Personal trainer - worth the $$

[Jack Bauer]

If so, any particular recommendations (Toronto )?

[Psubs]

Jack Bauer needs a personal trainer. Isn't that ironic.

If you don't know proper form or need motivation then sure it's fine to get you started. You shouldn't rely on one though as the internet is a great tool for learning.

[BornRuff]

I found it really helpful to do a session with a trainer when I joined a local gym a few years back. I had been working out on my own at my university gym for a long time, but it really helped identify some major issues in the way I was working out. When I am going to the gym regularly(it comes and goes for me), I liked to get a session with a trainer once a year or so, just to identify bad habits and switch up my workout routine.

I don't think it is really necessary to have a trainer with you all the time. It is clearly helpful to have someone there helping you, but I think anyone reasonably intelligent can get by ok on their own. I mean, I see guys running on the treadmill with a trainer standing next to them for like half an hour, and it just seems like a huge waste.

[poedua]

I'd highly recommend using a trainer.

In my case, I finally used one after training at gyms for over 20 years and it was the best money I'd ever spent. :) For me, I started the squat again from square one with my trainer ( as I'd been doing it all wrong since high school ), and made some 'tweaks' to rows, pull-downs and flys that I hadn't been aware of - also cut my ab routine from 3x a week to once a week with no loss of conditioning of my abs !

A trainer can teach you the proper technique to use on each exercise. There are beginner, intermediate and advanced exercises that a trainer can correctly introduce. Although many books describe these movements as well, in photos, the fine points are often critical for good form and be overlooked by simply looking at a photo. And good form can maximize the results you get from each workout session and minimize risk of injury.

You can use a trainer once a week or 3 times a week depending on how much cash you have. I was one of those staunch 'anti-trainer' guys for years, but now I'm one of their biggest fans. I strongly suggest using a trainer, if you can afford it, even for a little while.

:)

[Jack Bauer]

Any particular recommendations? Are the trainers at fitness chains any good.. Or are they like Best Buy "technicians"?

[addikt]

It's a trap.

Find a gym buddy who has some experience, most trainers I've come across know as much as I do.

I suggest buying either RushFit or P90x DVDs, you can see good form for most exercises like squats (which Rushfit has some pretty badass variations of) and fix your form without spending a fortune on a personal trainer.

[Jorpho]

You can use a trainer once a week or 3 times a week depending on how much cash you have.However practical and economical it may be (I think a monthly program update might be adequate) it seems to me most trainers will be rather opposed to the idea of having just one session a week with them.


Any particular recommendations? Are the trainers at fitness chains any good.. Or are they like Best Buy "technicians"?Previous posts on this forum (searching is left as an exercise to the reader) suggest that some have done a one-weekend course such as CanFitPro which teaches them more about selling a program, and that those with NSCA certification are the way to go. I have also heard it suggested that those who actually look the part are those who have experience.


Find a gym buddy who has some experience, most trainers I've come across know as much as I do.I always say you can ask five different people with "experience" about one thing or another and get five different answers, and each will vehemently insist that only he knows the One True Way and that everyone else is wrong and working with outdated information.

[poedua]

However practical and economical it may be (I think a monthly program update might be adequate) it seems to me most trainers will be rather opposed to the idea of having just one session a week with them.

And why is that ?

Some people can only afford to work with a trainer once a week.

[HTTP04]

I'd highly recommend using a trainer.

In my case, I finally used one after training at gyms for over 20 years and it was the best money I'd ever spent. :) For me, I started the squat again from square one with my trainer ( as I'd been doing it all wrong since high school ), and made some 'tweaks' to rows, pull-downs and flys that I hadn't been aware of - also cut my ab routine from 3x a week to once a week with no loss of conditioning of my abs !

A trainer can teach you the proper technique to use on each exercise. There are beginner, intermediate and advanced exercises that a trainer can correctly introduce. Although many books describe these movements as well, in photos, the fine points are often critical for good form and be overlooked by simply looking at a photo. And good form can maximize the results you get from each workout session and minimize risk of injury.

