Personal trainer?

Sepean · 2015-12-23T23:07:34+00:00

If you want to do it on the cheap, either ask guys at the gym to check your form, or record a video and post it online.

There's a lot of helpful people out there.

I managed 20 years ago, no internet, no trainers, just a book from the library on body building. You got it easy :)

SovereignWings · 2015-12-23T23:38:18+00:00

Disclaimer: I work a desk job and was never fit to begin with.

I started on StrongLifts 5x5 almost immediately after finding TRP. First and most important step, right? Start lifting.

A few months later I was in agonizing pain almost every day, couldn't stay out late at parties or clubs, sometimes couldn't sleep it got so bad. I had injections done, went to a pain doctor practically begging for narcotics, did a nerve study and even an MRI.

In short, I fucked myself up by neglecting core training, failing to use correct form, letting my ego get in the way, and using non-ideal equipment (ahem; smith machine).

Mind you, I was in Physical Therapy for months and none of this got better. The PTs I was under were not aggressive enough with treatment. It wasn't until I found a GOOD, KNOWLEDGABLE and AGGRESSIVE trainer that things started to pick up. She noticed the imbalances in my back right away, started kicking my ass on core training, and a few months later I feel about 100x better.

The choice is yours. It's not cheap. I've spent maybe $1500 with my trainer so far, but after spending at least twice that much in medical expenses it was well worth it.

Find a powerlifting or olympic gym where the real pros are, if able, and train under one of the strength lifters or with one of the trainers at that gym.
Look for a trainer with competitive powerlifting experience, or better yet, the director of fitness training who hires/trains/vets other trainers. College football players, yoga gurus and other types of "fit" people, such as life coaches, are not fucking qualified to train you. Just because they are built does not make them a good trainer. You need someone who has solid fundamental training in compound lifts, who emphasizes EXQUISITE FORM and CONTROL more than weight and results. This is the only way to avoid injury. Can't lift it correctly? Drop the fucking weight and try again.
Do not ignore your diet. I only started to see results once I focused on eating clean, and eating ALOT. I'm struggling to take in 3000 calories a day but the gains are self-evident.

DAD_FISTER · 2015-12-23T22:53:41+00:00

Use him a couple of times to get your form right and check out any programs he is offering but do your own thing for the most part

BrodinsOats · 2015-12-24T01:54:07+00:00

Similar to /u/SovereignWings's experience, I bought Rippetoe's Starting Strength and went to work after ~6 years of a sedentary lifestyle following high school.

Recurring back pain (muscle knots) brought me into physical therapy, where a whole slew of muscular imbalances were brought to my attention. They were pretty good about teaching me some corrective exercises and advising me on my workouts outside of PT, but I decided to start working out with a trainer as well.

I've made a ton of progress and learned a fuckload. It's expensive, but well worth it imo if you have the luxury. It's not necessary, but they can accelerate the learning process by a lot.

There is a huge variation in the quality of trainers, though. You need to shop around to find a good one. Protip: good ones often work for themselves independently (or for small, specialized gyms), because their payrate at the bigger chains is pretty shitty. My trainer even left Equinox to work for himself so he could make more money.

imthemanyesiam · 2015-12-23T22:22:35+00:00

No.. Just make ur own routine

Arcturus_ · 2015-12-23T22:59:54+00:00

As a personal trainer, yes give it a try. It's about finding the right one.

YugiBubu · 2015-12-23T23:25:44+00:00

Have him show you how to do the stuff in stronglifts 5x5 and that's it

thepitman · 2015-12-24T08:46:32+00:00

I would say that you don't need to waste money on a trainer that may or may not know wtf they are doing. My advice to you, use that trainer to show you the forms for stronglifts in those 3 sessions and then record yourself and study and post the videos on /r/fitness or some other workout subreddits.

I follow the advice of GayLubeOil and ask the buff guys for help from time to time.

Also, make sure you don't have anterior pelvic tilt if your life isn't very active and use small weights until you are confident in your forms. Form over weight, always.

Title	Personal trainer?
Author	S_0ci0path
Upvotes	5
Comments	9
Date	December 23, 2015 10:21 PM UTC (10 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askTRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/asktrp/comments/3y0icx/personal_trainer/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askTRP/personal-trainer.158267 https://theredarchive.com/post/158267

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