Finding A Trainer

tttmom · 04-05-2012, 08:23 AM

Hi, I have been having alot of trouble finding a trainer, or even finding a gym that I'm comfortable with. I've gone to a few gyms and told them my specific goals, and they all start to tell me "you don't want that, you will do better in these other classes we offer". I want to build muscle, strength, change my body composition, my goal is to have a physique similar to either fitness or even bikini competitor. I am totally lost in a gym and have never done this before, so I thought I'd find a good trainer. It seems impossible. How do I get started? How do I find a good trainer? Any help or advice would be appreciated!
PS. I do have some equipment here (treadmill, bench, some big and small weights) is it possible to start at home by myself if I can't find a trainer?

steady · 04-05-2012, 10:23 AM

I interviewed trainers before I picked mine. I now go to a personal trainer that has his own "gym", which never has more than 4 people in it (2 trainers, 2 clients)...best thing I ever did. Where I live, we have trainers that come to your home. This is nice because they can help set you up with a workout plan for home and for your goals. Basically your trainer needs to take an interest in your wants if he/she want to make any money and keep you as a client. Most independent trainers are interested in serving your needs just to survive.

tttmom · 04-05-2012, 07:42 PM

How did you find the trainers to interview? I'm in the Reno/Carson City area, and I can't seem to find many. I did find 2 that seemed like they would know what I need and I wanted to talk to, but they must not need the business because neither of them will get back to me.

LiterateGriffin · 04-06-2012, 01:20 PM

Which are you closer to -- Reno or CC? I did a google-search on "Reno personal trainers" and came up with a LOT, many of them private (ie: NOT out of a "health club".)

tttmom · 04-07-2012, 08:30 AM

O wow, I just ried that too and came up with a list. I dont know WHAT I was doing before, but I couldnt find ANY that weren't attached to a gym. Thx!

steady · 04-07-2012, 11:27 AM

Google, drive-bys and then walk-in or call.

Halia · 04-09-2012, 03:54 PM

I've been blessed to have used two separate trainers in the past 5 years or so. One when I was at my heaviest that became a dear friend & one that I started with after I got out of an abusive relationship that is now one of my best friends.

The thing that helped me the very most was going in knowing I would stick to my guns! The first time I met with my first trainer I had already read about her online, knew her background & what her goals typically were & had read a few reviews. I told her what *I* wanted & what I was willing to do & not do. I think it helped establish a mutually respectful relationship.

As for the second time around I was much more loose because I had previously been so familiar with a gym & using a trainer. I went in & ran with it & was fortunate that we clicked like crazy. I'm slightly biased because I've had such good luck but I prefer woman, by a huge margin. Confession, it may have something to do with the fact that the abusive relationship I was in was with a male trainer.

A good trainer will listen to you & also be honest with you about what you are/aren't doing. When I was trying to lose weight the first time & it was coming off in miniscule drips, my trainer set aside extra time & discussed my cardio sessions that I was doing in between my training sessions & talked to me seriously about my intensity level. She also wanted to talk about my nutrition & make a plan but I was far too resistant & refused. It probably look me longer to get to where I wanted to be but I was determined to do it my way.

My other best friend is a former pro bodybuilder so now I get my eating plan from him. He knows I need low carb & helps me tweak things when I need help or screw up. He also "encourages" me to increase my workout intensity. Ok, he fusses. Loudly.

I'm a little too social at the gym & tend to waste a lot of time chatting with everyone. My trainer bestie & I work out together a couple of times a week & I try to make it to whatever classes she's teaching. I have come to love classes. Something that still surprises me.

I'm just a huge gym fan & I never thought I'd say that. The first time I went I was scared to death & was sure I'd be laughed & pointed at. The gym became (& is again) where I meet new friends & a place I enjoy just going to. So with all that said... in a long, rambling way, I would encourage you not to give up! If the first trainer you work with doesn't click, fire him/her & move on. Like anything else there are good ones & bad ones out there, but there are also some truly wonderful folks who love impacting people's lives in a healthy way. Geez, I sound like an ad. Sorry!

tttmom · 04-10-2012, 09:47 AM

Thanks so much for the encouragement! I was talking about finding a trainer with my stepmom the other day, and she told me she can help me there. It turns out that she and my dad hired one and prepaid awhile back, and between all their traveling,etc they never used the sessions. So, she's giving them to me. I get to meet the new trainer this afternoon, but I have talked to her on the phone and it sounds like she can and will take me to my fitness goals. I mean, she's the first one Ive talked to so far that didn't try to talk me into something other than my goals, so that's a good sign,right? I'm excited about this, about being on the road to changing my life.
Thanks so much for the post! I hope to make some new friendships with like-minded people too.

