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...)

___________________
"...End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path...one that we all must take.
The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all change to silver glass...and then you see it...
...white shores...and beyond...the far green country under a swift sunrise."

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.

___________________
- rabbit.joker [funny¿rabbit] | www.rabbitjoker.com |www.ddtt.org

Dark Dirty Tech Tribal. | Hands in air (trance) and feet on the floor (house).

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.

___________________
i really only come here for the fat pie guy threads

NOTHING LASTS FOREVER

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.

___________________
Trance in my pants

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...

___________________
"...End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path...one that we all must take.
The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all change to silver glass...and then you see it...
...white shores...and beyond...the far green country under a swift sunrise."

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!)

___________________
"...End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path...one that we all must take.
The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all change to silver glass...and then you see it...
...white shores...and beyond...the far green country under a swift sunrise."