Thread: Personal trainers

Originally Posted by ROID

Anyone have some success stories when they used a personal trainer ?

I'm going to start working with one next monday. I've been working out for a long time but its' got to the point were I need different approaches for training.

Why you do need a personal trainer to approach training differently?

Not nay-saying, just inquiring to the thought-stream that led you to decide on a PT.

When it comes to a PT, just make sure they are legit. What do other people have to say about him/her?

Ask for before/after pictures. Also, determine if you are interested in a motivator or someone who can provide good programming.

Originally Posted by fufu

Why you do need a personal trainer to approach training differently?

Not nay-saying, just inquiring to the thought-stream that led you to decide on a PT.

When it comes to a PT, just make sure they are legit. What do other people have to say about him/her?

He trains 3 other people i know at the gym and they have made some crazy progress.

I just need some new ideas and i want someone to point out any flaws in my form when I lift. It's just going to be for a few weeks, maybe one month. Get some new training methods.

I've talked to him a couple times and compared to a lot of other trainers I know, he seems to really KNOW what he is talking about. Plus he is in shape himself. It seems I see more and more trainers that just don't look like they have ever lifted anything but a beer can. It's more than just training, he helps guys with the whole lifestyle, diet etc...

I'm gonna give it a shot.

Originally Posted by Marat

Ask for before/after pictures. Also, determine if you are interested in a motivator or someone who can provide good programming.

Getting a program is the main thing. I could always use some motivation from time to time but that isn't too much of a problem for me.

What's the going rate for a good personal trainer these days?

£30 an hour at my gym... hmmmmm no thanks!

Originally Posted by ROID

He trains 3 other people i know at the gym and they have made some crazy progress.

I just need some new ideas and i want someone to point out any flaws in my form when I lift. It's just going to be for a few weeks, maybe one month. Get some new training methods.

I've talked to him a couple times and compared to a lot of other trainers I know, he seems to really KNOW what he is talking about. Plus he is in shape himself. It seems I see more and more trainers that just don't look like they have ever lifted anything but a beer can. It's more than just training, he helps guys with the whole lifestyle, diet etc...

I'm gonna give it a shot.

Good points. Getting a knowledgeable person to assess your movement efficiency is very valuable.

Originally Posted by fufu

Good points. Getting a knowledgeable person to assess your movement efficiency is very valuable.

another thing is I'm getting little older. I'm still very young at 28 but my body responds a lot different at 28 than at 21 or 22. It's harder to get from point A to point B.

I personally train me, myself and I 4-5 times a week

I think personal trainers are beneficial for those who lack motivation. Different approaches can be self taught and applied.

Just because someone is in shape or hell, ripped to shreds and own a gym, doesn't mean they are good trainers. 99% of them suck. Period. They think that standing by you and counting your reps and maybe raising their voice is training, or making someone do cardio for an hour, putting you in machines and doing tricep kickbacks and saying "feel that burn?" is training. ...

With that being said, maybe you found that 1%. Good luck.

Originally Posted by Merkaba

Just because someone is in shape or hell, ripped to shreds and own a gym, doesn't mean they are good trainers. 99% of them suck. Period. They think that standing by you and counting your reps and maybe raising their voice is training, or making someone do cardio for an hour, putting you in machines and doing tricep kickbacks and saying "feel that burn?" is training. ...

With that being said, maybe you found that 1%. Good luck.

he isn't like that. I'm not new to the gym. That shit wouldn't fly with me. I've seen some major changes in a few guys. Even taking into consideration they are using gear the results are still impressive.

iv used a PT last year and it was great , alot of flaws were pointed out in my movements, gave me a diet and the encouragement i needed, plus it helped he had all his own weights and he was a competitor, youll always get a good one out there , just my 2cents

2 very good friends of mine are personal trainers and ive had a few sessions with them for free but they are both defenetly in the 99% of money grabbing ones,i know for a fact that they have both done a huge amount of gear over the last 10 years and they will deny it to all there cusomers and say things like "ive just been using thes whey protein we sell here".
another classic one that ive noticed they both do is allways encourage the use of suppliments with out even asking about the customers diet or eating habbits.unless i was seriously rich i wouldnt entertain using a persional trainer unless i heard alot of very good reviews.

I moonlighted for a while as a PT about 5 years ago for extra cash, and I agree that most of them have no idea what they are doing. That being said, there are some really good ones out there. There is nothing wrong with using one to improve your workouts or provide another perspective on training, if they are knowledgeable. I say go for it ROID...

Originally Posted by ROID

he isn't like that. I'm not new to the gym. That shit wouldn't fly with me. I've seen some major changes in a few guys. Even taking into consideration they are using gear the results are still impressive.

There are a handful of trainers that are worth the money. Most reputable independent trainers will give you a free workout, so you can better see if you are a good fit for each other.

Originally Posted by MDR

There are a handful of trainers that are worth the money. Most reputable independent trainers will give you a free workout, so you can better see if you are a good fit for each other.

Had a leg session with him monday.

very pleased. Didn't use any heavy weight but by the time we were done I could barely walk because my legs were so fatigued.

