Do you have a PT?

[TheChosenTwo]

Looking into getting a PT again, I’ve become horribly unfit AGAIN and think I need someone to reset me and get me back on the straight and narrow. If you have one do you find it motivating? I block booked 10 sessions a few years ago with one at my local gym and she was brilliant but left now. I did always feel a bit stupid though as I was exercising and she was obviously just stood there watching me (I know this is important to check form etc but I guess I felt quite self conscious 😂).
Just being nosey really, I want to commit to getting fitter and healthier (so just an ongoing contract rather than just block booking 10 sessions) and feel like it’s a positive step, I tend to do the same things in the gym and avoid anything I find too difficult and could do with someone giving me a bit of motivation. I don’t know anyone that uses my gym so going with a friend isn’t an option unfortunately!

Yes I do. I don't need it for motivation or getting me to try hard stuff, quite the opposite. I lift heavy so I need them to check form and put the brakes on sometimes.

I don't really like people looking at me too much either so do find I get self conscious sometimes. But a good one will watch discretely. I don't think they're stood around doing nothing then though, as they need to think what cues you might need, next steps etc.

I'd be honest about what you do and don't want, what works and doesn't for you, so they can provide you with what you need as everyone is different. I've told mine to stop doing things I find unhelpful on occasion.

I was always put off having one as I thought they'd shout and belittle me (hello school PE!) but that's never happened. And I now know not to stand for it if it did.

All that said, I didn't have one for the first 9 months and had a blast! So I don't think they're essential.

Just realised I've not quite answered your question in all that. In terms of whether I find it motivating, no in the sense that I'm already very motivated. But what I find motivating is lifting heavy stuff, my body getting strong, progressing up the weights and being amazed what I can do, and the endorphin hit. If a PT helps you start doing the stuff you find hard and try new things, and keeps you committed enough for a while, it might be you experience this too, then the motivation comes from that. And I hope it does as the feeling is the best.

Yes, every week for donkey’s years. We go on holiday together 🤣. He’s a non-negotiable!

Yes I have a PT. She is separate from my gym and has her own "studio" at home
Like pp said I am very motivated anyway and go to the gym 3/4x a week separate to the PT who I see 1/2x a week

She has helped me try new things and learn new techniques and I seen a massive difference when starting with her vs doing the same things in the gym I always did.

Yes. She's fabulous.

I do an hour a week with her and have done for years.

She pushes me a lot and gives me confidence to do things I wouldn't otherwise do. She's also got me into heavy lifting (she's even suggested I look at competing) and I love it.

Go for it. You've got nothing to lose.

I did and I’m going back to her soon. I tried alone and was okay for a few months but let life (excuses) get in the way.
I was going to her twice a week and then doing another two days alone.

She pushed me but pushed me to want more, try harder, be braver.

Have you looked into crossfit/seen if you have a local crossfit gym? It's a game changer when it comes to fitness and motivation.

Yes, coming up to a decade of weekly sessions. Continued his zoom during the 'rona years.

I've always been reasonably sporty but found, no matter what exercise I did, I ended up with backache and often other aches and pains too. Loads of doctors all confirmed there was nothing wrong , so it may be postural.

Finally found the right person and have not looked back. I'm fitter and in better shape than I have been since, oh I was about six years old.

Listens to my breathing rather than my oh, ow surely that's enough coming out of my mother sometimes. Usually makes me do a few more for good luck. Turned out to be exactly right that the things I tend to avoid are exactly the things I should do more of.

One of the tricks I most appreciate is when I am struggling with something, tends to make me focus on something else. Eg stretch the feet by sitting back on them , give me a complicated hand sequence in which to focus. Completely forget about the feet.

I think with the right knowledgable person their area is much less important. My PT is actually a yoga teacher first and foremost. Who knew yoga could be aerobic and using just body weight so physically demanding. M
The best treat for myself.

Oh wow, really positive stories here.
I’m lazy (not sure if I actually am to be honest! But given the chance I definitely shy away from going the extra mile and I think I just need some encouragement that I can and should push myself a bit more. As I said, ideally I’d just have a gym buddy but I don’t know anyone else who goes so I think using one of their PTs again is the next best thing. It’s £45 an hour, might start off with one a week and see how I’m getting on with a view to increasing to two if I’m doing okay with it.
I get down there 2 or 3 times a week anyway for spin and general gym so I’d rather try and get myself to be a bit more productive while I’m there!
Thanks for sharing your experiences with me, it’s given me some clarity.

@TheChosenTwo I would have said I was lazy too. Try and get me to run around or pedal hard up a hill and I'm lazy. Put me on a running machine and not a chance. But put a weight in my hand and I am so determined and motivated. Even tell me to run around with something heavy and I'll do it. It hits entirely differently. Not the case for everyone but if you think you're lazy but then aren't so sure you are maybe this is it.

I’m just lacking in the motivation to push myself, taking the path of least resistance at all times. I tell myself things are too hard for me even when I know deep down I could have managed more. It’s a mind over matter thing I’m sure, I need to get mentally fit as much as anything else!

You just need to gain confidence in yourself and a PT will definitely help you

I've been going to my PT for three years, started out three times a week now once a week (go to the gym on my own too).

Motivation and accountability was exactly what I needed. I always got bored of any exercise (running etc) and gave up after a month. I now love the gym as I found lifting heavy weights is what I really enjoy.

Knowing I've paid money and the accountability of knowing I've booked time with someone so HAVE to show up is what really helped me. Plus it's more fun with someone else telling you what to do (mine builds programs around what I want to achieve).

The motivation of someone pushing you and encouraging you is great. Mine recognizes when I can get 2-3 more reps and doesn't let me stop! They're always right.

I started going to a PT for the first time about two months ago. I’ve been happily running for years with a group and never really done much else but I had an injury last summer so I’ve lost loads of fitness.

I wanted to do some strength training and improve my core but didn’t really know where to start.

She is really encouraging and not at all shouty. She works from a studio at her house so no other observers. I don’t feel she’s pushing me too hard but I have improved hugely in two months. She’s very mindful of my injury and does lots of stretching too.

I pay £100 for four weeks so £25 per hour (up north) which I think is well worth it.

I'm the same as you OP. I faff at the gym when given the opportunity. I've had a PT once a week for the past two years. It's now a non negotiable. I'd cancel my gym membership but keep her. I've never consistently exercised until the last two years and it makes me more motivated to do other things as I'm more confident.
It's worth it if you can afford it.

I'm mid 60s and see someone every week. She's great.. positive, encouraging and my strength has increased massively.
I love my hour with her. She has made me believe in myself.
I pay £280 for 10 sessions.

Yes, It was a knee injury that got me into
it (I needed to build up the strength but also to exercise safely) - but I wouldn’t give it up now. I really needed the regular commitment. I think it’s especially helpful if you are starting exercise from scratch.

I use an online coaching package. It's 180 for 8 weeks and you get given your workouts with videos on form etc. There is a Facebook group with all the participants in plus the coaches so you can ask questions, send your progress photos in, ask for specific calorie targets etc. They also do live podcasts where you can ask questions. I find it super motivating as we all chat in the group and if anyone is struggling they put a post in the group and people come back with support and tips etc.
I like the gym for "me time" and it annoys me having someone there all the time