Are personal trainers worth it?
Discussion
While I do not seem capable of mustering up the motivation to go to the gym, I am wondering if getting a personal trainer might be a good idea for me?
I am 32, weigh 16.6 Stone and I am 5 foot 10 inches tall. All of my extra weight appears to be on my stomach, and I want to lose it.
Has anyone here used / is currently using a personal trainer? How do you find it? What are the costs like? I need to try and do something as otherwise I'll never shift the weight. I was down to less than 16 stone in March, but that was down to not eating at all due to loss of appetite for a while.
Cheers.
I am 32, weigh 16.6 Stone and I am 5 foot 10 inches tall. All of my extra weight appears to be on my stomach, and I want to lose it.
Has anyone here used / is currently using a personal trainer? How do you find it? What are the costs like? I need to try and do something as otherwise I'll never shift the weight. I was down to less than 16 stone in March, but that was down to not eating at all due to loss of appetite for a while.
Cheers.
A couple of my friends are PTs, their hourly rate is £c.30. I happen to think they're both good, but unfortunately there are as many bad PTs as there are good ones and having a bad one will really not help your motivation!
If you're having trouble getting started then why not try seeing if there's a boot camp-style group exercise class near you? It'll be cheaper and just as beneficial.
If you're having trouble getting started then why not try seeing if there's a boot camp-style group exercise class near you? It'll be cheaper and just as beneficial.
A boot camp sounds perfect for you, especially after reading your other post.
I do most of my stuff in a home gym but joined a boot camp to keep me motivated with a bit of friendly competition and banter.
£5 a session, do as many as you want.
All shapes, all sizes. Lots of encouragement
I do most of my stuff in a home gym but joined a boot camp to keep me motivated with a bit of friendly competition and banter.
£5 a session, do as many as you want.
All shapes, all sizes. Lots of encouragement
I've been using PT three times a week for the past 10 months. Worth every penny as without our fixed appointments I would find an excuse not to got. Its hard work but he keeps me motivated...nearly there, just one more, you can do it, etc. Dropped 3 stone and now consider myself fit. I'm more in shape than when I was 30, 47 now.
Edited for spelling mistake
Edited for spelling mistake
Edited by 897sma on Saturday 10th August 20:18
From your OP then I would say a Personal Trainer would definitely be worth it.
At 5'11 and over 16stone you will have muscle under there that is worth saving. A good PT will do just that and you will get to where you want to be in half the time.
You will also learn the skills to go it alone once you are happy. If you can afford it then do it.
I'd try to get one via personal recommendation rather than yellow pages or gym noticeboard - there are some seriously inept PTs out there. Find a good one who can help with all aspects including weights, CV and diet.
It's worth doing a little research and learning for yourself though - it can pay dividends and potentially save money reading up on what you'd pay a PT to tell you.
It's worth doing a little research and learning for yourself though - it can pay dividends and potentially save money reading up on what you'd pay a PT to tell you.
Rather than start a new thread, I thought i'd just tag on to this one
Similar theme but slightly different requirement. I work out at home in the garage, squat rack, bench etc
I could really do with a couple of sessions with a PT to get my form right on a few of main compound exercises like squats, deadlifts, bench etc
Question is, what's the best way to find a PT who knows their stuff when it comes to strength training rather than some of these personal trainers that have never lifted weights and spend most days watching people run on a treadmill?
Similar theme but slightly different requirement. I work out at home in the garage, squat rack, bench etc
I could really do with a couple of sessions with a PT to get my form right on a few of main compound exercises like squats, deadlifts, bench etc
Question is, what's the best way to find a PT who knows their stuff when it comes to strength training rather than some of these personal trainers that have never lifted weights and spend most days watching people run on a treadmill?
I've been using a PT for the last month or so now. One to one sessions for an hour, my local gym had a deal on at 6 sessions for £180 so I thought why not. I've used it more for muscle gain and weight lifting technique, I've learnt a lot of new workouts and my confidence has increased substantially so for me it has been worth it.