You can use a trainer once a week or 3 times a week depending on how much cash you have. I was one of those staunch 'anti-trainer' guys for years, but now I'm one of their biggest fans. I strongly suggest using a trainer, if you can afford it, even for a little while.

:)

Waste of money.

There's a site called bodybuilding.com

[Jorpho]

And why is that ?Because money! :facepalm: To use a disproportionately small scale as an example, does it not seem reasonable that a trainer would much rather see two clients three times a week rather than six clients once a week? Assuming he can even find six clients who will reliably keep coming back once a week for the long term?

[poedua]

Because money! :facepalm: To use a disproportionately small scale as an example, does it not seem reasonable that a trainer would much rather see two clients three times a week rather than six clients once a week? Assuming he can even find six clients who will reliably keep coming back once a week for the long term?

A trainer can STILL see two clients three times a week ..........and to that ....he or she can also add another client once week ( who can only afford sessions once a week ).

[Akraz]

I got quoted $6730 or $570/m from a trainer at a chain gym for 120 sessions.. which is about 3-4x/week for about 7 months

[poedua]

I got quoted $6730 or $570/m from a trainer at a chain gym for 120 sessions.. which is about 3-4x/week for about 7 months

Again, trainers are a ' nice to have ' option but certainly not a ' have to have ' option - especially if money is an issue.

Now, assuming you want to use a personal trainer, those numbers above are overkill IMO.

Assuming you are complete newbie and money isn't an issue, you can easily get away with spending much, much less - i.e ideally, something like 2 days or 3 days per week over 4 - 6 weeks should give you a good enough foundation to allow you to train safely / properly effectively and efficiently on your own....IMO..

So, for newbie just wanting to grasp the basics of resistance training, something closer to 12 - 18 sessions ( excluding assessments ) is sufficient IMO...not 170 sessions.

[HTTP04]

Again, trainers are a ' nice to have ' option but certainly not a ' have to have ' option - especially if money is an issue.

Now, assuming you want to use a personal trainer, those numbers above are overkill IMO.

Assuming you are complete newbie and money isn't an issue, you can easily get away with spending much, much less - i.e ideally, something like 2 days or 3 days per week over 4 - 6 weeks should give you a good enough foundation to allow you to train safely / properly effectively and efficiently on your own....IMO..

So, for newbie just wanting to grasp the basics of resistance training, something closer to 12 - 18 sessions ( excluding assessments ) is sufficient IMO...not 170 sessions.

Again, there's a site called bodybuilding.com

Tell me poedua, what can PT do that bodybuilding.com cant

[poedua]

Again, there's a site called bodybuilding.com

Tell me poedua, what can PT do that bodybuilding.com cant

Reading or looking at youtube videos of exercises can't get you the detailed knowledge that a good trainer accumulates over the years.

A simple thing like "keep your weight on your front heel when doing lunges" could save someone a lot of knee problems down the road, and you might never come across it in a book or a website.

Also, a lot of people trainers see have health issues (bad shoulders or knees or more serious stuff) and exercise without initial supervision for these people is asking for trouble.

Most people have some issue that needs to be figured out and corrected before you let them loose.

[HTTP04]

Reading or looking at youtube videos of exercises can't get you the detailed knowledge that a good trainer accumulates over the years.

A simple thing like "keep your weight on your front heel when doing lunges" could save someone a lot of knee problems down the road, and you might never come across it in a book or a website.

Also, a lot of people trainers see have health issues (bad shoulders or knees or more serious stuff) and exercise without initial supervision for these people is asking for trouble.

Most people have some issue that needs to be figured out and corrected before you let them loose.

1)Wtf are you talking about, info is easily available on bodybuilding.com

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/dumbbell-lunges

"Using mainly the heel of your foot, push up and go back to the starting position as you exhale."


2) They should be seeing a PHYSIOTHERAPIST/DOCTOR FIRST if they have injuries; NOT A PT

3) Again, what in the world are you talking about. You say "most people" have issues... just where are you getting this from?