Halia · 04-14-2012, 03:35 PM

tttmom have you met with your trainer? If so, how'd it go? I'm excited for you!

tttmom · 04-16-2012, 08:07 AM

Hi! I did meet with the new trainer. She's great! She let me know that my goals are absolutely attainable, instead of trying to talk me into different stuff. She got me started on her meal plan and working out (although it kicked my butt for the first few days haha!). I'm so excited about this transformation. It's going great so far. Thanks for asking!

steady · 04-16-2012, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tttmom

Hi! I did meet with the new trainer. She's great! She let me know that my goals are absolutely attainable, instead of trying to talk me into different stuff. She got me started on her meal plan and working out (although it kicked my butt for the first few days haha!). I'm so excited about this transformation. It's going great so far. Thanks for asking!

That is so great!

Halia · 04-17-2012, 11:13 AM

How wonderful! That is exciting & I can't wait to hear how you progress. Please update when you can!

04-05-2012, 08:23 AM	#1
tttmom Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: out west Posts: 724 Gallery: tttmom Stats: 183.6/161.4/125 5'3", 37 yrs WOE: paleo/primal Start Date: 2/11/13	Finding A Trainer Hi, I have been having alot of trouble finding a trainer, or even finding a gym that I'm comfortable with. I've gone to a few gyms and told them my specific goals, and they all start to tell me "you don't want that, you will do better in these other classes we offer". I want to build muscle, strength, change my body composition, my goal is to have a physique similar to either fitness or even bikini competitor. I am totally lost in a gym and have never done this before, so I thought I'd find a good trainer. It seems impossible. How do I get started? How do I find a good trainer? Any help or advice would be appreciated! PS. I do have some equipment here (treadmill, bench, some big and small weights) is it possible to start at home by myself if I can't find a trainer?

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04-05-2012, 10:23 AM	#2
steady Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 3,424 Gallery: steady Stats: 110/95 5'2 WOE: ATKINS Start Date: Feb 2007	I interviewed trainers before I picked mine. I now go to a personal trainer that has his own "gym", which never has more than 4 people in it (2 trainers, 2 clients)...best thing I ever did. Where I live, we have trainers that come to your home. This is nice because they can help set you up with a workout plan for home and for your goals. Basically your trainer needs to take an interest in your wants if he/she want to make any money and keep you as a client. Most independent trainers are interested in serving your needs just to survive.

04-05-2012, 07:42 PM	#3
tttmom Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: out west Posts: 724 Gallery: tttmom Stats: 183.6/161.4/125 5'3", 37 yrs WOE: paleo/primal Start Date: 2/11/13	How did you find the trainers to interview? I'm in the Reno/Carson City area, and I can't seem to find many. I did find 2 that seemed like they would know what I need and I wanted to talk to, but they must not need the business because neither of them will get back to me.

04-06-2012, 01:20 PM	#4
LiterateGriffin Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,700 Gallery: LiterateGriffin Stats: 236.5 start (Jan 2012) /194.0150 goal 5'9", 42 yr WOE: Atkins (though I think a fairly early version) Start Date: Jan 6 2012	Which are you closer to -- Reno or CC? I did a google-search on "Reno personal trainers" and came up with a LOT, many of them private (ie: NOT out of a "health club".)

04-07-2012, 08:30 AM	#5
tttmom Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: out west Posts: 724 Gallery: tttmom Stats: 183.6/161.4/125 5'3", 37 yrs WOE: paleo/primal Start Date: 2/11/13	O wow, I just ried that too and came up with a list. I dont know WHAT I was doing before, but I couldnt find ANY that weren't attached to a gym. Thx!

