pros and cons of a personal trainer

Kermitologist

so i signed up with the PT at the gym i joined. (LA fitness, if anyones interested; i really like it). anyway, they suck you in with a oreintation session for the weight machines on the floor. at the end of the session, they do a body fat analysis, and questionare about your goals/previous workout habits. then they say oh! its only this much for 6 months, but look how less it is if you sign up for 12 months!

heres my delima: is this something i really need? yes, i want to loose the weight and i do think a trainer would be helpful. and i have a dress that i need to fit into in the next 6 months. but its soooo freaking expensive! the trainers at my gym are less expensive than others that ive looked into. the cheapest ive seen is about 1500 a month, here im only paying not even a third of that a month. and thats for three sessions a week. im also worried that its too much of a committment. but i also think that im gonna need a kick in the behind to get in gear and really loose the weight. but its soooo much money.

has anyone had a trainer before? am i paying too much? is it worth it? or should i just go buy that buff brides workout book and follow the plan in there?

The Movie Geek

$1500 a month? Shocked

Member

No. Save your money. Get a couple good books. Find a workout partner to keep you motivated. Place your goals somewhere you will see them everyday to keep you motivated. Jump into the group classes that are free.

Pyromaniac

Motivation comes from within. You don't need to spend money on a personal trainer to tell you what you already know.

Member

From my perspective at Gold's Gym the last 2 years or so....

PROS - A PT provides you with "someone" to work out with. Kinda of forces you to keep a consistent schedule if someone is meeting you at a specific time to work out at the gym. A PT can provide positive encouragement which is an issue for some folks. (No offense to the wimmens... but lots of females like someone they can talk to at the gym. Relationship advice is the topic I hear most of the time.)

CONS - Cookie cutter workouts are the norm from what I've seen; Some PT's are not very knowledgable (The office clerk became a PT overnight.) Expensive; Long term committment is required to get cheaper "per workout" rates. Breaking a contract is costly.

I started out with a few sessions (8 - 10) when I first got into it. It helped me get into a consistent workout schedule where I have never done it before. But I quickly realized that I could do it by myself. My only problem is finding a spotter when I go heavy with free weights. That tends to slow down my workouts. I wish I could find a workout partner when I do upper body (arms & chest).

It's obviously your call Froggie. You can design your own workouts at EXRX.net and implement them yourself. However, that won't drive you to the gym when it's cold and rainy this Winter.

Member

I've used a PT with great success, but I used mine a bit differently.

First off, skip the body fat analysis. You don't need it. And many people lose fat at different rates, so it could seem like you aren't progressing while you really are.

Next, $1500?!? People really pay this much?!?

Here's what I did. My PT met with me briefly before any sessions began (at no charge) to identify specific goals. We then agreed to meet once every 6-8 weeks for a new weight program. I did this three times, with the last session lasting a bit longer so we could discuss future progression possibilities (self-modifying of existing programs vs. more sessions).

For me, this worked out great. I got the expertise via different programs, I could do them on my schedule, and it was cheaper than meeting every week (which I found to be a waste - a workout partner works better here).

For me, my total cost was $99+tax for the three sessions, and this lasted about 5 months (I met my PT every 6 weeks).

Member

ve have VAY's to whip ewe into shape here with ze riff raff!

muah ah ah ah ah ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Member

Well, when I have to spend money on something that I know I should be able to do on my own, I'm VERY motivated to get my every penny's worth. In other words, I will not have an excuse to miss or reschedule a session. I'm there.

PRESIDENT

I wouldn't spend that kind of money. I can recommend a good book and set up a good weight routine for you if you like. All for free!

Kermitologist

The Pinball

no PT is worth that kind of money Shocked

motivation does come from within, i'm with tri-bob and JU. and i don't believe you really need motivation, maybe only a little structure and a program which can be found in a good book.

with all the other incidental wedding expenses that are going to come up over the next months, i could never justify spending that kind of money on something that may or may not have the result i am looking for.

and you know what i really hate about this deal --- is that it's just that....such a deal i have for you froggie.....screw that. don't try and sweeten the "deal" if i extend the contract. everyone has a friggin' angle.. yeah, right. i'd have wanted to slap him off the bench when he started playing the numbers game with me. i'm outta here buddy. but that's me.

do it on your own.

Kermitologist

Member

I say skip the scam trainer and get a subscription to either SHAPE magazine or Muscle & Fitness Hers.

Member

Frightened Inmate #2

For that kind of money, you could have surgery and forget about wasting all that time in the gym.

pros and cons of a personal trainer

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