Do I need a personal trainer now that I've joined a fitness club?

[LibbyT]

I recently joined a fitness club. A personal trainer on their staff has offered to give me a free tour of the facilities and show me how to use the equipment. Something tells me this is an "upsell" opportunity in which I'll be asked to pay club fees, plus an hourly fee to the personal trainer.

While I understand the advantages of a personal trainer teaching me how to "work smarter, not harder," I wonder if I should get a trainer yet. I'm doing a good job of showing up every day I can and really sweating. Won't I start to see results on my own if I just keep at it for awhile? And then, once I'm stronger and in better shape, maybe see what a trainer can do for me?

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has had experience with weight loss and toning up in a fitness club, both with, and without, a personal trainer's help.

 

[zeldaslexicon]

Sounds like you've got their number, all right! Fitness clubs love nothing better than to try and wrangle additional money from you!

There are, of course, advantages to using a trainer. Yes, they can be very knowledgable and show you how to work out to get optimum results (and not hurt yourself!). A good trainer will work with you to design a personalized work-out routine, depending upon your goals.

The down side is that they often are pushed by club management to upsell not only fitness "packages" but also various supplements and other crap you just don't need! If you have the misfortune to get a trainer who is more of a "seller", it can be like working out while listening to an infomercial!!!

I think you have the right idea! There's nothing wrong with working out on your own - you will see the results of regular exercise with or without a trainer. Some time on your own will also allow you to see and meet some of the trainers at your club. If you find one you like, try a session or two and see how you feel about it. Most clubs will "comp" you one session free in hopes of selling you on a package deal - use this to your advantage. Be polite but definite about saying NO to purchasing fitness training "packages" that are often very expensive. The club personnel will tell you "it will save you money (it won't) and that this is "a great deal we don't usually offer" (lie) and that you "have to act fast or you'll lose out" (you won't).

I've used a personal trainer before and found it to be a good and helpful experience. But I started out on my own and did a lot of observing of club trainers before I made my choice. I found a young woman who was very nice and wasn't particularly interested in selling me a bunch of stuff I didn't need. I purchased a few sessions with her (despite significant pressure from the club manager to "buy the package NOW before it's too late!!!!) and learned a lot about weight training, something I was definitely a novice about. We became friends and she helped me a great deal.

 

[zeldaslexicon]

Sounds like you've got their number, all right! Fitness clubs love nothing better than to try and wrangle additional money from you!

There are, of course, advantages to using a trainer. Yes, they can be very knowledgable and show you how to work out to get optimum results (and not hurt yourself!). A good trainer will work with you to design a personalized work-out routine, depending upon your goals.

The down side is that they often are pushed by club management to upsell not only fitness "packages" but also various supplements and other crap you just don't need! If you have the misfortune to get a trainer who is more of a "seller", it can be like working out while listening to an infomercial!!!

I think you have the right idea! There's nothing wrong with working out on your own - you will see the results of regular exercise with or without a trainer. Some time on your own will also allow you to see and meet some of the trainers at your club. If you find one you like, try a session or two and see how you feel about it. Most clubs will "comp" you one session free in hopes of selling you on a package deal - use this to your advantage. Be polite but definite about saying NO to purchasing fitness training "packages" that are often very expensive. The club personnel will tell you "it will save you money (it won't) and that this is "a great deal we don't usually offer" (lie) and that you "have to act fast or you'll lose out" (you won't).

I've used a personal trainer before and found it to be a good and helpful experience. But I started out on my own and did a lot of observing of club trainers before I made my choice. I found a young woman who was very nice and wasn't particularly interested in selling me a bunch of stuff I didn't need. I purchased a few sessions with her (despite significant pressure from the club manager to "buy the package NOW before it's too late!!!!) and learned a lot about weight training, something I was definitely a novice about. We became friends and she helped me a great deal.

 

[momoftwins]

If you have never used equipment or exercised in a long time I would suggest on session with one at least. You will be surprised how your stretching is completely wrong and could be bad for you long term. Or if you don't know how to properly use the machines, you can hurt yourself.

They will show you the correct way, other than that I don't see a need for one.