[poedua]

1)Wtf are you talking about, info is easily available on bodybuilding.com

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/dumbbell-lunges

"Using mainly the heel of your foot, push up and go back to the starting position as you exhale."


2) They should be seeing a PHYSIOTHERAPIST/DOCTOR FIRST if they have injuries; NOT A PT

3) Again, what in the world are you talking about. You say "most people" have issues... just where are you getting this from?

I think that one of the main benefits of a ' qualified ' trainer is to impart exactly what ' perfect form ' is for every given exercise - and a knowledge of where the breaks in form occur most often and the dangers / risk of injury associated with them.

To some extent at least, it's the same philosophical rationale that an NHL goalie still needs a goalie coach, a professional golfer still needs a swing coach, an Olympic swimmer needs a swim coach, etc. etc. - a third party can pick up on areas of improvement / deficiency that you may be unaware of - which a website isn't capable of doing. If there was no benefit to coaches, then NHL goalies, professional golfers would simply only have to rely 100% on websites, etc ( which they don't ) - which is what you're suggesting is all beginners, intermediates, etc. to training need to do.

As I said before, trainers are a ' nice to have ' option but they're certainly not a ' have to have ' option for someone interested in ( or well along in ) resistance training. That said, I think that on any given day a good qualified ' trainer could easily provide value - i.e walk through a gym with a newbie, intermediate or advanced trainee , and at every exercise machine / station being used, quickly identify the form issues that may need to be corrected.

As far as I know, a website like bb.com can't meet you at the gym, walk with you through a gym and at every exercise machine / station you're using and provide real time feedback / analysis / criticism in identifying the form issues that may need to be corrected or improved upon.

When a website can meet you at the gym and analyze your exercises in real time and provide real time feedback / analysis / criticism in identifying the form issues that may need to be corrected or improved upon- let me know. ;)

[poedua]

do what people usually do.....google routines and youtube form
PTs are useless

even most "strength coaches" are redundant

only time i would suggest a coach/trainer is if you take up olympic lifting

That's debatable...some other possible reasons why a PT might make sense for some folks.....


1. You're Not Seeing Results

2. You Don't Know Where to Start

3. You're Bored with the Same Old Workouts

4. You Need to Be Challenged

5. You Want to Learn How to Exercise on your Own

6. You Need Accountability and Motivation

7. You Have a Specific Illness, Injury or Condition

8. You're Training for a Sport or Event

9. You Want Supervision and Support During Workouts

10. You Want to Workout at Home


http://exercise.about.com/od/personaltraining/tp/personaltrainer.htm

[HTTP04]

I think that one of the main benefits of a ' qualified ' trainer is to impart exactly what ' perfect form ' is for every given exercise - and a knowledge of where the breaks in form occur most often and the dangers / risk of injury associated with them.

To some extent at least, it's the same philosophical rationale that an NHL goalie still needs a goalie coach, a professional golfer still needs a swing coach, an Olympic swimmer needs a swim coach, etc. etc. - a third party can pick up on areas of improvement / deficiency that you may be unaware of - which a website isn't capable of doing. If there was no benefit to coaches, then NHL goalies, professional golfers would simply only have to rely 100% on websites, etc ( which they don't ) - which is what you're suggesting is all beginners, intermediates, etc. to training need to do.

As I said before, trainers are a ' nice to have ' option but they're certainly not a ' have to have ' option for someone interested in ( or well along in ) resistance training. That said, I think that on any given day a good qualified ' trainer could easily provide value - i.e walk through a gym with a newbie, intermediate or advanced trainee , and at every exercise machine / station being used, quickly identify the form issues that may need to be corrected.

As far as I know, a website like bb.com can't meet you at the gym, walk with you through a gym and at every exercise machine / station you're using and provide real time feedback / analysis / criticism in identifying the form issues that may need to be corrected or improved upon.

