Online Personal Trainers...

[Will2BLean]

I haven't posted here in a while... I've been kind of lurking in the shadows. Have any of you used an online trainer? I'm very interested in this, but I would like to hear of other people's experiences with it first. I live in a very small town. There is one gym and the trainer (who just happens to be the owner) is just not appealing to me. He has no social skills, and all he seems to do is push his book sales. I would love to have a trainer to keep me on track and to help me tailor my workouts to something more suitable for me... and an online trainer seems like the only option in this area. Thanks!

 

[curgeo]

Actually, instead of paying all that money, use the board as a resource to get you started. Bunny and a lot of others would be more than willing to help you with form and technique. I would be as well. If you have any questions, please don't be shy to post them. I think if you can't get help that can actually watch your form, this board would be a better way than forking over money to somebody.

 

[nelmsjer]

Agreed with curgeo.

However, if you must, just make sure to find someone that has great experience doing so. Although I've done it right here on EF, there is just something "weird" for me, mentally, about throwing up a routine without testing someone, first.

Good luck!

 

[Will2BLean]

Thanks. I do use this board as a resource quite often. I have learned so much from here.

 

[FlyBrownChick]

Nelms, you have a journal? Yesssss...the lurking begins.

Will...I know someone who is really good if you feel like you've learned all that you can. If you want her info, PM me.

 

[nelmsjer]

Nelms, you have a journal? Yesssss...the lurking begins.

Will...I know someone who is really good if you feel like you've learned all that you can. If you want her info, PM me.

Stalker.






just kidding...no need to lurk, though. Feel free to say what you've got to say. You've already proven to me you know your stuff!

 

[Gymgurl]

oh good we can go post in yours!!!

I agree with the rest...I am a personal trainer and I say the board will teach you more then enough....maybe more becasue you will learn about diet too! Look under Shadows program which is excellent....Start a log and we will jump in and help you..that is if you don't care!! Good luck you!!

 

[curgeo]

I agree gymgurl....I also am a PT, but there is really no substitute for having somebody who is accomplished to show you proper form, but in the absence of that I would take this place over a bodybuilding magazine in a heartbeat.

will2, if you would be so kind, start up a log and we can see what we can do about helping you on a routine and technique.

 

[caligirl]

I haven't posted here in a while... I've been kind of lurking in the shadows. Have any of you used an online trainer? I'm very interested in this, but I would like to hear of other people's experiences with it first. I live in a very small town. There is one gym and the trainer (who just happens to be the owner) is just not appealing to me. He has no social skills, and all he seems to do is push his book sales. I would love to have a trainer to keep me on track and to help me tailor my workouts to something more suitable for me... and an online trainer seems like the only option in this area. Thanks!

I'm trainer too, but very,very specialized. I provide online training services to established clients that I train in person, that I am away from for long periods of time.
An innitial assesment is very important, a few sessions are needed to ensure proper form and terminology understanding. Online training is very writing intensive, logs are required to correspond thru and they take lots of time on the computer.
Most online training sites usually costs less than meeting with a trainer in person, because you are getting a premade template in which to train by, (just something to think about) where they plug in some iinfo and out comes a very generic program.
I charge near double because it takes me so friggin long to read, digest the info and then make it understandable for my clients when it gets back to them, it's a ton of work, if done correctly.
You will be writing just as much here, as you would with ONE trainer online but by doing that you open yourself up to MUCH more info from MANY very experienced and knowledgable people.
Best thing for you is to CLEARLY write down your goals and decide what your level of commitment is, and how much time you are willing to put in.

You truely are better off here.

BTW, you could use the guy at your gym once or twice, for him to show you proper (hopefully) technique in lifting exercises. Take notes on everything he shows you so you dont forget. Then go on your own.

