PT - What to expect

[prescribingmum]

I am considering using a PT to help me get fit and into shape but wanted to find out a bit more from those who use one.

I met one for an initial session, they measured body composition, discussed diet and then did a short workout. Admittedly, the consultation took up some of the time but I didn't workout as much as I expected but was pushed harder on weights than I would do at home which is definitely a positive.

My questions to those who use a PT would be:
How often do you see them? How long are your sessions?
How hard do they work you? Proportion of strength to cardio?
Do they advise you on workouts to do without them in between sessions?
How much do they advise you on diet?
How much do you pay (if you don't mind saying)? I am outer London so expect to be higher than elsewhere in the country

Any other useful information or tips for me?

Hopeful bump!

I see my PT once a week, sessions are an hour (by which I mean, 50-60 mins rather than always 60 mins).

I've been seeing him for - err - a decade, so it's varied but for the last few years my focus has been specifically on building strength so no cardio - I can do cardio myself, I don't need to pay someone to watch me... Though if we finish up a bit quicker e.g. 45 mins he'll sometimes throw in a "finisher" which is something like a sled push or kettlebells so has some cardio to it.

It is bloody hard work... but I wouldn't expect the first trial session to be that hard! It should have given you an idea. I push myself but he always pushes me harder, like pushing me to 12 reps when I'd have stopped after 10.

He does me a programme, I like to work out 4 times a week so he's done 4 workouts (2 x upper 2 x lower body) and I do one with him then the other 3 on my own. He changes them every 4-6 weeks.

We talk about diet, he has a nutrition qualification as well as the PT; again in the past we've talked about it a lot but now I basically know what I need to do so all I need is moral support rather than advice. N.B. Not all PTs have training on nutrition, if that's important to you ask about their training/qualifications...

And I pay £35 an hour (north west).

I had a PT for a couple of years. As I'm pretty self-motivated for exercise I didn't need him to push me to exercise, more for providing routines on his app for my 5 days at the gym - I get easily bored so he changed them round every 4 weeks - and diet advice although I never lost any weight because I'm a pig with no self control around food!!!. Every 3-4 weeks we would have a PT session and go through some of the old and new exercises to make sure I was doing them properly. he has lots of international clients and I wish I could afford to use him again. I paid £60 a month for the app and one face to face session.

I know others who only exercise with their PT as they always find reasons why they can't exercise if they don't have someone to 'meet'. I know other people who get their routines on apps and never use a PT. it's all down to personal needs and aims.

I'm a PT. Will try to answer your questions from my perspective...

How often do you see them? How long are your sessions?
For me, this tends to be client-led. I see some clients twice a week, some once a fortnight. Once a week is typical.

How hard do they work you? Proportion of strength to cardio?
This varies depending on client goals. Sometimes it isn't just about working 'hard'. If I'm establishing a fitness baseline I'd expect to push a client to their limit, but it might take some experimentation to work out where that limit is. And of course it will vary according to equipment; some people will be able to row or cycle all day long, but can't do more than three push-ups or will be out of puff within two minutes on a treadmill.

The first session with any client is always a bit of a compromise because I'm taking a history, working out goals, talking about likes and dislikes, covering essential health and safety stuff, measuring height/weight/HR/BP etc. It's usually session two when clients walk out wobbling!

Do they advise you on workouts to do without them in between sessions?
I do this, some PTs won't. Again, it rather depends on client goals. I design programmes for my clients that they can do in their own gym time.

How much do they advise you on diet?
I don't advise on diet. Unless a PT has an additional qualification over and above the PT diploma, they shouldn't be advising on diet beyond pointing you towards the standard healthy eating guidelines. If you want tailored diet advice, you should see a dietician.

How much do you pay (if you don't mind saying)? I am outer London so expect to be higher than elsewhere in the country
I charge between £60 and £75 an hour but I sell packages, not individual sessions, so it depends on the package.

Thank you all, that is so helpful. While I can just about afford to have a few sessions to set me on the right path, I want to be sure I am investing wisely.

I used an online PT a few years back after having DC2 - at the time I was clueless about diet, macros and exercise. Whilst I did learn from her, I feel like it was mostly a waste of money as I was just not in the right place to commit, particularly where diet was concerned (2 kids under 2, extremely sleep deprived and ebf therefore constantly ravenous!)

I have used the bits I learnt from her to continue working out but starting to feel I would benefit from someone giving me a little guidance.

From what you have all described, sounds like the service this PT offers is what would be expected for the amount they charge, I just need to find out about workouts in my own time as I can't afford more than half hour weekly/1hr fortnightly

I’ve been seeing a PT for just over 2 years. I was chubby, flabby and unfit and whilst I knew the nutrition stuff and had used a gym for cardio and classes before, for me it was about becoming fit, strong and toned.

I’m easily bored so need him to mix it up and keep it fresh for me. He’s shown me different ways of achieving my goals, using equipment in the gym and at home to work out.

I see him for an hour a week and block book sessions so get a reduced hourly rate. I pay £300 for 10 sessions and also get his advice and support between my sessions, to do my own workouts.

Thank you. I am going to get in touch to ask about giving me guidance on workouts to do at home

I see 2 different PTs. One for boxing (so cardio focused) once or twice a week and the other for strength training (absolutely no cardio whatsoever) once or twice a week. Boxing sessions last 45 mins. Strength depends on the exact program we are doing at the time but between 45 mins and an hour (I warm up by myself first). Strength guy sets me 4 sessions per week to do either with him supervising or by myself. He likes me to record the main lifts on video and send to him to review if I am training on my own, and if I am unsure of anything I can record it and send it through. I have never consulted a PT on nutrition (though I might discuss aspects with them as a matter of interest). I am in the South East and the going rate for PT here is around £40 per hour. Some will give you homework for that price, some won't.