Personal Trainer or no

[Tyjenks]

Just turned forty and due to work schedule/school/CPA exam/kids/wife/blah/blah/blah I have had very little exercise in the last 5 years or more. I am 6'4" 190 and my metabolism is finally starting to ebb. I know I do not have it bad at all...at the moment, but I do not want to continue my slide into complacency and be out of shape when I still have time (a little) to reverse the slide.

I have never, ever "worked out". I was about 120 and 5'8" when I graduated high school. I played some tennis and basketball and I was in decent shape at some point, but probably ten years ago I started getting migraines after exercise and I slowed to stopping. Went to doctors, took all manner of onset and after pills, and nothing much worked. I really think, now, that it was just a matter of hydration. I never have drank enough water and I think I constantly teeter on the edge of being sufficiently hydrated. Or at least, that contributes.

We belong to a City Rec. Center that offers personal trainers and I assume the cost is not too prohibitive as the membership is only $360 per year for the whole family and, while about 15 years old, the facility is still in decent shape. I do not have the time (or think I don't) and the motivation is difficult with all my other responsibilities.

I know anyone can research and compile a program tailored to his or her own needs and goals, but I cannot generate the push. A relatively inexpensive trainer may just get me started and I can go from there.

So, have you guys tried and succeeded/failed with a personal trainer? Does it depend?

[Kael]

A personal trainer for a short stint, just to get you started and to help you create a plan that works for you and is valuable would probably be a good use of money.

If you think that you are going to work out 4 hours a week for the next year. Thats a little over 200 hours of your time invested. It's probably worth talking to an expert to make sure you make the best use of that time.

Im not a fan of the long term trainers unless you are trying to get ready for some big event. They will obviously try to upsell you. Be clear that you just want a couple sessions to get started on the right foot and you should be okay.

[Tyjenks]

Im not a fan of the long term trainers unless you are trying to get ready for some big event. They will obviously try to upsell you. Be clear that you just want a couple sessions to get started on the right foot and you should be okay.

Well, I was going to train to be an Ultimate Fighter.....

That was my thoughts. Just need a jumpstart and some direction and have no good way of assessing my fitness level.

I know they want to sell me as a long term customer and I am weak with nice, helpful people. :) If it is a hot, female trainer, I will go ahead and sign up for whatever Lifetime deal she offers.

[robsam]

You went from 5-8" to 6-4" AFTER high school??

How cool was that?

Oh, on topic, I say no about a personal trainer, because I think they are all strange. Just my opinion.

[Tyjenks]

You went from 5-8" to 6-4" AFTER high school??

How cool was that?

Oh, on topic, I say no about a personal trainer, because I think they are all strange. Just my opinion.

Yeah, it was kinda crazy. My 10 year reunion, was insane. Everyone thought my wife must have gone to the high school because most had no idea who I was. Taller 50 lbs. heavier, bald with a goatee.

So, one yes, for a bit and one no, they are weird.

[Jojo]

I vote yes. I hired one a few years ago when I had really got out of shape and wanted to do something about it. Motivation is my main flaw when it comes to exercise, I am just plain lazy. Having someone at the gym waiting for me (and having to pay for it, not just a buddy I can phone with a lame excuse) kept me going every week, and he was able to motivate me to push myself during the sessions. I saw him once a week and went back to the gym myself once or twice a week too.

It was great! I dropped off all the excess weight I had gained, felt fitter and healthier and looked a bit better too. He was slightly odd, in that he was a full-time fitness professional, and I come from pretty much the opposite end of the universe, so we didn't have much in common. But then I am pretty odd too, so it wasn't a problem, we got along very well. Of course I stopped going in the end, due to work commitments and now I'm totally out of shape again. If you are able to motivate yourself to go two or three times a week, then hire someone to start you off and teach you a good routine and make sure you're doing it right.

[Raife]

Yeah, what Kael and Jojo said. Get a trainer to start you off for a couple of weeks and then take it from there. It's also a lot easier to maintain if you start working out with someone else, or barring that, start working out at the same time someone you know is so you can push each other.

[Strato]

I had a personal trainer for a bit. My work killed it for me however. However, if you haven't seen daylight before 6am, and want to fall asleep by 10am, then a PT is the way to go. That was my experience with morning sessions. Evening sessions I was always a lot more energetic and able to be pushed harder. The one thing which was universal was the fact that by the time I'd go to bed, I'd be asleep faster than normal, and sleep right through until my alarm the next day.

The personal trainer isn't just a motivation source though, they will train you into helping you lift the weights correctly, show you good ways of exercising which you wouldn't normally think of. One example is a child's playground at a park, which one a drizzly Saturday morning got turned into a (slippery) obstacle course to push the cardio element of my workout, but also improvising with ways to improve strength. Ok, the obvious one would be something like Monkey Bars (don't know what else they are called) to serve as a means of doing chin ups for instance.

