Personal Trainer - worthwhile or not

thejuggler

Just wondering what people here think about Personal Trainers. They seem to be getting very popular now particularly for people who have trouble motivating themselves to train.
What are the costs involved and how many sessions would be recommended per week?

rs

If you have heaps of cash I'm sure they are great.

But if you are going to use one for every training session, that's not going to be cheap. I think they go for about 40 - 50 euro an hour. They are certainly worth while if you don't mind spending this kind of money. There's a lot to be said from someone pushing you in every workout.

They might also be worth while (and more cost effective) if you want someone to design a training program for you every few weeks, but most gyms will do this for free.

Most of us poor folk either find the motivation within ourselves, or find a training partner. Someone with the same goals, training schedule, who will train together with you.

Be careful who you choose though. You need someone who is at least as motivated and dedicated as you are, and hopefully a bit more.

Mr E

A neighbour of mine was going to a personal trainer last summer, and saw great results. So I said I'd give it a go. I went along with low expectations. To say it changed my life is an understatement.

I started in September with 2 sessions a week, 1 interval session on the treadmill, and 1 weights session. I committed to 1 programme (6 sessions interval training, 6 weights), and see how it went. By the end of the programme, I was down 1 trousers size. 6 months later, and its now a part of my life. I'm now doing a weights only programme with them, and doing running/rowing in my own gym.

Its €25 a session, with a discount if you pay for sessions in advance. I'm also a member of a gym (which I go to 4 times a week). So between the PT and the gym, I'm spending up to €250 a month. Its definitely worth it, though.... I'm fitter, stronger, healthier, and most importantly (to me, anyway) - lighter!

Personal Training isn't just about fitness, though. Good trainers will monitor your diet, recommend what to eat and what not to eat. You'll be weighed once a week, measured with tape measure and calipers every other week. When you see progress (pounds and inches vanishing), then thats great incentive to keep going.

If you can afford it, do it for a month. See how it goes. At the very least, it will get you into a fitness regime that you can keep up after you leave, and get you into a positive frame of mind about your eating habits.

What have you got to lose?

- Dave.

daveirl

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