Cheapish Personal Trainer Recommendation??

[Ms T]

They're not just about getting someone to shout at you to get off the couch, they can show you where you're going wrong with technique in various exercises, show you when you're pushing parts of your body too hard, when you're not pushing hard enough, help you avoid injury and if you're short of time they can help you get the most from your workout.

^^ This. Nothing wrong with hiring a personal trainer, if you can afford it. I am too tight-fisted, personally, but I find classes are great at pushing you a bit. Plus you have to book into them and are supposedly penalised if you don't turn up (at the Lido - not sure this actually happens in practice). Hendo used to have a personal trainer (also at the Lido). He was excellent, but the prices went up so it became a bit too expensive. I think it was something like £40 a session if you booked ten, so £400.

And yes, we have a cleaner as well. Judge away.

 

[maldwyn]

Doing house work can also be an excellent workout, thus saving trainer/cleaner fees equals a nice cream cake reward.

 

[Rushy]

There is absolutely no need for someone to have to disclose that they suffer from depression when making a post asking for advice on getting a trainer. That a mod would even suggest that they should have done so to avoid a flaming is fucking depressing in itself.

 

[8ball]

There is absolutely no need for someone to have to disclose that they suffer from depression when making a post asking for advice on getting a trainer. That a mod would even suggest that they should have done so to avoid a flaming is fucking depressing in itself.

I was just joshing with editor about the class/decadent/whatever thing, but he makes some good suggestions as have others re: alternatives so there was constructive stuff there too. I had a couple of sessions shortly after heart surgery which were very useful (more specialised than the usual, I guess - the trainers at my gym won't go near me in case I keel over).

I think for more 'general' fitness doing stuff in a group is a great idea - it's a shame I'm so ham-fisted at sporty stuff or I might give it a go.

Having a cleaner, on the other hand, is beyond the pale.

 

[editor]

There is absolutely no need for someone to have to disclose that they suffer from depression when making a post asking for advice on getting a trainer. That a mod would even suggest that they should have done so to avoid a flaming is fucking depressing in itself.

Coming in after qualifying information had been added to the original post and after I've issued a full apology in response really is scraping the fucking barrel. Pathetic.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

Does anyone know any local Personal Trainers who won't charge the earth? I really want a few sessions to try and get myself off my lardarse.... and I really think a personal trainer is the only way (yes i am that lazy)... help?!

Just use your £50 to get a cheap bike and cycle everywhere. London is flat and learning the backstreets is a great and easy way to get around quickly, for free and keeps you fit. And you'll feel fucking great everytime you get off your bike having cycled somewhere.

Free cycle maps showing safe bike routes away from the main roads are available from here: https://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/11682.aspx

If you live in the Brixton area I would suggest getting maps 1 (central London) and 10 (south London.)

Good luck.

 

[editor]

So, for those unable to afford to splash out £50/hour for a personal trainer, this thread has provided some useful alternatives, like:

Seriously best thing to do is enter some race i.e. a goal with some others for company 5K , 10K , that'll give you something to work towards.

walk more. Don't use lifts. Get off a few stops early and walk. Sign up to a gym if you must. Or get a Wii and jump around your front room.

What about joining a local council gym most do inclusive classes - some hard and some gentle

Try Park Run. 5k on Saturdays at 9.00 outside Lido. Best if you sign up first. It's free and for all levels from walkers to top end
athletes. About 170 people last time and lots of supporters.

Just use your £50 to get a cheap bike and cycle everywhere. London is flat and learning the backstreets is a great and easy way to get around quickly, for free and keeps you fit. And you'll feel fucking great everytime you get off your bike having cycled somewhere.

 

[8ball]

Also, there are these group sessions they do in parks - some quite bootcampy, some less so.

Might be a happy medium between a class at a gym and a personal trainer type of experience.

 

[editor]

Some smartphone apps can be great for setting goals, keeping you motivated and providing encouragement.

http://www.menshealth.co.uk/living/gear/the-six-best-fitness-apps

 

[Ms Ordinary]

A couple of years ago the Lido did something like 3 Personal Trainer sessions for £80 as a "Get Fit for Xmas" deal which seemed pretty good. I didn't do it - couldn't commit the time - but it looked like a good way to kickstart yourself into exercise. Maybe worth getting on their mailing list in case they run it again, though they never have.

