Personal Trainers

Heregoes

Hi All,

I'm hoping you can help me. Over the last ten years, I have let myself go due to one thing or another. Diet was and still is terrible. No exercise and smoking heavily.

However, in the last couple of months I've managed to start turning my life around. In the process of giving up the smokes etc. so now I want to build up my core fitness and and build myself up too. But I don't feel comfortable going to the gym as of yet.

So my plan is to get a PT that will help me over a 2-3 month period with diet and fitness (and as a result confidence to go to the gym myself). Can any of you recommend any PT? I'm living out Carpenterstown way and working in the IFSC. I would like to be get someone near there as it would be easier to build it into my schedule.

All recommendations, comments and advise are welcome!

Thanks,
HG

evo2000

Heregoes wrote: »

Hi All,

I'm hoping you can help me. Over the last ten years, I have let myself go due to one thing or another. Diet was and still is terrible. No exercise and smoking heavily.

However, in the last couple of months I've managed to start turning my life around. In the process of giving up the smokes etc. so now I want to build up my core fitness and and build myself up too. But I don't feel comfortable going to the gym as of yet.

So my plan is to get a PT that will help me over a 2-3 month period with diet and fitness (and as a result confidence to go to the gym myself). Can any of you recommend any PT? I'm living out Carpenterstown way and working in the IFSC. I would like to be get someone near there as it would be easier to build it into my schedule.

All recommendations, comments and advise are welcome!

Thanks,
HG

You dont really, need a personal trainer theres plenty of information online, as for losing weight, diet is your foundation, id suggest going to a dietitian i cant stress this enough to people its just money well spent! they ll sort you out with a realistic, healthy easy to follow diet that will 100% work.

As for you re workout you ll want to be well rounded its no good having a strong core and weak everywhere else compound movements are a great place to start squats, deadlifts bench press ect body weight exercise such as pull ups are very good push ups are great dips ect.. jogging and skipping or swimming/cycling even are great for shedding pounds.

You ll want to do these things consistently, follow you re diet strictly, and do any exercise you re doing with good form, its better to do 5 good ones than 20 bad ones!

More than anything else you ll need to stop being lazy because thats what alot of this boils down to! put in the effort and you ll get the results they re are no short cuts!

Best of luck anyway!

Eh ... getting a PT is a great idea. Partly for confidence to go in and get things done and partly for a good program and showing how to do stuff

Good PTs posting on these parts OP I am sure they will pop up ...

evo2000

Trust me.. you dont need a personal trainer, do abit of research, an you ll be on you re way, nothing more rewarding than getting things done yourself.

Stench Blossoms

evo2000 wrote: »

Trust me.. you dont need a personal trainer, do abit of research, an you ll be on you re way, nothing more rewarding than getting things done yourself.

Just because YOU don't need a personal trainer doesn't mean others don't.

A huge part of having a PT is the motivation factor which a lot of people fail on.

evo2000

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

Just because YOU don't need a personal trainer doesn't mean others don't.

A huge part of having a PT is the motivation factor which a lot of people fail on.

What happens when the PT goes away then? you havent learn to do things under you re own steam

Treating the symptoms not the problem me thinks.

99.9% of people that think they need a PT dont they are just looking for the most convient way to get someone else to plan out there work out for them because they re too lazy to do it themselves i just see this as counter intuitive.

Its like when i see people go to the gym to exercise yet they re too lazy to put back the weights lol

LAZYNESS is most peoples problem.

Transform

evo2000 wrote: »

What happens when the PT goes away then? you havent learn to do things under you re own steam

Treating the symptoms not the problem me thinks.

99.9% of people that think they need a PT dont they are just looking for the most convient way to get someone else to plan out there work out for them because they re too lazy to do it themselves i just see this as counter intuitive.

Its like when i see people go to the gym to exercise yet they re too lazy to put back the weights lol

LAZYNESS is most peoples problem.

cool and everyone to their own.

this is what chris Pratt said about his amazing transformation recently and he nails it - http://www.followingthenerd.com/movies/watch-chris-pratt-gives-good-advice-to-fan-about-weight-loss/

solution - i have no idea, do what feels right for you

Stench Blossoms

evo2000 wrote: »

What happens when the PT goes away then? you havent learn to do things under you re own steam

If the PT is any good you can continue on without them and revisit them in the future.

