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Personal Training...

I bit the bullet yesterday and made my first downpayment; I start on a 12 week journey (a New Year's resolution *cough*) next Friday.

I know some of you are personal trainers (very cool btw )
but I wanted to ask those that might have actually gone through the process of hiring one.

What are your experiences?
I'm nervous and excited at the same time because I know what the results will be but it's the process that sucks...

I guess that's why only great destinations require a long journey....(or some cliche like that...)

Absolutely pay attention to the clock. Warm up on a cardio machine for 5-10 minutes in advance of your appointment, so they don't stick you on a treadmill during the time you're paying them to be training you.

Trainers often won't suggest superset routines (where you do an exercise for your back, and then switch immediately to biceps during the time you'd normally rest in between sets) because it means they are working for the whole hour...if you think it would benefit you, suggest it.

Just make sure they give you everything they have committed to giving you and watch the clock so you get the most bang for your buck.

this is the smartest thing to do...good move!

I think anyone who is serious and has specific goals would benefit from a series of sessions from an experienced, knowledgable trainer.

I had several sessions with a trainer when I first joined a gym too...even with half-decent knowledge of form, different exercises, butrition, etc., I learned a lot (and was pushed FAR beyond what I would have done myself, which was probably the best lesson of all...push yourself HARD).

enjoy (and enjoy not being able to move after your first few sessions, LOL).

Training to be a professional is good.

Congratulations!

FYI, you'll triple your progress with the right diet. Trainers will rarely tell you this, because gyms are kept in business with the use of machines, as opposed to cardio and nutrition.

Also, if you want to flatten your belly, doing crunches for 20 minutes is not the way to do it. No saturated fat + 30-45/day of cardio is the fat burning formula.

Good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by Skipper Absolutely pay attention to the clock. Warm up on a cardio machine for 5-10 minutes in advance of your appointment, so they don't stick you on a treadmill during the time you're paying them to be training you. Trainers often won't suggest superset routines (where you do an exercise for your back, and then switch immediately to biceps during the time you'd normally rest in between sets) because it means they are working for the whole hour...if you think it would benefit you, suggest it.

ya definately make sure u warm up before hand and pay attention to the clock... but i really wouldn't suggest doing supersets espically if you're just starting working out.

btw a super set is actually doing say 8 reps with 100lbs, then 8 reps with 70 lbs.. then 8 reps with 50 lbs right after each other...its designed to completely burn your muscle out and should be done as the last exercise for whichever body part your doing.

The MAIN thing you want to do is learn the exercises properly, form does so much and most people would get a lot more out of working out if they focused on that instead of more weight/more reps. Also get into a routine, many people get the trainer, go through it then end up quitting afterwards, if you can get yourself in a solid routine then its a lot easier. espically since you say the process sucks, routine helps A LOT. When your 12 weeks is done, try to get a friend to go with u, its a lot better for motivation, more fun, and having a spot definately helps, if not at least get some good music!

just make sure the trainer isn't running around socializing and is actually spending his time with you. Its pretty easy for a trainer to start talkin to people since he works there and most regulars will probably kno him. And you doing cardio should NOT be part of your 1 hr with him, you can do that on your own. So learn the exercises properly, then have him help you make a routine that you can do after the sessions are over, without his help. He'll probably try to convince you to sign up again after its done too lol...but if he did his job properly, you wont need to. I doubt you'll have a problem, usually trainers like working out and enjoy helping people learn what they know.

pm me if u got any questions.

quote:

Originally posted by DigitalMP Congratulations! FYI, you'll triple your progress with the right diet. Trainers will rarely tell you this, because gyms are kept in business with the use of machines, as opposed to cardio and nutrition. Also, if you want to flatten your belly, doing crunches for 20 minutes is not the way to do it. No saturated fat + 30-45/day of cardio is the fat burning formula. Good luck!

oo yea forgot.. what u eat makes a HUGE difference!!!!!

if you dont get the fat off your stomach, working your stomach out will build ur abs but at the same time push the fat out even further.

quote:

Originally posted by DigitalMP Also, if you want to flatten your belly, doing crunches for 20 minutes is not the way to do it. No saturated fat + 30-45/day of cardio is the fat burning formula.

