To splurge on a personal trainer for 6 months...?

[JemimaPyjamas]

I have some money squirrelled away but I had it in mind for things like house emergencies (ie if the boiler broke) or a sudden financial emergency that needs a buffer. Or for something that is a luxury but will do us the world of good such as a holiday - basically something that benefits our family as opposed to just me. I add to it all the time, little and often rather than big lumps, and I don't dip into it if I can possibly help it.

I have managed to put on lots of weight, and also have lost my fitness. I won't go into too much outing detail, but the bigger and more unfit I feel it's harder to find the motivation and it feels like an uphill struggle. I am probably 3 stone overweight now. I also am a Type 1 diabetic which also complicates things, as well as several injuries. I find the idea of getting into classes or even just going for a run far more daunting than it ever was, and I have just found myself in tears when trying to do things at home as I feel disgusted with myself. I am also 50 soon and feel as if it might be now or never.

There is a place ten mins from my house who do personal training sessions, and also know what they are talking about re both injuries and my health condition (I popped in today and went through it all.) They have an excellent reputation and I know several people who have trained there and it has made a massive difference to them, long term too. Someone described it to me as 'the best money I have ever spent' as it helped get them out the bad habits and into good habits, and they are fitter and stronger than they were in their 30's (they are now 57.)

The issue is, it's far FAR more than I would normally spend (talking £200/300 a month for the first three months, after that it would probably be a bit less - it works on the basis of the fitter and stronger you get, the less input you need unless you want it).

I can afford it but it'd make a significant dent in my savings, and the way prices are rising it makes me feel quite guilty and perhaps I should just accept my current shape and lack of motivation, or AIBU to go ahead regardless for purely selfish reasons...?

Perhaps this is more of a what would you do, than an Am I Being Unreasonable but I am interested to hear views and particularly if anyone has been in a similar situation re their body to me.

These messages are brilliant. It’s making me think more about the benefit than the money, and the benefits will hopefully more than justify the money.

@WinterFoxes Despite my misleading thread title, I would only initially commit to 12 weeks. I’m hoping that will be enough to get me back on track, but if not, I’d try and find more. Or still have sessions but only once a week or fortnight. I don’t know yet as I’ve never done something like this before!

Another one here saying do it, don't even think about it. The older I get, the more convinced I am that we are nothing without our health.

My DH had a lot of weight to lose and he's been going to PT and a great nutritionnist (he had to try several) and it's been tough to find the money, but so worth it. I have 15 kg to lose and am going to do the same when my broken hand is healed.

No amount of money can buy back your health once it's gone.

No amount of money can buy back your health once it's gone.

So true!

Yes, to the principle of doing it.

But do check the exact terms of what is and isn’t included and look at a couple of more PT options.

Its quite easy to find what you’ve signed up for isn’t quite what you wanted or disappoints, so make sure you’re very clear and can see it all in writing to read in your own time, rather than purely when you’re with the PT. Try to avoid committing to anything too long, because it’s not uncommon for people not to like it or get on with the PT and then be committed to a long contract they don’t use. So do t rush into it. Be very clear what the costs are initially and also later. Ask lots of questions and so t be fobbed off with vague answers. It’s also worth asking if they can give you the names of a couple of people who’ve trained with them and could speak to,to check it’s what you’re wanting.

Find the right person and it could change your life, so I think it is money well spent.

Apparently you have the consultation (it's a gym that specialises in PT-ing rather than a gym that also has some PT-ers) and get all the info to take home and look through. I have heard via a couple of people that it's not remotely pushy or pressured either, which is a relief as that kind of thing makes me really uncomfortable. They also, although I am not sure of the details, offer ways of making it more affordable (within reason, I suspect) although I am not sure quite how as I've not been yet. There is another gym where I live but I think I need an initial boost, and I also think you can continue at the PT place but on a less and hence cheaper way.

I think it's a brilliant use of funds, nothing more important than your health

My PT is about 30 an hour. How many sessions would you be getting for your money?

@Cosyblankets Not sure of the details and now it works yet, so not sure! I know someone who was paying £40 but he had a lot of added complications so I am not sure if that makes a difference or not.

Definitely do it.

Three years ago I’d gained 2 stone after a hysterectomy. I was approaching 50, weak, flabby, chubby and permanently knackered.

I started seeing a PT weekly, and the day after my first session had to hold onto the radiator to lower myself onto the loo! I was so out of shape. But I persevered, all through lockdown (we did FaceTime sessions from my garden or garage) and also started running again.

Now I am stronger, fitter and in better shape than I have been since my 20s. I’ve lost nearly 2 stone (well I did lose it then have gained a significant amount of muscle so I’ve stopped weighing myself now) but best of all I’m fit and STRONG. Functional strength too. So important for middle aged women, and so good post menopause for bone density.