When a website can meet you at the gym and analyze your exercises in real time and provide real time feedback / analysis / criticism in identifying the form issues that may need to be corrected or improved upon- let me know. ;)

tldr

You know you can group replies together right; no need for individual replies

[WildPegasus]

I got quoted $6730 or $570/m from a trainer at a chain gym for 120 sessions.. which is about 3-4x/week for about 7 months

That's retardedly expensive. If you spending that kind of money, you're better off traveling to a Starting Strength seminar where you'll be taught how to lift by someone who knows what they're doing and not just someone who was hired because they look good in a tight t-shirt.

I've seen PLENTY of trainers at Goodlife "working" and most I wouldn't even listen to for free. The handful that have a clue I still wouldn't pay that kind of money for their services.

[poedua]

i guess.....people like
-folks with an IQ below 80

To suggest only people with an IQ below 80 would benefit from using a personal trainer would be patently ludicrous if it weren't so utterly preposterous.

People seek out the services of a personal trainer for a host of valid reasons completely unrelated to IQ.


-50+ year old soccer moms

It isn't just limited to them...but also includes folks as young as teenagers up to and including those as old as seniors, all of whom can benefit from using a personal trainer...IMO.


-dont know how to use google or youtube

Actually, people who know how to use google or youtube can benefit from using a personal trainer as well IMO.

The 2 propositions aren't mutually exclusive;) .

Google or youtube can't meet you at the gym, walk with you through a gym and at every exercise machine / station you're using and provide real time feedback / analysis / criticism in identifying the form issues that may need to be corrected or improved upon...a personal trainer can.:D

When either Google or youtube can...let me know.;)


but then all your answers are catering to people who cant seem to do anything by themselves/terrible learners

Everyone's different.:)

[WildPegasus]

Google or youtube can't meet you at the gym, walk with you through a gym and at every exercise machine / station you're using and provide real time feedback / analysis / criticism in identifying the form issues that may need to be corrected or improved upon...a personal trainer can.:D


Most personal trainers don't know how to properly do standard exercises like squats and deadlifts. And if you can't figure out a machine on your own, you're probably borderline mentally disabled since gyms have machines because they're idiot-proof, not because they're useful.

[poedua]

Most personal trainers don't know how to properly do standard exercises like squats and deadlifts.

I agree - most trainers leave a lot to be desired

Which is why I have always urged people on this forum to seek out good, experienced and ' well qualified ' trainers.

And, it goes without saying, that most newbies who rely 100% on watching youtube videos, read books or look at sites like bb.com to learn how to properly do standard exercises like squats and deadlifts still may not know how to properly do standard exercises like squats and deadlifts either.

[Therion]

A good trainer doesn`t just teach you exercises. They should do an evaluation of the client`s entire state of fitness, which to me includes not just strength and endurance, but flexibility, mobility, posture, rest and nutritional state. If you go see a trainer and he doesn`t have you fill out a detailed questionnaire or doesn`t take lots of notes, he or she isn`t very good. To properly design an exercise system for someone, you need to know a lot of information.

My job is to take someone who has no idea what they`re doing in the gym, who probably has an old injury or two, who tried many diets before and couldn`t permanently lose weight, who spends 10 hours a day in front of a computer and has the posture of a bridge troll, and get him to exercise, eat better, look better and feel better. For some people, that means mostly mobility work initially, because some people are too tight even to try a squat. Read Gray Cooks`s Movement, if you want to know what I`m talking about.

A good trainer straddles the divide between physiotherapist, strength coach, nutritionist and psychologist. I don`t disagree that I'm "retardedly expensive" long-term, but lots of people seem to think it's worth it because I make a good living. Some people I've trained for years and I'm convinced that it's the social aspect of it that they enjoy, and other people like the fact that they keep getting bigger and stronger and leaner under my watch. Many people I see only short-term, while they learn the basics and they are off on their own.

So how do you find a good trainer?

a) years of experience. the 10,000 hours of practice to create an expert definitely applied to me
b) many certifications. There's tons of courses for trainers out there, and taking them shows an interest at a professional level
c) an evaluation process that involves establishing baseline numbers at the start and keeping track of important numbers
d) availability to help outside of your training hours with any questions related to the program.

