Well, I wish I had another option Rabbit and 2frustrated, but it's either this gym or curves (not happening!) so I already started doing my own thing. It's not like I've never been to a gym it's just that I wanted more help. I'm thinking I might hire an outside trainer (I have a friend who is certified) and see if I can have them come to the gym with me and work with me there even though he doesn't work for the gym. I feel more comfortable advocating for that than going through all the trainers at the gym, which all seem to have the same style as the one I went to. *sigh* it's just such a bummer!!!! I was really looking forward to this.
I've heard about the Body for Life stuff Robin but I know little about it. Any tips on where to start looking for info?
Thanks Ilene! LOL I think I'm going to start by looking into the certification of their trainers, or lack thereof and build up the confidence to make a stink about it.
Thank you all for your comments and support. I actually felt better going to the gym today and doing my own thing rather than killing myself with cardio.
The gym I go to says to use the machines no more than 30 minutes if they are all being used. It gives other people a chance. That's reasonable although it's never been that full yet....
Bella - oh my gosh, what a bad deal you are getting from your trainer! The training, instruction and support levels sound absolutely appaling. I just wish you could come over to the UK, come to my gym and see how you really should be treated!
I have to say that 1 and a half hours of cardio is FAR too much! I've just had a new programme set and my max cardio is 1 hour, and I'm only allowed to do half an hour if I am doing weights aswell. The longest you should spend training (cardio + weights) is one and a half hours. This is all what my instructor has told me and I trust him 100%. Your instructor has set you a really unrealistic programme - you know before you've even started that it seems too much and it will be hard to stick with - and then in 2 weeks to add weights!
Honestly Bella - you can't put up with this. make an appointment with another trainer, or discuss your concerns with this one.I doubt they'll let your trainer friend in unless she is a paid up member of the gym. I am sorry that there are no other gyms as competition as they would obviously benefit from some!
I am so annoyed that your gym is so rubbish - joining a good gym has increased my fitness dramatically, changed my shape and weight, lifted me out of depression, increased my confidence and helped me to make new friends.
I really hope things improve for you - please don't put up with this!
Agree with most of the sentiments above - over 1 hour is too much! According to a recent issue of eDiets newsletter (forgot which exact one) the fitness expert said that anything over an hour will start burning muscle instead of fat! (really BAD, since muscle keeps the metabolism revved up) not to mention a plethora of injuries and conditions from over-exhausting your body before giving a chance to rest.
By that same token, it is also important to do toning and strength training as well, to help build muscle which keeps metabolism high.
I am sorry that you are having this experience at a place that is supposed to be supportive to you. If you feel you are physically capable and that has been adequately assessed - that is one thing. However, if that has not been properly assessed, jumping into that length of time could put you at risk for injury which will only slow your progress.
If there is opportunity to have a frank and open discussion with this trainer and discuss your concerns - that would be great. If she is closed to discussion, you may decide then to search out another trainer or as recommended speak with the owner. At any rate - it is excellent that you are looking after yourself. I know, I go very quiet in the spandex zone, you just feel vulnerable and at some level a little embarrassed but a good trainer should know that and work with you to feel comfortable.
I work with a trainer who is has a PHd in Kinesiology and I know he would not recommend what has been suggested to you. He is very concerned about not having injury and not overwhelming people with a routine that is not fitting with the clients lifestyle. Because - if it doesn't work for you, you won't continue it. You are wise and know best what you need for you. Because you are limited to gyms be brave - confront the issue and talk it out to your comfort level. If the trainer doesn't respond well, then you don't want her as your trainer. She is paid to be there for you. In the end, you will feel better in advocating for yourself. Let us know when you are going to do it and we will all send you positive vibes! Although, I would much rather accompany you for the moral support and then go visit those beautiful beaches! Take Care and good luck! Keep us posted.
Thanks Amanda: I wish I could join you at your gym!!! Sounds great!
