Do you have a Personal Trainer? Can you please tell me about having one?

[HairsprayBabe]

Hi I am really close to reaching my goal weight/size/ BMI etc. and I think it is a real lack of exercise that is holding me back.

Trouble is I can't just go to the gym as I have no idea what I am doing! Have tried running and I hate it, it is not for me so I am looking into getting a PT for cardio and strength stuff. I currently do rock climbing once a week and salsa once a week but would love to try something a bit more focused.

Is it super awkward at first? Do you have to get along like with a driving instructor? Is a male or female instructor better for a woman? Will they pick apart my diet and make me feel like I am being told off?

Most importantly are they worth the money?

And experiences or advice would be greatly appreciated!

For info I am mid 20's work full time and live in the west midlands.

I have had a personal trainer for a few years (I'm also mid twenties) and I can't tell you what it does for your confidence and education on how to use the gym. I now know what to do on the days I don't have my sessions, and feel like I can vary it up. I got a PT before my wedding a few years ago and was/am so pleased with results. I was generally very active before but just needed a bit more variety in my workouts. He introduced me to heavy weights, (which isn't as scary as it sounds and does not bulk you up!) amongst other things. I'm also 20 weeks pregnant now and he has been fantastic at adapting my workout for me, whilst still leaving me feeling like I've actually done something, as prenatal exercise can be daunting! Re costs, it is pricey, but some gyms do good packages, and I make sure I set that money aside each month as if I didn't do it I wouldn't be as happy. Sorry for the essay and I hope I've sort of answered this for you!!

I booked a block of 4 PT sessions at my gym to get over a plateau that I was experiencing, and to learn new stuff. It was definitely worth it for me. I had my sessions every other week (but had about a month's break around Christmas time). Nothing beats 1:1, IMHO. Classes are great, but it's so easy to get your form wrong in a group and not be corrected.

Mine didn't discuss diet at all. But, then again, I didn't ask her.

Regarding M/F, whether you get along etc., regardless of gender, I think it's probably best if you can have a laugh with them (you want to enjoy your sessions and not feel awkward with huffing/puffing!), and that you feel they are listening to you.

Good luck!

I started with a PT at the start of December and have had one session a week since then. For me it was the best decision, I was a new starter (again!) to exercise and very unfit and needing to lose 6 stone. Since then I've gone down a dress size and lost 10lbs. My PT - male - is really good, supportive, and gets the sessions to my level, but increasing each week. I normally do cardio to start - generally treadmill or rower and often interval training and then a good half hour of weights, but never using a machine. I know my form is correct and it's mixed up each week and I can see the improvement.

It's worth finding out or watching them do a session eg if you're in the gym already to see how they work, PTs tend to have a different style from each other. I have a good match and can ask all questions whether on diet or exercise and they get answered. He'll make suggestions, but has never told me off for having a bad diet week! I find if I have had a bad diet week, I use the PT session as th fresh week and new start. For me they are definitely worth the money.

Hope this helps

I'm aching from my second session last night with my PT (I still can't get my head around saying that, it's so not me!). I lost 4 and a half stone last year by using MyFitnessPal and lots of cardio- I started off walking, then swimming, then progressed to Zumba and Spin. Never liked the gym as it intimidated me but I knew I needed some strength training to tone up. I'm 47 and have wobbly bits.
So I asked my Zumba teacher as the leisure centre and she recommended someone who it turns out I knew vaguely. She's really good, has already pushed me (I did proper grown up weights last night!). Not expensive- £65 for 5 block sessions in different gym, not the council one I go to for classes.
Obviously too soon to see any difference but I'm feeling it already.

I've had trainers on and off over the years and really recommend it.

They'll teach you how to use weights. Once you understand how they work, you can learn all sorts of variations just from books and YouTube.

Trainers are really good at navigating crowded gyms... If something is occupied, they'll instantly think of something else to do that achieves the same thing. The more of these things you know, the more you'll be able to adapt to any gym setting and equipment.

I still want to check in and get a few sessions in the future, as there are a few things I'm a bit nervous to try on my own.

Oh and I don't think male vs female matters. You just want someone who seems friendly. If you want to be bossed around and pushed, tell them that. (I tell them that I have been through actual military boot camp and I don't care for that.) If you want to be taught things that you can do on your own, tell them that.

I had one for 4 weeks. For me it was too intense. I like to hide at the back of a class and do it to the level I feel comfortable with. She pushed me out of my comfort zone and I didn't enjoy it. Just me though.

I've had PTs several times over the years for a block of sessions. They've always been male but I've never once felt uncomfortable, and they have always checked to make sure I am ok with them touching me during training and stretches.

It really helps you get established with a training programme and work out what training suits you. I'd definitely recommend it.

I had a PT for a few months a few years back when getting back into exercise post DC and I loved it: learnt loads of fun new stuff kettle bells, boxing, how to do basic moves e.g. Squats and lunges with proper form. It was good to have the commitment of having to go and meet them (no slacking off/ I'll go tomorrow). Plus it was always varied and I made loads of progress.

The only reason I stopped was that I couldn't afford it (40 pounds per session). It felt unfair not to pay for DH to have sessions too so it was costly. I thought I could keep it up on my own but it turns out I couldn't past a few months.

So I've just signed us both back up again at a new gym that has a launch discount and has a 1:3 PT group which is cheaper. It's actually 1:1 at the moment as they don't have many clients yet. I'd love to share with DH but no childcare so we have to go separately. I've only been to the first session and I already feel better!

Mine mentions diet a bit but doesn't go on about it if you aren't keen. My last male trainer was very sweet and respectful. He would push you but not shout or intimidate. He always asked if he needed to touch me and when I said I'd prefer minimum touching he was actually quite relieved! He also always wore a tracksuit even when it was hot in summer and told me it's company policy not to intimidate clients.

So yes definitely go for it you won't regret it

I didn't find it too awkward at all. It's their job to put you at ease. It was actually rather lovely having someone focused on you for an hour.

There's usually an assessment/ induction thing where they ask about goals and that's the only bit that I found awkward. It is worth being honest. I was a bit embarrassed to tell the trainer that actually I want to look good in swimwear. I felt I should have a more 'proper' goal.

I would recommend them to anyone.

I am hugely overweight, and it's making such a difference to me. Currently doing lots of weight work that I would never have had the ability or confidence to do before.

Getting one who suits you is the most important part. I don't respond well to shouting, but mine just goes very quite if I complain I cant do something, and waits. And waits until I generally manage to do what I've just complained I couldn't.

If you think of it as education, rather than an indulgence like getting a massage, it helps to justify the cost.
There are some people who pay a trainer to motivate them, using it for accountability. If you can afford that, great. But a dozen sessions over 6-12 weeks, with the aim of being taught how to exercise, is an investment.

Thanks everyone,
I think I am just going to dive in, there is a PT who offers a few packages for a reasonable cost at the gym near my work. I really want to learn how to use the gym properly, I felt when I went off of my own steam I just had no idea what I was doing and felt very self conscious.

I think it depends on the trainer. I hired one for a while and was very motivated but i really felt she was just going through the motions so to speak. For me, with that particular trainer, it was a waste of a lot of money.

chameleon Birmingham/Solihull but I don't drive, I have been looking into them but all the good ones have long waiting lists for the times I am available!