The best thing with my PT sessions were very much because the trainer was there to make the session hard, yet fun, probably the biggest strength over going to a regular gym and trying to follow a routine. Also, my trainer focused very much on stylising a fitness pattern for myself, and every fortnight he would meet with a group of trainers and have a round table discussion about their clients, and what would work better, what should be focused on.

Just some advice too, if you do go see a personal trainer, then do not eat beforehand, or at least, eat lightly. There is a chance the trainer will push you to see how much you can take, and so most likely you will be bringing whatever you ate back up as the body tries to cope with the sheer amount of lactic acid your muscles produce. It happens frequently I was told.

To answer your question, I would go back to a personal trainer, even the one I was seeing, if it wasn't for the fact that work gets in the way with the myriad of locations I travel to, and strange hours I work. I had a lot of success, and was feeling good about myself with the guy I saw. The caveat is, I am 25, with no wife, kids and some fairly solid finances behind me at the moment, so I have a little more freedom in my life.

[MikeSofaer]

Do the trainer. Staying healthy is what money is for.

[John Merva]

Have to agree with Mr. Sofaer. I have a personal trainer to not only get me into shape, but also train me for events and, whilst it is ungodly expensive, it is generally the best money I spend each month.
Better give it so someone that can make you healthier, give you diet tips, design training programs and motivate you than to the boozer!

[Marged]

I've loved having a personal trainer. Nothing has been better at motivating me or teaching me correct form. If I could afford it right now, I'd have one in a heartbeat - they are fantastic. I think it's important to make sure you get into a good routine, and that can take a while. If you can swing it, try to go for a few months. It is so expensive, though.

[Damien Falgoust]

A lot of personal trainers are idiots with meaningless certifications. Invest in a copy of Starting Strength first.

Oh, and read through the Let's Get Physical thread.

[Tyjenks]

I thought it was a coincidence that,, that thread came back the same day I asked about this, but I guess you bumped it. :)

Thanks Damien.

I think I will talk to the folks at the Rec. Center and see what they sound like and what they offer. I really am broke as always, so a good program where I can start slow and build would help. Don't have friends in my area that go to this gym or I would use them for motivation.

[GloriousMess]

Do the trainer. Staying healthy is what money is for.

I thought the idea of a personal trainer was that he or she does you?

[ElGuapo]

Personal trainers are so motel art.

[Slainte Mhath]

If it is a hot, female trainer, I will go ahead and sign up for whatever Lifetime deal she offers.

Yes to this. I shouldn't even have to advise you...

If no hot female trainers are available however, it still might be a good idea to sign up for one for the first month or two. Many places will offer a free session with their personal trainers just to let you see what you'd be getting, so ask about that. If the guy/girl seems to know what they are talking about and asks a lot of questions about your goals, workout experience and physical limitations, chances are they are decent. If all they want to do is show you the equipment while talking about how hot the aerobics instructor is, forget it.

Having someone to guide you the first couple of months allows you to start at a level that's right for you and to gradually increase your workout intensity until you are comfortable moving to the next level yourself. Once you're at that point, or you've reached the goal you set, you no longer need a trainer.

[DennyA]

Another +1 in the personal trainer column. Definitely good to go to one for a month or so to get started, and have them put together a good regime of weights and cardio to get you going. Then once things start getting "easier" you can set up another appointment or two so they can show you how to ramp up.

You want to meet the trainer and see if you can work with them, though, before committing to a month or whatever. Some are great, and some are jocks who try to put you onto whatever routine works for them.

From my own experience, I'd suggest a female trainer, not for any sexist reasons, but because of the limited sample of PTs I've worked with over the years (about 6 counting "subs," even male/female distribution), the women were better tuned towards coming up with a routine that works with my own strengths and habits, whereas the guys tended to "their program" and they want you to adapt to it.

[Destarius]

Studies show that males try harder in the gym in the presence of a hot female, so hot female trainer could be good in that direction in any event.

[Oghier]

I have had terrific success with a personal trainer. I recommend it, if you are starting a new form of training (or starting from scratch).

After 15 years of regular jogging, I decided to try weight training. Specifically, I wanted to begin a serious free weight routine. That's not something you should just go out and do, armed with a book and whatever your Google-Fu turns up. You need to learn proper form, or you'll slow your progress and probably hurt yourself.

In any event, I have been very pleased with the results, eight months in. If you do look for a trainer, know why you are doing it. If it's just motivation, then you can probably pick anyone (or just work out in an environment conducive to it). If you want to actually learn things, do some research and find a good one.

[Tyjenks]

THe local rec center where I am a member has a free consult and then various price points on a per session (1-hour) basis. Seems like it is like $35 for one session, $150 for 5, $250 or so for 10 and so on.

Of course, I had this information last week and have not made the time for the free consultation. Maybe if I had my wife make the appointment. I am good with sticking to commitments, just not making the initial ones.

