Personal Trainers

So last night I used my free session with a personal trainer at the gym. I have such mixed feelings about it. I am sore today so I know it was a good workout, but I have sooooo much to lose (like 60-70 pounds) that I feel like I should lose some more first and then do this when I am in better shape. And I have been doing pretty well on my own.

Help me think this out:

Pros- motivation, encouragement, being pushed, working things I am not usually comfortable working

Cons-
I know its silly but I am embarrassed doing this in front of eveyone, which includes many people I work with. I really cant keep up right now.

I cant get over how stupid some of the trainers are, I know its petty but when they say things like "you will see how much you are prah-gress-ing". Or "I eat fried chicken for breakfast but I have a fast metabolism" (yeah but you wreak like cigarette smoke and probably have cholesterol level of 400) and finally shows me a picture of his abs on his cell phone. I cant stand people like that.

And finally its $$$$. They want 149 enrollment fee and then about 106 a month for once a week and its a 1 year committent.

Even if I decide to do it and I am honestly not sure I can afford it.

Re: Personal Trainers

Getting a trainer is very expensive, I did it for about 6 months.
I understand your pros and cons, and agree that maybe you should try to lose some more weight before you invest in a trainer.
This way you will see more definition when you work with a trainer.

The key is to find a good trainer, someone you feel comfortable with. Not all of them are crazy "fried chicken" eating nutjobs, you just have to find one who's right for you.

I loved my trainer, and then she moved. I wasn't interested in anyone else because I was afraid I would be wasting my money on someone I wouldn't like as much.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Re: Personal Trainers

What about taking classes at your gym. I desperately need the motivation but don't have the money for a personal trainer so I find classes great. They keep me going for the full hour (whether it be cardio or resistance training) and I find they make me get up and go because I don't want to miss it or be late. Plus, trying different types of classes with different instructors prevents it from being boring and changes up your work-out constantly.

Re: Personal Trainers

I love your cons....as a personal trainer I hate the things you listed too! I am a member of a gym where I always see one worker smoking outside and others eatting garbage! ***?!

Why don't you try 1 or 2 sessions and see if you like it first? You may night like a certain trainer, so don't feel you have to commit to one, in case you don't.

And ask to see their credentials....some are not certified by nationally recognized organizations and many have no degree. which I find insulting and unprofessional, if you want to make a profession out of training, then the least you can do is get a thorough education.

The other suggestions are great too, group exercise might be an affordable option for motivation, but no extra cost.
Best of luck!

Re: Personal Trainers

Posted by NewlyMrs

I love your cons....as a personal trainer I hate the things you listed too! I am a member of a gym where I always see one worker smoking outside and others eatting garbage! ***?!

Why don't you try 1 or 2 sessions and see if you like it first? You may night like a certain trainer, so don't feel you have to commit to one, in case you don't.

And ask to see their credentials....some are not certified by nationally recognized organizations and many have no degree. which I find insulting and unprofessional, if you want to make a profession out of training, then the least you can do is get a thorough education.

The other suggestions are great too, group exercise might be an affordable option for motivation, but no extra cost.
Best of luck!

Re: Personal Trainers

I trained with a personal trainer for 3 months and it was very good for me although in my opinion looking back on it now, I wasn't motivated myself so I needed the trainer to motivate me at the time. Well I ended losing 25 lbs in 3 months and kept it off for my wedding and then gained it back. I have now on my own lost over 35 lbs and I motivate myself. I push myself probably harder at the gym then my trainer ever did. Looking back on it now I could have saved alot of money if I just pushed myself. It is definitely a personal decision

Re: Personal Trainers

I understand, I can't see a place saying no to just a few sessions. Some is better than none, but then again some commercial gyms Suck!

I would never want my client to feel they have to be with me, and visa versa if the chemistry is not right.

Re: Personal Trainers

I had a personal trainer for 2 months before my wedding...He was great...kept me motivated, and did a great job with the work outs, I was always doing something different.
It was expensive, but worth it b/c I was getting married.

You could always do it for a few sessions then just do it on your own.

Re: Personal Trainers

I had a personal trainer for a long time and she was wonderful for so many reasons. Her husband owned the gym I worked out at and she was highly knowledgable about what would work for me. I did not have a trainer to lose weight but to learn how to use weights correctly and to my advantage (and of course to tone up!) Since then I have moved and I do not have a trainer anymore but I still use many (if not most) of the things that she taught me. You should be working out with someone you feel comfortable with and is going to teach you what works best for you. HTH

Re: Personal Trainers

both times i lost a good amount of inches/fat/weight it was through personal trainers becuase i spent the money and they pushed me.

i'm actually going to do it again (starting tomorrow). i find that i watch what i eat more and i push myself the other times im in the gym because i know i'll have to answer to them.

if you find one you really like, it could help. i know it did for me.

Re: Personal Trainers

I started personal training again and I love it! I did it for the first time about a year ago and it was the best I ever looked. But I do agree you have to like your trainer. I love mine, we have become good friends and I actually look forward to the sessions b/c we have fun while doing it. Yeah, she pushes me real hard and I hate her sometimes but its always worth it in the end.

Re: Personal Trainers

I decided that now is not the right time. I really need to lose more first and I do push myself pretty hard when I go.

So for now.... its just me motivating me (well and the WW scale ) but I am happy with my decision. One day I will do it, but now is not the right time.