Avoid large gyms. They don't pay much and they are pretty much entry-level for trainers. You'll find your usual assortment of meat-heads ruining clients lower backs with straight-leg deadlifts there. Find a small, boutique gym with career trainers. They are usually not that much more expensive (which is a sad indication of how much a place like Extreme or Premier charges for training).

[Jorpho]

Straight-leg deadlifts are good for something, aren't they?


Find a small, boutique gym with career trainers. They are usually not that much more expensive (which is a sad indication of how much a place like Extreme or Premier charges for training).On the other hand, it's darn hard to bead Goodlife's corporate rate.

[poedua]

A good trainer doesn`t just teach you exercises. They should do an evaluation of the client`s entire state of fitness, which to me includes not just strength and endurance, but flexibility, mobility, posture, rest and nutritional state. If you go see a trainer and he doesn`t have you fill out a detailed questionnaire or doesn`t take lots of notes, he or she isn`t very good. To properly design an exercise system for someone, you need to know a lot of information.

My job is to take someone who has no idea what they`re doing in the gym, who probably has an old injury or two, who tried many diets before and couldn`t permanently lose weight, who spends 10 hours a day in front of a computer and has the posture of a bridge troll, and get him to exercise, eat better, look better and feel better. For some people, that means mostly mobility work initially, because some people are too tight even to try a squat. Read Gray Cooks`s Movement, if you want to know what I`m talking about.

A good trainer straddles the divide between physiotherapist, strength coach, nutritionist and psychologist. I don`t disagree that I'm "retardedly expensive" long-term, but lots of people seem to think it's worth it because I make a good living. Some people I've trained for years and I'm convinced that it's the social aspect of it that they enjoy, and other people like the fact that they keep getting bigger and stronger and leaner under my watch. Many people I see only short-term, while they learn the basics and they are off on their own.

So how do you find a good trainer?

a) years of experience. the 10,000 hours of practice to create an expert definitely applied to me
b) many certifications. There's tons of courses for trainers out there, and taking them shows an interest at a professional level
c) an evaluation process that involves establishing baseline numbers at the start and keeping track of important numbers
d) availability to help outside of your training hours with any questions related to the program.

Avoid large gyms. They don't pay much and they are pretty much entry-level for trainers. You'll find your usual assortment of meat-heads ruining clients lower backs with straight-leg deadlifts there. Find a small, boutique gym with career trainers. They are usually not that much more expensive (which is a sad indication of how much a place like Extreme or Premier charges for training).

Great post !

btw, when you said " Many people I see only short-term, while they learn the basics and they are off on their own "...for an otherwise healthy newbie who's just interested in perhaps losing a bit of fat and improving on their overall muscularity, how many sessions with a trainer do you think it would usually take for most folks to grasp the basics so they can go off on their own ?

[Therion]

...for an otherwise healthy newbie who's just interested in perhaps losing a bit of fat and improving on their overall muscularity, how many sessions with a trainer do you think it would usually take for most folks to grasp the basics so they can go off on their own ?

It varies from one to never. Seriously, some people grasp immediately every single I show them, even more complex stuff like front squats. Then there are people I've been training for years and still have to cue them for the same things over and over again. Some people are just not mentally and physically designed for exercise. Sometimes I just want to scream. And I'm the type of trainer that likes to explain why we do things, not just how to do them, so people know what's going on, it's just they simply can't remember.

The average person who has good kinesthetic awareness and at least some experience, usually no more than about 3-4 sessions does it, if we focus on 10-15 exercises, with new ones potentially added in every month.

[Therion]

Straight-leg deadlifts are good for something, aren't they?

Romanian deadlifts are much better. The straight-leg variety puts way too much repetitive stress on the lumbar with no real pay-off.

How to do them right: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED7_ScjanTs



On the other hand, it's darn hard to bead Goodlife's corporate rate.

If you can get a good trainer, not some 19-year old who just got his Can-Fit-Pro certification. I'd always ask for their list of trainers and their qualifications and experience. Sometimes even busy trainers can suck, they're just busy because they look good or are good motivators.