Personal Trainers? Need Advice.

[flyinghonu 0]

Got a new membership. Two free personal trainer sessions (obviously to sell me into having a PT on a permanant basis).

Well, I really liked the workout, think I would benefit from more and would like to start having training sessions on a regular basis; however, I have two questions: (1) Do I tip him for the "free" sessions that I have (and do I tip him for the other sessions that I will have and pay for), AND (2) How can I get the message across (without being rude) that I really only want to meet about once every two weeks and not once or twice a week (i.e. is inappropriate to say I cannot afford to meet with you that often)?

"Excuse me while I kiss the sky..." - Jimi Hendrix

[AggieDave 6]

Just tell your PT that you can only afford to meet once a week.

If he/she gets pissy then you don't need them, they shouldn't get pissy for that.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[rwieder 0]

in theory, the PFT is working for you. so you call the shots. let the PFT call the shots on your work out routines. last, but not least, ask for his/her credentials and proof of insurance. do not be reticent to "convey" your wishes, it's up to the PFT to meet your needs. and NO do not tip tehm for the "free" work outs, they don't expect it. hope this helps.

-Richard-
"You're Holding The Rope And I'm Taking The Fall"

[bodypilot1 0]

Tip only if your able to and if they are focusing on you only during your time at the gym.

Tell them up front what you want and what results your looking for also.

www.WestCoastWingsuits.com
www.PrecisionSkydiving.com

[Nightingale 0]

No, you don't have to tip your trainer. The club pays them, you pay the club.

Just tell your trainer what you can and can't afford to do. Their job is to work with you. I see my trainer about once every two weeks or so. She's great, and willing to work with my schedule, and will give me stuff to work on before our next session. If your trainer's really pressuring you to train more than you can afford, find a new trainer. =)

[Evelyn 0]

I work out everyday a couple hours and have never had a personal trainer. I think it is a waste of money. You set your routine and do it. Unless you are one of these people who can't do anything without someone tellling you what to do, you will be fine. Just decide what to do, maybe running a half hour, then a half hour weights, half hour on the biclyle, etc. But you decide. No use paying a personal trainer for something you can do on your own, and use that money for jumps. Just my 2 cents.

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing ~ Helen Keller

[freeasabird 0]

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I work out everyday a couple hours and have never had a personal trainer. I think it is a waste of money.

I agree. There is nothing you can't learn from a couple of good books and a little surfing on the Net. For motivation, replace your PT with a workout "buddy". Someone at or near your level of experience and with the same goals. Makes the workouts much more enjoyable and you can push each other when you hit plateaus or start to get "burn out".

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[weegegirl 2]

Be careful. A personal trainer is a good way to get yourself started safely. I used to work out every day for hours as well, and I had a personal trainer twice a week for over a year. (yes, i was addicted to the gym ... this was before skydiving ).

Unless you have trained and weight lifted seriously before in your life, you should definately seek guidance for a bit, and a trainer is a great way to do that. Once every couple of weeks is fine. You don't need to continue this for long, just until you know how to workout safely and make the best of your time at the gym. Then you can just keep changing up your routine from there.

Working out is awsome and very rewarding. Seeing a trainer can also help you to stay motivated for the first bit - the hard bit - until you get addicted and motivate yourself. Have fun!

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[hookitt 1]

Using a personal trainer is like buying an education. They teach you proper form, good work out routines that vary each time. Many provide nutrition training. They teach you how to push harder than you would on your own. Once you have some basics down, it's all you.

Good trainers will focus on you, and push you hard. Trainers are a great investment. Good trainers will train you and don't expect to keep you. If you need a good ass kicking, then just go back now and then.

If one time a week is what you can handle, then just tell him/her. It's a filled slot in there appointment book so don't worry about it.

Not all trainers are created equal but good trainers are like gold.

[flyinghonu 0]

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Unless you have trained and weight lifted seriously before in your life, you should definately seek guidance for a bit, and a trainer is a great way to do that. Once every couple of weeks is fine. You don't need to continue this for long, just until you know how to workout safely and make the best of your time at the gym. Then you can just keep changing up your routine from there.

That is exactly why I decided to start working out with the PT. Before, I was one of those people who watched other, read all the workout mags, etc. and thought I was do the exercises appropriately...couldn't understand why I wasn't sore the next day, etc., etc. This PT has helped with my body positioning during lifting, provided ideas on exercises I'd never known about for areas I am targeting, etc. Next day, I alway feel the "good" kind of sore....not painful, just a little rewarding and well enough to workout again.

Thank you for your advice, it has ALL been very helpful.

"Excuse me while I kiss the sky..." - Jimi Hendrix

[Evelyn 0]

Guess when I see people working out with a PT, and knowing how much it costs, I think, wow, that's my weeks skydiving money. But yeah, I think it is probably a good idea in the beginning if you don't have friends to coach you.

