Trying to get a gyms Fitness Instructor to let you do own program?

[needsleep]

Hiya,

I have recently changed gyms due to the one I have now joined having a greater selection of equipment both machines and free weights. Anyway I had an induction and now have a one to one pending with an Instructor who will "Design" me a program.

I have recently started DC's training program which will seem very odd I imagine when I try to explain to the Instructor its principles and why I want to stick with it. I know I can do whatever I want and don't have to undertake a program I don't want to. But I want the Instructor to understand my views and not think of me as a "know it all" guy who thinks he knows what's best and wont listen to others.

I am pretty sure the Instructor will try to get me on a program which works each muscle once a week doing multiple sets and multiple exercises for each muscle group. In contrast to this DC's training methods will really seem odd.

How do I go about explaining this to him?

I spoke with him yesterday where he jotted down my goals about putting on muscle size and I tried to explain the program I had just started and that i want to stay with it. But I am sure he will blow it away and get me on an "orthodox" training program.

He did ask me to drop off a written program of what I was doing at the moment, so I am taking the opportunity to really do this up and also add in as much info as I can into it in the hope he will understand it and better yet accept it.

I am thinking of printing out the more informative articles from DC and giving them in with my program. I am looking for other peoples thinking on this problem, anyone else had similar situations occur, and if so how did you resolve it?

Basically I just want the guy to understand it and accept it.

 

[circusgirl]

You are the customer, you can do a training program that suits you.

The trainer will mainly be concerned that you know what you are doing and will not injure yourself then sue like many idiots do.

Give him some written material ahead of time and calmly explain the program you want to do, your aims and your previous experience. If the guy is not a jerk, once he sees you know waht you are doing he will leave you alone.

if he is a jerk, then complain to management, and if they are jerks, demand a refund or the right to train as you see fit. If you get a refund, find another gym.

Gyms like this are commercial organisations and you are the customer in this case. Unless you are using a team gym or someone's personal setup they are not doing you a favour.

 

[Mad4Iron]

Fuck that,Your paying probably way too much as it is.

90% of us know more than most of these PTs and I'm not even wasting my time talking to them.

Mad

 

[b fold the truth]

I'm not sure why it is important for him to accept it...

B True

 

[gettinlarger]

Wait wait wait ... why is there an "instructor" ... ?

 

[R CRUSHER]

dude don't sweat it. tell him you already have a routine. i wouldn't care if he likes it or not!

 

[Fatty4You]

I am pretty sure the Instructor will try to get me on a program which works each muscle once a week doing multiple sets and multiple exercises for each muscle group.

I think it rare to find a PT that will put someone on a program like that. Most trainer that i have talked to, especially when working with someone the first time will put them on like 3x a week full body or a upper/lower body split kind of thing.

Of course, they are supposed to create a program based on a whole lot of stuff, including your training history. I think the time and effort commitment that goes into doing 15 sets per bodypart once a week and working out like 4-5 times a week is something most people in a "health club" dont possess.

But anyway, if you know what kind of routine you want, why even have a personal trainer? If you are confused about the movements or exercises, just have him show you a lot of different exercises and not so much bother to have him think about your routine??

-Fatty

 

[argent]

If you already know what program you are going to do why do you need a PT, at least a house trainer from the gym?

 

[2Shy]

You should be able to do what you want to do. I understand, though, that it's a lot easier if you don't have the PT running over and telling you you're doing things wrong all the time.

I've just started doing WSB at my Y. I don't have boxes, but have been using the aerobic steps for boxes. That gets a lot of weird looks. You should have seen the group of people standing around and staring when I put Hannibal's idea to work and used a step for my "board" on a board press.

Someone is always trying to get me to do a BB type bench or switch to the Smith for squats, etc. So far, everyone's been cool once I tell them what I'm trying to achieve and why I am working a certain way. It's like Circusgirl said: they want to make certain you know what you're doing so you don't hurt yourself and sue the gym.

Heaven knows what they'll do if I decide this is the way I want to go, make my own stuff and drag it over there!

 

[needsleep]

The gym inducts everyone and does a one to one for everyone who joins. He isn't my personal trainer it's just their opperating procedure to do this.

I want him to accept it as I don't want any stigma following me around as a person who doesn't listen to people and doesn't know what he's doing. I'm new to the gym so don't want to appear foolish for reasons other than my own natural stupidness.