Vote in This Week's Poll: Have you worked with a personal trainer?
However, the right trainer can make a difference for some people, not just in changing your body but in giving you a different perspective on how your body works, how it feels and how exercise can create new opportunities you never thought of before. The wrong trainer can have the opposite affect, but we'll save that for another post.
That sounds a little hokey, but I've seen clients go from self-admitted couch potatoes to running races, hiking up good-sized mountains and discovering something they never new they had: strength. The right trainer can be your teacher, coach, friend and motivator and, for some people, hiring a trainer is just what they need to push past plateaus or break out of a boring routine.
I'm curious about what you think about personal training. Have you worked with a trainer and, if so, what was your experience? If you haven't worked with one, would you consider it? Vote in this week's poll about personal training and leave a comment if you have some thoughts to share.
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Comments
I love working out with my trainer. I get alot out of my session. I feel I work out alot harder than I would if I were doing it alone, I learn new exercises, I am not bored from the same routine and not to mention having someone to talk to while I am working out.
I hired a trainer through my gym last year when I first joined. She rushed me through 8 or 9 of the machines and then a few stretches. For 12 sessions.
I really hoped to be pushed more and forced to more than just weight machines,,,which I could have done on my own.
I’m in fact considering trying it. Don’t know rates yet. Do most of my exercise outside but winter is coming. Need to find some alternatives.
Does a trainer have to be associated with a fitness center?
I’m older and I have done running, biking and weight lifting for a lot of years. Being older I can do less of this then I used to (back, knees, etc). I had never worked with a PT.
I started working with a PT and she has me work on balance, core and stretching, stuff I would not have done a lot of on my own. I have found it very worthwhile.
I am a personal trainer AND have worked with a personal trainer, as well. Working with a trainer challenges me to go to the next level and gives me new ideas to use on my clients.
I have never worked with a personal trainer, but did work with a strength coach at college. It was great to have someone telling you about your form and pushing you to be better.
I worked with a personal trainer as part of the package when I joined the gym. She interviewed me, tested me, and gave me a basic free weights and nautilus machine circuit to help me achieve my goals, along with a recommendation to change things every 6 - 8 weeks.
Am now well past my initial goals, did it with pain but no injury and a good set of rules to guide me. If I get the cash together, think I’ll hire her back for a consultation - one of the best investments I could make for getting stronger and faster efficiently and enjoying it!
I train with a trainer on a regular basis. It is the best investment I’ve ever made. In tough financial times, I will give up other things before I give this up. She safely pushes me to levels I would not push myself, and keeps me accountable. In addition, she always manages to keep my spirits up, either focusing on my successes or encouraging me to meet the challenges. Her emphasis on proper technique is invaluable - I’ve been surprised at how quickly I can get off track with seemingly simple moves when left to my own devices.
I have worked out with cardiac rehab. trainers. Most of my work out now at the gym are things I learned from them. I have alot of scar tissue in my chest from surgery, so I have to be careful of upper body work outs. That’s why I cater to this type of training.
I work with a trainer, but not for every workout. Instead I rely on her to script my workouts and guide me toward fitness goals. I change weight and cardio routines about every 4 weeks; we meet and walk through the routine, then I’m on my own. I figure that I would spend hours researching and setting-up each new variation. Definitely works great for me. Also, I’ve heard good things about online trainers — might be an interesting future article.
I have never worked with a trainer and I don’t know if I’d consider it. I believe it would help me exercise more because I would have to account for my time which in itself would be a positive step. However, money wise- a trainer is not at all feasable. Just like a gym membership; if I stop going, I will have wasted the money.
love the trainer if you get the right one. I did. She taught me what I needed to know. Don’t get stuck with someone who won’t teach you. I check back with her - mostly to spot check my form. BEST THING IN THE WORLD with the right person. Paige herself is a great trainer I bet !
I have worked out with a personal trainer for years, and this year, I became one. I absolutely love it! I now get together with other trainers and we workout together - alternating who decides on the exercise. We’re not training each other, just giving each other a great push!
Working with a trainer has been a very good experience for me. I work with a (very good) trainer once a week. On my other visits to the gym during the week, I focus on workout strategies we have developed. When we work out togther, he consistently challenges me with new excersizes & supersets. Chosing the right trainer can make a big difference, however, you must also be willing to surrender to the training process, be consistent, and understand that it takes committment to the time & effort.
Last March, I went from total couch potato, college student to doing regular cardio and lifting light weights regularly. I had to prepare myself for a career in law enforcement. I quickly lost 40 lbs, putting me at a slender 130. Pretty good for a 5′8 build, and I was happy with that. Then I came to the realization that my body was always sore, my joints ached almost everyday, and I had no real muscle tone. The motivation was there, but I had no good techniques, which was damaging my body more than helping. I decided to hire a personal trainer, and I am so glad I did. Now I am fit, toned, and know the best and healthiest ways to stretch and move my body. Even when I am through using her services, I will remember her tips for life. Police Academy here I come!
I’m in the military and working out is just a part of my daily routine. i can say we have many personal trainers, but i honestly believe working out with someone that can help push yourself is a great advantage. I, myself, would love to become a personal trainer some day. i’ve already helped train many of my fellow soldiers and i recieve great satisfaction when i know i have helped someone, not just physically but emotionally. by the way, do you have more information on how to pursue personal training as a career?
I worked out with many different trainers over a five year period. I learned something different from each trainer I worked with and had great results. The one thing not one of them was able to teach me was how to work on my own. I can no longer afford to work with a trainer and am not motivated to work out. The best thing a trainer can do for a client is to teach them to work on their own.
I have just recently hired and started working with a PT. Tues will be the 3rd session.
I’ve had one personal trainer and the experience was BAD. In my opinion, she put me on a generic program that was too advanced for me. As a result, I couldn’t lift my arms and was in so much pain that I decided personal training wasn’t for me.