Cost of hiring a PT - who cares and who doesn't?

[Lowfat]

Be brutally honest with this one please folks. In these apparently difficult times, I'm getting confliciting opinions about how PT's are coping out there these days. Ur thoughts???

[michaelk]

Cost is usually a reflection of experience in their field. This does not neccessarily relate to your goals and whether they can help.

More unfortunatley is that a large percentage of PT's will take you on as a client regardless of whether there is a corrolation between their expertise and your goals.

I have passed on clients that are not in my field ie endurance or injury rehab, as I believe that doing right by the client builds credibility and will in the long run pay you more than you would earn from that one short term cash gain. In return, I have recieved referrals in return that I can really help

I would suggest in searching out a PT, check out what they have achieved either themselves or with other clients.

Then you can put a price on what you are willing to pay for the results, for me when I have used PT's (for a couple of rehabs) the money spent was less painful than the injury.

[michaelk]

PS Free ad time: I'm now back PTing and am working at Harbour Fitness, but am able to do online consulting. Obviously this doesn't mean I can assist with your technique in person or push you past the limit, but I can design a killer personalized workout and offer phone consulting in conjunction

Obviously muscle gain/bodybuilding, contest prep, and fat loss are my specialty.

PM me if your interested in more details.

[samoan_muscle]

Bit of advertising there mikey?

[teamfatboy]

I think cost is a factor - probably it has got worse these days.

It's not the only factor - if you're getting the results you want, you'll keep with a proven PT. But, if school fees, winter power bills, extra petrol costs or that unexpected car repair crop up, now more than before folks are going to drop their PT.

Face it - it's discretionary money, many people on here know enough to cope, if they used a PT in the past, by cutting back on professional advice, from once a fortnight to once a month to "when I need your help, I'll call".

And I think Optimass had a point too in another thread about quality trainers - a poor trainer will lose clients faster than a good one, with a reputation for quality results and happy clients. My gym's gone thru quite a few PTs of late, especially women PTs, I think there's only one left where there used to be quite a few.

[Chillicat]

I know I need a PT, as I'm a beginner and could do with good advice on things. But in the past I've seen 2 PTs and both have been fairly rubbish so I only saw them once each. Both have just given me generic workouts, which was ok for the first one because it was an intro to the gym I was using at the time and I needed to know how to use the machines. But with the second one I was very clear about my BB related goals, had 8 years background of going to the gym (though with no goals as such), and I was given a generic circuit workout. The the very next day my colleague with very different goals and workout background was given the identical workout by the same PT, which I think showed a one size fits all approach to training, and I have no interest in spending my hard earned on that.

So in times when I'm careful with where my money goes, those two experiences make me very wary of gambling an entire week's social budget on a PT that might be hit or miss.

[michaelk]

generic workouts

Generic Workouts :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

I'll give one of those when I meet a generic person, but so far they all seem to be different!!

If your in Wellington, see one of three PT's for Bodybuilding: Justin Rys (big kiwi); Philli Nuku (at bodyworks) or Joe Ulberg (les mills).

Three of the very best in the country.

[Grover]

Like everything there will be good and bad trainers.

Definately look at what the PT has achieved, not necessarily for themselves but for a client at least.

One also needs to be brutally honest with yourself as in are you strictly following diet and training etc

I am using a PT at present twice a week ( I'm impatient and want quicker results :wink: )

So far so good, bf% coming down, weight staying same so assume muscle growth!

Technique has improved, and because I'm paying this money it keeps the motivation strong.

[Chillicat]

generic workouts

Generic Workouts :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

I'll give one of those when I meet a generic person, but so far they all seem to be different!!

If your in Wellington, see one of three PT's for Bodybuilding: Justin Rys (big kiwi); Philli Nuku (at bodyworks) or Joe Ulberg (les mills).

Three of the very best in the country.

Yes, I've seen Philly around at Bodyworks. One of these days I'll pluck up the courage to approach him!

[nzmusclemonster]

generic workouts

Generic Workouts :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

I'll give one of those when I meet a generic person, but so far they all seem to be different!!

If your in Wellington, see one of three PT's for Bodybuilding: Justin Rys (big kiwi); Philli Nuku (at bodyworks) or Joe Ulberg (les mills).

Three of the very best in the country.

Ive heard rumors that Moe has asked Joe Ulberg to train him in the lead up to the Olympia......

[mike combs]

A PT is an over paid baby sitter, learn to do it for yourself

[runveerun]

I hired a PT a couple of months ago for the first time ever, it's shown me I had bad habits ie: bad form. I get to do exercises I wouldn't have done by myself as I had no idea how to do them or they even existed! She pushes me harder than I would push myself- and I thought I pushed myself pretty hard before!