Aqua: wow I hadn't heard that you start burning MUSCLE at that point!!! I might print out that article if I can find it and use it to boost my conversation with the trainer and give me some confidence LOL
Jenaya: Thanks so much for the support! I might see if I can meet with her tomorrow and get this over with *gulp*
Nothing's gonna keep me from movin' at this point!
You have hit on a sore spot with me, I'm afraid, so forgive me if this sounds harsh on your trainer.
I see fat girls getting bullied in the gyms all the time. It's no wonder we have to work up courage to go.
A few things about trainers:
-Don't assume because they are thin that they know more than you.
-A lot of them don't know crap.
There are a few problems with the approach of trainers that isn't their fault:
-They are in this for BUSINESS.
-A lot of people feel if they don't go home and die in the bed for two days, they haven't gotten their money's worth, and trainers train to that.
-A lot of trainers feel if they don't send you home to see an immediate difference on the scale (which an hour and a half of cardio would certainly do, not to mention two weeks of that insanity), you won't come back for repeat business.
If this person feels that their way is the only way (after looking at your stats on paper and that's it....), then you take your business elsewhere. This is just business. All the trainers in that gym are in competition for your business, and someone else will be happy to take your money.
The important point to remember is that you have to do your own research, and you have to have a plan firmly in mind. No one who has known you for 10 minutes is going to be able to make a plan for you. You bring THEM a plan: your research, your history, what you want to accomplish. They bring to bear all their experience in finding a way to help you realize your plan in a way that will be successful, sane, and pleasant enough to keep you doing it, year in, year out. Yanno?
If you must continue with this trainer, then you must insist that you want to lose no more than a pound a week (and hang with me here, I'm going to explain that), and that you want to see IMMEDIATE results in strength improvement, particularly in the big muscle groups. This will make your trainer back off on the cardio and start to show you some lifts and whatnot that will start the 24-hour-fat-eating metabolic boost that only STRENGTH gains can give you.
Regarding the pound a week: any person who is following some type of diet plan and going to the gym 4-5 times a week, even on the most moderate of regimes, is going to lose more than that. Your TRAINER, however, needs to have that number firmly in mind, because they're obviously cardio obsessed.
This is a BUSINESS. You are purchasing their ADVICE, not a set of rules, and you are always, always, always in control. The customer is always right, and the more knowledge you bring to the table about what you want to accomplish in the gym, the more a trainer can help you.
Do not let them bully you. Fat girls let themselves be bullied by the thin people because somewhere in our hearts we buy into the myth that they are somehow morally superior because they are thin. Don't be one of them. Embrace your power, stand tall, and demand the very best of what that trainer has to offer you. You wouldn't buy clothes that don't fit, and you don't need to buy a workout regime that doesn't fit either.
Rant over. puts soapbox away and folds hands primly in her lap
I love your attitude - but I must say that I have never been treated poorly as a fat girl at my gym. I half expected it when I joined but am constantly suprised by the lengths my trainer will go to to make me feel comfortable and happy.
And I am very, very glad to hear that. We keep working for change and equality, and where it doesn't exist, we demand it. Thank your trainer, and encourage them to spread the word:
THIS is how to keep our business.
And any trainer who's going to help someone SANELY take off 50 pounds or more will have a walking advertisement to their skill, as I'm sure you are. Don't think people in your gym don't see you and envy you the results of your hard work.....and that is all goodness as far as your trainer is concerned.
I see fat girls getting bullied in the gyms all the time. It's no wonder we have to work up courage to go.
A few things about trainers:
-Don't assume because they are thin that they know more than you.
-A lot of them don't know crap.
There are a few problems with the approach of trainers that isn't their fault:
-They are in this for BUSINESS.
-A lot of people feel if they don't go home and die in the bed for two days, they haven't gotten their money's worth, and trainers train to that.
-A lot of trainers feel if they don't send you home to see an immediate difference on the scale (which an hour and a half of cardio would certainly do, not to mention two weeks of that insanity), you won't come back for repeat business.