Very simple exercises: supersets mostly. His view is to fatigue the muscle first and then do a slow reps with pauses at the top and bottom of the motion. IE leg extensions. 20 reps with moderate weight and when the burn has set in(fatigue) , pause for 5sec at the top and at the bottom of the motion keeping full tension. Its nothing new but I have always used heavy weight and low reps to build mass.

It was a shock to my muscles because I have been sore for 3 days. I know soreness isn't always a good thing but this feels different. Its not painful but I can tell I worked every inch of my quads. Got a great pump and its paced to where you could almost consider it a moderate cardio session.
60min workout total.

Originally Posted by Merkaba

Just because someone is in shape or hell, ripped to shreds and own a gym, doesn't mean they are good trainers. 99% of them suck. Period. They think that standing by you and counting your reps and maybe raising their voice is training, or making someone do cardio for an hour, putting you in machines and doing tricep kickbacks and saying "feel that burn?" is training. ...
.

How would you describe a good personal trainer... that 1%?

This is a cute thread.

Originally Posted by x~factor

How would you describe a good personal trainer... that 1%?

You'll have results like Roid described.

Originally Posted by ROID

Had a leg session with him monday.

very pleased. Didn't use any heavy weight but by the time we were done I could barely walk because my legs were so fatigued.

Very simple exercises: supersets mostly. His view is to fatigue the muscle first and then do a slow reps with pauses at the top and bottom of the motion. IE leg extensions. 20 reps with moderate weight and when the burn has set in(fatigue) , pause for 5sec at the top and at the bottom of the motion keeping full tension. Its nothing new but I have always used heavy weight and low reps to build mass.

It was a shock to my muscles because I have been sore for 3 days. I know soreness isn't always a good thing but this feels different. Its not painful but I can tell I worked every inch of my quads. Got a great pump and its paced to where you could almost consider it a moderate cardio session.
60min workout total.

yes. he probably reviewed your old routine and gave you something that would shock you. lol he is sucking you in. I will see you doing jump rope between bicep curls laaaawwwlllll!

When ever you switch up a routine your going to feel sore body parts.You should be switching up your workout every 4 to 6 weeks to keep the muscles from getting use to the routine and stop growing.Its all about muscle mind connection full range of motion and always slow down the negitives.Negitives are 50% of the rep.Heavy weight low reps 4 weeks ,than switch up to moderate weight with a little higher reps.Staying heavy all the time can lead to your nervous system getting taxed also eatting the right amount of protien and complex carbs and fat 6 small meals a day to keep your glycogen levels even.Its really that simply you can't fool yourself,its a life long thing good luck bro

Some are good. Find out their credentials first and ask them questions,

There is a personal trainer in my gym, on heavy juice ofcourse that works out biceps and triceps 4-5 times a week.

Ask him whats a squat haha.

Another trainer, gay trainer, doesn't know that going low volume high intensity has benefits. All he worries bout how his and his clients ass and legs look like.

haha.

There is one new trainer, kinda old guy and doesn't really like training everyone. He's trained people for bb competition and wrestling & powerlifting competitions. The man knows his shit, he used to compete himself. Another competition coming up for him in April. Training with him was a total pleasure, despite my already knowledge, I learned so much. Nothing but respect for him, and he doesn't charge people for advice or anything. Trained me for 2 months, no charge. He says he loves this sport, the money is just a bonus.

Originally Posted by ROID

Anyone have some success stories when they used a personal trainer ?

I'm going to start working with one next monday. I've been working out for a long time but its' got to the point were I need different approaches for training.

Speaking as a Personal Trainer myself, most commercial gyms are filled with trainers that don't know d!ck. I worked at a commercial gym for a few months after college starting out and couldnt believe how bad some of these trainers were. If i was you i would ask for background info on his schooling or certs. Most certs aren't worth the paper they are printed on. Also the trainer should give you some kind of assessment (length tension, postural, movement pattern) if they don't do any of this you are wasting your money, UNLESS you don't know how to perform certain movements correctly, like deads, squats, etc. With that said ive seen trainer in gyms giving people direction for deadlifting and form and most still dont know what they are doing.
-If you are looking simply for programs, Chad Waterbury, Bill Starr have ton's of free information online you can get and follow. Also if you can get your hands on any Poliquin articles you will be heading in the right direction.. Good luck

I've been lifting for a lot of years. I got to the same point you are probably at. I saw other guys making progress and I was too but not to the same level.
I did some research, on the guy and interviewed him. I was pretty specific in my goals. I decided to give it a shot and I'm very happy I did. He is very focused on me and my training. Develops different routines based on my progress. I work out 2 days a week and he gives me workouts to do at home for 4 other days (6 w/o's a week). I like this arrangement because pay for two sessions and get homework
Trainers can be pricey. I pay 35 bucks a session. It's money well spend in my opinion...I'd think nothing of dropping that amount for a night out...and this is better for me than a night out.
The good thing is you can try a trainer out and drop them if it isn't working for you!

Originally Posted by MyK 3.0

yes. he probably reviewed your old routine and gave you something that would shock you. lol he is sucking you in. I will see you doing jump rope between bicep curls laaaawwwlllll!

Nah, I'm gonna start spin class

Originally Posted by ROID

Nah, I'm gonna start spin class

If you wanted to get dominated by girls.