth of fitness assessments. I told him that that wouldn't work for me and we sort of left it at that. I'm kinda annoyed and now motivated to do this on my own and prove to him that just b/c I have time restrictions with my kids doesn't mean I'm not committed (he also told me that 3 training sessions will not get me to my goals).

So what I'm looking for now is if there is a website that can help me customize a plan to follow when I'm at the gym. I'm looking for guidance on what machines to use for how many reps kinda thing. Any help would be appreciated!

Laurie

 

[cewait]

Hi everyone!

Kind of a long intro but here goes . . .
I'm not sure if it is my looming 40th birthday or a look at my own mortality after my second child but I've finally started to take my health seriously. I have a physical scheduled and about a month ago joined a gym - I've been going 2-3 times a week depending on when I can. My biggest hurdle is trying to get my infant daughter used to the child care center. Some days are better than others for her and I just pray she adjusts to it otherwise I'll have to quit the gym but that's another thread. So part of the incentive for me to join the gym was that they offered their own credits which can be used for all sorts of things one of which is 3 personal training sessions. I was so excited - I've never worked with a personal trainer before. Long story short I met with one of the trainers for a free fitness assessment and equipment orientation. He is really nice and knows what he is doing but he basically told me that he didn't want to work with me unless I committed to more training sessions than the 3 free ones I could get and each extra would be $100 plus he tried to sign me up for another $300 worth of fitness assessments. I told him that that wouldn't work for me and we sort of left it at that. I'm kinda annoyed and now motivated to do this on my own and prove to him that just b/c I have time restrictions with my kids doesn't mean I'm not committed (he also told me that 3 training sessions will not get me to my goals).

So what I'm looking for now is if there is a website that can help me customize a plan to follow when I'm at the gym. I'm looking for guidance on what machines to use for how many reps kinda thing. Any help would be appreciated!

Laurie

So, look for a different trainer at the club. Seems like you found one of the more senior trainers. Look, around for a little more junior trainer. You still have the three credits ----- Push your new trainer for a free session. Simply stated they work on commission. A more junior trainer may not be as pushy. The reason for asking for a freebie session is for your assessment as much as theirs. Obviously you do not feel like you can work with trainer #1 so try another. Also, a junior trainer may not be as short term focused as the one you worked with up front.

But note that as a trainer I agree with #1... Three sessions will not get you to your goal. Though I look a little more long term. I would suggest weekly up front and then look for some lesser interval such as monthly. Not as much in the wallet and frankly a lot more work. But it is only a part time gig for me.

As far as sites, you really are not going to find a GOOD site that really works well for a newbie. Sure the generic plans may work but they can also injure you if they start you out too advanced. Further, they will not assess your structural condition and weaknesses nor will they help you with form or feedback.

Repeating myself a little, look for another trainer. Try to get an assessment session so you both can assess each other. Let them know in no uncertain terms that you are budgeted to three sessions for right now and would really want to have them start you on a general circuit on machines. Then you will use the remainder of the sessions on an every other week basis (or some other interval). Once the freebies are burned then you will re-assess.

If you cannot find a trainer to take up your cause, then go to the GM and let him know that no one in the club will allow you to use your credits. If he gives you the same song as the trainer you started with give you notice then and there. There are several other gyms in town. If this gym's business model is to bleed you on training sessions until you are dry then look for another.

 

[Zoesmama03]

I had found a site freepersonaltrainer years ago that can maybe get you on a customized plan. Sparkpeople seems to have a lot of exercise you could build a "plan" out of as well. They have videos or pictures to describe the activities. They also have options for home workout or gym workouts. I really seem to favor sparkpeople over any others for keeping track of all my weight loss goals etc. If your looking for the machine strength side of "plan" try there because I used to have mine all saved in from when I had a gym membership which I miss dearly.

 

[Tree]

Check out JP fitness forums alot of the women on that site follow The New Rules of Lifting for Women: Lift Like a Man, Look Like a Goddess. I plan on trying it after I lose about 20-30 more lbs.

 

[becky11]

If you have an iPod Touch or iPhone, there's a free app called iFitness that has different workout plans on it. Some of the excercises have videos to show you what to do, and you can track your progress. I use it every day - I made my own workout plans based on what I had been doing with my Marine co-worker. It's working out well for me.

Good luck!

 

[C_leen]

Hi,

The Body for Life books have a lot of well photographed descriptions on how to use various gym equip. if you want to move ahead on your own.

Shape magazine has different work out recommendations that you could use to tweak your cardio/weight training in each issue.

I've heard many people see a trainer only a few times a year to mix up their routine, so trainers know how to set you up to be a more independent client.

Best of luck to you!

 

[wenrob]

Self Magazine does the Self Challenge every year starting around February/March. It's complete with gradual diet changes and helps you to work up to a high level routine. If you stick with it the changes are amazing at the end of three months. I've done several of them, they're very versatile and you choose what it is you want to achieve. It would be worth checking out your library to see if you can find back issues. They also have monthly goals in each issue, tear out cards and videos on their website so even if you can't find any of the old mags it's worth picking up a copy and checking it out. Of all the woman's fitness mags I've read over the years it's the only one I ever read anymore.

I think trainers are a good thing but if they're giving you a hard sell I'd be out of there. Basic instruction on the equipment and a general routine should be part of your membership when you join up, no credits required. At least that's what I've experienced in any decent gym I've belonged to. Look around you at the gym, does it seem like the average gym goer (not the hard core, serious peeps) are doing a variation of the same routine? If so I'd look for an outside trainer to spend my money on. There are plenty out there willing to let you share sessions too.