cyclinfool

My place of employment has a very nice fitness club on the campus. In March I attended spin classes there. The have an indoor track, lots of machines and a whole series of classes. Well yesterday I got a card in the mail. Happy Birthday (Which is about is coming up soon), our gift to you is a session with a personal trainer. Well I know they have one person who does triathlon so I signed up with her for a cycling specific training session.

Any guidance on what I should ask her to focus on?

Since personal training sessions are "extra" I am sure they are using this as a ploy to get me to pay for more sessions, but in actuality they are cheap so if this works out I might by a pack of 10 more sessions.

Retired

Wow! Lucky you. It would depend what your goals are. Good luck with that.

Hermes

I seem to remember something from a previous post about a personal trainer, female, tri-athelete, who was hot. It that is the case, buy the 10 pac of lessons. I am sure she will teach you something.

ro-monster

I hope your complimentary session goes better than mine did. I got one when I signed up for a gym membership and it was awful. My physical therapist had sent me to the gym as part of rehab in the aftermath of a broken shoulder. At that point I was still so weak that I couldn't even raise my arm, which I had explained to the trainer. During the session she wanted me to lift a 15-pound weight and was extremely condescending when I told her there was no way I could do that. Sorry I can't really say anything helpful.

cyclinfool

Nah - I wouldn't call her hot, I have taken spin classes from her. She makes a spin class seem as close as possible to a bike ride and her classes did give me a few tips on how push hard on the bike. But with that said, most any female in gym shorts in top physical condition is attractive.

Retired

Gym shorts or no gym shorts; what kind of certification does she have? Have you checked?

cyclinfool

Liscensed PT in NYS

Retired

What does NYS require? a ACE or NASM to get a license?
What kind of education they have can have a great impact on the quality of training you get. On that first day Free Trail I'd be doing an interview of her.

Yen

My husband and I joined a fitness club earlier this year. I needed alternatives to riding after work at dusk or after dark, and wanted to take some spin classes. Soon after we joined I took advantage of the free 30-minute initiation with a trainer in the weight room. After that, I was on my own in the weight room and felt bored after a few weeks doing the same handful of routines (I like variety). I decided to sign up for 12 sessions (30-minute each) with a trainer to help me reach some goals.

Before I began, I questioned if it would be worth the money. Boy was I wrong!

The trainer has pushed me harder and further than I would ever push myself. Had I continued on my own, I'd probably still be using light weights, using the same handful of machines on which I started, and wouldn't know the tough but very effective exercises combining squats w/ weight balls, lunge jumps, etc. I certainly wouldn't be pushing 205 lbs. on the leg press machine!!

Prior to signing on with this particular trainer, I consulted with a different trainer who put me through the paces in a very tough workout to show me what he does and show him what I'm capable of doing. When I said I couldn't do another rep, he said "Yes you can, believe in your arms/legs!" I didn't sign with him because his schedule conflicted with mine, but I still remember those words when my trainer says "Good, now 5 more" when I'm already tired.

A trainer should ask what physical limitations/restrictions you have, and what you hope to achieve or any personal goals you have. He/she should observe and respect your limitations and concerns, and push you only if you really are able but THINK you can't. Mine always asks me if my bad wrist is OK and never pushes me to do something that may hurt it.

In my case, I wanted to improve my overall strength to supplement cycling. After 4 months, I feel a significant difference in my strength and balance, and I see better muscle tone (especially my arms). Now I have about 30 different routines from which to choose at the gym or at home, and it doesn't get boring. My experience has been worth every penny. I highly recommend it, IF you can find the right trainer. Ask about the person's qualifications, education ... may even ask for referrals.

cyclinfool

Thanks Yen!

cyclinfool

I already know this person - she is very good. Secondly - this is not your run of the mill fitness club like Golds or others.
NYS has a certification requirement, people can go through ACE, ACSM or others.

