Working with a personal trainer.

[Denninmi]

I signed up, as part of my health club program, for 3 months with a personal trainer. Met him yesterday morning for an evaluation of my strength, agility, and stamina. Seemed like a super nice guy and very well versed in what he does. I'm going to only meet with him one day a week for the first month, then 3 times a week after that.

Anyone have any experience doing this? How did it work out for you?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I've worked with them before, and it's always good.

It's great having someone who can get to know you and your strengths and weaknesses. I always come away from those sessions stronger and feeling good about where I'm going.

You've already started off well. It sounds to me as though this should be a plus for you.

Have fun, and good luck!

[Denninmi]

2. Thank you, my dear!

I just hope I am not overloading myself with too much at once, but I think I can keep up.

[noamnety]

3. For me it didn't work out.

The technical stuff from the trainer was great and I learned a ton.
The downside for me was that if they push me, I will keep going - beyond the point where I know I really should stop. This led to always being in pain with muscle soreness, and injuring myself multiple times. In the end those two things combined made me quit the gym altogether. If I'd done better at listening to my body and standing up to the trainer when I knew I should stop or not do a specific move, I'd have done better in the long run. Hopefully you will do better than me at taking cues from your body when you need to.

[Denninmi]

4. Well, I've discussed my medical history with them in pretty great detail.

I'm on a lot of various meds and have a pretty complicated physical medical history, so they know and the trainer understands there may be times I have to back off and go slow. So hopefully he will work with me, I think it should be fine.

[caraher]

5. Sorry it didn't work for you, noamnety

I met with a personal trainer for a few months - a college student learning the ropes. It was really helpful for me in getting an idea of how to do a workout. But there were also a few times where I got pushed a bit too hard. He was sensitive to that, but the dynamic was always such that *I* would try to power through when my body was saying it was time for a break, in ways that probably wouldn't happen when I was alone.

So I can relate - I hope you're doing well now!