04-07-2012, 11:27 AM	#6
steady Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 3,424 Gallery: steady Stats: 110/95 5'2 WOE: ATKINS Start Date: Feb 2007	Google, drive-bys and then walk-in or call.

04-09-2012, 03:54 PM	#7
Halia Junior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 41 Gallery: Halia WOE: Atkins Start Date: 03/19/2012	I've been blessed to have used two separate trainers in the past 5 years or so. One when I was at my heaviest that became a dear friend & one that I started with after I got out of an abusive relationship that is now one of my best friends. The thing that helped me the very most was going in knowing I would stick to my guns! The first time I met with my first trainer I had already read about her online, knew her background & what her goals typically were & had read a few reviews. I told her what I wanted & what I was willing to do & not do. I think it helped establish a mutually respectful relationship. As for the second time around I was much more loose because I had previously been so familiar with a gym & using a trainer. I went in & ran with it & was fortunate that we clicked like crazy. I'm slightly biased because I've had such good luck but I prefer woman, by a huge margin. Confession, it may have something to do with the fact that the abusive relationship I was in was with a male trainer. A good trainer will listen to you & also be honest with you about what you are/aren't doing. When I was trying to lose weight the first time & it was coming off in miniscule drips, my trainer set aside extra time & discussed my cardio sessions that I was doing in between my training sessions & talked to me seriously about my intensity level. She also wanted to talk about my nutrition & make a plan but I was far too resistant & refused. It probably look me longer to get to where I wanted to be but I was determined to do it my way. My other best friend is a former pro bodybuilder so now I get my eating plan from him. He knows I need low carb & helps me tweak things when I need help or screw up. He also "encourages" me to increase my workout intensity. Ok, he fusses. Loudly. I'm a little too social at the gym & tend to waste a lot of time chatting with everyone. My trainer bestie & I work out together a couple of times a week & I try to make it to whatever classes she's teaching. I have come to love classes. Something that still surprises me. I'm just a huge gym fan & I never thought I'd say that. The first time I went I was scared to death & was sure I'd be laughed & pointed at. The gym became (& is again) where I meet new friends & a place I enjoy just going to. So with all that said... in a long, rambling way, I would encourage you not to give up! If the first trainer you work with doesn't click, fire him/her & move on. Like anything else there are good ones & bad ones out there, but there are also some truly wonderful folks who love impacting people's lives in a healthy way. Geez, I sound like an ad. Sorry!

04-10-2012, 09:47 AM	#8
tttmom Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: out west Posts: 724 Gallery: tttmom Stats: 183.6/161.4/125 5'3", 37 yrs WOE: paleo/primal Start Date: 2/11/13	Thanks so much for the encouragement! I was talking about finding a trainer with my stepmom the other day, and she told me she can help me there. It turns out that she and my dad hired one and prepaid awhile back, and between all their traveling,etc they never used the sessions. So, she's giving them to me. I get to meet the new trainer this afternoon, but I have talked to her on the phone and it sounds like she can and will take me to my fitness goals. I mean, she's the first one Ive talked to so far that didn't try to talk me into something other than my goals, so that's a good sign,right? I'm excited about this, about being on the road to changing my life. Thanks so much for the post! I hope to make some new friendships with like-minded people too.

04-14-2012, 03:35 PM	#9
Halia Junior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 41 Gallery: Halia WOE: Atkins Start Date: 03/19/2012	tttmom have you met with your trainer? If so, how'd it go? I'm excited for you!

04-16-2012, 08:07 AM	#10
tttmom Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: out west Posts: 724 Gallery: tttmom Stats: 183.6/161.4/125 5'3", 37 yrs WOE: paleo/primal Start Date: 2/11/13	Hi! I did meet with the new trainer. She's great! She let me know that my goals are absolutely attainable, instead of trying to talk me into different stuff. She got me started on her meal plan and working out (although it kicked my butt for the first few days haha!). I'm so excited about this transformation. It's going great so far. Thanks for asking!

04-17-2012, 11:13 AM	#12
Halia Junior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 41 Gallery: Halia WOE: Atkins Start Date: 03/19/2012	How wonderful! That is exciting & I can't wait to hear how you progress. Please update when you can!