Does anyone on here have a personal trainor and would you recommend using one?

[kittyd7015]

or are they a waste of time?

[Anonymous]

I've got a personal trainer - I hadn't done much exercise for years and starting up again was tiring and depressing because I was so out of shape. I also hate thinking of what exercises to do and I dont like group classes. So my gym put me in touch with a PT that I've been with for 4 months. Aside from correcting my technique, he also tailors the session to my needs - if Im not strong enough to do an exercise he adapts it so I can achieve it, and he identifies areas that need work - initially focused largely on burning calories with large muscle groups but is focusing on a lot of core strength stuff at the moment. I think it's important to get the right PT though - I like mine because he's positive and encouraging with a good sense of humour and he has a gentle style - he's soft spoken and understands he can only push me so far. I work a lot harder with him than on my own but he's good at timing breaks so I dont faint or feel unable to move the next day or feel mentally destroyed. His approaxh as to assess my level at the start then just step up the intensity a bit at each session. I've had friends go to PTs and give up because the pace was too hard or the PT shouted
at them. Some people like that style but me, I want results but I still want to be treated like a woman of my age not some young army recruit. Oh and bonus is I get complimented every week on how great I'm looking by a young hot guy.

[Opinion Owner]

Oh, and I've lost weight a lot faster than I have before...11 kg, which is great considering my body tends not to respond to efforts to lose weight very well.

[Climber]

Depends on what you want to achieve and whether you are capable of feeling what your body needs and can handle. But its never wrong to talk to one of the instructors in the gym and ask if the program you follow is OK for your goal. This not yes as detailed as a personal trainer.

[kheserthorpe]

When I first went to a gym, I used a personal trainer for the first two months to get me started. Recommend that for sure.

After that I went without a trainer. I read a lot, I think I did things reasonably well. I had some contact with 'new' average trainers, and they didn't add much beyond what I did beyond encouragement. In fact I think I knew more than they did, but... you know, I read well.

When I wanted to learn to box, I went with a trainer who could teach that skillset, and I'm with a different trainer now, who covers skill and conditioning work. I definitely get better results on conditioning than I'd get solo, and my skills continue to improve. In my case, I probably wouldn't personally spend the money on a trainer just for conditioning and general training, not because it's not useful - it is - but because there are other things I'd spend the money on. But I couldn't develop sport specific skills without a trainer, so that's what flips the decision for me.

[marksmith108]

It depends on your goal. If you're trying to lose weight then 1 month of 1-2 sessions per week is enough. Ask your trainer for a diet and exercise plan. Learn good nutrition and how to do the work-outs required for your goal. If you're trying to build muscle then do as many sessions as you're comfortable with. Proper strength training requires a solid diet and multiple complex exercises. Personal trainers are experts in correct form, how far to push yourself, and adequate recovery. Even the best athletes use and need trainers.

[Tokana]

It depends. I've used a personal trainer and find it an ideal way to cut through the mistakes you'll make along the way to getting fit. For ex. It took me over a year, just a few days ago, that i was doing shoulder pressed incorrectly and two weeks ago that i was doing lunges incorrectly abd had an imbalanced posture. All of this could pf been avoided had i had a personal trainer from the very beginning. Now if you have the funds, the determination and lack any sort of experience working out than hiring a personal trainer is ideal. Just make sure you get a good one that will push you and won't simply through you on machines.

[Hans222]

I'd say: if you have the discipline to more or less stick to a training program, than a personal trainer is not required.
If you know you need a person on your side when working out, to keep you motivated than it may be an option.
I've never used one in my life.
I work out and listen to my body. When I feel it's too much I slow down or give myself a day off but always come back to sporting. I love to do it, makes me feel better!

[maiez]

I work in a gym, so I work with many trainers. Its good if you are new and need to start getting into working out or someone to guide you. Personally I dont need one. you'll get results faster if you use one, otherwise you'll be researching exercises, spending time at home learning about them, and doing them wrong for the first few weeks.

[Iron_Man]

No I dont need one and you dont as well unless you want to be pushed real hard like someone training for a Boxing match.