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Original poster

If you wish you had a Personal Trainer or went to the gym, what stops you?

227 replies

Watchkeys · 05/07/2023 09:55

I'm curious about this, as a PT myself. I'm sure there's billions of people out there who are too shy or not financially able or... well, I wonder what else stops people. I train beginners and my aim is to get non-starters started, and build confidence.

What would help you get started?

OP posts:
Drews · 05/07/2023 09:55

Money

Yesiaminbed · 05/07/2023 09:56

Laziness

Theos · 05/07/2023 09:57

I’m a really regular gym user and now do use the gym part of the gym -before I was just going to classes.

I’ve just got a personal trainer and I’m learning my way around a gym routine with the new machines They’ve got in there.

I must admit despite being very confident, I was worried I was going to make a tit of myself in the gym without the personal trainer so I’m glad I could afford it.

no body issues.

ItsNotWhatItsNot · 05/07/2023 09:57

I hate exercise way more than I hate being fat.

Niftyswiftie · 05/07/2023 09:58

I don't need a personal trainer but if I did I'd be put off by the price. Its so expensive. Also I watch the PTs in my gym and they don't correct bad form so even worse paying all that money for something that just isn't correct. I've not seen many PTs that actually teach their strength clients proper form and I go to the gym a lot.

Mummypete · 05/07/2023 09:59

I do lots of gym classes (about 12 a week). I actually would like a PT but it’s mainly money that stops me. I need to be told what to do which is why I like classes so I think if I had a PT I’d want to be paying for someone to be with me every time I went to the gym.
I’m terrible for wandering around aimlessly trying to remember what exercises I’m supposed to do and in what order and how many sets etc. so I’d want someone guiding me at least initially and that isn’t cheap!

LMNT · 05/07/2023 09:59

Most PTs lack fundamental education in metabolism as it relates to macronutrient intake and the hormonal system impacts on how those macronutrients are broken down and processed. I never met a PT who could explain the citric acid cycle. They just spout calories in calories out.

Theos · 05/07/2023 09:59

I don’t ask for any nutrition guidance, I just want to know how to exercise

Campbelll · 05/07/2023 09:59

Money. I’d love a PT!

ZairWazAnOldLady · 05/07/2023 10:00

I find maintaining relationships exhausting so I wouldn’t add yet another person who’s emotions I need to invest in to my life.

Theos · 05/07/2023 10:01

ZairWazAnOldLady · 05/07/2023 10:00

I find maintaining relationships exhausting so I wouldn’t add yet another person who’s emotions I need to invest in to my life.

Jesus. That’s an odd slant.
I do half an hour sessions in and out talking about the exercise it’s not hard

BreviloquentBastard · 05/07/2023 10:02

Embarrassment at how catastrophically unfit I am. I always think "I'll get myself started at home so it's not too mortifying then go to the gym/get a trainer when I've built at least a base level of fitness" but then I just... Don't do that.

rinseandrepeat1 · 05/07/2023 10:02

Worrying I'd look stupid and be judged for how unfit and fat I am!

Original poster
Watchkeys · 05/07/2023 10:02

LMNT · 05/07/2023 09:59

Most PTs lack fundamental education in metabolism as it relates to macronutrient intake and the hormonal system impacts on how those macronutrients are broken down and processed. I never met a PT who could explain the citric acid cycle. They just spout calories in calories out.

We're quite limited in what we're allowed to say, it drives me mad. I've got quite strong, science based thoughts on nutrition; not allowed to say it!

OP posts:
Cincinnatus · 05/07/2023 10:02

ZairWazAnOldLady · 05/07/2023 10:00

I find maintaining relationships exhausting so I wouldn’t add yet another person who’s emotions I need to invest in to my life.

Agree.

I don’t wish I had a personal trainer and I don’t wish I went to the gym. Can’t think of anything worse.

Lefteyetwitch · 05/07/2023 10:04

I would love to have a PT. Looked into for ages and keep looking now and again.
It's just way to much money.

KitchenSinkLlama · 05/07/2023 10:04

I am lucky enough to have a home gym and use it nearly every day.

I hate public gyms. I don't like the noise, smell and competitiveness of them - or the showers/changing room etc. I like the solitude of exercise at home.

pinklama · 05/07/2023 10:04

I had a PT - I was keen. This was destroyed by the fact (my mid twenties’ish PT) would turn up a bang on time or couple of minutes late each session- left a couple of minutes early & I got the distinct impression she was a bit bored & would much prefer to be chatting to her pals (& sometimes she would whilst I was working through a set). If I met her in gym out of a session she would barely say hello or acknowledge me. Other PTs there did not do this. She did know what she was doing - the attitude needed work.

Now left that gym & will join another one & DIY it with the help of you tube & apps.

Original poster
Watchkeys · 05/07/2023 10:06

KitchenSinkLlama · 05/07/2023 10:04

I am lucky enough to have a home gym and use it nearly every day.

I hate public gyms. I don't like the noise, smell and competitiveness of them - or the showers/changing room etc. I like the solitude of exercise at home.

Me too! I try to work outside when I can. Clients seem to enjoy the fresh air. But not always random dogs licking their faces when they're in the plank position.

OP posts:
Original poster
Watchkeys · 05/07/2023 10:08

That's a bit of a crap experience for you @pinklama

There's quite a lot of info on PT training courses about working to encourage clients, and that kind of stuff is specifically pointed out as something that will lose you customers! She won't last long, I suspect.

OP posts:
WheelySquirrel · 05/07/2023 10:09

I think it totally depends on the PT - they need to bring something that is significantly better/more than just reproducing a standard plan you can google! A good PT will be a proper coach, with the qualifications and knowledge to back it up with and the relationship will develop (so I sympathise with the previous poster who said they didn’t want another relationship in their life!) so that your exercise fits into the rest of your life, including being adapted for your cycle/other life stresses. If you just want someone to make sure you show up then a standard/entry level gym PT is probably fine but IMO the money is only worth it if you get the in depth personal coaching that I’ve described. Not everyone wants that though!

Gymtastic · 05/07/2023 10:09

Watchkeys · 05/07/2023 10:02

We're quite limited in what we're allowed to say, it drives me mad. I've got quite strong, science based thoughts on nutrition; not allowed to say it!

Show quote history

That can’t be right, plenty of pts give this support. Who stops you, your employer, the gym?

lastminutewednesday · 05/07/2023 10:10

Money and time

SirChenjins · 05/07/2023 10:14

Cost and the fact that all the PT’s at the gym I briefly went to were young and very fit looking with muscles. I’m 54, peri menopausal and my fitness levels are limited as the result of having a desk bound job and not much spare time to spend at the gym - I don’t want someone giving it high fives and whoops, I want someone who understands what it’s like to be me, and I’m not sure a 23 year old PT would.

PJRules · 05/07/2023 10:14

I have the time, the money, am healthy enough and have a basic level of fitness so the idea isn't overwhelming.

What puts me off is the idea that you'll either be like an army trainer shouting at me all the time or a cheerleader telling me how incredible I am for managing two push ups.

Might be worth videoing sessions to show how you interact with clients so you get the right match?