I'm not convinced I'd used one for cardio though, a PT can only give you motivation for an hour so - outside the gym you still need to have it. I'd book yourself in to some classes, spinning and body pump would be a good start in my opinion. You get the motivation from the instructor and also the rest of the class - certainly helped me lose a couple of stone in the last year or so.
I'm not convinced I'd used one for cardio though, a PT can only give you motivation for an hour so - outside the gym you still need to have it. I'd book yourself in to some classes, spinning and body pump would be a good start in my opinion. You get the motivation from the instructor and also the rest of the class - certainly helped me lose a couple of stone in the last year or so.
I used to hate doing weights and only ever went to the gym to do cardio. One of the blokes I worked with of gave my name to a PT who offered me a couple of free sessions to see how I liked it.
I went to once a week for ten years and it's one of the best things I have done. Having sat at a desk for twenty years a lot of what I did was back and core stability....I had no interesting in targeting "muscle bulk". Basically we'd do a new circuit of exercises every month. What I really learnt from using a PT is how many people exercise badly and how to work with my body and correct long term issues I didn't realise I had.
In ten years of doing a new routine once a month in every single one of those circuits I'd do a brand new exercise.....which is no exaggeration.
I went to once a week for ten years and it's one of the best things I have done. Having sat at a desk for twenty years a lot of what I did was back and core stability....I had no interesting in targeting "muscle bulk". Basically we'd do a new circuit of exercises every month. What I really learnt from using a PT is how many people exercise badly and how to work with my body and correct long term issues I didn't realise I had.
In ten years of doing a new routine once a month in every single one of those circuits I'd do a brand new exercise.....which is no exaggeration.
If you can't motivate yourself, a PT might be good for you. Will you do what they say though? If you work hard when they are around and slack off whenever they aren't, it will be money down the pan.
The beginning is the hardest part. Once you get yourself in the gym, you might find you it just clicks with you, and you learn to enjoy the pain, pushing yourself. You become self-motivated and you learn to be your own competition, and you might find that you don't need the PT. However, not everyone can get themselves to this state. I think getting a PT to actually get you into a gym and give you the confidence to start using the equipment might be a good idea though, once the first few steps are taken it will become easier.
The beginning is the hardest part. Once you get yourself in the gym, you might find you it just clicks with you, and you learn to enjoy the pain, pushing yourself. You become self-motivated and you learn to be your own competition, and you might find that you don't need the PT. However, not everyone can get themselves to this state. I think getting a PT to actually get you into a gym and give you the confidence to start using the equipment might be a good idea though, once the first few steps are taken it will become easier.
smiffy180 said:
I'll help anyone with form if they're near by. Free of course
I live in Huddersfield area
Didn't realise you were from Huddersfield, where abouts? Im not far from HRII live in Huddersfield area
Are you planning to set up the gym in Huddersfield?
I'd feel a bit daft working out with you, like a twig stood alongside
Any PTs or anyone know what the problem might be with press ups, bench, dips etc all feeling like one side is doing all the work? Press ups I have to have my right hand a few inches ahead of the left for it to feel normal/balanced, if I put them in line then it just feels really weird and as if my right elbow is going way further back than the left. I'm assuming it is either a tight shoulder or pec?
Juanco20 said:
Didn't realise you were from Huddersfield, where abouts? Im not far from HRI
Are you planning to set up the gym in Huddersfield?
I'd feel a bit daft working out with you, like a twig stood alongside
Any PTs or anyone know what the problem might be with press ups, bench, dips etc all feeling like one side is doing all the work? Press ups I have to have my right hand a few inches ahead of the left for it to feel normal/balanced, if I put them in line then it just feels really weird and as if my right elbow is going way further back than the left. I'm assuming it is either a tight shoulder or pec?
Live in Kirkburton and train in Horbury mainly then Maloneys in Marsh for heavy dumbbell chest day.Are you planning to set up the gym in Huddersfield?
