Does anyone have experience of a personal trainer ?

Someone posted that you have to enjoy going to the gym to remain motivated......but you only get motivated once you’ve developed the habit of going regularly and start seeing the results and start being aware of the mental benefits too. It’s very hard to get going, and a personal trainer helps initially because you’ve arranged a set time to meet up for your session .....you’ve made the ongoing commitment with him/her. Developing the gym habit isn’t easy ..... but it’s one of those things that’s best not thought about too deeply .....just get on and do it and I promise you if you truly want to be on a more even keel mentally as well as feeling stronger and in better shape physically, then making the gym as ‘normal’ and a regular part of your life as making the bed or doing the laundry, then this the healthiest and most rewarding long term investment you can ever make for yourself.

I have had a PT for years. Find someone you get on with and who will listen to your needs rather than what they think you should be doing physically. Mine is 24 years younger than me and loves her job, but, she knows my limitations. Each session is different and she encourages rather than demands. Try and go for 30 minutes to begin and then increase slowly to an hour.
Listen to your body. Good luck.

Hello there
I havent had experience with a p.t but what I have been doing since July is working out with the Body project on You tube ....I also came accross *More to health *who does walking videos .
If you really do feel you need help dont leave it to long before going to see your GP...life can be a struggle sometimes:...
Take care of you ♡

Shinamae, firstly, you are not alone in feeling this way at the moment and I hope knowing that will be a help to you.

Secondly, not all doctors will automatically prescribe pills. I’ve worked very closely with my local health centre and I’m delighted to say that they now have a lovely team of MH professionals who are available to help people in exactly your situation. They recognise that many people, especially over 50s, have become both more anxious and more isolated. The team offer a tailored six weeks (can be slightly flexible) programme in which goals are set and monitored with patients/clients and then patients are moved on to appropriate activities or offered further support. One of the most successful activities has been a series of walking groups where people can walk at their own pace and choose to interact, or not, with the other participants. Early indications are extremely positive and patients are reporting less anxiety and higher motivation.

My suggestion is to find out if your health centre offers something similar and if not, join a walking group in your area. Motivation often comes easier if you’re with others to cheer each other on.

Hope you are able to find suitable support soon.

Sorry Shinamae this is a bit long!

I had a scuba diving accident some years ago which left me unable to walk properly after a spinal embolism, which was treated with decompression. The NHS were useless, by the time I got to see a specialist I could barely walk and had to wait even longer for physio.

I talked to some of the trainers at the gym and started to work with one. He was brilliant - he started by assessing my whole frame, and I was really shocked at how out of balance my body was - the result of nearly a year of trying to walk when one of my legs wasn't working properly and my back was in a lot of pain. Over a year he helped me get my balance back, sort out my back problems, and develop some muscle in my legs and back and get my fitness back. I realise you don't need all this, and maybe just want someone to spur you on, I thought it was worth mentioning that trainers can help in lots of ways not just by getting you moving.

I would suggest checking carefully what qualifications people have and get to know them a bit so you know you get on with them, before hiring them. If you can, watch them working out with other people. Nicey-nicey instructors are no good to me, I need tough love and lots of laughter to keep me going ? Other people may need the nicey-nicey.

Also, what about joining yoga/pilates/dance classes, if they have them? Has the added bonus of people to chat to once you've been going for a while.

Many years ago my doctor referred me to the gym on a scheme where we got reduced cost memberships. I was surprised that I quite enjoyed it as long as I went in off peak times with all the other unfit, overweight referred people so I didn’t feel so inadequate. I was allocated a trainer who kept a check on me so not exactly a personal trainer but an advisor who guided me and kept me going. After my referral ended I joined and went regularly until we moved areas when things didn’t suit me so well as I found the local gyms less friendly.
Since then I’ve started walking more, encouraged by my Fitbit and competition with a few friends with linked Fitbit accounts.
Since retiring I have joined a group going on a local weekly walk. We go on about an hour’s walk and end up at the local public hall for a coffee in the outside courtyard. It’s sociable and I found I knew a few people already and am getting to know others. There are walks of different difficulty at various times and starting locations and are called ‘Simply Walk’ in Buckinghamshire where I live.
They are free to join, led by volunteers and the only cost is the coffee at the end - not compulsory! Maybe there is something similar in your area which you might enjoy. I only go once a week but there are walks on other days including weekends.

I really value my personal trainer Jill. I'm 72, a bit arthritic and in reasonable health but not remotely sporty. Jill is about 64 and very energetic and sporty but very understanding. She pushes me to my limit of fitness and always uses plenty of imagination to motivate someone as lazy as me. It does cost £20 per session but is an investment in keeping well and helping to avoid falls and limited mobility

I have a ‘trainer’ I Nordic walk with, ideally, weekly. Probably the main activity that maintains my sanity - it turns out exercise is the bonus!!

I have a personal trainer, he’s called Oscar, and he gets me up and out whatever the weather for a long walk in the fresh air. He raises my moral by always being happy to see me and keeps me company when I’m feeling low. Shinamea, I think a dog would work wonders for you too.

Went today and had a chat with the personal trainer who is called Nathan,I would say he was in his early 30s. Anyway I am going on Monday for a taster session that costs £10,after that it’s £30 a session so I will see how it goes Monday…

Had my taster session with Nathan today, it went very well but there is a lot to remember so he is going to print it all out for me so hopefully now I will be going three times a week on my days off to the gym Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays, fingers crossed I can stick to this! ?

Shinamae I hope you enjoy your gym workouts. A friend of mine goes and had a personal trainer for a few times until she got used to the machines. But she is able to do things she never thought she could. She has been going over a year.

But for me I couldn't use machines but love my exercise class. Doing the type of exercise we do has improved my strength and balance. Also for me doing it in a group we encourage eachother and we laugh . Which I suppose is an exercise for our facial muscles ?.

Wish you well and as our instructors tell us if it hurts stop. You should feel it but no pain. ?️

Shinamae, do something you enjoy, dance classes, walking groups anything.I find gyms so boring, everyone staring in the distant listening to music to get the stuff over. Life is too short doing things you don’t get pleasure from.

I did quite enjoy it ? But my legs are aching this morning because I’ve never done any machines with my legs as I have stick thin legs and virtually no backside!! But Nathan did say I need to do full body workout so that’s what I’m doing…whiff I will find it difficult to remember how to use the machines but he is printing out the instructions for me so hopefully like your friend I will soon get used to it. I have arranged to see him again in two weeks…