 

[Sassy69]

I'm trainer too, but very,very specialized. I provide online training services to established clients that I train in person, that I am away from for long periods of time.
An innitial assesment is very important, a few sessions are needed to ensure proper form and terminology understanding. Online training is very writing intensive, logs are required to correspond thru and they take lots of time on the computer.
Most online training sites usually costs less than meeting with a trainer in person, because you are getting a premade template in which to train by, (just something to think about) where they plug in some iinfo and out comes a very generic program.
I charge near double because it takes me so friggin long to read, digest the info and then make it understandable for my clients when it gets back to them, it's a ton of work, if done correctly.
You will be writing just as much here, as you would with ONE trainer online but by doing that you open yourself up to MUCH more info from MANY very experienced and knowledgable people.
Best thing for you is to CLEARLY write down your goals and decide what your level of commitment is, and how much time you are willing to put in.

You truely are better off here.

BTW, you could use the guy at your gym once or twice, for him to show you proper (hopefully) technique in lifting exercises. Take notes on everything he shows you so you dont forget. Then go on your own.

Ditto. Start here & if you need more, then as you go you will become more familiar w/ different resources in your area or if you have a specific goal. I waffle between wanting a trainer because I love to go deep into the whole gym geek thing and want to be able to talk w/ someone about my posing, get a spot on some extra reps, etc. Makes you feel like someone gives a shit. But its also frustrating as hell if you don't feel like they are "with" you on everything. That actually drives me away from the whole "go to the gym" thing. At least here you are gettign a lot of general support. I also think that if you have one trainer, sometimes you also become exceedingly dependent upon them for your "shoulder to cry on", someone to listen to your gripes, etc. (sort of like your hairdresser...) -- I think this is a more productive forum for that because girls like to chat & you will get the support you need as well as an ear to sound off to when its needed.

Anyway -- it doesn't cost you anything here and then you can see what your needs "really" are for a more productive expenditure on an individual.

 

[Will2BLean]

Thanks everyone! I think I will start here (again lol!). I had a log a few months ago, but I didn't keep up with it once minor obstacles got in the way. I tend to do that a lot.

 

[caligirl]

Thanks everyone! I think I will start here (again lol!). I had a log a few months ago, but I didn't keep up with it once minor obstacles got in the way. I tend to do that a lot.

That is exactly where your level of commitment comes in. Sometimes it's better to wait until you are totally committed to your goal, (and by totally, I mean there will be sacrifices to be made). That way you will not feel defeated or like failure if you don't succeed. OR like your trying to win a never ending battle. With commitment comes great results.

 

[nelmsjer]

I'm trainer too, but very,very specialized. I provide online training services to established clients that I train in person, that I am away from for long periods of time.
An innitial assesment is very important, a few sessions are needed to ensure proper form and terminology understanding. Online training is very writing intensive, logs are required to correspond thru and they take lots of time on the computer.
Most online training sites usually costs less than meeting with a trainer in person, because you are getting a premade template in which to train by, (just something to think about) where they plug in some iinfo and out comes a very generic program.
I charge near double because it takes me so friggin long to read, digest the info and then make it understandable for my clients when it gets back to them, it's a ton of work, if done correctly.
You will be writing just as much here, as you would with ONE trainer online but by doing that you open yourself up to MUCH more info from MANY very experienced and knowledgable people.
Best thing for you is to CLEARLY write down your goals and decide what your level of commitment is, and how much time you are willing to put in.

You truely are better off here.

BTW, you could use the guy at your gym once or twice, for him to show you proper (hopefully) technique in lifting exercises. Take notes on everything he shows you so you dont forget. Then go on your own.

Excellent, excellent post. I normally try and pick out things from a quote that are the best tidbits of information, but your whole post was oustanding.

When I return to the States, this will be my exact model. I will ONLY train clients online after I have first spent SEVERAL sessions with them. After that, I will be requiring them to come in once per month to test, measure results, teach anything new that may be coming up, etc. I will also be charging almost double for it, and limiting the number of emails to 3-5 per week. I'm sure that sounds harsh to some, but caligirl has it right: responding to emails takes a lot of time, and I only want to do online training with those that do not have a ton of questions and are not still learning lifts. By the time they are ready for online training, they should be proficient enough that the 90% is taken care of, and they are only asking about the 10% that is left. My entire training philosophy is to educate them enough that they don't need me, so they can move on as quickly as possible and save their money.