Questions concerning personal trainer

gl4662 · 31-Jul-05, 02:55 AM

Hi everyone I have just joined! For a while i've been lurking here, and reading all the great and useful information. I have a qeustion of my own now. I recently found a new personal trainer in my area. I told him my goals were to lose body fat. He said the most effective way to do this was to focus on lifting weights. HE said that this was more effective than cardio because you can bike 300 calories then gain it all back. To lift weights however, would increase my metabolism. I was wondering if he sounds like a good trainer. I know that my first trainer from my local YM CA told me to do cardio to lose weight.

Thanks in Advanced!

**threenorns** · 31-Jul-05, 09:09 AM

neither are wrong, but neither are completely correct. for best results, you need both: weight-lifting to increase muscle tissue and raise your metabolism, cardio to improve your endurance. high-intensity cardio sessions not only will raise your metabolism and burn fat, but you'll get quicker results than if you wait to increase muscle tissue.

gymrat · 31-Jul-05, 10:00 AM

For most people, the three things required to lose weight are:

1) A consistant cardio program
2) A consistant weights program
3) Nutrition - your nutrition has got to be in order for things to start happening. Make sure that you're eating quality carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

As far as your trainer goes, make sure he/she is nationally certified. Rapport is also very important. If you feel that your trainer doesn't "get you", it's absolutely permissible to find a different trainer who you feel understands you and your goals.

CF-OC_gal · 31-Jul-05, 10:03 AM

^ What she (3) said plus consistency. Keeping the weight off is more a matter of changing your behaviour/lifestyle. It's not a matter of cardio or weights that will help you maintain your progress, it's a change in attitude and in your personal boundaries and values.

As far as whether these trainers are are good or not I couldn't say based on what you've said. What else are they offering to do for you?

gl4662 · 31-Jul-05, 12:43 PM

Thanks guys. As far as what they are offering, basically it is a one on one 45 min session. Three days a week of lifting weights. He also told me to do cardio, but he said that i did not have to do cardio everday for an hour like i was already doing.

gl4662 · 31-Jul-05, 12:45 PM

How do i know if he is certified?

**threenorns** · 31-Jul-05, 01:39 PM

ask him .

drdjsmm · 08-Aug-05, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threenorns

neither are wrong, but neither are completely correct. for best results, you need both: weight-lifting to increase muscle tissue and raise your metabolism, cardio to improve your endurance. high-intensity cardio sessions not only will raise your metabolism and burn fat, but you'll get quicker results than if you wait to increase muscle tissue.

Completely Correct!!

Chain · 08-Aug-05, 03:01 AM

No no no, everyone above is wrong! What you need to lose weight is:

- Nutrition
- Cardio
- Strength training

...I was just kidding about everyone being wrong.

The best cert's for your trainer to have would be from the NSCA or ACSM. But some others like ACE, ISSA, and NASM are good too. They don't have to have one of these certs to be good and having one doesn't mean they are good. But it does increase the likelihood.

Good luck with your goals!