I'm not suggesting every session you do is supervised by a PT.

SaoirseRose

evo2000 wrote: »

What happens when the PT goes away then? you havent learn to do things under you re own steam

Treating the symptoms not the problem me thinks.

99.9% of people that think they need a PT dont they are just looking for the most convient way to get someone else to plan out there work out for them because they re too lazy to do it themselves i just see this as counter intuitive.

Its like when i see people go to the gym to exercise yet they re too lazy to put back the weights lol

LAZYNESS is most peoples problem.

What if you never learn properly and carry on 'on your own steam', is that productive? No, it's dangerous at worst and pointless at best.

Sounds like a PT would give the OP a lot of confidence to get started, which is his first hurdle. There is a lot of be said for having a plan and having direction, as well as nailing down the basics correctly from Day 1. Once he has an idea of what he's doing and is more comfortable in the gym, he can decide whether he wants to keep it up or work away on his own.

evo2000

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

If the PT is any good you can continue on without them and revisit them in the future.

I'm not suggesting every session you do is supervised by a PT.

Well since they are basing they re motivation around having a PT surely when you take away the PT you take away the drive. Where as if you re self-motivated/Driven and learn to depend on yourself from the start that wont be an issue,

PT are a luxury not a necessity imo

SaoirseRose

evo2000 wrote: »

Well since they are basing they re motivation around having a PT surely when you take away the PT you take away the drive. Where as if you re self-motivated/Driven and learn to depend on yourself from the start that wont be an issue,

PT are a luxury not a necessity imo

He is self motivated. He has identified what he needs to get started and he has posted here to ask for some advice on that. A bit of encouragement would be nice instead of shooting him down from the get go.

(or she!)

Alf Veedersane

One session with a good PT will cost a lot less than several sessions with a physio.

evo2000

SaoirseRose wrote: »

What if you never learn properly and carry on 'on your own steam', is that productive? No, it's dangerous at worst and pointless at best.

Sounds like a PT would give the OP a lot of confidence to get started, which is his first hurdle. There is a lot of be said for having a plan and having direction, as well as nailing down the basics correctly from Day 1. Once he has an idea of what he's doing and is more comfortable in the gym, he can decide whether he wants to keep it up or work away on his own.

You dont need a PT for any of that.

What if you never learn proper? well thats you re own fault, there is a wealth of information put up by good people, that will help you do everything proper, ive read countless forms on here and other sites that have great advice and information,

Not too mention you can just go into a gym and ask the instructor there to advise you for free.

evo2000

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

One session with a good PT will cost a lot less than several sessions with a physio.

Never needed a PT, hit all my goals, never need a physio, you re assumption that life without a PT = physio is INVALID

evo2000

evo2000 wrote: »

Not too mention you can just go into a gym and ask the instructor there to advise you for free.

I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them

evo2000

bluewolf wrote: »

I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them

Half the PTs ive seen, they re both as bad as each other just ones free.

Alf Veedersane

evo2000 wrote: »

Never needed a PT, hit all my goals, never need a physio, you re assumption that life without a PT = physio is INVALID

The bit in bold was never stated.

SaoirseRose

evo2000 wrote: »

You dont need a PT for any of that.

What if you never learn proper? well thats you re own fault, there is a wealth of information put up by good people, that will help you do everything proper, ive read countless forms on here and other sites that have great advice and information,

Not too mention you can just go into a gym and ask the instructor there to advise you for free.

Yes you do.

Instructors are hit and miss. A good PT/coach will identify any mobility issues, programme according to your goals/abilities and take time to correct your form. You can't get that from a YouTube video or an instructor with a 6week cert.

What's your issue exactly? It's not your thing, cool. But this about the OP remember, not you.

evo2000

SaoirseRose wrote: »

He is self motivated. He has identified what he needs to get started and he has posted here to ask for some advice on that. A bit of encouragement would be nice instead of shooting him down from the get go.

(or she!)

I am encouraging he/she to go and do it on they re own to belive them selfs and that they dont need anything more than there own determination to get the job done.

