What's a good PT like?

[Sentimentaleducation]

Wondering this as I recently booked a few sessions with a PT. I was clear about my goals - to increase muscle and gain weight, and also that it would be for a short time in terms of sessions (although perhaps if it had worked out really well I might have extended the number of sessions).

I was left feeling really dissatisfied. I had expected to get nutritional advice - I did ask but didn't get much info.

I was shown exercises at the gym - but wasn't told after the last session what I should do going forward. I also felt I didn't get a good explanation of the types of exercise I should do and why.

There was no discussion of what I should be doing in between the sessions - again I asked but didn't really get a response.

Yes I did learn how to do a couple of exercises but not really sure how they are helping to meet my goals.

Is this how PT works? What's good PT like? I have considered finding another but not if it's going to be similar. I wonder if we just didn't click.

My PT does an entire hour session workout with me - doesn't stop unless it's to correct my form. Totally curated for my needs, written notes after so I can repeat on my own. Was this a PT in a gym? They aren't nutritionists so I wouldn't expect advice there, but yours sounds a bit rubbish. Gym PT by any chance? They aren't very good IME. The ones that work 100% independently are usually better.

How many sessions did you go for?

TBOM written notes would have been great. Maybe expecting nutritional advice was too much?

I had 5 sessions. As I say I never wanted to have loads, but if I thought it had been working better I would have rebooked.

I wouldn't expect nutritional advice. I would however expect a programme for days between sessions.

I think your mistake may have been saying you only wanted a few sessions. They may have leaned in a bit more if they thought you were going to be an ongoing client. I've been with my PT for 3 years now, see her once a week. That's what they like. I'm fit and toned and perfectly capable of training without her, but she keeps me motivated and constantly progressing.

They should write out a routine you could do on your own between sessions. Also explain why they are having you do certain things like 'as you like cardio using kettle bells will allow you to increase heart rate and work with weights using more muscle groups' 'doing X will help increase your core strength which will do x y z'.
Try another one. Be specific about what you want.

Fair point TBOM - although I would have hoped the PT would have given me a reason to stick with them. I just felt they weren't that interested.

Thanks Monday if I do so again I am going to be very specific about what I want and will quiz them a bit more in advance.

Msfogi yes I did expect this and I guess if there is a next time (diff PT) I will ask for this.

PT didn't ask for feedback at all - I do a public facing role and we always ask for feedback, which can be hard, but also helpful.

Where are you in the UK? My PT is really good and does Zoom sessions as well as in person. More than happy to link you (and no I don’t get a referral discount!). She just changed my life in a very positive way.

Mine has just left the gym, but he did nutrition with me - gave me sheets when I first started with him and sent links to online info. He had me log my food on MFP and added me as a friend on there so he could see my food diary.
We did a lot of exercise - he taught me proper form for squats, deadlifts etc, and how to increase weights safely. He set me a step target.
Once a month we did a review, where he took photos, measurements and we discussed nutrition and importantly, mindset - any challenges or areas I wanted to work on.
I was gutted when he moved on.

Out of interest, where did you find your personal trainer? Do you have to have a gym subscription as well as paying for the pt? I am thinking about getting one as I have zero motivation....thanks.

I'm a PT. Be aware that the training we get on nutrition is literally a glorified version of the nhs eatwell plate. Anything beyond that - especially meal plans, etc - is beyond our scope of practice. Having said that, your PT could have advised you on increasing cals and ideal macros to gain weight/muscle. Clients often ask about how to hit their protein targets, and we can definitely help with stuff like that.

I have both long and short term clients, and will try to get an idea of their expectations as soon as possible. If you are only having a few sessions, you need to get the most out of them, and I will structure them accordingly. That will include advice on how to train independently, and sessions will be aimed at giving clients the confidence to do so. I do provide a list of the best exercises to help you reach your goal - i have a library of youtube demos that i can easily find and email out - but anything more than that involves an additional charge. Detailed programmes take hours to put together!