She's given me knowledge that would have taken me a hella lot longer to aquire by myself searching on the internet or books. She's given me my moneys worth that's for sure! BUT SUCH a luxury! I know I won't be able to afford her all the time but I'm enjoying it while I can!

[wgtnmuscle]

i will let you all know on sat after i see joe

to see if its ture or false :):)

[IronHyde]

I never have, i just read books and follow what they say. Just got the Encyclopedia of bodybuilding from Arnold and it's great! Money well spent i feel.

A Nutritionist however, that is something i would pay for.

[michaelk]

Why would you not just buy a book on nutrition then too?

A PT is an over paid baby sitter, learn to do it for yourself

I never have, i just read books and follow what they say. Just got the Encyclopedia of bodybuilding from Arnold and it's great! Money well spent i feel.

A Nutritionist however, that is something i would pay for.

Not so much a devils advocate here but curious about the process of this decision, my thoughts are that if you have a need and there is an expert at helping you achieve it (as I found with my injury rehab) why not use that resource.

I wonder if the ABs have been reading books on line out jumping lately?

[Darwinstef]

A PT is an over paid baby sitter, learn to do it for yourself

I disagree with this. I think your kidding yourself if you think you know everthing there is to know, there will always be someone who knows more .

I don't use one very often but I have used them and it was certainly to my benefit. What the PT has achieved means a lot to me, for example its clear that Michaelk (without knowing him) clearly understands what it takes to be a top level bodybuilder. I would see someone like that anyday over someone who knows the theory but has never put it into practise.

[IronHyde]

Why would you not just buy a book on nutrition then too?

A PT is an over paid baby sitter, learn to do it for yourself

I never have, i just read books and follow what they say. Just got the Encyclopedia of bodybuilding from Arnold and it's great! Money well spent i feel.

A Nutritionist however, that is something i would pay for.

Not so much a devils advocate here but curious about the process of this decision, my thoughts are that if you have a need and there is an expert at helping you achieve it (as I found with my injury rehab) why not use that resource.

I wonder if the ABs have been reading books on line out jumping lately?

The difference there is that they get paid to train and have all resources available to them free...I on the other hand am not made of money and don't get paid to go to the gym so therfore can't shell out large amounts of coin for a trainer. I do agree with you though, but i guess it is a personal choice. In terms of injury rehab etc, i will allways go to a specialist as there is a defined need.

[Specter]

Why would you not just buy a book on nutrition then too?

A PT is an over paid baby sitter, learn to do it for yourself

I never have, i just read books and follow what they say. Just got the Encyclopedia of bodybuilding from Arnold and it's great! Money well spent i feel.

A Nutritionist however, that is something i would pay for.

Not so much a devils advocate here but curious about the process of this decision, my thoughts are that if you have a need and there is an expert at helping you achieve it (as I found with my injury rehab) why not use that resource.

I wonder if the ABs have been reading books on line out jumping lately?

lol..the ABs did get a specialist under the high ball from Japan....ummmm..yeah..see where that got them? :pfft:

[wgtnmuscle]

to answer the Q

joe isnt training moe for the olympis this year

but next year

from the man himself

[HumanPerformance]

To the question as to how PTs are coping during the resesion, the short answer is not very well.

I have been a PT for the last 15 years as this is the least busy time for me during that period. Not to blow my own trumpet but Im a quality PT and I am only doing the third of the hours I was this time last year. I train alot of competitive bodybuilders (23 first place finishers in the past 3 years) ,competitive powerlifters and professional athelets. If you check some of my other posts on this site you will see I know what I am talking about. Moe asked me to train him for his first pro show a couple of years back but due to circumstances beyond our control this did not come to pass( Optimass can confirm this for you,or anything else I have written here as I worked for him in a gym he owned). So you can see from all this that I am probably a bit better that your average trainer.

For the past 9 years Ive worked as many hours a week as I wished to , which normally worked out to be 35 or so. But in the past year I have struggled to get 10 hours a week and I know many PTs who are in the same boat as myself. Many of my clients who owned thier own buisnises have become bankrupt and so now are no longer able to see me.

For the past 5 years I have charged 80$ an hour, but for the first time I am seriously considering lowering my price to try drum up some more buisness .

Every other trainer I know is complaining to me also about the lack of work and some I know have had to leave and pursue another more productive career path.