Way to try and twist things!

SaoirseRose

evo2000 wrote: »

I am encouraging he/she to go and do it on they re own to belive them selfs and that they dont need anything more than there own determination to get the job done.

Way to try and twist things!

You're de-railing the thread via your own agenda.

OP wants advice/recs on a PT.

evo2000

SaoirseRose wrote: »

Yes you do.

Instructors are hit and miss. A good PT/coach will identify any mobility issues, programme according to your goals/abilities and take time to correct your form. You can't get that from a YouTube video or an instructor with a 6week cert.

What's your issue exactly? It's not your thing, cool. But this about the OP remember, not you.

Tell me where did this PT wizards of all knowing knowledge come from? who thought the first PT instructor?

My issue here is the lack of belief in ones own ability to get things done or the sheer lazyness not to put in the proper effort to learn how.

evo2000

SaoirseRose wrote: »

You're de-railing the thread via your own agenda.

OP wants advice/recs on a PT.

Read my first post. and you ll find its you that doing the derailing

evo2000

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

The bit in bold was never stated.

One session with a good PT will cost a lot less than several sessions with a physio.

Alf Veedersane

evo2000 wrote: »

One session with a good PT will cost a lot less than several sessions with a physio.

And it will.

There's a much higher risk of snapping your sh*t up after a session with a good PT than there is if you never go to one.

Even with your immaculate form, I'm sure you'll have observed plenty of people with poor form.

Anyway, enjoy your trolling.

bucketybuck

I can definitely see the argument that searching for a PT is searching for the easy path. Its deflection, instead of getting out there and just starting the hard work the OP wants to faff about getting things ready and getting prepared. Its like having an assignment to do but instead you spend half your evening arranging your notes rather than just getting stuck in and getting it done. The smoking is another sign of this, the OP hasn't given up, but instead is just "in the process" of giving up.

There are lots of very simple exercises that anybody can do, the internet is chock full of suggested exercises but the OP hasn't even been in a gym yet. He/she doesn't need a personal trainer, he just needs to stop licking the can down the road, get out there and do them!

evo2000

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

And it will.

There's a much higher risk of snapping your sh*t up after a session with a good PT than there is if you never go to one.

Even with your immaculate form, I'm sure you'll have observed plenty of people with poor form.

Anyway, enjoy your trolling.

Thats you re opinion and you re entitled too it,

SaoirseRose

evo2000 wrote: »

My issue here is the lack of belief in ones own ability to get things done or the sheer lazyness not to put in the proper effort to learn how.

You learn by being taught.

And don't underestimate the motivation it gives you to know you know what you're doing.

evo2000

bucketybuck wrote: »

I can definitely see the argument that searching for a PT is searching for the easy path. Its deflection, instead of getting out there and just starting the hard work the OP wants to faff about getting things ready and getting prepared. Its like having an assignment to do but instead you spend half your evening arranging your notes rather than just getting stuck in and getting it done. The smoking is another sign of this, the OP hasn't given up, but instead is just "in the process" of giving up.

There are lots of very simple exercises that anybody can do, the internet is chock full of suggested exercises but the OP hasn't even been in a gym yet. He/she doesn't need a personal trainer, he just needs to stop licking the can down the road, get out there and do them!

Exactly my point! great to see someone else shares the same point of view! we must be a dying breed according to this thread lol

SaoirseRose

OP,

Two posters here off the top of my head are PTs in the city centre - COH and Hanley.

-PM one
-set up a session
-work out a plan- be it a session a week or a session a month
-join a gym
-do what you're told
-in 8 weeks time, see where you're at and continue/re-assess based on that.

evo2000

SaoirseRose wrote: »

OP,

Two posters here off the top of my head are PTs in the city centre - COH and Hanley.

-PM one
-set up a session
-work out a plan- be it a session a week or a session a month
-join a gym
-do what you're told
-in 8 weeks time, see where you're at and continue/re-assess based on that.

Just out of curiosity how much do these personal trainers charge?

Alf Veedersane

evo2000 wrote: »

Just out of curiosity how much do these personal trainers charge?

Less than their knowledge and direction is worth.

Hanley

I love n=1 threads.