cyclinfool

Well tonight I did my first session with the personal trainer, we sat down at her desk and went over my current regime and my goals and history, injurys and general aches & pains. She asked me about what events I would be participating in and when. She showed concern for over working me now due to the Greylock centruy coming up this weekend. She ended up saying that all I should work on while we were in the thick of riding season was some light core strength. After analyzing my posture and flexibility she focused in on the face that I needed to increase my upper back strength and flexibility first. She said two short workouts a week along with my current bike routines and when the bike season ends step it up in the gym to get ready for next season. I think all of this was sound advice, she also said she would give me another free session in November to put together a more intense strength training program. She is preparing an entire routine for me based on our session today something I can do on my recovery days.

The Weak Link

No matter how hot a personal trainer is, within the week, if she's doing her job, you will hate her guts.

Enjoy.

Red Rider

Thanks! If you were close to the Left Coast I'd be happy to help you.

Red Rider

True dat.

As a parent, if my kids called me mean, I knew I was doing my job right. As a PT when my clients whined, I knew I was doing my job right. No one ever thanked me for taking it easy on them.

Must be human nature that we're all semi-masochists. I'm happy to oblige.

nancyj

I have been working with a trainer since I am losing weight and getting back in shape. Not only does he push me to limits I would not reach on my own - he knows how to back off based on my feedback and also when to push harder to reconcile a sore muscle. I wish I had done this a long time ago.

I also have some friends who swear by P90x but I like having a person right there who can correct minor technique issues etc.

For over 50 I think it is real important to work with someone who gets away from the machines and works on stabilizer muscles as well using free weights etc. Balance and stability both real big issues as we age.

cyclinfool

This trainer worked mostly with free weights, she used two machines for my upper back because I had difficulty doing the free weight exercises with the right form. She was really trying to put together a quick routine I could even do at home due to the time cycling is taking. She was not a marine style PT - she assessed my needs and is designing a program to meet them. But this was a one off session, if I pay for a group of sessions that might change.

Heart_Rate

Dear Diary,
For my birthday this year, my daughter (the dear) purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me.
Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.
I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Belinda, who identified herself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear.
My daughter seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.
________________________________
MONDAY:
Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Belinda waiting for me. She is something of a Greek goddess - with blond hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!!
Belinda gave me a tour and showed me the machines. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which she conducted her aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring!
Belinda was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time she was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week-!!
________________________________
TUESDAY:
I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Belinda made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then she put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Belinda's rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT-!! It's a whole new life for me.
_______________________________
WEDNESDAY:
The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot.
Belinda was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. Her voice is a little too perky for that early in the morning and w hen she scolds, she gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying.
My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Belinda put me on the stair monster. Why the hell would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Belinda told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. She said some other **** too.
_______________________________
THURSDAY:
Belinda was waiting for me with her vampire-like teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late - it took me that long to tie my shoes.
Belinda took me to work out with dumbbells. When she was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. She sent another skinny ***** to find me.
Then, as punishment, she put me on the rowing machine -- which I sank.
_______________________________
FRIDAY:
I hate that ***** Belinda more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic little cheerleader. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her with it. < /div>
Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the damn barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich.
The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?
________________________________
SATURDAY:
Belinda left a message on my answering machine in her grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up to day. Just hearing her voice made me want to smash the machine with my planner; however, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.
________________________________
SUNDAY:
I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my daughter (the little ****) will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root canal or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had wanted me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the floor with diamonds!!!

DnvrFox

One of the advantages of free weights is that they also exercise the supporting muscles, while machines generally only target one muscle, which is not how we use muscles in real life.

My wife and I used a personal trainer who was also a physical therapist for about 12 weeks during a course, "Body for Life" Bill Phillips -

https://bodyforlife.com/

course at our local rec center we took a few years back. I would second the use of a personal trainer. I have done all the coursework for both the ACE and AFAA personal trainer courses, but never found an opportunity to take the test and get fully certified. The info is useful and important, which is why I have my own home gym, and work out pretty much daily with a large variety of exercises and stretching.