I'd feel a bit daft working out with you, like a twig stood alongside
Any PTs or anyone know what the problem might be with press ups, bench, dips etc all feeling like one side is doing all the work? Press ups I have to have my right hand a few inches ahead of the left for it to feel normal/balanced, if I put them in line then it just feels really weird and as if my right elbow is going way further back than the left. I'm assuming it is either a tight shoulder or pec?
I'm hoping to set up a gym maybe Huddersfield, there's Brighouse, dewsbury option aswell.
To be fair you'd struggle to find a person who looks normal next to me anyway (no brag) but being 22 stone does make my size rather large. I always help people at any gym no matter what size even if they're more experienced I'll point it out and ask why they do that (incase I'm wrong
)Without watching you bench I can't help on last bit as I've never encountered the problem
Juanco20 said:
Didn't realise you were from Huddersfield, where abouts? Im not far from HRI
Are you planning to set up the gym in Huddersfield?
I'd feel a bit daft working out with you, like a twig stood alongside
Any PTs or anyone know what the problem might be with press ups, bench, dips etc all feeling like one side is doing all the work? Press ups I have to have my right hand a few inches ahead of the left for it to feel normal/balanced, if I put them in line then it just feels really weird and as if my right elbow is going way further back than the left. I'm assuming it is either a tight shoulder or pec?
Are your feet/hips straight or are they off to one side?Are you planning to set up the gym in Huddersfield?
I'd feel a bit daft working out with you, like a twig stood alongside
Any PTs or anyone know what the problem might be with press ups, bench, dips etc all feeling like one side is doing all the work? Press ups I have to have my right hand a few inches ahead of the left for it to feel normal/balanced, if I put them in line then it just feels really weird and as if my right elbow is going way further back than the left. I'm assuming it is either a tight shoulder or pec?
I've now had my 15th session and can say if you are serious about getting results and follow the instructions of your trainer its worth every penny!
One of the most important things about working out is the technique. If you can do 10 push ups but your arms and legs are not in the right position these could be equal to you doing just 5 push ups! Same goes for any other exercises - of the technique is not right it's a waste of time. My PT has taught me the importance of this and it's working wonders for me. He has also given me a strict diet to follow (which I must admit is damn hard to follow!!).
I have not lost too much weight but I have toned up quite a bit and people do comment that I look leaner. When I started off I could hardly to one push up so he made me start on my knees and work it up - yesterday I did 5 sets of 10 proper push ups and was totally shocked myself LOL
I can vouch for my PT - he is based in the Chalfonts in Buckinghamshire but covers most of West London and Middlesex areas. PM me if you want his details.
One of the most important things about working out is the technique. If you can do 10 push ups but your arms and legs are not in the right position these could be equal to you doing just 5 push ups! Same goes for any other exercises - of the technique is not right it's a waste of time. My PT has taught me the importance of this and it's working wonders for me. He has also given me a strict diet to follow (which I must admit is damn hard to follow!!).
I have not lost too much weight but I have toned up quite a bit and people do comment that I look leaner. When I started off I could hardly to one push up so he made me start on my knees and work it up - yesterday I did 5 sets of 10 proper push ups and was totally shocked myself LOL
I can vouch for my PT - he is based in the Chalfonts in Buckinghamshire but covers most of West London and Middlesex areas. PM me if you want his details.
As a PT it I would obviously say yea but some PT's really aren't worth the money, I know a few who got the qualifications, give everyone standard plans for fat loss or muscle building and that's it.
If it is something you are considering you could use them for a while if your not already a regular gym goer just to help build your confidence then see how you feel.
The most important thing is your diet, you can put as much effort as you want into the gym, if your not eating right you won't get the results you want. 70% of fat loss or muscle gain is down to diet in my opinion, (I'm sure I'm going to get some feedback for that) eat right and your results will be what your looking for.
If it is something you are considering you could use them for a while if your not already a regular gym goer just to help build your confidence then see how you feel.
The most important thing is your diet, you can put as much effort as you want into the gym, if your not eating right you won't get the results you want. 70% of fat loss or muscle gain is down to diet in my opinion, (I'm sure I'm going to get some feedback for that) eat right and your results will be what your looking for.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff