Let's Talk About Personal Trainers

[Northendzone]

so when I rejioned good life fitness in Mackenzie towne they offered me a get acquainted session with a personal trainer. Session was fine, she did not try and sell me anything. My takeaway from the session was that I developed a goal to lose 50 lbs by the time I turn 50 in October.

I was asking her about personal training sessions and a 6 month package of 2-3 three times per week would run almost $4,000 - cost was somewhere close to $60 per hour.

They did not seem to offer much in the way of lower cost options though.

So my question to the masses is having a personal trainer PT worth it?

I figure between the Internet and really focusing on changing my eating habits I should be able to get somewhere close to my goal.

[Tyler]

Wow, 50lbs in 8 months. That's ambitious.

I'd say if you have a decent benefits package, a nutritionist would be a far better use of money and not cost you anywhere near $4,000. Get a routine put together by a PT for you and then see a nutritionist to ensure your diet is optimal.

The people who swear by PT's either need a social aspect to working out or need someone to motivate them for an hour. Really depends on the person.

[GreenLantern]

Personal trainers are great to keep you motivated and can help you feel more comfortable at the gym. As an added bonus you will have someone teaching you proper form, which is essential in avoiding injuries. So if those are things you need, then yes it is definitely worth it.

However a cheaper option might be joining a group style gym, like Crossfit or something similar, as they have all of the above for about $100 a month.

Anything a trainer can teach you, so can Google and YouTube. Some people just like the hands on approach more.

[troutman]

All the trainers in Internet cinema, have sex with you.

[Slava]

I work with a trainer over email (we've never actually met). Every week I send him measurements and my weight and a general update. He sends me a workout plan and a nutritional plan. The nutrition is just calories/protein/carbs/fat amounts per day and I can configure my actual eating however it works for me. The workouts are hard, but thats what I want.

I think its $100/month. I hate the actual gym, so I workout at home, but you could definitely use that program and workout in the gym. I love it because its flexible, easy to measure progress and quite frankly it works very well. I have gotten what I consider great results.

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Wow, 50lbs in 8 months. That's ambitious.

I know that number seems big, but in reality it is about 1.5 lbs per week and that is the number I am focusing on. I am trying to work out more regularly, but the most difficult part for me will be the changing of my eating habits.

I am trying to cut out coke during the week, eat smaller portions, stay away from a&aw for breakfast, and no eating after 8 pm. Opt for the 6 inch sand which from subway etc.

I had a few stumbles this week, but overall I think I improved - but will need to be stronger.

My secondary fitness goal is to ride up to merlons view in Bragg creek before the end of the 2015 season.

I also put up some 50 x 50 notes for myself around my desk and at home.

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by troutman

All the trainers in Internet cinema, have sex with you.

There are a few at the gym I'd be ok with, but I'd imagine the wife would likely be a little agitated

[Flabbibulin]

My opinion is to only go with a personal trainer if the cost is not an issue at all. If it is, I would suggest that you skip it and rely on personal discipline and a little research.

50lbs in 8 months is doable, but I am of the opinion that a goal like that will require you to count your calories. 1.5lbs a week is a fairly big caloric deficit, and assuming you want to do it without restorting to unsustainable techniques or dieting fads, you are going to have to get very active and very restrictive with your diet. I believe that weight loss is very possible on healthy and sustainable diets- certainly nothing sub 1500 for men. I did 50lbs in 6 months on between 1700-2000 calories a day.

Regardless of whether you go with a PT, I would suggest getting a macronutrient/calorie count app like Lose It. Learning to accurately count your calories in and measure them against BMR + exercise will be key imo. I would suggest that a caloric deficit of around 750 calories a day is doable- but probably only if you are committed to a good work out program.

I don't think counting calories is necessary for someone looking to just shed a few pounds and look better, but a fairly sizeable goal like 50lbs may require adding things up. Researching healthy dieting plans that fit your targeted caloric number would be a good idea.

[Matata]

Your average gym personal trainers have a woefully inadequate understanding of human physiology. Most of them just put patchwork programs together based on things they've seen in other programs, but generally lack the understanding on how all the pieces fit together.

If you want to someone to keep you busy and motivated for an hour, they'll do the trick, but i wouldn't rely on them to keep you safe from injury and if you have very specific workout goals, you're better off educating yourself.

[indes]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

I know that number seems big, but in reality it is about 1.5 lbs per week and that is the number I am focusing on. I am trying to work out more regularly, but the most difficult part for me will be the changing of my eating habits.

I am trying to cut out coke during the week, eat smaller portions, stay away from a&aw for breakfast, and no eating after 8 pm. Opt for the 6 inch sand which from subway etc.

I had a few stumbles this week, but overall I think I improved - but will need to be stronger.

My secondary fitness goal is to ride up to merlons view in Bragg creek before the end of the 2015 season.

I also put up some 50 x 50 notes for myself around my desk and at home.

This will be counter productive in your weightloss! As a matter of fact if you increase your coke consumption I have no doubt you can reach your goal!