[ckessel]

I've been working out with weights for probably 15 years. I echo the recommendation for Starting Strength.

Trainers vary dramatically. The bulk I've seen are just 20-somethings, already in shape, got a 4 day certification and generally suck at training. I've seen some horrendous recommendations on exercises, things that risk horrible back or shoulder injuries, especially if performed cold or incorrectly.

Saw one Friday having the woman do pullups, but she wasn't nearly strong enough, so he had her "jump" up and try to let herself down slowly probably 40 times, which was more like a mini-hop with a barely controlled fall. Come on...use a weight assisted pull up. Just ridiculous.

Take the freebie session, also watch other trainers and what they do while you work out. At 40, form is crucial for you to avoid injuries. Too many of these 20+ year old trainers simply lack the training to understand how to train someone in their 40s.

[Tyjenks]

Take the freebie session, also watch other trainers and what they do while you work out. At 40, form is crucial for you to avoid injuries. Too many of these 20+ year old trainers simply lack the training to understand how to train someone in their 40s.

Good point. Thanks.

Although I did cringe when I was lumped in with the group "someone in their 40's". Just 40 is difficult enough. ;)

[ckessel]

Good point. Thanks.

Although I did cringe when I was lumped in with the group "someone in their 40's". Just 40 is difficult enough. ;)

Heh, hit 40 this year myself, so I'm there with you. I've got a ruptured L5 disc, so I'm extra aware of the importance of good form.

[Tyjenks]

Heh, hit 40 this year myself, so I'm there with you. I've got a ruptured L5 disc, so I'm extra aware of the importance of good form.

Hurt my knee running, pulled this weird muscle under my ribcage, and my back tightens up after minor exertion, so I will heed your advice most assuredly.

[Damien Falgoust]

Saw one Friday having the woman do pullups, but she wasn't nearly strong enough, so he had her "jump" up and try to let herself down slowly probably 40 times, which was more like a mini-hop with a barely controlled fall. Come on...use a weight assisted pull up. Just ridiculous.

Doing negatives (which is what you describe her as doing) is a far more effective way to build up to doing pullups than using a weight assist machine. There's a lot of stabilizer muscles involved in pullups that the weight assist machine takes out of the equation.

The only thing better would be using elastic bands with both ends tied to the bar and your feet in the middle (and decreasing the thickness of the band gradually over time).

Pullups>band pullups>pullup negatives>weight assist pullups>lat pulldown machine

If a trainer is sticking you on machines instead of free weights, find another trainer. Weight machines exist so the fitness industry can pay shitty wages to minimally trained "trainers" who make their clients sweat but get inefficient results. Free weights actually take some know-how to coach the movements, but they work an order of magnitude better than machines.

[ckessel]

Doing negatives (which is what you describe her as doing) is a far more effective way to build up to doing pullups than using a weight assist machine. There's a lot of stabilizer muscles involved in pullups that the weight assist machine takes out of the equation.

Negatives are fine, but you need most of the range of motion. She was hopping maybe 6 inches up, so she was doing negatives for a tiny portion of the range of a pullup. He should have had her on a pull up machine where you can set the weight assist, help her to the top and have the weight set such that it was a real fight as she did the negative.

What he was doing was absolutely useless. Her calves got more of a workout trying to hop than her arms got from the negatives.

Also, negatives tend to be a more advanced workout technique. Certainly not something to introduce to an obvious novice lifter.

[Damien Falgoust]

Totally agree on ROM. A six inch negative is useless.

But I disagree that negatives, at least on pullups, are an advanced technique (it may well be on the bench press and the like). Most of the better training materials I've read, all of which advocate pullups, also advocate negatives as a way of getting a weaker starting trainee to the point where he/she can do a few pullups.

[WarrenM]

You need to learn proper form, or you'll slow your progress and probably hurt yourself.

I found out that I have some credit at the gym from a class I stopped going to halfway through which our teacher tells me would net me 3 personal training sessions if I wanted them. I think I'm going to take one or two and have him show me proper form in the free weight area. I'd love to know how to properly squat, bench press, dead lift, etc. How to work the major muscle groups while minimizing my chances of injuring myself.

[Destarius]

If a trainer is sticking you on machines instead of free weights, find another trainer. Weight machines exist so the fitness industry can pay shitty wages to minimally trained "trainers" who make their clients sweat but get inefficient results. Free weights actually take some know-how to coach the movements, but they work an order of magnitude better than machines.

I think they each have their advantages. For bench press, I would recommend that novices (and even veterans) avoid heavy barbell bench presses and use a smith press for safety reasons if there is no spotter.

[AndrewM]

I think they each have their advantages. For bench press, I would recommend that novices (and even veterans) avoid heavy barbell bench presses and use a smith press for safety reasons if there is no spotter.

You can also do dumbbell bench presses if you are concerned about your throat being crushed.