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Original poster

I'm a personal trainer but my clients don't lose weight

49 replies

spleencoffin · 25/01/2022 21:08

Not all my clients need or want to lose weight but those that do, despite getting fitter and stronger, aren't losing the weight they want to.

Yet they stick with me because they are progressing in other ways. I suppose I don't do the whole before and after photo advertising and although I encourage and advise on healthy eating I don't base my values just around weight loss

If you lost weight with a personal trainer what motivated you to eat less? Did they take measurements, weigh you, do a diet plan?

OP posts:
KittenKong · 25/01/2022 21:10

I was a therapist for a while - some people really do think that you have a magic wand. I used to remind them that they needed to do the work!

FAQs · 25/01/2022 21:19

Before lock down I had a PT for 6 months and lost 3 stone in the first 12 weeks, I went from a size 16 to a size 10, he was really kind but tough, he made it clear that what we did in the gym was only a small part of my weight loss and I had to commit to the diet also, he provided a traffic light type spreadsheet which was a 12 week count down of food to remove at the start and slowly reintroduce and how to do it, he wouldn’t sign me up until I agreed because he quite rightly said it reflected back on him.

But having seen the results from his other clients I knew it was all or nothing or look elsewhere. He wouldn’t take anyone who wouldn’t commit, seems to work for him and his clients for sure.

He went from being a PT in 2018 to now owning his own, very smart gym. People just have a lot of respect for him.

WhiteXmas21 · 25/01/2022 21:20

IME yes, they took measurements, photos. Initially gave me a diet plan, where every meal / snack/ drink was accounted, then we moved to macros.
It does depend on the client I imagine. I liked having few decisions to make. Some clients respond better to flexibility.
Perhaps chat more with your clients as to what they want to achieve?

In my case I was aiming at core strength and the weight loss was a bonus, but it’s good to form healthy habits when you are putting in all the work.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Exercise & fitness Fitness Weight management
FAQs · 25/01/2022 21:21

He called it lifestyle change not diet, I also had to commit to 3 times a week exercise to include his once a week session, and he would check!

Whitechocraspberrycheesecake · 25/01/2022 21:21

I’m a PT too and have previously had a PT for weight loss several years ago.

I’m similar to you in that I don’t specifically market myself as fat loss but most of my clients are with me to lose fat. I base it around them and how they want to work. If they really want to lose weight then that means a calorie target and then tracking calories, protein target, support with meal planning, step targets, regular weigh ins etc.

I’m not keen on photos but they could be used if the client wanted to.

Some clients say they want to lose weight, don’t really do the work required but enjoy their PT and stay anyway- they are happy and if they are then I am.

Other clients are driven and just need the tools and accountability- those clients typically lose weight.

actiongirl1978 · 25/01/2022 21:22

I lost a lot of weight but I didn't diet as such, I was absolutely adoring all the exercise and the enormous change in my routine meant I ate significantly less. He also worked me like a demon twice a week, plus I upped my running a lot and did extra gym and weights sessions.

Though I didn't sign up to lose weight, I signed up to learn how to use weights and gym routines and get fit. The weight loss was a happy side effect.

He did offer to weigh and measure but I didn't want to.

Valkyrie40 · 25/01/2022 21:24

This is why the saying "abs are made in the kitchen" is so apt.

Exercise is amazing for fitness, health, strength, mental well-being etc.

But all the exercise in the world can't outrun a bad diet! I would be pressing this on your clients - they need to be putting the right stuff in their bodies in order for you to help them see results.

When I had a personal trainer it was all about getting stronger and fitter - I knew I had to cut out the crap if I wanted to lose weight.

FAQs · 25/01/2022 21:25

Oh and last post Grin he was the third PT I tried, the other two were nice, but didn’t seem to be invested and spent a fair bit of time talking about themselves, showed me the exercises but didn’t correct errors, were quite jokey and that wasn’t working for me, it was more of a social meeting with exercise rather than the kick I needed sessions and I got bored with them.

Laufeythejust · 25/01/2022 21:32

I lost 2 and a half stone with my PT. I’ve had PTs before that made me go to the gym but never overhauled my life the way this one did. He made me accountable for my actions outside of the gym which was key. He followed me on social media and text me when he saw I was out for a meal or night out- then worked me harder the following session. He checked MyFitnessPal and suggested recipes based on foods I liked.
We took photos but they weren’t shared on social media but he got them out and compared them- 1 session ever 2 months was a target setting session where we would chat about what went well and what hadn’t.

LimeSegment · 25/01/2022 21:32

I love training with a pt (I do small group training though) and they have discussed weight loss and how to do it. I agree and say I want to, and I do. However the truth is nothing could help me lose weight, as I just love eating. I know what to eat to lose weight, I just don't follow it.

The only thing that could help me is if the PT followed me around 24/7 slapping food out of hands. Or maybe locked me in a cage for a few weeks and poked a controlled diet through the bars.