[Huntingwhale]

As someone who frequents the gym quite often, my opinion of personal trainers is that they are good to figure out a routine and how to use the various weights and equipment....and that's it. There's a bunch of people at my gym that use trainers since I've started going and I see them doing the same routines over and over again and I ask myself why they would pay that amount of money just to have someone watch them do the same things over and over again.

My advice if you want a trainer is to have the trainer with you for a couple of sessions until you can do the routine by yourself. Then save yourself the money and just stick to what works for you. You don't need to pay someone your hard earned money just to have them stand beside you and 'motivate' you while you work out.

Honestly your best trainer will be yourself and learning how to use Myfitnesspal properly and consistently. 50lbs by October is a big goal (pun intended) but it's achievable if you dedicate yourself. Good luck!

[t0rrent98]

I think having a personal trainer is a waste of time and money like most people say unless you have money to burn and are a bit lazy or new to working out.

[Puppet Guy]

Originally Posted by indes

This will be counter productive in your weightloss! As a matter of fact if you increase your coke consumption I have no doubt you can reach your goal!

that worked real well for Rob Ford, didn't it?

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Flabbibulin

My opinion is to only go with a personal trainer if the cost is not an issue at all. If it is, I would suggest that you skip it and rely on personal discipline and a little research.

50lbs in 8 months is doable, but I am of the opinion that a goal like that will require you to count your calories. 1.5lbs a week is a fairly big caloric deficit, and assuming you want to do it without restorting to unsustainable techniques or dieting fads, you are going to have to get very active and very restrictive with your diet. I believe that weight loss is very possible on healthy and sustainable diets- certainly nothing sub 1500 for men. I did 50lbs in 6 months on between 1700-2000 calories a day.

Regardless of whether you go with a PT, I would suggest getting a macronutrient/calorie count app like Lose It. Learning to accurately count your calories in and measure them against BMR + exercise will be key imo. I would suggest that a caloric deficit of around 750 calories a day is doable- but probably only if you are committed to a good work out program.

I don't think counting calories is necessary for someone looking to just shed a few pounds and look better, but a fairly sizeable goal like 50lbs may require adding things up. Researching healthy dieting plans that fit your targeted caloric number would be a good idea.

I think that you're bang on with regards to the calorie counting and the importance of it. I was incredibly resistant to that idea and didn't want to be "one of those people" but frankly it totally works. I count every calorie 6 days a week. I'm pretty good on the 7th day, but I do eat whatever I want and don't count calories for that day for the vast majority.

I would also say that just counting calories isn't the whole battle. Like I was eating 1700 calories a day at my lowest and that doesn't mean 3 big macs...you should be cognizant of where those 1700 calories (or whatever figure) come from.

At the end of the day though, there's no magic. Its calories in, calories out. Workout hard and you can speed that process up or hit certain goals in particular, but it all starts in the kitchen. As I mentioned in another thread that has been the greatest side-benefit to me in all this: I spend almost no money eating meals out now because I count my calories so strictly.

[Puppet Guy]

Working out with a PT 3 times a week may be a little excessive economically, unless you need the motivation from someone. Most of my clients see me once per week and work out on their own two times (I'm in the gym when they're doing solo workouts), which gives them both the chance to check in with me on their progress, and to have me on hand the other two times if they have questions.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by t0rrent98

I think having a personal trainer is a waste of time and money like most people say unless you have money to burn and are a bit lazy or new to working out.

I don't know if what I have is really a personal trainer, but frankly its the best money I've spent in years. I have played sports of all kinds since I was a little kid and am extremely comfortable in the gym, so it wasn't about knowing what to do or how to do curls or whatever. I just think that having to check in and be accountable to someone and having their expertise about things is so great though.

Could someone do this on their own? Absolutely. Will they? In some cases. But to be honest I've spent more money on way stupider things in my life, and for me I feel great, am in way better shape than when I started and in my opinion because of how good I feel and overall how healthy I am now I would say that is worth way more money than what I paid.

[Jbo]

I have pretty good cardio as I play hockey and run quite a bit, but decided I needed to do some strength training as well. Rather then fight the crowds at talisman or another gym, I invested in some weights and a mat, and have been doing the Xbox fitness programs on Xbox one (free download and many free programs) I find that when your really go for it and don't cheat, it can offer a great workout. It also uses the kinect to make sure form is right.

Will report back, but I see it as a great alternative to a personal trainer, and a huge step up from fitness videos of the past.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Slava

Like I was eating 1700 calories a day at my lowest and that doesn't mean 3 big macs.

So I should stop writing my "Scotch & Gummy Bears Diet" book and assume it won't be the next best-seller?

[Slava]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

So I should stop writing my "Scotch & Gummy Bears Diet" book and assume it won't be the next best-seller?

Haha, it might be a tough sell! I don't know if I should say on here, but when I saw you the other day though you look like you've dropped a few lbs? Maybe that plan is better than the name implies.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Slava

I don't know if I should say on here, but when I saw you the other day though you look like you've dropped a few lbs?

Well this thread just got awkward.

haha actually since the last time you saw me I have. Starting to gain a bit back though. Paddleboarding season needs to get here sooner, apparenty.