Issues with personal trainer

[Avoidingthetwitch]

Avoidingthetwitch · Today 11:48

I have started exercising and was doing YouTube resistance training for a few months and decided to join a gym and get a PT. I have dyspraxia and while I can follow a video I definitely can’t do free weights without following a video and I probably don’t lift heavy enough as I worry about injury.
I explained this to my PT and said I would like to do free weights without following him and a machine/cable based programme in between. He then gave me a free weights programme which was totally impossible for me. I messaged him to say I needed a simpler, machine based programme and he replied, just pick a few machines and do 3 sets of 10. You can’t get programmes for machines.
I asked him how to use the cables and he said he didn’t know and sugggested we did boxing. I was very clear from the outset I don’t like boxing.
A couple of my friends have PTs and have achievable programmes which get altered as they improve. They include machines and I see lots of other trainers using machines with people at the gym.
am I being unreasonable in asking for a machine based programme while I build my skills and confidence? I’m not sure what to do now. I ended up just doing my video at home last night as I didn’t know what to do at the gym.
I’m mid 50’s with dodgy knees and not fit so really wanted some guidance so I can progress safely.

Get a new trainer, maybe try a woman?

I have dyspraxia too. I think you need to change your PT because they don't seem to understand your limitations.

You need a new PT, this one is not listening and sounds pretty clueless.

I know you don’t like videos but the Stronger By The Day app has really good weights programs which involve free weights, the barbell (you can swap out) and cable/fixed machines. You can start at the weight levels that work for you. Can try for free for a week then about a tenner a month. There are videos for each exercise as well as lots of really clear instructions. I’m in my fifties and have been using it for about 6 months..

Definitely get a new trainer. Remember - you are the client! You’re paying him to help you.

Get a different trainer. Definitely don’t pay this one anymore. Lots of people have machine based work outs. Their advice of pick a few machines and 3 sets of ten is terrible, all the machines work different muscles in different ways!!!

Watch how the trainers work with their other clients in your gym and pick on that way.

am I being unreasonable in asking for a machine based programme while I build my skills and confidence?
Not unreasonable to ask for this but he’s already told you that you can’t get programmes for machines (with him). So maybe try someone else that can accommodate what you need

Please do get a new PT - he sounds dreadful.

It is perfectly reasonable to start with machines and lots of people stick with them. Free weights (or calisthenics - body weight - push ups, pull ups etc) can be more effective time-wise because you often train several muscle groups at once but that can be down the road once you feel comfortable in the gym and know a bit more about it all.

You absolutely need a programme for machines!!

And boxing isn't strength training (I've done both - you might do strength and conditioning rounds in boxing but it is high reps done at speed).

I hope you can find someone who is much more professional - and fun!

A trainer who doesn’t know how to use the cables is no trainer. How embarrassing!!! Absolutely get rid of this person. Are there other trainers at the gym?