There's something called [http://www.communitycircuits.com/prices]Community Circuits[/URL] on Milkwood Road near Herne Hill Station, which I don't know much about but looks like you could start with an individual session & then move on to different classes.

 

[Rushy]

Coming in after qualifying information had been added to the original post and after I've issued a full apology in response really is scraping the fucking barrel. Pathetic.

It wasn't really a full apology though, was it. It was partly qualified by first blaming the OP for not immediately declaring to a bunch of strangers that they suffer from depression.

Do you have a short cut on your keyboard for the those stock replies of "pathetic" and "scraping the barrel"? If you did, you could save a great deal of time every day.

 

[gaijingirl]

I did hire a PT at the lido just prior to my wedding. In all honesty it didn't really help me - but I am quite motivated anyway to go and do exercise. What I have done a few times, which I really enjoyed (although it is VERY hard work) is week long residential bootcamps. Fit Farms was the best one. They are really expensive though. I got them on special offers.

Otherwise lots of the suggestions here are good.

If it is a question of needing another person to motivate you - it could be a friend but it might work better if it's not - people do advertise for running partners etc. I find that if I've made a date to meet someone to do exercise I'm very unlikely to cancel as I don't want to let them down.

Also taking up a competitive sport (if you're at all competitive) is a good thing to do - it can be addictive.

 

[editor]

It wasn't really a full apology though, was it.

"Please accept my apologies for my previous comments" sounds pretty comprehensive to me and I see no reason for having to apologise for holding a different opinion to you about people who are "too lazy" to get off their "lardy arses" though.

You're not exactly covering yourself in glory here with this nasty, post-event, shit-stirring mud-raking, by the way. Get over it, ffs. The rest of this thread has moved on to being positive and helpful. Maybe you should try it.

 

[Yelkcub]

Reverse snobbery in full effect. Wanting a personal trainer equalled wealthy and therefore an attack ensued.

 

[editor]

Reverse snobbery in full effect. Wanting a personal trainer equalled wealthy and therefore an attack ensued.

Or maybe I was responding to the 'too lazy' and 'lardarse' comments.
Just a thought like. But keep stirring away and sidetracking the thread if you think it's important.

 

[Rushy]

"Please accept my apologies for my previous comments" sounds pretty comprehensive to me and I see no reason for having to apologise for holding a different opinion to you about people who are "too lazy" to get off their "lardy arses" though.

You're not exactly covering yourself in glory here with this nasty, post-event, shit-stirring mud-raking, by the way. Get over it, ffs. The rest of this thread has moved on to being positive and helpful. Maybe you should try it.

You're absolutely right. The thread is back on track despite your early lone attempts to derail it. And it is probably all thanks to you.
So I fully and unreservedly apologise for having paid any attention to your predictably judgemental self righteousness.

As you were.

 

[editor]

You're absolutely right. The thread is back on track despite your early lone attempts to derail it.

"Derail" as in expressing an opinion (that's what these boards were set up for, in case you didn't know) and offering practical free alternatives? And then having you steam in to stir it back up again with more unpleasantness after I'd fully apologised to the opening poster?

Yeah, nice one. Keep on being bitter, dude.

 

[Yelkcub]

Or maybe I was responding to the 'too lazy' and 'lardarse' comments.
Just a thought like. But keep stirring away and sidetracking the thread if you think it's important.

This is my second post. So I don't 'keep' stirring away, or 'keep' sidetracking do I?

I read the thread and your problem is pretty obvious.

Personal Trainers really are a truly decadent invention: you're paying someone to make you get off your arse because you can't be bothered to do it yourself.

 

[maldwyn]

There are other classes too as have been mentioned. Full membership is £40 a month (cheaper than a trainer) although you can try out classes as a casual user.