I've been a gym rat for over 13 years now (not counting the 3 years doing Jazzercise) and I've NEVER seen a fat person (woman OR man) being 'bullied' in either my former gym or in my current one. Quite the contrary actually. (trust me - most gyms aren't like Globo Gym in the movie "Dodgeball" - they're more like Average Joe's. )
This ain't your typical gym...trust me
Unfortunately it's just this perception that keeps many fat/obese folks from even venturing INTO a gym in the first place. Pretty sad.
It also seems to me - and this is just IMO - that blanket statements about trainers tend to paint them all with the same brush. It's just like any other profession - you get crap AND excellence, and then the middle ground. Bella might very well have ended up with a crappy trainer - but just because that particular trainer seems to not know her stuff, doesn't mean the entire profession is suspect. I know a lot of EXCELLENT trainers (not only at my gym, but a couple right here at 3FC ) who take pride in their work, are great at interacting both with paying clients and just helping out people on the gym floor, and know their stuff.
Also - Bella mentioned that she is getting 'monthly evaluations' from the trainers at this gym. That, to me, isn't the same as actually WORKING with a trainer - she's just being weighed and measured and given a set program. Not the same thing at all, IMO. I've just finished working with a personal trainer at my gym (Equinox) and my membership included a fitness assessment (weight/measure/bodyfat test/blood pressure, etc.) and one session - additional sessions I had to pay extra for. I would bet that if Bella was PAYING extra for training sessions, she could pick whichever trainer she wanted - but if this is an 'evaluation' included with her membership, then most likely it's done by one of the assistants or "junior trainers".
My personal opinion on this is - if it's just an evaluation, you can take her advice or leave it be. If you were actually paying EXTRA for sessions, that would be a whole 'nother enchilada.
Just as a guideline to start out with, though - I'd recommend Body for Life for Women by Pamela Peeke, Krista Scott Dixon's website (BTW she has a page on "How to choose a personal trainer" there), and the key recommendations of the US Government's 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans regarding physical activity which read as follows:
Engage in regular physical activity and reduce sedentary activities to promote health, psychological well-being, and a healthy body weight.
To reduce the risk of chronic disease in adulthood: Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, above usual activity, at work or home on most days of the week.
For most people, greater health benefits can be obtained by engaging in physical activity of more vigorous intensity or longer duration.
To help manage body weight and prevent gradual, unhealthy body weight gain in adulthood: Engage in approximately 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity on most days of the week while not exceeding caloric intake requirements.
To sustain weight loss in adulthood: Participate in at least 60 to 90 minutes of daily moderate-intensity physical activity while not exceeding caloric intake requirements. Some people may need to consult with a healthcare provider before participating in this level of activity.
Achieve physical fitness by including cardiovascular conditioning, stretching exercises for flexibility, and resistance exercises or calisthenics for muscle strength and endurance.
First off, if I had meant the entire profession I would've written the entire profession . Not what I wrote, and not what I meant.
Secondly, my work takes me all over the world. I've been in topflight gyms like Equinox and I've worked out in hospital physical therapy units because there was no gym at all. When I say bullied, I mean trainers pushing too hard, and I mean PATRONS coming up with well-intentioned and completely unwelcome advice. I've experienced both on more than one occasion.
For what you are paying at Equinox, I would only expect that you are working with top notch trainers. I would also expect cabana boys at every treadmill to wipe my brow for me. Maybe I should go there more often!
Not every gym in this country even requires that their trainers be certified. Who knows what kind of person Bella got a hold of?
The "initial evaluation" is somewhat unnecessary. I understand why people want it, but people should also know that gyms give away "free training sessions" in hopes that you'll buy more. A combination "cover our liability issues" and sales pitch all in one package.
Bella specifically said that she felt she should take this person's advice because "they're thin and I'm not, right?" This is the point I was specifically addressing. I want people to take charge of their gym experience, and I don't think that's over the line.
Sounds great! 
You go Saengerin! 
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