Absolutely right. Dieting is the most important thing when it comes to fitness. I think the saying goes "Abs are made in the kitchen, not in the gym". Also since you're just starting out, stick to it and don't just stop if you don't see results right away. It's gonna take time, but it'll be worth it.

quote:

Originally posted by Wyndham The MAIN thing you want to do is learn the exercises properly, form ! just make sure the trainer isn't running around socializing and is actually spending his time with you. .

make sure they are good too! Lots of dolts out there.

Re: Personal Training...

quote:

Originally posted by Fir3start3r

good move!!

by the way, if you need any help/suggestions i can help you out. i've been personal training athletes as well as regular people for two years now, have certification to do so as well as finishing up my kinesiology degree this year. so if you need any advice or if you have specific questions i can answer them for you.

Thanks for the sage advice and consolingly

Happily the trainer mentioned about doing a warmup before starting the session training so I won't get dinged time-wise that way.

Diet isn't that big of a problem for me. I do tend to eat rather healthy (overall) but yea, that's a huge part of the overall process.

My biggest problem is just being sedentary and not having any extra curricular activities.
More calories going in than going out you could say is the biggest prob...

quote:

Originally posted by Wyndham The MAIN thing you want to do is learn the exercises properly, form does so much and most people would get a lot more out of working out if they focused on that instead of more weight/more reps. Also get into a routine, many people get the trainer, go through it then end up quitting afterwards, if you can get yourself in a solid routine then its a lot easier. espically since you say the process sucks, routine helps A LOT. When your 12 weeks is done, try to get a friend to go with u, its a lot better for motivation, more fun, and having a spot definately helps, if not at least get some good music!

I'm a big believer in form because I've seen what improper form does.
You can really hurt yourself...
Yes, getting into a routine to form a habit is essential too, especially when the trianing is done!

quote:

just make sure the trainer isn't running around socializing and is actually spending his time with you. Its pretty easy for a trainer to start talkin to people since he works there and most regulars will probably kno him. And you doing cardio should NOT be part of your 1 hr with him, you can do that on your own. So learn the exercises properly, then have him help you make a routine that you can do after the sessions are over, without his help. He'll probably try to convince you to sign up again after its done too lol...but if he did his job properly, you wont need to. I doubt you'll have a problem, usually trainers like working out and enjoy helping people learn what they know. pm me if u got any questions.

He's a pretty straight-laced guy which is why I choose him but I know exactly what you're talking about.
I'm not there to socialize and especially not paying him to social on my dollar...

Thanks again guys / gals.
I'm pumped! (ok...not yet, you know, psyched!)

A good friend of mine is my personal trainer. I've started working out after a 5 month hiatus. Boy am I sore.

But yes, a good diet is essential. Now I just have to keep on that diet. Its so easy to slack off.

The best part of _starting_ to work out again for the first time in a while is the extremely achy muscles you get... especially in your tummy, thighs and arms!

God I love that sensation SO MUCH!

I could sit around all day just pressing into my achy muscles. It just feels so blissfull.

Nothign is better than sex when you're achy as hell!

quote:

Originally posted by Jem_hadar Nothign is better than sex when you're achy as hell!

As long as she's doing all the work cause you're too sore too

awesome Jeff.. post ur results in a few months , be curious to see how things turn out ..

Good decision to start with a trainer first.

Defintely do warm up on a treadmill before the session. Don't kill yourself so you have energy for the workout, but don't cold-start yourself either.

As somebody has mentioned, learning proper form of each excercise you're doing is extremely important. Make no mistake, those that bounce weights, lean on the side, go 1/2 way on a rep.. Well, those people are wasting energy. Make sure your trainer shows you HOW to do an excercise first, and always ask him for corrections to your posture, speed, etc.

Make your wishes known. If you want to build mass in the upper body, tell him so. If you want tone, tell him so. Otherwise he will run through the standard just another client routine with you.

Probably the most important.. (I see this at my gym way to often to like it): Trainers showing the clients some useless crap excercise, like so: "Yes, lean this way, put your head there, tilt your body like so, and scratch your head with the index finger of your left hand.." Ok, that's sarcasm, but my statement holds:

Make sure you guys work out the major muscle groups. Make sure he shows you how to do the MAIN excercises properly. Those are the important ones. Assuming you last enough to become an advanced gym user, you can learn the weird crap excercises yourself.. Right now you're concerned with learning the basics, such as: Proper leg press, bench press, shoulder press, shoulder pull-down, seated row, bicep workout, tricep workout, ab crunches.

