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Hello. I am getting ready to dedicate my self to exercise/working out/etc. It is something I have not done outside of walking.
I am 40 and I know I need to be working on toning and core and just overall well being. For those who are doing this, do you think it is important to sign up with a personal trainer at a gym? I am going to do it but can only afford once per week. Will this be enough if I am able to come and do it on my own the other days?
I am not accustomed to all of the machines, etc. I actually think it will be a good choice...
Its always a good idea having a personal trainer, but before you actually sign up and commit to one, find out how many sessions with a trainer your gym provides first. Most gyms offer new members 2-3 personal training sessions as part of the membership and this could possibly be enough to get you started.
If/when you do decide that you definitely want to trainer take notice of the trainers at your gym, then ask the people who is training them how they are. Then, talk to the top recommended trainers and go with who you seem to "click with" the best. Once a week with a trainer is totally fine as long as you are committed to going to the gym/working out a minimum of 4 times per week.
Also, I highly suggest you find some books on nutrition and fitness as well to go along with you new commitment to fitness. This will help you gain more knowledge so that you can put together your own plan instead of just going to the gym and doing whatever which is where almost everyone fails.
Its also why I highly suggest looking into a Crossfit gym instead of a big box corporate owned gym. You get taught how to do certain exercises and are basically in a semi-private or group lesson where there is absolutely no way that you would just be spinning your wheels and not making progress.
Its always a good idea having a personal trainer, but before you actually sign up and commit to one, find out how many sessions with a trainer your gym provides first. Most gyms offer new members 2-3 personal training sessions as part of the membership and this could possibly be enough to get you started.
If/when you do decide that you definitely want to trainer take notice of the trainers at your gym, then ask the people who is training them how they are. Then, talk to the top recommended trainers and go with who you seem to "click with" the best. Once a week with a trainer is totally fine as long as you are committed to going to the gym/working out a minimum of 4 times per week.
Also, I highly suggest you find some books on nutrition and fitness as well to go along with you new commitment to fitness. This will help you gain more knowledge so that you can put together your own plan instead of just going to the gym and doing whatever which is where almost everyone fails.
Its also why I highly suggest looking into a Crossfit gym instead of a big box corporate owned gym. You get taught how to do certain exercises and are basically in a semi-private or group lesson where there is absolutely no way that you would just be spinning your wheels and not making progress.
Why 4 days a week? I haven't lifted over 3 days a week for the last year and have managed to make considerable progress, especially being the level that I'm at.
Also, crossfit has it's pro's and con's.
I have seen pictures of people I know personally, maxing out at the new crossfit gym within a very very short period, having never touched a weight in their life. Terrible form, just PRONE to injuries. Some crossfits are better than others, but for the average person that has never exercised or done athletics (for a very long time) I think that they push their people into too much, too fast. Heavy, compound, complex lifts, when they haven't even got a base core yet, or in muscle.
I'm not a total crossfit hater by any means, I may do it when my goals change later in life, but I see pics and videos of crossfit gyms with people I know, and the form of tons of people is seriously sickening and an embarrassment of weight training.
Hello. I am getting ready to dedicate my self to exercise/working out/etc. It is something I have not done outside of walking.
I am 40 and I know I need to be working on toning and core and just overall well being. For those who are doing this, do you think it is important to sign up with a personal trainer at a gym? I am going to do it but can only afford once per week. Will this be enough if I am able to come and do it on my own the other days?
I am not accustomed to all of the machines, etc. I actually think it will be a good choice...
TIA
Yes, if you are new to strength training, PLEASE do yourself a favor and get a trainer, at least for a few sessions. It is important to establish proper form RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING. Also, a trainer can help you with your goals.
I belong to the YMCA and where I live, this place rocks. They have a lot of good trainers there. I can't tell you how many people (men and women) I see every time I go using horrible form and I shudder because I feel they are an accident waiting to happen. It can be very easy to injure yourself.
Anyway, good for you, get that trainer and get cracking!
Thank you everyone. I am meeting with the personal trainer on Tuesday morning. Glad I am meeting with him first to talk about my goals and medical issues first before we just start.
Thank you everyone. I am meeting with the personal trainer on Tuesday morning. Glad I am meeting with him first to talk about my goals and medical issues first before we just start.
Check the personal trainers credentials as well. Many are not really trained properly.
Thank you everyone. I am meeting with the personal trainer on Tuesday morning. Glad I am meeting with him first to talk about my goals and medical issues first before we just start.
Highly recommended.
I've worked with a variety of personal trainers over the years, in different settings, but primarily small, local weight lifting gyms. I don't care for the trainers at the big box corporate gyms; they seem to be per-occupied with their clip boards & signing you up for more sessions (at $50-60/session).
My favorite trainers, have been either one-on-one, or a group setting where there are several trainers overseeing the room. But, they have eyes in the back of their head to correct form as needed, and they are always available for individual instruction as needed. I work out alone. None of my friends are interested in the level of weight lifting that I am. And I'm 53 with rehab issues. So, it's important for me to receive direct feedback. I'm doing the group trainer setting now & LOVE it. One of the things I love about my gym, is that we have a full compliment of staff available. I can see the physical therapist any time I want; no charge. We do have a massage therapist & chiro for an additional charge. I pay $15/session.
I would actually recommend using a trainer ongoing, if you can afford it. If you are working out alone, lifting weights feels right, but the form may not actually be correct. I'm usually corrected once a week, sometimes more frequently. It happened again tonight. Due to issues, I do have the tendency to lose form on certain lifts when I'm getting tired. This is probably not an issue for an experienced lifter, or if you are working out with a knowledgeable partner. On a side note, very few of those type of partners that I saw in the corporate gym, had good form. This is the pet-peeve of most trainers, and having to bite their tongue when at the gym. And CrossFitters are notorious for crappy form; not all, but many. I was recently watching some videos at a gym in my home town. This is one trainer/gym I'd never visit. Watch the trainer's videos on facebook if possible, you will learn alot about who you do or do not want to work with.
I have to agree with the others about certification(s). Make sure their certs are more than a weekend course & certainly not an online cert. Some of the well-known certs are National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS*D), (USA Track & Field) USATF, (USA Weight lifting) USAW.
If you have any movement/flexibility issues, I highly recommend having a Functional Movement Screen (FMS) What is FMS?. A year ago, my score was 9 (out of 21), yet, there is so much I can do.
If you are interested in kettlebells or Pilates, make sure the teachers/trainers are certified.
Just speaking from experience....I've been injured as a result of a poorly trained, an unfocused trainer and of course, my stupidity. It does make a huge difference who you hire.
BTW, toning is out. Old-school. Lifting is in. There are plenty of research studies that show women need to lift heavy. You won't look like a body builder, unless you chose to...through diet, and training.
Last edited by caligirlz; 11-19-2014 at 01:49 AM..
Still feeling good the day after the second workout and not near as sore (or sore at all) as after the first one!
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