I've never had some leave the gym and not come out stronger or in better shape than when they started. Regardless of their level.

If for not other reason than I'll write something down they'd never force themselves thru, but once it's written on paper by an experienced trainer, it must be doable right? So they do it.

I'm pretty confident that enough people value my services to make it thru another month with food on my plate and a roof over my head. That's enough for me.

It's not for everyone - but it's not for anyone else to say either.

evo2000

Hanley wrote: »

I love n=1 threads.

I've never had some leave the gym and not come out stronger or in better shape than when they started. Regardless of their level.

If for not other reason than I'll write something down they'd never force themselves thru, but once it's written on paper by an experienced trainer, it must be doable right? So they do it.

I'm pretty confident that enough people value my services to make it thru another month with food on my plate and a roof over my head. That's enough for me.

It's not for everyone - but it's not for anyone else to say either.

But how did you learn all this? being a personal trainer you must be somewhat driven, so id imagine you did alot of the learning/training by urself without a PT right?

Hanley

evo2000 wrote: »

But how did you learn all this? being a personal trainer you must be somewhat driven, so id imagine you did alot of the learning/training by urself without a PT right?

By competing as an international level powerlifter for 6 years. And studying extensively every day.

Everyone should go and do that so they can learn as well right?

Why worry about work, social or family commitments when they can lock themselves away for a few years, devote their life to something and then go off and look after themselves.

I have to run, reading some employment law handbooks and case history before I go learn how to code my new website.

evo2000

Hanley wrote: »

By competing as an international level powerlifter for 6 years. And studying extensively every day.

Everyone should go and do that so they can learn as well right?

Why worry about work, social or family commitments when they can lock themselves away for a few years, devote their life to something and then go off and look after themselves.

I have to run, reading some employment law handbooks and case history before I go learn how to code my new website.

Ok well i musta done it wrong then because i just went off an learned myself and reached all my goals, without paying someone, just by reading.

I guess your push up must be different to mine since you did powerlifting for 6 years.

SaoirseRose

evo2000 wrote: »

Ok well i musta done it wrong then because i just went off an learned myself and reached all my goals, without paying someone, just by reading.

I guess your push up must be different to mine since you did powerlifting for 6 years.

I'll try this one more time.

OP≠You
You≠OP

Alf Veedersane

evo2000 wrote: »

Ok well i musta done it wrong then because i just went off an learned myself and reached all my goals, without paying someone, just by reading.

Did you teach yourself to read as well or did you, you know, have someone show you how to?

evo2000

SaoirseRose wrote: »

I'll try this one more time.

OP≠You
You≠OP

what?

evo2000

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Did you teach yourself to read as well or did you, you know, have someone show you hwo to?

Lol pathetic keep trying tho! lol

SaoirseRose

evo2000 wrote: »

what?

My work here is done.

evo2000

SaoirseRose wrote: »

My work here is done.

ok....

Alf Veedersane

evo2000 wrote: »

Lol pathetic keep trying tho! lol

You seem to have taken that tack with your trolling.

evo2000

Anyways moral of the story personal trainers are a waste of money you dont need em, look at all the people that never hired a personal trainer that have excellent fitness and physiques.

Thats my opinion/advice to the OP

evo2000

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

You seem to have taken that tack with your trolling.

By trolling you mean my opinion differs from yours, go back to your crossfit and dont be annoying me you gimp.

ford2600

I've never used a PT, but trainers in a lot of different sports have taught me a lot. I like to think I've passed on some wisdom to younger players/cyclist along the way.

Will be embarking on a new weights programme in Autumn/early winter will definitely be looking up a good instructor with good references before starting. Of course I could chance youtube, read a lot and maybe do just as well but I believe a good PT will be worth it for me in this instance.

Given the variety of people and their goals/knowledge; do PT have a place? Most certainly IMHO

Heregoes

Hi Folks,

Thanks for your opinions. I do understand where some of you are coming from.

Evo, I'm delighted for you that all your training and planning has worked out for you. However everyone is different. I also take offence that because I asked for advice implies that I'm lazy.

Yes you are right I'm only in the process of quitting smoking. But my definition is far different than yours. I haven't smoked in 16 days. I'm not using patches just gum and until I stop using the gum I will only be in the process of quitting.....

