Has anyone here any experience working with personal trainers to develop an exercise (and diet?) regimen?

I'm not talking about indoor trainers for your bike, but rather the living human being trainers who work in gyms or your home etc.

When I first joined my gym several years ago, I bought ten sessions with the in-house staff which was only so-so because they kept transfering people and changing who I'd get to work with. That soured me for a while.

But I'm thinking it might be a good idea to engage one again (perhaps an independent trainer, not a gym employee) but I have no idea what they cost these days to determine whether it's worth it or not.

And to be clear, I'm NOT talking about a cycling trainer (live or machine). I'm talking about a person to help determine what weights to lift, to help with form, to develop a plan, that sort of thing. Perhaps a trainer who likes to cycle would be an extra benefit.

And last question -- do the commercial gyms allow for independent trainers to come work with members?

I had the pleasure several years ago when the trainer offered his services if I would recommend him to several others. This particular guy used to be a student of mine. Today, however, I could buy a new bike in just a few month at the rates he gets. I think the real value is having someone who will perhaps push you harder than you will push yourself. Since my father was a drill instructor in the Army/Air Force, I find that I don't have a great need or desire for that particular service.

I am with NOS88 -- we all know what we have to do; it's just a matter of getting off our collective butts and doing so. I have been very goal-oriented and self-directed; those who are not may find that joining a group helps.

She'll shape you up in no time, Gary. Seriously, I've never worked with a personal trainer, but I do take a regular spin class. It's very challenging hour. One a week is about all I can handle.

Hi Gary,

The only way my wife would keep to an exercise program is by having a personal trainer. The guy we go to is great, to the point where I go with her once a week now. He has his own "home gym" in a converted garage in the backyard. He's trained everyone from former couch potatoes (us) to Olympic athletes. The cost is $45/hour, but similar trainers may be more expensive in San Diego.

Nick

I work w/a Dr. that specializes in nutrition. If you want, he can also provide the weight liftiing aspect. Being as I lifted in high school and college, I go on my own on the weights. 85% of weight loss is diet, according to what I read. Having a qualified nutritionist has worked tremendously for me because I found I would be eating bad when I thought I was actually eating good.

The biggest surprise I had was that I don't eat enough. This is based on eating the right things at the correct times; however, when I'm eating properly, I have a hard time eating as much as I should.

Gary,

I guess the questions I would ask are the following in terms of why you may want to use a personal trainer:

1) Is it for motivation, having someone there to hold you accountable and possibly help push you
2) Someone who can really help you with technique as well as establishing a program
3) All the above.

One thing I would want is someone who understands the needs of a cyclist. I've done a lot of lifting in the past and now that I'm cycling again I've modified my lifting program to not build too much upper body mass. I work more on exercises that improve my cycling and especially my climbing, so my upper body workouts are focused on less weigh and more reps to. With respect to nutrition is this more for losing weigh or for general nutritional balance?

Randy

Mostly depends on your goals and motivation levels. I think you should spend the money on a ........NEW ROAD BIKE!

I guess I'm going to have to file all the info from this thread until further notice. Guess I have to get that knee fixed first.

Thanks for the tips, everyone.

Gary,

I'll come by and kick your ass twice a week for 50 bucks...

How about you come by and kiss my ass? And you can pay me!

Gary- sounds like you're putting this on hold, which isn't a bad idea. I was an athletic trainer in a previous life, and like other ATs, I hold a particular skepticism toward "personal trainers." Not that there aren't good ones out there- for sure there are, but I wish I could tell you how to find one easily. Don't rely on certification- the several ones that exist are no guarantee that a "certified personal trainer" knows a quadriceps from a Chevy. (Not kidding there- I've actually met people like that, touting themselves as certified.).

Bottom line is your goal, like the others have said. If it's motivation you need, spuses and other types of significant others can do that, if willing. If it's careful attention to buidling a program, including diet, resistance and endurance training, then go for a trainer but be sure to get references and check him/her out first. Or, and I'm not kidding, pick up a copy of Weight Training for Dummies to get you started. Go to www.exrx.net to see movies of lifts. Check out fitday.com to put together and track a sound diet. Put together your own program, in other words- you can do it!

Best of luck!

Whoa! Didn't know you cared!!!!

It's the oldest story in the book, Fella, so don't think you've invented anything new here. A guy strung out on drugs or alcohol or playing the ponies needs some fast cash, so he offers himself up in a little "kiss my ass for pay" scheme. We see it all the time, especially down in San Diego, where things can get a little "loosee-goosee" now and again. In fact, my guess is you're a three time loser, Pal. Drugs, alcohol AND playing the ponies. Oh sure, "what's the harm," you ask. A few beers, a "hit" from a "joint" of "maryjane," a few bucks on a long shot that'll never come in. That's the way it is for your types, isn't it? You see a couple of tipsy sailors on the street, and the next thing you know you're hustling them for every nickel they've got. Nickels the fine citizens of this country gave them in the form of taxes, which By God I hate, but Mister, I'm going to pay anyway. And them you come along with your slick Ohio accent and your fancy bicycle looking for trouble. Well Buddy Boy, you just found it.

So you hates taxes, huh, "Buddy Boy"?

Well, let me tell you something, mister. Those taxes have paid to keep terrorists over there, instead of over here, and as long as I'm the Decider, that's how it's going to be.

Come to think of it, when's the last time you reported for duty in your reserve unit? Aren't you about due for a tour where EVERY citizen is a possible criminal?

Just keep knocking taxes, Buddy Boy and I'll have Mr. Alberto Gonzales see whether he can find a way to do some survellience on your ass. Trust me - you don't want the Feds breathing down your neck.

Boys, boys...let's calm down now. There's nothing wrong with hating taxes and being The Decider at the same time. But both of you should think about picking up a copy of my new book, "I Can't Decide If I Deserve To Live!" It explores the modern conumdrum of too many choices and too little time to make them

Let's take the case of a patient I've treated for years who I'll call "G.D." (Not his real initials...really.) Now DG, errr...GD, prides himself with not being able to decide. In fact, he's made an entire career of it. He can't decide when to get up, what to wear, what to eat for breakfast, even what bicycle to ride that day. He goes on line before making every decision and asks around. "Say Fellows, should I get out of bed on the right side or the left side?" Things like that.

Now I know what you're thinking. How can this person even function! But DG has mastered the art of Not Deciding. Half of North America knows him from his questions on chat rooms and discussion boards all over the World Wide Web. At least once a day, someone will drop by his place and cook him a meal or fix his bike or offer to cover that month's rent. So you see, the key isn't deciding, but deciding that not deciding isn't a bad decision after all!

Jeez, what this room needs is some booze and some broads...

You rang?