A Good Idea?

Is it a good idea for me to hire a personal trainer? I'm a 24 year old male and not in-shape as I haven't been exercising at all for a long time. I've been fighting a lot of social anxiety and depression issues and recently I've gotten help. So as I'm fixing the mental, I'd like to start working on fixing the physical. So would hiring a personal trainer who, as an expert in the field, can tailor a program that will help me reach my particular goals? As opposed to doing a lot of trial and error on my own.
 
Personally I think you need to get some sessions with a PT or at least a very competent friend to make sure you're lifting with proper form. It's often difficult to see your own flaws so while learning the ropes get someone in who can guide you. Failure to lift correctly from the start can lead to injury later down the line (ask my right shoulder)
 
I checked out the local gym (Gold's) and talked to them about their personal trainers. They have different packages ranging from a single $80 session to 30 sessions for $55 per session.
 
Good idea?

Well, if you don't already belong to the gym I would definatly shop around before you go in for the $... You want to make sure there is a trainer you get along with, because otherwise it may pose more of a problem for you, speaking of the anxiety/depression aspect. Not that you always will have to think about that, but because you are just getting started. So for those reasons I would shop around some more.

I do not know any more about your background, but you may want to discuss this with the person you are getting help from to see if it is better specifically for you to get an in-home trainer or go to a gym. Whatever you do, you have to be comfortable.

No matter what happens, keeping yourself from getting hurt is key, and you should find that no matter what type of exercise you do, you will feel better mentally, it is one of the best benefits of exercise.

Good luck to you, you have already taken the first steps, so keep it up!
 
I know when i worked at the gym. If you knew what you wanted and how much you wanted to buy. They would find someone to train you. It's about sales alot of the time. Let them know how much your willing to give.

And congrats on starting. It's all worth it in the long run
 
Well, I guess it all depends on your particular goals. IMO, if your short-term goal is to just "get in shape", then you probably don't need a personal trainer yet.

I have never had a personal trainer, and I am not knocking their effectiveness, and have at times considered hiring one because I thought they would be useful as a sort of motivator/coach (someone who would push me when I didn't really want to be exercising).

I then thought about what my goals were. Like you, I was really out of shape. Not particularly overweight, just not in the greatest shape due to many years of hard living (drinking, smoking, partying, etc.).

I'm still not in the best shape, but I think I am on my way. I tried the gym thing, but in my case I found that as soon as I paid the money, that pretty much guaranteed that I wouldn't go.

Eventually, I just began working out at home with some in-expensive equipment, such as grippers, chest expander, chin-up bar, stability ball, skipping rope, along with running and swimming.

At first, I didn't really have a routine. I installed the chin-up bar in the doorway that leads to my kitchen, and would do a couple of pull-ups every time I went into the kitchen. If I was watching TV, I would do some curls with the expander, or use the grippers. If I didn't feel like running, I would go to the parking lot and skip for 10-15 minutes. I still don't really have a routine, I just sorta work-out 4-5 times a day for short periods. Pretty much when I'm not really doing anything, I'll utilize that time by doing a few exercises.

I don't have a car, so I walk alot. I figured if I was walking anyhow, I might as well burn some extra calories by carrying some weight (I use a backpack with a bag of kitty-litter in it).

There are many, many ways you can slowly build up your level of fitness.

Again, I guess it really depends on your goals. At the moment, I have no goal to be a body-builder type, or get really big (I'm sort of short, and think I would look funny if I got really bulky).

Anyways, good luck, and congratulations of your decision to get healthy.
 
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