"Personal Trainers"
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 18,885
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From: Philly (Narberth)
"Personal Trainers"
LB's re-emergent thread about losing weight reminded me about this. I would like to do something to get in better shape before it's a hopeless case. I swim 2-3 times per week, but that's not enough... 
I'm thinking of joining a fitness center and the 'deal' includes 5 or 6 sessions with a Personal Trainer. The entry fee is $249 (incl evaluation, the sessions and first month's unlim use of facility) + 65/month.
OTOH, a friend has recommended the local LAFitness center, which has -0- startup cost and costs only 32 or 35/ month.
What experiences have you had with either one? How about the cost?
I'm thinking of joining a fitness center and the 'deal' includes 5 or 6 sessions with a Personal Trainer. The entry fee is $249 (incl evaluation, the sessions and first month's unlim use of facility) + 65/month.
OTOH, a friend has recommended the local LAFitness center, which has -0- startup cost and costs only 32 or 35/ month.
What experiences have you had with either one? How about the cost?
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 728
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From: Calif - Sierra Foothills
Don't know about the cost what with being at different ends of the planet, but statistics are pretty much on the side of the personal trainer approach.
If you go the straight "join the club" route, odds are you will find it easier to pass on sessions, particularly since you are not losing all that much dinero when you miss just one session. The problem arises when that single missed session begins to incrementally multiply to the point where you forget how to get to the gym.
With a personal trainer (assuming they are any good), you get the benefit of a structured program and the guilt that comes with showing up after a week of laying around instead of working the butt off. That motivation (to please the trainer) might encourage you to remember where the gym is. It is also a bit tougher to bail when the monthly charge would buy almost 20 gallons of gas for the S2.
This question is along the lines of "should I try to teach myself guitar or learn from a pro?" I say at least start out with the pro. If you get good results at the higher cost facility and find yourself motivated, bail on the $65 place and hoof on over to the $30 place knowing that you know what regimen works for you.
If you go the straight "join the club" route, odds are you will find it easier to pass on sessions, particularly since you are not losing all that much dinero when you miss just one session. The problem arises when that single missed session begins to incrementally multiply to the point where you forget how to get to the gym.
With a personal trainer (assuming they are any good), you get the benefit of a structured program and the guilt that comes with showing up after a week of laying around instead of working the butt off. That motivation (to please the trainer) might encourage you to remember where the gym is. It is also a bit tougher to bail when the monthly charge would buy almost 20 gallons of gas for the S2.
This question is along the lines of "should I try to teach myself guitar or learn from a pro?" I say at least start out with the pro. If you get good results at the higher cost facility and find yourself motivated, bail on the $65 place and hoof on over to the $30 place knowing that you know what regimen works for you.
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 65,338
Likes: 4,647
From: Smalltown
A few people I know have used trainers and it works for them.
It works for the Hollywood set. Look how good they all look!
If I'm EVER retired and have enough money for a personal trainer I'll check into it.
For me, the requirements for the trainer are tall, young, blonde and named Sven. He will come to my house at my convenience and he will not yell at me if I ate popcorn with butter for dinner the night before.
Go for it, Jerry. You'll be "buff" by SF06.
It works for the Hollywood set. Look how good they all look!
If I'm EVER retired and have enough money for a personal trainer I'll check into it.
For me, the requirements for the trainer are tall, young, blonde and named Sven. He will come to my house at my convenience and he will not yell at me if I ate popcorn with butter for dinner the night before.
Go for it, Jerry. You'll be "buff" by SF06.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 627
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From: Green Bay WI
Make sure you get a personal trainer whos style that WILL work for you.
If you need a screamer get a screamer. If you need something else get something else, just be comfortable with the trainers style. Personally if anyone yelled at me they would good a look at my fat ass leaving faster than they thought possible.
If you need a screamer get a screamer. If you need something else get something else, just be comfortable with the trainers style. Personally if anyone yelled at me they would good a look at my fat ass leaving faster than they thought possible.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,871
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From: Scottsdale
I had one for about 3 years. It worked great (with reservations) - I wanted to bulk up, and did. My trainer was old school - just lift the weight I don't care how you get it up, and eventually I got hurt.
It's tough to find the right trainer, I went through three or four. The young ones can be flaky, but also have the latest information. The older ones know more about a vintage body, but may not keep up with the latest studies and information.
My experience was that a young one that understands vintage bodies did the best by me, but eventually he flaked out.
Thr trainers should be showing you exactly how to lift the weight. What muscles to concentrate on, and how to breathe and keep your stomach tight.
They should also work you with stretching during and after the workout. Also, ask them if they know about functional training. It's a technique that trains your body in cross planes, and also trains the muscles to do certain motions (such as swimming or golf or volleyball).
It's tough to find the right trainer, I went through three or four. The young ones can be flaky, but also have the latest information. The older ones know more about a vintage body, but may not keep up with the latest studies and information.
My experience was that a young one that understands vintage bodies did the best by me, but eventually he flaked out.
Thr trainers should be showing you exactly how to lift the weight. What muscles to concentrate on, and how to breathe and keep your stomach tight.
They should also work you with stretching during and after the workout. Also, ask them if they know about functional training. It's a technique that trains your body in cross planes, and also trains the muscles to do certain motions (such as swimming or golf or volleyball).
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,868
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get a hot one....let her run in front of you....30 days you'll be in shape....that's the only way to hire a personal trainer...the rest is bs....it's all in the mindset.
Oh and get one that gives a good massage.
fltsfshr
Oh and get one that gives a good massage.
fltsfshr