anyone use a personal trainer?

turbosgirl

i just joined a new gym. they "give" you one free training session. I went and somehow got talked into signing up for sessions - I got home and did a little more looking at the sheet - and they're expensive!! They want $280 a month to meet twice a week, with a three month commitment. On top of the $40 I spend a month for my membership. I dont think we can afford it, so I emailed my trainer and asked if we could meet once a week (for $140 a month, which is still a lot, but better). She responded that maybe we could re-work the visits and get it down to $240 a month (which I think is just about the same thing as $280 - too much). We have met a few times (I paid $120 for three sessions - ugh!). She works me out for 30 minutes - boxing, situps, sprints, etc. She hasnt taken me downstairs to show me what machines I should be using, and the right way to use them, and she never took measurements (so how do I track my progress?).
I'm a little frustrated at the price, and I wish she would show me what to do on my own instead of making me feel dependent on her for my workout. (Long story short, I either need a trainer in my pocket or more $!)

IBackBevo

Honestly, that sounds cheap to me. What gym are you at?  My sessions at 24 hour fitness are about $60-$65 a piece given what package they have going on.  Twice a week for a month for $280 would be about $35 a session. That seems dirt cheap to me.  Even when I was a student and got the student rate at a university where I was in law school, I think I still paid about $30 a session...and those were so cheap because they were using undergrad students as their trainers.

For me, it is about accountability and making sure I don't injure myself.  I could absolutely do it on my own, but I tend to do better with a trainer.

If you are worried about money, I would do it for a few months and get in the routine and get the trainer to plan you out and teach you show you several different workouts and then do it on your own.  Or, if you truly can't afford it, maybe see how much it would cost to just do one session to get you familiar with the machines and specifically say that is what you want the session to be. 

IBackBevo

Edit - I just realized they were 30 minute sessions.  Mine are 50 minute sessions.  It still seems actually not that expensive to me.  At 24 hour, I think it is about $400-450 for 10 25 minute sessions.  I've seen specials where you can get 5  25 minute sessions for $199 before, but you only can do that one time and if you have never purchased a training package before.

Ultimately, maybe you might be better taking some weight lifting classes.  I don't know what gym you are at, but I know at my gym they have classes like "Strength Endurance Training" or "Bootcamp" where you basically work out with your own body weight, hand weights and barbells, etc.  After you have done them a few times, you remember the routines and can do them at home. Hope this helps!

speechie517

Ask her to do your measurements and show you how to use the weight machines and free weights. Any worthwhile trainer should be doing this. Also, ask her to develop a program that you can do on your own once you are more comfortable working out independently. I agree with the PP about classes like body pump and bootcamp. Give those a try too!

zbeesma86

she for sure should record your measurements and take your BMI-- the rec center I go to have files for those who train with our trainer and she takes out your folder when you show up and writes everything down- your workout that day, how you are feeling, sore spots, weight, and what you've been eating.

If you are new to the gym- a trainer is good to show you how to use machines properly and how to be safe and not hurt yourself.

The price is crazy! I think our center is high too! 48 for one hour! so crazy! on top of your monthly fee! no thanks! but perhaps once you workout with him/her for a month and get the workouts down you will be able to come in and do your own thing and not do the trainer. Or go to once a week training and the rest you do your own.

they have a lot of websites that show you daily workouts to do/try as well.

LiveNLove44

Be your own advocate to ensure you get the most for your investment. Telling her what you want to be able to do (be self-sufficient at the gym during the rest of the week and reach personal weightloss/muscle gain goals) is the only way she will know exactly what you're hoping to get out of this experience. If you tell her those things and continue to work with her and she doesn't fulfill your needs, switch trainers. My DH is a personal trainer and each one of them is very different. They are all unique and if you find one you work best with, stick to it.

Regarding your gym membership fee, many insurance companies offer a fitness refund or some sort of compensation for attending a gym at least 12 times a month (as is with ours). A typical membership that is $20 around here would be fully covered by our insurance if we prove we've been to the gym at least 12 times each month. I would look into it with your insurance company and gym to see if there is anything like that!