Does anyone use a personal trainer?

[Smartiebubbles]

I really want to lose weight (about 2st, get fitter and more toned.

I am not self-motivated though. For a few weeks (about 18mo ago) a friend's DH did a few training sessions with some of us from our NCT group and I found I really pushed myself as I didn't want to embarrass myself!

Would you recommend using a personal trainer and what should I look for to try and find a good one?

How much does a personal trainer cost and would it be ok to be flexible - ie not a regular time but whenever I'm free and they are?

I think it all depends, I had a personal trainer post dc1. Discovered that I really couldn't bend down easily and I was very overweight at the time. It did cost me a lot of money (£30 p/h) but I did lose weight and tone up and felt SO MUCH BETTER. I had a regular time but was on mat leave so it was easier. I know that there are lots of p/t's at different prices. If you can afford it I would highly recommend it for motivation, moving on etc and just getting you started on the journey. Alternatively I bought the 30 day shred and what I was doing with my p/t was on there but now I know when I am doing it right . Good luck!

Thanks!

I've heard about the 30day shred but don't know much about it. Just not sure I'd actually get around to doing anything whereas if I had a personal trainer session booked, I'd stick to it IYKWIM!

Defo go for it! Love mine (But very lucky he is an old old friend so mates rates ) Most have deals on numbers of sessions you book, the cheaper it would be. Plan for £30-£40 per session. Most are fairly flexible, but try to stick with weekly so you get into a routine.

I have used one before nad am about to use him again. I found I worked better with a man - you may prefer a woman. I paid him upfornt for 10 sessions and he then gave me 2 extra free. It was £35 an hour. I would e-mail him on a Sunday evening and he would let me know which sessions he had free a week. I found it easiest to have set sessions then I could chicken out or do a 'can be arsed today' thing. I started with a month of 2 sessions a week and had lost 10kg and 8 inches plus i was 9 weeks PG (didn't know until 7 weeks!) I then carried on at 1 session a week until I was 38 weeks PG. After DD was born I went back 1 session a week at 16 week and carried on until I was PG with DD2, when I stopped due to PG complications. I asked for sessions with him for Christmas and have enough money for 24 sessions and chldcare permitting I will start in 3 weeks 2 sessions a week for 4 weeks then down to 1 session a week and 2 other exercise classes.

I looked around locally and asked at the gym. When I found my 'man' I found I clicked with him instantly and he understood where I wanted to get to.

Ok - next silly questions...

What do you actually do? Like a warm up, some exercises and a warm down I'm guessing?

And where? Park?

I have this week off work so was thinking of a trial session but once I'm back at work, it will probably have to be an evening when DH is at home.

Thank you all for your replies - v useful.

I was looking on Yell earlier but wondering if I should contact the friend's DH that did those few sessions before. He was good but I worry I'd feel even more self conscious with someone I know.

Well mine is an ex, and I seem to have got over self conscious thing!!
Whereabouts in the country are you??
Exercises will be tailored to you and what you enjoy. Mixture of cardio, strength and conditioning, and have loads of equipment - boxing, kettlebells, medicine balls - variety is what makes it more fun

We either work in a local gym/his gym/local church hall/in the pouring rain! depending on what his plan for torture is. In the hall we do circuits/pilates and yoga, in the gym we do a warm up walk/bike/stretches/weights/free weights then cool down and stretches. In the park/rain we run and do interval training along with stops for highly embarrassing squats/press ups/static exercises then somewhere to stretch. At the end of every session he stretches me by pulling and pushing me into positions I couldn't normally stretch to.

I live in Surrey

It does sound what I need, just need to do something about it now!

To max bang for your buck, do the warm up before you meet them (and tell them that's what you're going to do). Then they can launch right in and you get a full hour of pain for your money.

I also do the stretching myself (outside the hour) but some people like as assisted stretch like Blueberry

Thanks BaggedandTagged - that's a good tip!

Well I had lunch today with a friend. I always think of her and lovely and slim. Turns out she thinks of me as lovely and curvy and is jealous of my DD norks!
She started talking about trying to lose a bit of weight and tone up so I suggested to her that we share P/T sessions which she thought was a great idea!

I contacted my friend's DH and we're booked for Monday evening sessions from 28th Feb! V scary but glad I've actually done something!

Yay! Well done - and a brilliant idea. Love BaggedandTagged tip too
Let us know how you get on. I've lost 2 stone since July, and feel fantastic!

Thanks! Just realised I didn't use my alias for my last post
I'd felt a bit embarrassed posting in my usual MN name originally, but that seems silly now!

Spula - well done on your weight loss!

Aaargh! My friend has texted today to say she doesn't think her finances will stretch that far!

My next option is DH who has a load of weight to lose (about 3.5st) and a recent high blood pressure diagnosis. I'll suggest we do it together and see whether my mum will babysit....!

Has anyone heard of these guys? www.tiptoken.co.uk

They say they're offering 2 personal training sessions for £20 ph. Seems perfect for me as its a woman who travels to your home, and you can share the session. Just wondered if anyone had heard of them before?

Spula - so impressed, I'll be really happy if I manage half that!