If you learn how to do those properly first, you will have a much easier time gaining mass and losing weight, than when trying to do all sorts of funky (and quite honestly, quite a few them are useless) excercises.

Good luck!

-Roman

quote:

Originally posted by Fir3start3r I'm a big believer in form because I've seen what improper form does. You can really hurt yourself... Yes, getting into a routine to form a habit is essential too, especially when the trianing is done!

Aside form that, you can totally offshoot your goals.

For instance, when doing back exercises, like rows and pullups, you should lead your drive with your elbow (if that makes sense), rather than pulling on the bar with your hands. The latter will work your bicep rather than the area of your latismus muscle family on which your are attempting to strenghten.

On the same note, when doing chest press exercises, you want to drive with the upper part of your arm, flexing your chest muscles in the process. If you don't you'll be working your tricep primarily, as opposed to secondarily.

Good luck guy...make sure you post in here after you meet with your trainer.

quote:

Originally posted by Superstring Make sure you guys work out the major muscle groups. Make sure he shows you how to do the MAIN excercises properly. Those are the important ones. Assuming you last enough to become an advanced gym user, you can learn the weird crap excercises yourself.. Right now you're concerned with learning the basics, such as: Proper leg press, bench press, shoulder press, shoulder pull-down, seated row, bicep workout, tricep workout, ab crunches.

Wow..my trainer is the friggin sh*t then. He's taught me ALL of that stuff and told me that those other useless exercises are just that, useless. He also told me to come early (if I could) and get 15-20 mins of cardio in to warm up. I'm very happy to be reading everyones posts. Now I know I'm doing everything right and my trainer is not takin me for a ride.

Good luck with your sessions! It will be hard...but soooo worth it!

I've been going for just over 2 months now and I've seen major results. I've lost 2 inches in my waist, 1 inch in my hips and thighs, inches off my chest, arms. It's amazing! I feel so great. Best investment I've made in a long time.

Again, GOOD LUCK!

always give your best effort and 110%

at least then you know you tried your best!

quote:

Originally posted by Wyndham ..try to get a friend to go with u, its a lot better for motivation, having a spot definately helps..

Having a friend to motivate you is soooo helpful!

Example: I was benching 165lbs (which is my weight) for 3 sets/6 reps for about 2-3 months when my friend suggested I add 20 more lbs. and do 185. At first I thought I wouldnt be able to do it, but pulled off 5 reps my first try. I worked out with him for about another month and I was pushing 205 for 2 sets/5 reps and then eventually moved up to 2 plates/side (225 lbs.) a month later. Without him telling me to push it, I thought it would have taken me atleast 6-8 months before I could lift 2 plates per side. Having a friend or a workout partner definitely helps!

Hey jeff

its going to be extremly hard this is my 3rd month already well almost 4th now, i have gained 23 pounds of muscle and see the diffrence slowly, you just have to eat good meals and protein shakes and vitamins etc.

Personal trainer is good , i am going with one since a while, but again, keep saying this your self YOU CAN! and always MIND OVER MATTER!

i even quit smoking 3 months ago, so i can tell you i feel much MUCH healthier than i ever have, its hard to keep up work and normal life, but it will be worth it.

Good luck

quote:

Originally posted by MLB Hey jeff its going to be extremly hard this is my 3rd month already well almost 4th now, i have gained 23 pounds of muscle and see the diffrence slowly, you just have to eat good meals and protein shakes and vitamins etc. Personal trainer is good , i am going with one since a while, but again, keep saying this your self YOU CAN! and always MIND OVER MATTER! i even quit smoking 3 months ago, so i can tell you i feel much MUCH healthier than i ever have, its hard to keep up work and normal life, but it will be worth it. Good luck

23 pounds of muscle in less than 4 months?!?

that's damn near impossible for the bulk of the population...you must have some serious workout/diet/genetics to pull that off!

Definately watch your nutrition...

Personal trainers are great... motivation, safety and balance...

My advice is be honest with your trainer... tell him or her of pains, plateaus, satisfaction, dis-satisfaction... etc... best advice I can give you.. Up to you and your trainer to do the rest..


Good luck and congratulations!!! =D

hey jeff

u should join intramural sports

http://www.tcssc.com/

i joined co-ed basketball, but there are alot of other sports like hockey, soccer, ultimate... etc

forces you to do your own cardio to not be embarassed in your team!

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