Does a personal trainer help you make real changes to your body shape?

[RainbowBriteRules]

I want to get fit and have started exercising after many months of doing very little. I am wondering about a PT but they are SO expensive (I do realise I am paying for an expert service).

I am an apple shaped size 10 and my main motivation at the moment is my tummy. When I tense the muscles and breathe in it just has a slight podge which is fine. When I relax it splodges out so far forward that I could easily pass for pregnant. I can’t wear anything fitted as I have such a belly.

My issue is that having put on a few pounds elsewhere I do not want to lose all of them and go back to being stick thin which is my usual.

I think I need:-
Someone to actually look at my tummy and tell me if it is fat or muscle tone that is the problem
Some way of getting fit, losing my tummy without losing all the extra weight. I’m carrying half a stone more than usual but well within healthy BMI. I’m happy to have a bit of podge there in return for the extra on my hips.

Would I be ok joining my local gym which is great value and gives you your own program? From reading on here it seems I need to do weights.

Or do I need a PT, in which case I don’t think I could actually afford the gym so wouldn’t have any weight machines to use!

[RainbowBriteRules]

Should add I have checked myself for diastasis recti and I don’t think I have it.

[carrie74]

I can never work myself as hard as my PT works me, plus he's brilliant at properly exhausting a set of muscles by using different exercises. Over the years I've seen various PTs, sometimes only once a month just to keep me on track and give me goals for in between.

Working out properly should reduce your body fat, not necessarily your weight, to give you a more 'toned' look. When I started seeing my current PT, I was quite slim, but still had a double chin (in certain positions). That was one of the first things to go, and I was amazed.

[RainbowBriteRules]

Yes! I have a double chin too sometimes. I have an appointment on Friday with someone and am cautiously optimistic. I really miss feeling fit but am very worried about losing my hard earned extra weight.

It has seriously taken me about a year of eating a huge amount and massively limiting exercise to put on this half stone and I know that if I am not careful it will be gone in a week of exercise. So many people don’t understand or think I am lying.

I just hope the PT understands that or I will be too worried to try anything.

I’m wondering whether to try really hard to put on a bit more weight on my own before I see the PT so that I have some spare to lose.

[comeherepetal]

Yes - providing they are a good PT obviously. I would recommend once or twice a week and follow his/her plan the rest of the time on your own. It will bring out your confidence on what exercise/weights to do. I would highly recommend.

[DandelionAndBedrock]

A good PT will also be able to give you nutritional advice to help with weight loss/maintenance/gain, and target workouts to support that. My PT has become one of my my most favourite people and I have lost over 5 stone with him in the last year. At the same time he has another client who is bulking up (she was a small size 6 to start with). She’s probably a comfortable size 8 now, but pretty much pure muscle. A PT won’t (or shouldn’t) just be interested in fat burning exercises, especially if you explain your concerns. Good luck!

[RainbowBriteRules]

That all sounds good . I will keep my fingers crossed.