I still drink wine, eat cheese and crisps but I’m much more mindful of what I eat. No point doing all the hard work in the gym to eat crap and undo it.

My PT is great. I still see him weekly lol, and see it as another monthly bill like my gas or council tax. It’s an investment in me. He mixes it up so I don’t get bored, and gives me a kick up the bum. I also use the gym a few times a week and try and run weekly. My whole mindset is different. I’m not bothered about being skinny or looking amazing in a bikini but I want to be slim, strong, toned and fit.

Do it. You won’t regret it.

@Sidge thank you - you make perfect sense. With everything you said.

Please go for it 😍

I've been with my trainer for around ten years. I was around fifteen stones when I started. I was a happy soul in general but I was in my mid 40s then and diabetes and other health problems were looming large 😪

Fast forward ten years, I'm 56 next month, six stones lighter and hope to hit the stage with my first bodybuilding competition later in the year.

My trainer helped change my life; best money I spend 😚

I’m a women’s only PT and this thread honestly makes me so happy. Exercise has such a huge impact on both physical and mental health and it’s amazing that people are realising this now.

Prioritising your health is life changing.

I think you absolutely won’t regret the investment.

Wow, such encouragement!

As I said much earlier in the thread, I have previously been very or at least reasonably fit but it's all done downhill since, well, Covid largely. It was too easy to get into the habit of treat meals, too much wine, and also my job now involves far less walking than it previously did. Age doesn't help either!

I'd absolutely go for it. Getting fit makes such a difference to your quality of life, mental health as well as physical health. It's not a selfish thing to spend your money on. It means you have more to give to other people in your life.

I've never gone the PT route - I started to exercise in earnest when I was also self-employed and counting the pennies, and built up my fitness gradually on m own. However I've never had serious injuries or illnesses to contend with (when I did need to see a private physio for a minor injury, that was money very well spent). In your position if I'd had injuries I'd absolutely spend money on a PT because injury prevention will be crucial and that's not something you tend to need outside help with.

I did this for three months and it was money well spent. I focused on weight training - building muscle (and strength) in order to drop body fat - and worked one-to-one with a PT ensured my form was correct. I dropped almost three dress sizes and eleven kilos. Most pertinently, I now well-placed to train by myself

As for cost, I think the figure you quoted is value for money, mine cost three times that amount (for half the time). Even so, it was still worth every single penny.

Be sure to find a trainer who understands your specific needs. Also, it doesn't matter how good your trainer is, you need to focus and put the work in - what you eat is hugely important and you cannot out train a bad diet.

Good luck if you do proceed, the first few weeks will be hard but then you will love it!

I'm not sure if anyone will see this, but just in case - I've signed up! I went today for a consultation and they are great. Its a complete package for 12 weeks and then it can be less intense, but they went through what works, why and how they go about it. I was really impressed. I was also told to go and think about it for a bit and get back to them, but I said I want to commit to the initial sessions (2x a week, plus sessions in the gym with less supervision and support with diet etc - basically mollycoddling to get me on track.)

Thank you to all who shared their opinions and success stories x

That's brilliant news!

I think before I committed to this (as you seem to indicate it's a lot in relation to your savings) is have 1 last go at getting fit another cheaper way. How about finding a group boot camp, using myfitnesspal for calorie counting and do a 30 mins walk building to a run every day. Your motivation could be look at your savings in your account. Just my suggestion!

@StickofVeg I look after dogs for a living, I am out all day, and I need an extra shove to get me going with the initial start after being out all day in the cold anyway. I also have a dodgy knee, a freezing shoulder, a thawing out but still-not-great-shoulder, and I am perimenopausal and a Type 1 diabetic. I am not an easy client! This is why it feels like an uphill struggle, but once I am making headway it should get far easier and I'll need much much less support.

Good on you! I'd be well on that if I had the pennies. I have started doing strength training at the gym, with a one off payment for a training plan. Also in my 50s!

@ilovesooty thank you - I hope so!!!!

I am hoping, due to the cash, that will also prove a huge incentive to get the absolute most out of it for the initial 12 weeks. It's like a kick start programme but tailored to your specific needs, in my case there feels to be many. After that, it's hopefully more about maintenance and a fraction of the cost.

I see a personal trainer for an hour each week.

She comes to my house & brings weights/ boxing gloves etc. Focuses on my priorities & pushes me to give 100% every time.

Exercise-wise, it's the best thing I have ever done. I feel amazing, my fitness has improved really quickly & get so much more out of it than I did the last God knows how many years of gym memberships.

It's £26 for the hour - your gym sounds expensive,are they charging membership on top?

Sorry - posted without RTFT!
I see you went for .it - good for you!