personal trainer

[ez]

Is anyone here a personal trainer or does anyone use a personal trainer...what are your experiences..thanks!

 

[pearlieq]

My experience wasn't so great. I used a trainer employed by our local park district health club. There was a lot wrong with him.

He had his own ideas about what kind of workout I should have, so I had to struggle with him to focus on my own goals. He tried to get me to pay him "off the books" instead of going through the club, and he babbled about himself a lot. He wanted to start his own club and at times I felt like a guinea pig as he ran on and on about pricing structures and services and facilities he'd seen. He was pushing more vitamins and supplements than a GNC.

I guess I should have reported him to the club, but I didn't want to get him fired, nor did I want the awkwardness of having to see him every time I went there. I just stopped seeing him and stopped going to the club. It was really uncomfortable and I'm still upset at having been put in that situation.

I realize I just got a bad apple and I know there are wonderful trainers out there. But I would be very leery of seeing anyone attached to my health club again, because then if it doesn't work out you either have to leave the club or deal with the awkwardness of seeing them all the time.

Also, I would start any relationship with a very short term agreement--just a few sessions at a time. That way if things don't work out, you can bail quickly and easily.

 

[BunsenH]

I had 4 sessions with a PT at the beginning of this year. My weight training had dwindled down to only 45 minutes/week and I needed some help. The trainer put together 3-4 weight routines for me. I now rotate through them and use weights 3 times a week instead of one.

Getting recommendations is the most important factor. Also, pick someone 'like you' in age, gender, size. They may have more insight into your needs.

Go for it!

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I had a pleasant experience with my personal trainer Then again it was almost 10 years ago and we were... ummm, friends ;-)

He tried to get me to come in for services just a few months ago again but I politely declined with an "I'm married" response

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

One of the great things about living in Chile is that I have the time and financial ability to hire a trainer. I only started at the beginning of May, but I have been working with my trainer three times a week. I share my sessions with a friend who is close in age and fitness level as myself (around 40, not overweight, but definitely out of shape).

For the first time in my adult life, I am actually starting to feel "fit". I have lost 6 lbs (without trying to diet), and have traded a lot of fat for muscle on top of that. I have more energy during the day, and find that my food cravings have come under control. I'm actually looking forward to summer to show off my new "beach body" (well, maybe not quite yet).

I have tried to get myself into an exercise program too many times to count. I have signed up for fitness club memberships, dance classes, aquafit, etc. I have tried to develop swimming and jogging habits on my own. This is the first time, though, that I haven't given up after a month. I am still looking forward to my sessions (or at least the end of them!), and I'm starting to feel like I might be making that permanent cognitive change to a person who has exercise as a regular and accepted part of their life.

My trainer is close in age to me, but male. I hope no one takes this the wrong way, but I think I work harder for him than I would for a female trainer. We have a comfortable relationship, and humour is often a part of our sessions. He certainly pushes me harder than I ever have while working out in group classes or on my own. Often I face the situation where I just can't do that one last rep or sprint, but somehow I make it through. He is very good at judging what my friend and I can truly handle, and in convincing us to push ourselves that extra little bit.

He also makes our routines interesting. We don't go to a gym, but instead go into some nearby parkland, where we do everything from running up hills to throwing rocks. Each session brings some new and improved form of torture exercise. While my friend and I often groan about it, I find that I'm looking forward to the new challenges.

I guess I feel that my trainer has been worth EVERY penny I've paid. I have never felt so healthy and I truly believe that this would never have come about without his help.