The reason I enquired about PT was for confidence. Not everyone can be as confident as you when it comes to the gym/training.

To the others, thanks a mill. I'll check out the two people mentioned and work from there.

HG

evo2000

Heregoes wrote: »

Hi Folks,

Thanks for your opinions. I do understand where some of you are coming from.

Evo, I'm delighted for you that all your training and planning has worked out for you. However everyone is different. I also take offence that because I asked for advice implies that I'm lazy.

Yes you are right I'm only in the process of quitting smoking. But my definition is far different than yours. I haven't smoked in 16 days. I'm not using patches just gum and until I stop using the gum I will only be in the process of quitting.....

The reason I enquired about PT was for confidence. Not everyone can be as confident as you when it comes to the gym/training.

To the others, thanks a mill. I'll check out the two people mentioned and work from there.

HG

No worries best of luck with it

IrishAlice

Heregoes wrote: »

Hi Folks,

Thanks for your opinions. I do understand where some of you are coming from.

Evo, I'm delighted for you that all your training and planning has worked out for you. However everyone is different. I also take offence that because I asked for advice implies that I'm lazy.

Yes you are right I'm only in the process of quitting smoking. But my definition is far different than yours. I haven't smoked in 16 days. I'm not using patches just gum and until I stop using the gum I will only be in the process of quitting.....

The reason I enquired about PT was for confidence. Not everyone can be as confident as you when it comes to the gym/training.

To the others, thanks a mill. I'll check out the two people mentioned and work from there.

HG

Having read through this thread I just want to first of all say well done on deciding to take the step to get in shape and improve your health!

Back in January I decided that it was time for me to take control myself.

Having done all sorts of diets and not bothering with exercise I made the decision to join a gym. I was never a member of a gym before, didn't know how to use any of the machines, how to do a correct squat, crunch, plank etc.

I joined Energie and did the empower programme they have. It was brilliant, my trainer gave me a programme, showed me how to do all the exercises properly and I haven't looked back since.

8 months on and I'm the fittest I've ever been and now run up the stairs in work whereas before Christmas I would have been out of breath by the time I got to the top.

It's hard work at the start but it is so worth it and I honestly know that I wouldn't have been able to do it myself. I would have definitely ended up injured if I had of spent my time looking up videos on YouTube and taking the DIY approach.

Everyone is different but for someone like me who had no previous experience I needed those PT sessions.

Best of luck with it, would love to hear your progress in the future!

atilladehun

I did PT sessions when I started out. I probably would have kept them going longer but I moved.

After that I joined a gym but wasn't really into it. Finally I spent a lot of time thinking about what the PT had done with me and developed my own work out schedule at home. I read a lot online to learn more but the basics were there and I'm happy out now. Seeing results and enjoying the workouts.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

OP Congratulations on deciding to make a change that is the most important part.

A PT is not essential but IMHO having one will accelerate you achieving your goals. For me a PT does the following.

1. Shows you how to exercise safely.
2. By setting appointments a PT makes you go to the gym.
3, A PT makes you accountable for your choices and decisions. By this I mean if you go out on the lash and put on 2kg the PT will say "look here, you cannot do that and reach your goals"
4. A PT will push you much further than most people will go themselves, they show you that you will not die under extreme exertion.
5. You will learn about nutrition, how to manipulate your diet to loose or gain weight. How to create muscle mass. How to diet and how to eat on a maintainable basis.
6. A PT will cut through the all pervasive bull**** field that surrounds health and fitness, and avoid the fads.

On the downside a PT will cost a fair whack but its a solid investment in your health and well worth it. There are also PT;s of different personalities. Some are boot camp style disciplinarians, some are friendly easy going types. Different people will respond to different types.

I used a PT for 18 months and now continue on my own. I do return every few months for measurements and to get a kick in the ass.

Good luck.

evo2000

If you re gonna go that route, id suggest you go to a dietitian first, you could have jesus as a personal trainer and if you re diets ****e you ll just be wasting you re time and money, im assuming its bad since you obviously didnt get in the position you re in with a good diet.

A good diet will accelerate you re results like nothing else.