[IronHyde]

HumanPerformance: So if somebody comes to you seeking a PT and is wanting to get bigger in terms of muscle mass. Do you just follow them around for an hour acting as a spotter and also telling/showing them how to have perfect form when lifting and telling them they need to pushing themselves harder and lifting more weight. Also, how many times per week does the average client spend time with there PT? eg 2x1 hour sessions/week.

Sorry, just curious as to what exactly you get as a service (and from somebody of your calibre). I have never had a PT as i have said in an earlier post, i learn a lot of stuff from books and friends, but if having a PT is really a great thing i may look into it.

Thank you.

[beast88]

PS Free ad time: I'm now back PTing and am working at Harbour Fitness, but am able to do online consulting. Obviously this doesn't mean I can assist with your technique in person or push you past the limit, but I can design a killer personalized workout and offer phone consulting in conjunction

Obviously muscle gain/bodybuilding, contest prep, and fat loss are my specialty.

PM me if your interested in more details.

I need help with bodybuilding and maybe contest prep some day when am ready. How can you help?

[HumanPerformance]

HumanPerformance: So if somebody comes to you seeking a PT and is wanting to get bigger in terms of muscle mass. Do you just follow them around for an hour acting as a spotter and also telling/showing them how to have perfect form when lifting and telling them they need to pushing themselves harder and lifting more weight. Also, how many times per week does the average client spend time with there PT? eg 2x1 hour sessions/week.

Sorry, just curious as to what exactly you get as a service (and from somebody of your calibre). I have never had a PT as i have said in an earlier post, i learn a lot of stuff from books and friends, but if having a PT is really a great thing i may look into it.

Thank you.

If its a new client the first thing I will do is discuss with them what they have been doing with thier training in the past and recently.Yes and then I will take them through a workout that I think will help them achieve thier goals, all the while looking for problems that need to be attended to. I look for certain clues as to thier individual fibre make up, structural and strength imbalances between muscles or sluggish neurological pathways that are stopping thier muscles firing properly, anything really that they may not have noticed.And then I start to think of solutions .

As to how often they see me.Most of clients work out with me every time they train, so around 4 times a week, but a couple only see me once or twice a week.Some clients I have had I have trained from couch potatoes to national champs and they have never had a workout by themselves.

[michaelk]

PS Free ad time: I'm now back PTing and am working at Harbour Fitness, but am able to do online consulting. Obviously this doesn't mean I can assist with your technique in person or push you past the limit, but I can design a killer personalized workout and offer phone consulting in conjunction

Obviously muscle gain/bodybuilding, contest prep, and fat loss are my specialty.

PM me if your interested in more details.

I need help with bodybuilding and maybe contest prep some day when am ready. How can you help?

I can cover the full spectrum of service from physical assessment on which areas need improvement to the nth degree,

develop the most suitable split and program to acheive this,

train you on techniques that will best develop the balanced muscle development required of a champion, along with how to achieve training intensity you only read about in a muscletech ad :pfft:

and of course the whole contest solution around fat loss, supplementation regime, posing coaching,

and the VITAL week prior to ensure you turn up like a desert rock.

Simply, I bring to the table 20years of training, 19 years of competition, and the knowledge in reaching the level of success I have been fortunate to achieve.

[Optimass]

HumanPerformance: So if somebody comes to you seeking a PT and is wanting to get bigger in terms of muscle mass. Do you just follow them around for an hour acting as a spotter and also telling/showing them how to have perfect form when lifting and telling them they need to pushing themselves harder and lifting more weight. Also, how many times per week does the average client spend time with there PT? eg 2x1 hour sessions/week.

Sorry, just curious as to what exactly you get as a service (and from somebody of your calibre). I have never had a PT as i have said in an earlier post, i learn a lot of stuff from books and friends, but if having a PT is really a great thing i may look into it.

Thank you.

if your PT is a glorified spotter get rid of them ...

Some of my personal client focuses:

come to train - I'll set the schedule and help you build a routine. this is normally done with 3 sessions in the first 1-2 weeks (3 per week) > yes this is a cost but once you achieve basic training and understand the basic workout structures - if you drop back to 1 or 2 sessions per week, at least you can follow the routine.

During the first 2 weeks you feel pain and start to build a good threshold. (Good pain :nod: ) - then once you slip into our weekly routine, each time you turn up I chnage the workout on that body part so you get a focus rotating around your whole body over 3 weeks if you are only doing 1 session per week.

... If you walk out of the gym after a session with a PT and know you haven't spent every bit of energy/strength then you haven't had your moneys worth.

When it's game time - IT'S PAIN TIME