It sounds as though your PT may have been either newly qualified and not very confident, or a bit jaded. Of course they might just have been a bit crap, but working in the big box gyms can be pretty soul destroying. Don't be put off though, there are loads of us out there who would jump at the chance to train someone with your goals - 99% of clients tend to want to 'lose weight and tone up.' Nothing wrong with that, but it is always exciting to find someone who wants to grow instead of shrink 😁

I would expect them to be with you the entire session, not just showing you exercises, they should be guiding you on what weights to use, technique, counting your reps etc. I always hoped for nutritional advice but never got it although we'd often talk about what we were having for dinner ;)
I enjoyed mine but often felt like it was his "workout of the week" that he adapted for all clients, rather than a session developed specifically for me.

I love mine , twice a week ... a lot of repetition but lots of progression .

Since I've been with him I've gone from doing 5kg dumbbells chest press to 15kg and up to 70kg deadlifts

You should also have a program of other exercises for the week ('I don't want to know do x because of y , I just want the session lists)

We don't talk about diet or weight because I've asked him specifically I don't want that

They work for you !

I would run many many miles from a PT willing to offer nutritional advice. Its a very different skill
set.

Good PTs/instructors are good teachers, IMO and IME, and teach you how to train without them. Chemistry and trust also important. My gym has a PT that sounds like yours - he just says randomly "and now you are going to do x" and stands there looking bored and counting reps. Seems to have new clients each week, never the same ones, all doing much the same programmes.

I wouldn't expect evidence-based rounded nutritional advice from a PT, but they might be able to offer suggestions about how to up protein etc, as pp said.

The only nutritional advice mine offers is suggestions on where to seek professional advice and if I beg tips on how to increase my protein intake.

I don't have a formal PT, just a good working relationship with one of the gym instructors who did my induction and she gave me much more than that. I want to get stronger and leaner (not lose weight). This is just a council gym and she assessed my form, wrote me a program and went through it with me. She talks to me while I'm there and we're going to reasses in a month. She doesn't do 'motivation', but I don't need it, I'm quite disciplined when I set my mind to something. She also doesn't give nutritional advice. I'm happy with it, giving this costs me 34/month.

The PT doesn't sound very good OP. I'm a qualified PT though I do more other things now and I would certainly have given written notes and a plan. I also hold higher qualifications in nutrition. These are available though most level 3 PTs don't have them. Look for a level 4 PT and someone with additional qualifications. You don't usually find them in gyms though but in independent PTs.

My PT provided the macros I should be hitting but not exactly what I should be eating. So far he’s been spot on in terms of me reaching goals. I see him twice a week (different on each day) and I repeat the workouts myself x2 per week. We have a spreadsheet detailing daily info; steps, weight, exercise (inc cardio), calories, macros, energy level and a section to reflect on the week as well as any questions/concerns.

Generally the sessions go quick, stopping only to correct form. Changes are made on an ongoing basis. If I want to learn something specific I just ask.

I think it works well as I take it seriously and I’m there early and warmed up/ready to go. My time is precious but so is his. Mutual respect and giving it my best every time works for us.

I do wonder if your short term requirement meant your PT wasn’t entirely invested in you. It’s tricky to nail down a plan if you’re only seeing someone a few times.

Thank you everyone - useful to hear others' experiences.

Woodland, you sound a great PT. And Dentist and Steval, your PTs sound what I was looking for. I think you're maybe right that my PT didn't in invest so much because I was only there for the short term. But that did mean she then lost out on a client extending their contract.

Clearly expecting much nutritional advice is too much, although Susan that's a good tip to look for those qualifications.

I will definitely have more questions if I hire a PT again, and will be asking for a written record. Going to see how I get on alone for a few weeks.

Sign up for the Nike Training Club app. It’s based on free weights rather than other equipment but has a fab range of targeted routines. I usually start in the gym with 30 mins of cardio (treadmill or rowing machine) followed by one or two of NTC sessions depending on length.

Thanks TBOM, I will look into that. I don't need motivating to exercise, I just want suggestions on what to focus on to increase muscle.

Filter on the app to look for strength building routines, that should give you what you’re looking for.

Mine was my swimming teacher. But people ask in our local Facebook group and there are always loads of recommendations so maybe try that, or look on other social media to see who's around locally.

I think the ones who work in gyms can be quite young and inexperienced. But not always.