Personal Trainer Tips

[Mkak 251]

So I bit the bullet and invested in 6 weeks of personal training (2X per week). I'm going to use these next few weeks as a trial run to see if I should make a longer term commitment.

Looking for tips from others who have been super successful with their trainer. What made your relationship great? What things went wrong that you would caution someone about (if applicable)? Any other insight you can provide? Definitely want to get as much out of this as I can and learn the right way to work out my body once and for all! Thank you all in advance!

[aroundhky 1,174]

Congrats and I'm glad you are giving it a try! Good luck!

[Mkak 251]

Thanks hky! Had my first session this AM. Couldn't do a push-up, but I'll get there! I know it will all be worth it.

[aroundhky 1,174]

True....your first workouts will be your most difficult. No where to go but up.

[M2G 1,836]

Well I don't have a "personal trainer" per se, but I've been exercising at the same facility for the last 3 years and much more intensely this past year. I've taken several "classes" and then about 8 weeks ago signed up for a "small group" class that is focused on women and weights.

So the lady who teaches this small group is a PT, and she teaches larger classes as well. Right off the bat, she asked me what I wanted out of the class...and I told her "I want you to watch my form and correct me if I'm wrong, because IF I'm going to get my exercise clothes on, drive to the gym, and get my hair all messy, it better be WORTH it." lol

So she has been very good about keeping a watchful eye on all of us, and telling us when we are doing something the wrong way.

I will say she is not the most "loveable" person, she is very direct, and very honest, and she tells us all the time that she has clients who walk away and never come back. On the flip side, she has many many many women who sign up for her class over and over again, me being one of them. (Sessions last 6 weeks with a break in between.) So I'm on my 2nd session with this trainer.

I think you need to mesh personality-wise, but it might take a while for that to happen. You want someone who is going to PUSH you physically beyond what you think you are capable of doing, but not to the point of pain or injury. A good PT will also be able to "modify" any exercise in regards to your personal history and any type of injuries or pain you experience.

So I haven't had a bad experience so I'm not sure what to say about that other than if you aren't clicking, then it might be time to move on to someone else.

Hope that helps...

[Mkak 251]

Well I don't have a "personal trainer" per se, but I've been exercising at the same facility for the last 3 years and much more intensely this past year. I've taken several "classes" and then about 8 weeks ago signed up for a "small group" class that is focused on women and weights. So the lady who teaches this small group is a PT, and she teaches larger classes as well. Right off the bat, she asked me what I wanted out of the class...and I told her "I want you to watch my form and correct me if I'm wrong, because IF I'm going to get my exercise clothes on, drive to the gym, and get my hair all messy, it better be WORTH it." lol So she has been very good about keeping a watchful eye on all of us, and telling us when we are doing something the wrong way. I will say she is not the most "loveable" person, she is very direct, and very honest, and she tells us all the time that she has clients who walk away and never come back. On the flip side, she has many many many women who sign up for her class over and over again, me being one of them. (Sessions last 6 weeks with a break in between.) So I'm on my 2nd session with this trainer. I think you need to mesh personality-wise, but it might take a while for that to happen. You want someone who is going to PUSH you physically beyond what you think you are capable of doing, but not to the point of pain or injury. A good PT will also be able to "modify" any exercise in regards to your personal history and any type of injuries or pain you experience. So I haven't had a bad experience so I'm not sure what to say about that other than if you aren't clicking, then it might be time to move on to someone else. Hope that helps...

Yes, super helpful! Thank you M2G!

[rdt210 82]

I just finished up 20 sessions with a trainer (2× week for 10 weeks). Best thing I could have done. I was down about 50 lbs when I started with him...prior to that I was doing group classes or elliptical. The difference in my strength is remarkable; I am doing things I never in a million years thought I could; I just kind of overall feel pretty bad-ass. :-) oh, and I lost about 3% body fat during that time. I'm moving soon, but will either buy more sessions or start doing cross-fit. Have fun with it and push yourself...it's so worth it.

[knt4ever 137]

How did they calculate your body fat%? Did they measure at the beginning of ten weeks?