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing ~ Helen Keller

[Squeak 17]

As a PFT you really need to find out what type of training they offer.
If it's Les Mills type package training, I weould not realy bother with it.
If you are getting full body work outs for 1 - 1.5 hours, then once a week is all you will need in the begining.
Your body NEEDS revovery time between workouts, at the start an hour or so training on all major muscle groups once a week will be sufficient. and on a couple of other days in the week do some light cardio.
Once you're established, and making progress then you can reassess your needs.

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[ltdiver 3]

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As a PFT

Thanks for using the correct abbreviation. (unlike some other posters here).

For those who don't know....
PFT is Personal Fitness Trainer
PT is Physical Therapist

Although we both work toward improving your health, we have different focuses.

PFT will educate those healthy individuals who want to improve their fitness and performance. Hats off to you as I would probably hire you to kick -my- butt into gear at a gym.

PT is a health care professional who, for the most part, take broken people and guide them into functional capacity from the ground (literally) up. Once -those- people are well on their way to living again, a PFT can (and alot of times do) take them and put 'cream in their coffee'. :^)

I work with PT who does this during the day at the rehab hospital where I work, then spends a couple nights/week as a PFT at people's houses...in -their- gyms. She has both licenses and enjoys them both.

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[Tink1717 2]

In my experience as a trainer, tipping is not a common practice for gym clients. Home based clients are different.

You should not tip for free sessions. As you correctly observe, their purpose is to sell you future training sessions. As to your future sessions, you must be specific about what you can afford. Any trainer worth his salt will be able to write a program that will accommodate you. If they try to push for more than you can afford, find someone else.

Also, consider using your trainer only for things you can't accomplish on your own. For example, using a treadmill or bike or taking a group exercise class are things that don't require a trainer. Strength training, flexibilty training and sport specific training are things that need both supervision and assistance. Use a trainer for that. Also, find out if the gym has trainers that serve at large. These are trainers that are available to assist with whoever is on the floor at any given time. They won't write a program for you but can assist with individual moves or spot for difficult lifts. These trainers are available at no cost and are normally not tipped either.

Good luck

Skydivers don't knock on Death's door. They ring the bell and runaway... It really pisses him off.
-The World Famous Tink. (I never heard of you either!!)
AA #2069 ASA#33 POPS#8808 Swooo 1717

[flyinghonu 0]

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If you are getting full body work outs for 1 - 1.5 hours, then once a week is all you will need in the begining.
Your body NEEDS revovery time between workouts, at the start an hour or so training on all major muscle groups once a week will be sufficient. and on a couple of other days in the week do some light cardio.
Once you're established, and making progress then you can reassess your needs.

I guess I should have provided a little more background. I do a cardio workout regularly (i.e. circuit training for 1-1.5 hrs.) on bike, stair climber, and outdoor or treadmill running. I do this about 4-5 days a week. I have been very cautious with lifting weights and toning exercises because I tend to build muscle very easily and quickly which is good for some people but not for me being that I'm 5'1". I want to start toning but I want to do it properly so as not to get bulky or injure myself. I don't need any assistance with a PFT (sorry for the previous wrong abbreviation) with my cardio workouts...JUST with toning and muscle strengthening.

Given that scenario, do you PFTs think that meeting with him once a week for a month in the beginning and then twice a month from there on out is a decent amount of time to track my progress, etc.?

Thanks again for all your input

"Excuse me while I kiss the sky..." - Jimi Hendrix

[Squeak 17]

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If you are getting full body work outs for 1 - 1.5 hours, then once a week is all you will need in the begining.
Your body NEEDS revovery time between workouts, at the start an hour or so training on all major muscle groups once a week will be sufficient. and on a couple of other days in the week do some light cardio.
Once you're established, and making progress then you can reassess your needs.

I guess I should have provided a little more background. I do a cardio workout regularly (i.e. circuit training for 1-1.5 hrs.) on bike, stair climber, and outdoor or treadmill running. I do this about 4-5 days a week. I have been very cautious with lifting weights and toning exercises because I tend to build muscle very easily and quickly which is good for some people but not for me being that I'm 5'1". I want to start toning but I want to do it properly so as not to get bulky or injure myself. I don't need any assistance with a PFT (sorry for the previous wrong abbreviation) with my cardio workouts...JUST with toning and muscle strengthening.

Given that scenario, do you PFTs think that meeting with him once a week for a month in the beginning and then twice a month from there on out is a decent amount of time to track my progress, etc.?

Thanks again for all your input

Given that you want to tone and not build, spotting for heavy weight will not be an issue.
Have your PFT write out a progam for tonning, ask then about diet, and get them to show you correct form (much more iimportant than weights).
Also look at getting a heart rate monitor, it will help you with staying in the correct cardio range for the type of workout your after.

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?