With my local council gym/pool for an extra £7.50 per month you can use most other council gyms/pools/classes across London/and other cities
Well worth it UK Fitness Network

 

[editor]

This is my second post. So I don't 'keep' stirring away, or 'keep' sidetracking do I?

I read the thread and your problem is pretty obvious.

Yes. it's about the notion of paying someone to do something because you're too lazy to do it yourself. But great of you to come in so late just to add your ill-informed personal dig. Really useful all round.

 

[DJWrongspeed]

Try Park Run. 5k on Saturdays at 9.00 outside Lido. Best if you sign up first. It's free and for all levels from walkers to top end
athletes. About 170 people last time and lots of supporters.

Yup it's free and really good range of levels. People do it really slowly so it's very hard to come last

 

[editor]

With my local council gym/pool for an extra £7.50 per month you can use most other council gyms/pools/classes across London/and other cities
Well worth it UK Fitness Network

I've not heard of them before, but I like the sound of not for profit leisure centres and clubs.

 

[Yelkcub]

Yes. it's about the notion of paying someone to do something because you're too lazy to do it yourself. But great of you to come in so late just to add your ill-informed personal dig. Really useful all round.

There's no personal dig other than commenting about what you posted. That's all that informed my opinion.

 

[Rushy]

Yup it's free and really good range of levels. People do it really slowly so it's very hard to come last

And the people coming in last usually have the biggest smiles on their faces.

 

[8ball]

And the people coming in last usually have the biggest smiles on their faces.

Because they stopped for a sneaky pint and a pork pie.

 

[astral]

Got to say, I read the "lardy arse" and "too lazy" comments as self depreciating and slightly tongue in cheek. Maybe beccause it's the sort of thing I'd say myself *shrug*

Anyway, I like exercise classes and I go to around three or four a week, but even so I don't like going to new ones on my own. If I'm trying out a new class I'll drag along a friend for some moral support. After that I'm more than happy to go on my own, but I have a real mental block with getting in the door of that first class.

 

[xenon]

Yes. it's about the notion of paying someone to do something because you're too lazy to do it yourself. But great of you to come in so late just to add your ill-informed personal dig. Really useful all round.

It's not necesarily though is it. As demonstrated by the OP. A lot of people don't know how to exercise. Don't feel confident in going to a gym, running, jogging round the park. Generally when someone says personal trainer, you tend to think of pampered out of touch celebs, lifestyle coaches and that rubbish. Anyway I'm not having a pop. I think you made that assumption based on quick reaction to the opening post and you've appologised.

As an aside, hiring a personal trainer isn't comprible to having a cleaner. For a start, these guys get paid loads. Doesn't apeal to me as an idea at all. Some big protein bar munching overly positive lykra clad twonk, shouting at you as you're sweating off a beer gut.

 

[Firky]

Meanwhile there's a man about to hurl himself out of a balloon on the edge of space and back to earth.

 

[Rushy]

"Derail" as in expressing an opinion (that's what these boards were set up for, in case you didn't know) and offering practical free alternatives? And then having you steam in to stir it back up again with more unpleasantness after I'd fully apologised to the opening poster?

Yeah, nice one. Keep on being bitter, dude.

To be fair, your ire was fully stirred in response to my post (reproduced below in full):

There is absolutely no need for someone to have to disclose that they suffer from depression when making a post asking for advice on getting a trainer. That a mod would even suggest that they should have done so to avoid a flaming is fucking depressing in itself.

It was a expression of opinion (that's what these boards were set up for in case you had forgotten) made sincerely in response to your implication that the OP really should have declared her depression so as to avoid your judgement. Your immediate response was to say that this was scraping the barrel and pathetic. But it wasn't really, was it. It was a fair comment, fairly and reasonably put. I stand by it. And judging by the paucity of your answer I think you probably agree with the general gist of my apparently offensive post too - which annoys you even more.

I shall brace myself for being branded as "pathetic", "ridiculous", "irrelevant", "nasty", "unpleasant", "bitter", " etc.." and leave the last word on the matter to you. No doubt it will be a revelatory gem which shows me up for the evil insensitive troll that I am.

 

[8ball]

Just chill and stop being so 'etc..'