How long have you had a personal trainer ?
i went for about a year - starting late 05 & then stopped around sept 06, but then started again about a month ago
Question How soon before you saw / felt any results?
i saw fitness-related results very quickly - i.e. extra weights added on certain exercises, completing cardio in shorter amounts of time etc. in terms of weight, i have lost a kg in the last fortnight - so i think you see weight benefits fairly quickly as well.
Question How much do you pay ? Per session ? Bulk sessions ? Monthly ? etc
i go once a week. as someone else said, their rates aren't set in stone & you can negotiate. previously i was doing 55 min sessions for $40, now he charges $49 for these, but also offers group sessions for $30 for an hour - so i'm doing those. when he says group sessions it's not like you're all doing the same things, each person is working on their own program, there just might be 3 of you there at the one time. i actually find it motivating to have other people there - i'm even less likely to ease off the pace! (my trainer works out of his home - more about that below!)
Question Are your training sessions personalized ?
very much so - i've noticed this even more now that i'm doing the group sessions. each person has a different workout & i also do slightly different things each time i go. he also gave me an eating plan as well and has suggested an exercise plan for at home between sessions, based on what equipment i have available to me.
Question Does your trainer listen to your needs or just throw you in ?
nope, he absolutely listens to me. don't get me wrong, he pushes me hard - he won't let me get away with not pushing myself because i think i can't do it, but he always gives time to recover if someone genuinely needs it. a good consultation before you start with a trainer also gives them the info they need regarding previous injuries, health conditions etc.
Question Any other thoughts ?
i think a pt can be the best experience - very few people have the ability to push themselves as hard as a pt can. most of us tend to give up when we think we've hit our limits - not knowing that we are actually capable of much, much more. my biggest advice would be to shop around - any good trainer will offer a free session & consultation to see if the two of you can work together. i'm not a real gym person (yet - i may well become one at some stage!) and i found my trainer on the net - he actually has a gym set up in his unit (well, he used to live there but i think the equipment etc has taken over the whole place now!) and i feel far less intimidated by this set up.
my trainer is probably the best possible fit for me - he pushes me without intimidating me, recognises that i'm quite competitive (even against myself) so knows to tell me when i'm beating a time, lifting a heavier weight etc to keep my motivation going.
i know it's a cliche, but i walk out of those sessions feeling a million dollars! i feel fit & strong afterwards & motivated to eat in a way that fuels my body to operate as efficiently as possible and so very positive.
sorry. i've rambled! as you can see i'm kinda passionate about this topic! i think mostly because i'd struggled along for years on my own not really getting anywhere & the pt has just helped me focus