Does it matter though? I love my work out sessions and I feel so much fitter now. Yes in an ideal world I'd lose weight, but I'm also happy enough with how things are. I certainly don't blame my trainer. Maybe your clients feel this way too.

Original poster
spleencoffin · 25/01/2022 21:33

3 stone weight loss in 12 weeks is very fast. Have you sustained it?

Is it a good ethos as a trainer to pressure clients into weight loss because of how it reflects on you? I wonder how many of his clients sustain it?

Good on you by the way Smile

OP posts:
ChocolateHelps · 25/01/2022 21:34

@FAQs

Before lock down I had a PT for 6 months and lost 3 stone in the first 12 weeks, I went from a size 16 to a size 10, he was really kind but tough, he made it clear that what we did in the gym was only a small part of my weight loss and I had to commit to the diet also, he provided a traffic light type spreadsheet which was a 12 week count down of food to remove at the start and slowly reintroduce and how to do it, he wouldn’t sign me up until I agreed because he quite rightly said it reflected back on him.

But having seen the results from his other clients I knew it was all or nothing or look elsewhere. He wouldn’t take anyone who wouldn’t commit, seems to work for him and his clients for sure.

He went from being a PT in 2018 to now owning his own, very smart gym. People just have a lot of respect for him.

That sounds amazing! Would you share which part of the country you are in? I might need to book this personal trainer!
itwasntaparty · 25/01/2022 21:35

You should be able to unlock this as their PT. w&M instead, clothes for etc. I'd be really disheartened if my Pt focussed on the scale.

MsTSwift · 25/01/2022 21:40

Intermittent fasting plus upping the exercise worked for me. Lost 2 stone in 2019 and maintained. Exercise alone is not enough.

HelloBunny · 25/01/2022 21:43

Same question as spleencoffin. Once you stop the PT sessions, with a quick / significant weight loss... Would you be able to sustain it yourself?
Lifestyle change sounds interesting. But if the diet is, say Keto-like, or eliminating certain foods. Then that is your diet forever. To maintain your new weight.
I say that as someone with a slim, fit dad who sticks to a very healthy eating plan. He’s been this way for 20 years. My mum yo-yos. She loses weight with SW, and you know the rest...

megladon2020 · 25/01/2022 21:45

I've never had a PT but I've been a regular HIIT / Tabatta goer for a few years and lift weights. I love training and it tones me up really well but training alone doesn't help me lose weight. I do intermittent fasting also which is how I've lost and maintained weight loss.

FAQs · 25/01/2022 22:26

@spleencoffin yes I’ve put on but he educated me so I lost again and know how to maintain, the way he does it is akin to a course so you come away with more than just how to exercise and use equipment. He is as invested in his clients as much as they invest.

FAQs · 25/01/2022 22:28

@ChocolateHelps happy to, he is East Midlands if that helps?

I’ve never tried fad diets it wouldn’t work for me. Portion sizes rather than what I ate was my issue.

EmmaH2022 · 25/01/2022 22:57

@FAQs

Before lock down I had a PT for 6 months and lost 3 stone in the first 12 weeks, I went from a size 16 to a size 10, he was really kind but tough, he made it clear that what we did in the gym was only a small part of my weight loss and I had to commit to the diet also, he provided a traffic light type spreadsheet which was a 12 week count down of food to remove at the start and slowly reintroduce and how to do it, he wouldn’t sign me up until I agreed because he quite rightly said it reflected back on him.

But having seen the results from his other clients I knew it was all or nothing or look elsewhere. He wouldn’t take anyone who wouldn’t commit, seems to work for him and his clients for sure.

He went from being a PT in 2018 to now owning his own, very smart gym. People just have a lot of respect for him.

Wow I need to lose four stone, how on earth did you do 3 stone in such a short time? Amazing.
Eatsleepgamerepeat · 25/01/2022 23:02

Personally, I wouldn't want a PT to focus on weight. I use a PT to help me with exercise not to tell me what to eat.

Thebodyshopolive · 25/01/2022 23:03

Wow!

earsup · 25/01/2022 23:15

DS had one for a year...one of my ex students....he was tough....late and penalty of 30 press ups etc....brutal....but amazing transformation in the year....he put on some weight as became more muscular....super toned....i need to see him too....!!

Happymum12345 · 25/01/2022 23:42

I had a pt because I wanted to get fit, not lose weight. Maybe they feel the same?

Hottubtimemachine · 25/01/2022 23:51

You need to burn around 3500 calories to lose 1lb. You burn around 2400 Calories running a marathon.
If you/clients are coming to PT sessions to lose weight then the focus is wrong. If you are both expecting weight loss as an outcome then you need to be providing support on diet/psychological factors involved in overeating rather than exercise as the main feature.

Luredbyapomegranate · 25/01/2022 23:52

They had access to my online food diary.

Accountability city.