I’m starting with a personal trainer this week

[Bhu]

Eek 😬

I have a zoom call with him tomorrow, then a 1-1 introductory session on Wednesday evening, then starting weekly small group sessions (4 people) the next day!

I am excited but trying not to get too carried away with the idea that this is going to change everything…

I had a personal trainer for a year and loved it so much! I hope you will too. I ended up realising that I love weight lifting which I never expected. What are your goals, are you hoping for weight loss or increased strength for example?

I’ve had a PT for just over a year now and I love it, having the accountability is what I need and personalised training plans are great. Knowing that you are performing exercises safely and correctly is vital and just having a friendly face to encourage you through your workouts is wonderful. Good luck!

Weight loss for sure. General fitness, guidance with strength because I tried to do it by myself and injured myself, and accountability with cardio, because I know running makes a big difference for me but I hate it so much 😄

You sound like me! I hate running and only do it for the cardio, my PT has got me doing a running plan to help with my stamina, I’m only really doing it because I’d like to be able to actually run, not going for speed or marathons.

PTs are great, some moves like bent over rows I found really difficult to get the form right with, having someone correct you to stop you hurting yourself is really helpful.

That’s good, gives me hope I’ll love it like you do then 🙂

I love it too, and it is so worth it especially for strength training. Learning to train efficiently makes all the difference to your solo sessions too.

Running isn’t compulsory lol. You can achieve cardio fitness doing loads of other stuff, which your PT will help with.

I started with a PT nearly 2.5 years ago and I can honestly say it’s changed my life. I was ready for a change but needed that kick up the bum.

I’m fitter, stronger, nearly 2 stone lighter and just so much more active. It’s a way of life now. I have defined arms, some abs hiding under a little bit of podge and strong legs. I deadlift, squat and can do push-ups and pull-ups.

You’ll love it!

I’m fitter, stronger, nearly 2 stone lighter and just so much more active. It’s a way of life now. I have defined arms, some abs hiding under a little bit of podge and strong legs. I deadlift, squat and can do push-ups and pull-ups.

This paragraph basically sums up my goals. All of that please.

I hate running slightly less than most other cardio (rowing, steps, swimming), and it has the bonus of being able to do it on the treadmill while watching telly, so… 😄

Then you can do it! If I can, anyone can. I’m half a century old, menopausal and knackered but exercise gives me energy.

I also run, but for the mental headspace as much as anything. And treadmill running is so tedious!

When I started I said to my PT my goal is to be strong. I want to be able to do a push up and a pull-up.

Now I can do both 🙂

I’d love to be able to run for the headspace. At the moment, if I try, my head is full with ‘this is so hard, I hate it, can I stop yet?’, with every step 😄

@Bhu thats why I’m doing a treadmill training plan. I’d like to be able to just run without finding it impossible, I put on my music and shut out the world. It’s still hard and I’m not aiming for speed, just to be able to do it!

@Sidge, I'm similar, mid-50s. Love my strength training and I use running for mental headpspace and building stamina/general fitness, love pootling around local parks. I do a weekly HIIT bootcamp as well.

@Bhu, in that case run slower! As slow as feels comfortable and then slow down some more 😁. You are more likely to stick at it that way, and your speed will increase if you run regularly without you noticing, at least at first. And I like running on little woodland paths in parks, different routes, good audible book on the go...

Just about to start With a PT, would love an update on how you are doing & any tips for starting out!

It’s going well! Each week I have one session at the gym with the PT, and one zoom call with him to chat about nutrition. Then I do a workout at home one day and a a bit of a run another day, usually about 3-3.5K.

He actually started me off a little easy, so the last session I had (3rd so far) I pushed it a bit further on weights and it was the first session where it felt properly hard, so hoping he goes with me on it and starts to challenge me soon. Actually, at the end of the session he gently encouraged me to get on the treadmill for ‘a finisher’ which I definitely wouldn’t have done if it was just me at the gym, so definitely a bit of a challenge there!

I’m enjoying it and starting to see results so feeling good about it 🙂

This is what I did about 4 years ago. It’s quite addictive. I train twice a week with a PT who is wonderful - he’s basically my life coach.

we do 30 mins strength training and 30 mins metcon (metabolic conditioning) each session.

And the strength stuff is classic: barbell squats and deadlifts, with accessory work in the sled (I dragged 350 kilos a couple of weeks ago)and stuff like pull-ups and lay pull downs.

The first half the session I get nice rest gaps - you need them when you’re pulling a 90k deadlift or a set of 6 squats at 50 kilos - the metcon bit “Rest gaps are over” is the motto.

Metcon can include running - usually intervals on the treadmill for speed, or stuff like box jumps, ski erg, assault bike, loads of burpees and hand release push ups ….

I started this in my late 50s and I’m still making gains. It’s fantastic being strong as fuck, too.

Lat pull downs.

it’s about the only machine I’d use in my PT sessions together with occasional use of the leg press. The rest is doing a lot of moving around and few weights work.