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Exercise

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Original poster

Personal trainer - advice please

18 replies

queribus · 10/10/2010 19:11

I'm thinking of going for a personal trainer to get motivation, help with goals and a bit of a kick up the backside with regards to exercise. Any tips for finding a good one? What should I look for?

A cmpany operatres out of the local gym, but everytime I see them their clients are young and slim and it puts me off a bit, to be honest, as I'm really not that young and anything but slim.

I realy don't want to make an arse of myself, but I really need to start exercising again.

OP posts:

nevergoogle · 10/10/2010 19:17

i was a personal trainer in a previous life.

firstly you want to make sure they are on the register of exercise professionals REPS
then it really is down to trying them to see.
I'd be looking for variety of exercise approaches pilates, free weights, cardio, stretching, and nutrition advice.
Then i'd be interested in available equipment.
and of course price will depend on where you live.

nevergoogle · 10/10/2010 19:19

ooh you can search for people in your area on the reps site.

Original poster

queribus · 11/10/2010 20:19

Thanks for your help -

OP posts:

MadameCastafiore · 11/10/2010 20:21

Buy yourself a set of Jillian Micheals DVDs and save your money.

LittleCheesyPineappleOne · 11/10/2010 20:30

On the REPS site, how do you get in touch with them? There are no contact details.

nevergoogle · 11/10/2010 21:28

the names that have the little person next to them have a link to contact details when you click on their name.

LittleCheesyPineappleOne · 11/10/2010 22:00

Ah, I didn't get any names with a little person; will need to expand my search. Thank you.

mckenzie · 11/10/2010 22:08

recommendation is good queribus. (i'm speaking as someone who has used personal trainers in the past and who is a qualified personal trainer herself).

I'd also be looking to have a free chat first, quite a detailed chat as you don't want your first hours session to be taken up with the admin, facts and figures etc.

Maybe ask the person who you are considering if you can speak to any of their current or previous clients?

When you watch PTs working in your local gym, see what they are doing while their client is, for example, on the running machine. Are they looking at their mobile, checking out the rest of the gym or are they motivating their client, watching their client, engaging with their client.

Hope you find someone you gel with. Using PTs can be very very rewarding. And the REPS registration is essential.

Original poster

queribus · 13/10/2010 18:22

OK - I've had a very good recommendation from someone at work for a PT - own gym facility, very good, variety of approaches - sounds great (and my colleague looks fab!).

However, there is no sign of the PT on the REPS site! I'm going to see her on Friday for a (free) chat about my goals etc. Should I ask outright if she is a member of REPS? If she isn't, should I walk away?

Thanks

OP posts:

nevergoogle · 13/10/2010 19:47

definitely ask about it, would be interesting to find out.

mckenzie · 14/10/2010 15:16

If she isn't REPS registered, she might not be properly qualified, insured or up to date with latest techniques etc. It depends how much that all bothers you.

Original poster

queribus · 14/10/2010 19:37

mckenzie - that's what's worrying me a bit now. I definitely would like someone who is properly qualified etc.

I've been put in touch with someone else (who is on the REPS website) but it would mean making over an hour round trip in the evening - plus the actual session - and I really need someone local. But there don't seem to be many PTs in my area!

It's frustrating too - where I used to live the staff at the leisure centre gym used to be able to offer PT sessions in their own time, making use of the facilities (iyswim). All their qualifications etc. were on a noticeboard, along with their particular interests and you could just have a chat and see who was available and who you got on with. It seemed to work well.

Thanks everyone for the advice! :)

OP posts:

mckenzie · 14/10/2010 20:56

with that sort of round trip I doubt you'd stick with it queribus, would you? They'd have to be really something special to warrant that much travelling huh.
Do you have a local sports magazine of any sort (we have one called Everyone's a winner and people advertise in there). Or try the local sports centre or call you local running or cycling club and ask if they know anyone.

BTW, I've just re-read you opening message. Don't be put of by other peoples shapes or appearances. You want to do this for you. Why don't you speak to some of the staff at your local gym and just see what sort of feel you get? Remember queribus, the really gorgeous, drop dead fantastic body, hair like Cheryl Cole ones are generally too busy looking at themselves in the mirror to be bothered with looking at us mere mortals. (and before I get slated for that comment please remember I have my tongue in my cheek as i type it )

Original poster

queribus · 29/11/2010 20:15

Thanks for all replies. Turns out my PT is on the REPS site and has the required qualifications and insurance. I also asked for references which I checked out. It really helped to check, though, and she was fine with me asking so that was a real positive. (I bet she thought I was a right fuss pot, though!!) It's costing quite a bit so I wanted to be certain before committing.

I'm finding it hard to fit in sessions with works, kids and other stuff, but it is SO worth it. In three weeks, I've dropped 4 kilos and eating much more sensibly. And it's great having some one to push me.

I'll be back on my bike in no time at this rate ...

OP posts:

nevergoogle · 29/11/2010 20:19

well done. sounds good.

hatcam · 12/01/2011 18:03

Hope it's working out with the trainer, justnwanted to chip in as I'm a really well qualified trainer with tons of experience and all the relevant insurance, but I've chosen to duck out of REPs. I think a few trainers are choosing not to renew with REPs as it seems to have lost its way a bit, giving some really bogus training course providers the opportunity to validate their courses with 'official' accreditation. So, without getting in my soapbox I think you need not worry about REPs as long as a trainer can provide details of insurance, qualifications and references. Have fun!

maltesers · 05/02/2011 19:53

Personally i reckon you need a trainer that is esy to get to, so local and someone you like and get on with and trust knows what he/she is talking about., , ,oh, and not too wildly expensive. .unless money is no object!

June2009 · 14/02/2011 14:55

can you try the trainer from the gym, sometimes they will do an assessment for free.
i felt the same when i started with the trainer at the gym, 4 stones overweight then...it's not easy to overcome this, but their clients were probably overweight to start with. you have to just try it, what have you got to loose?
it could be the best thing you ever did, i know it was for me, i lost all the weight and re-assessed my targets and carry on training.

i must add that a personal trainer once a week is probably not enough to loose weight, it's great to show you what you can do and how to push yourself but i would advise to join some classes as well.

i pay my trainer 35 pounds an hour, in london.

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